Little Island in New York
Little Island in New York is a park on piles on the Hudson River. Little Island is located in the Chelsea district and forms Pier 55. It consists of 280 concrete posts with a flared top, on which a city park has been built. The park is part of Hudson River Park on the west side of Manhattan and looks very futuristic. You can reach this green oasis via one of two walkways, the North Bridge and South Bridge, both located on the Hudson River Greenway.
What to do on Little Island
Little Island of course looks very special from a distance. When you visit it, it’s mainly “just” a park but a very beautiful one! I’ll tell you what you can see and do in this unique park in Manhattan.
Walking trails
One of the best things to do on Little Island is just walking around! If you take a walk here, you’ll encounter no fewer than 35 types of trees, 65 types of shrubs and a few hundred other types of plants. This means it can rightly be called a green oasis in the Hudson. There are walking paths that lead to the highest points on the island, offering beautiful views of Manhattan, New Jersey and the river around you.
Find the Secret Garden
Don’t forget to look for an arch leading to the “secret garden”. This garden is full of all kinds of white flowers and the perfect spot to relax a bit before you continue exploring the rest of the park and the city.
Have a Picnic
Would you like to take a break? There are three grass areas on Little Island where you can enjoy the sun and a picnic. In the park, there are free-to-use toilets that are located in a cave-like environment. Not only convenient but also fun to visit.
Visit Events on Little Island in New York
There are two stages in the park. There is a 700-seat amphitheatre called The Amph, for theatre, music and dance performances. And at the secret garden is a smaller theatre called The Glade. Here, there are all kinds of artists who perform, from bands to buskers.
Visiting Little Island
Little Island is located along the Hudson River Greenway, in a place where previously only cyclists, walkers and skaters would pass. The place is not a tourist hotspot so it’s not that busy in the immediate vicinity. The park, together with Gansevoort Peninsula, gives a nice energy to this area.
Combine your visit
There are a number of other attractions nearby that are nice to combine with a visit to Little Island:
- Meatpacking District: This atmospheric neighbourhood is close by.
- The Whitney Museum: A modern American art museum only a short walk away from the island.
- The High Line: If you’d like to exchange the glass and concrete of Midtown for trees and plants a little longer, start with a walk on the High Line and then finish with settling on one of Little Island’s lawns.
The Origin of Little Island
The idea of Little Island was born in 2012 and is a project of millionaire Barry Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. The design comes from the well-known English designer Thomas Heatherwick, who also created The Vessel. Little Island’s wavy design is inspired by a leaf floating on the water. Construction of the island started in 2017 and the project was completed in 2021.
Practical Information
- Location: On the west side of lower Manhattan in the Hudson River, near West 13th Street.
- How to get there: The nearest subway station is 14th St/8th Av, you can take the A C E and L trains to get here.
- Accessibility: The park has wheelchair accessible pathways.
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