Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Little Red Lighthouse

    4.7 (43 reviews)

    The Little Red Lighthouse Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The Little Red Lighthouse

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The Little Red Lighthouse, New York
    Bruce K.

    For as many times as I have driven over the George Washington Bridge, I did not know that there was a lighthouse underneath it until I started researching sites to visit while I was nearby at the Met Cloisters. Officially, Jeffrey's Hook Light, the current Little Red Lighthouse was built in Sandy Hook New Jersey where it stood until 1917, when it became obsolete. It was reconstructed at its current location in 1921 by the United States Lighthouse Establishment as part of a project to improve Hudson River navigational aids. Construction on the George Washington Bridge, immediately above the lighthouse, started in 1927. When the George Washington Bridge was completed in 1931, the lighthouse was considered to be obsoleted by the bridge's navigational lights, and the Coast Guard decommissioned it and put out its light in 1948, with the intention of auctioning it off. After a public outcry, the Coast Guard deeded it to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation on July 23, 1951. If you've not read "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge", I suggest you do so. It is a cute story about how even the small are important. There is a summary on the Wikipedia page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Lighthouse Public access to the lighthouse is by the Hudson River Greenway, reachable north of the George Washington Bridge by a footbridge across the Henry Hudson Parkway at West 182nd Street and Riverside Drive, and south of the bridge by a footbridge at West 158th Street. The northern path is very steep immediately north of the bridge, while the southern path is flat. There is also a very obscure pedestrian underpass at Riverside Drive parallel to 177th Street, just south of the George Washington Bridge. It empties out on the other side of the Henry Hudson Parkway and it's a dirt path down to the lighthouse. There are a number of picnic tables and some shade near the lighthouse. [Review 15646 overall - 243 in New York - 1150 of 2021.]

    Alec G.

    Amazing views, easy to get to, parking across the parkway also relatively easy. Construction equipment under the GWB tucked away, not really a factor in experience. Cool place to picnic, take in view of downtown, or start a run along the Hudson river parkway.

    Gatangalie S.

    Highly recommend taking some time in the warmer months in NYC to visit the Little Red Lighthouse. Such a cute lighthouse under the George Washington bridge. If you didn't know the children book "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" was written about their friendship and journey. This time around I couldn't go into the lighthouse. Honestly I don't know if it's closed because of COVID. Anyhow just hanging by the rocks, benches or even on the grass is beautiful. I see lots of cyclists enjoying the breeze and taking in the view. It's a great spot to have a picnic or read a book. It's a bit of a walk from the train station if you are taking public transportation. So take the A or C train to 181st street then follow the George Washington bridge. I personally think you'll enjoy each and every moment of your walk to the lighthouse. The scenery is mystic! Very impressive!

    Ling C.

    This lighthouse is a sight to behold. It looks out of place under the bridge. The trek to get here is an adventure itself. This is the direction I took: Take the train to 181st St. and walk west to Plaza Lafayette. Cross the footbridge and take a left down the path under the overpass. Cross over the railroad tracks and follow the path to the left (south). The lighthouse is almost directly under the George Washington Bridge. Good luck!

    Sarah B.

    My daughter lives in this neighborhood and is getting ready to move out so we went for a walk to The Little Ted Lighthouse. It's a sweet little spot and a peaceful walk under the GW bridge.

    Patrice M.

    Idk if I've been in an information coma but I only learned about this lighthouse from an episode of God Friended Me and,appaled at my la k of NYC knowledge DH made it his mission to get me here. Well here we are. After walking the GWB 2 days ago I was intrigued by the park below. Turns out its quite a large park and beautiful. If you get the chance go visit. It's quite a historical landmark.

    Jing K.

    A historic lighthouse underneath the George Washington bridge but not much else here and in a state of disrepair

    Randall M.

    The Little Red Lighthouse is the subject of a children's book that I read many years ago. It was my delight when I accidentally discovered that The Little Red Lighthouse was real. I was on the Hudson River Greenway bicycling north when I noticed a little red lighthouse underneath the George Washington Bridge. In the 1970's NYC wanted to remove The Little Red Lighthouse, and a grass roots effort to save the lighthouse was created. Proceeds from the sale of the book helped to save the lighthouse. It is quite a nice find if you bicycle or run in the upper part of Manhattan.

    Edward M.

    Sometimes in New York, what you see is what you get. No hidden allusions to something deeper or under the surface, some things are explained exactly as they're called. Case in point is the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge. Is it little? You bet! Is it red? Bright as a fire engine! Is it a lighthouse? Obviously. Is it under the George Washington Bridge? I'll let you look at a map and decide. While most people see the lighthouse as a passing glimpse as they make the trip into New Jersey, coming upon in on the ground is even more fun, doubly so when you're allowed to climb up to the top of it! Only 4 stories high and narrow on the top, the lighthouse is not a climb that will exhaust many, but still well worth the climb to survey the Hudson River and see the Palisades from across the river. Usually closed, coming by on Open House New York or the Little Red Lighthouse festival at the end of the summer lets you climb to the top. For all other days, when the lighthouse is closed, there is still a lovely park nearby that allows you to bask in the splendor of the lighthouse under the bridge

    Nadia Z.

    When I would tell my friends I want to see Little Red Lighthouse, they had no idea where or what it was. Personally, I've seen photos and scaled models at NY train shows, but never in person. It was about time I made a trip. To tell you the truth, finding a way to cross that darn highway on foot was an adventure on it's own... Google maps would direct you across GWB - may be they think you can climb down from there? Not sure. But after finding wayfinding blog with pictures, crossing multiple bridges & underground tunnels with bums, dranks, and just weird people, I finally made it to the clearing. (Park itself is pretty safe, unlike getting there) It is most unusual scene, simply little red lighthouse under the bridge. Is this there trolls live? Did they strike a deal with red riding hood for rental property? It's so tiny and so strange, with span of the bridge overshadowing it and spectacular views of Hudson opening up in both directions. Enjoying a great summer day on a bench by the tree is relaxing. But It was time for me to get back to my truck and on the road again. ...Want to guess what happened next?.. Yep, I got lost crossing that crazy highway again. Seriously, visit, but find that blog with instructions how to get there and follow it to the end. That is the end of my adventure here, yours is next.

    A sailboat crosses under the George Washington Bridge near the Little Red Lighthouse on a crisp autumn day.
    Ed L.

    So peaceful, whether for sightseeing away from tourist-packed areas or for a quiet picnic near the Hudson River. (And yes, there are several picnic tables to choose from.) There is no signage directing bike or foot traffic there, but it's easily accessible from 182nd St. down a steep hill, or you can take the Hudson River Greenway from the south if you're allergic to walking down a few hundred feet from civilization (a.k.a. the western part of Washington Heights). The Little Red Lighthouse is a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city.

    Amazing view seems safe I was there alone taking photos til about 11pm the people were nice and the light house is an awsome photo subject

    Rita E.

    Manhattan's only remaining lighthouse sits beneath the George Washington Bridge, an adorable little beacon pluckily standing ground against the big grey behemoth above it. Incongruous and so very cute, this is the basis of the 1942 children's book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. There are several picnic benches nearby, so it's quite easy to make a day of it and stroll along the Hudson greenway, have a leisurely picnic, play some tennis in the nearby courts, watch the sailboats pass. Bring the kids, they'll love it. To get here, take the A to 181st St, walk toward the Hudson River, cross over the West Side Highway on the footbridge at 181st St & Cabrini Blvd and follow the walkway under the George Washington Bridge. Each October it's open to the public during Open House New York and you can climb up to the observation deck. Fun!

    The Little Red Light House

    See all

    Photo of Phil H.
    4991
    5173
    30285

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alisa J.
    241
    1905
    6829

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alec G.
    382
    13
    2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ling C.
    236
    673
    2452

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fox E.
    4535
    16891
    49976

    5 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gerald S.
    1920
    3893
    17462

    5 years ago

    Helpful 62
    Thanks 0
    Love this 61
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Randall M.
    30
    731
    726

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed L.
    100
    2
    1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pinky And The B.
    823
    1463
    5796

    16 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dewan A.
    762
    2153
    2451

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lili K.
    310
    2572
    302

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe L.
    173
    369
    1041

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I haven't been here but it seems like a magical place. Can't wait to see it in person soon.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt E.
    794
    2235
    1860

    15 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bryce A.
    50
    306
    61

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mr B.
    0
    1424
    6820

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amanda K.
    6
    104
    13

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steph S.
    35
    51
    128

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John B.
    25
    16
    0

    15 years ago

    I can't help but remember the story everytime I think about this lighthouse. I like to think of it welcoming me home after a good ride.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Little Red Lighthouse

    Review Highlights - The Little Red Lighthouse

    So peaceful, whether for sightseeing away from tourist-packed areas or for a quiet picnic near the Hudson River.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Landmarks & Historical Buildings 1,883 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Bowery Savings Bank Building

    Bowery Savings Bank Building

    5.0(3 reviews)
    7.0 miMidtown East, Murray Hill

    Tour historic buildings and designated landmarks of New York. Bowery Savings Bank building is one…read moreof many historic. Any history buff or avid amateur architecture enthusiasts would have a full appreciation and admiration of this stone building as old world architectural craft is no longer in use. This building still stands with the passage of time and nature's elements. The correct location of Bowery Savings Bank Building is in Chinatown, Lower Manhattan- NOT Midtown East, Murray Hill. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=132531

    You might find a few Bowery Bums in the doorway of the Bowery Savings Bank Building, but it's New…read moreYork, and more to the point it's the USA, and that goes with the territory. This building is very special to me because when I needed to get my citizenship it was here that my awesome lawyer (whose office is in the upper reaches of this magnificent building) helped me through the process and got me over the line - and I will always be grateful for that. He's David Gottfried of Gottfried & Gottfried, by the way. I would recommend him to anyone as the perfect immigration lawyer for my situation and I wish nothing but the best for him. As for the building it's a typical old rustic early 20th century New York stunner, and it seems haunted. They do make you go through a security check to get up inside here but then so does Barbie with her clients.

    Photos
    Bowery Savings Bank Building - Exterior

    Exterior

    Bowery Savings Bank Building - Lil Bowery Wow

    Lil Bowery Wow

    Bowery Savings Bank Building

    See all

    Van Gogh's Ear - Van Gogh's Ear, a public art sculpture by Elmgreen & Dragset

    Van Gogh's Ear

    5.0(3 reviews)
    6.6 miMidtown East, Midtown West

    Don't look for this work of art. It's not there. If you were lucky enough to see it, write a…read morereview. It's pretty cool if you stare and stare. Then all of a sudden you realize what you're looking at! My photos are from April 14, 2016. It was a beautiful Spring Day. I am enjoying reminiciing about today during the Arctic Blast!

    "Van Gogh's Ear", a public art sculpture by Elmgreen & Dragset, is in place at 30 Rockefeller…read morePlaza, right across the street from the entrance to Sak's 5th Ave. The sculpture, by the same duo that brought us the Prada Marfa Store in the middle of the Texas desert, is a tribute to the ready-made style of Marcel Duchamp. The sculpture is a 30 foot tall swimming pool, taken out of its normal context and displayed in its side with a diving board built in at the top. One of my favorite elements are the working lights on the inside left and right of the pool sculpture. Being that it's out of context - a recreational object in the middle of a commercial center - it creates a sense of longing and desire for recreation over industry and gives you an off-kilter feeling (why am I going to work when I could be swimming!). Overall a great piece of colorful public art at placed I a great spot for the perfect season. The piece is on display from April 13th though June 3rd, 2016. Catch it while you can!

    Photos
    Van Gogh's Ear - The sign for Elmgreen & Dragset's piece "Van Gogh's Ear"

    The sign for Elmgreen & Dragset's piece "Van Gogh's Ear"

    Van Gogh's Ear - Van Gogh's Ear beautifully backlit by NYC last night.

    Van Gogh's Ear beautifully backlit by NYC last night.

    Van Gogh's Ear - They removed the street-side barricades.

    See all

    They removed the street-side barricades.

    Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Plaque

    Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Plaque

    5.0(1 review)
    6.9 miMidtown East

    "Don't know much about history Don't know much biology…read moreDon't know much about a science book Don't know much about the French I took" (Sam Cooke) I guess you can call me a history nerd. After all, I did major in history and rarely walk past a plaque or memorial or marker that I don't stop to read and more than likely Yelp. So when we were walking out to the street from Grand Central Station's Park Avenue/East 42nd Street entry and saw a wall plaque with the portrait of a familiar woman, I just had to stop and check it out. The portrait was of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Those of my generation will always remember the traumatic and terribly sad photographs of her from Dallas on November 22, 1963 with her pink pill box hat and her blood splattered pink dress. Twelve years after JFK's assassination the former First lady was engaged in a high stakes 1975 battle to save one of her hometown's iconic landmarks. At issue was a plan to take the wrecking ball to New York City's Grand Station Terminal and demolish it, just as Penn Station has been demolished and rebuilt in 1964. She became outraged when she learned of the plan and led a coalition of New Yorkers and the the Municipal Art Society to stop it. She was the star of a famous press conference from Grand Central and declared "If we don't care about our past we can't have very much hope for our future, we've all heard that it's too late, or that it has to happen, that it's inevitable. But I don't think that's true. Because I think if there is a great effort, even if it's the eleventh hour, then you can succeed and I know that's what we'll do." She also wrote an eloquent letter to NYC 's Mayor Beame and asked him "...is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud moments, until there is nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future? Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they ignore it and tear down everything that matters..." The plaque was dedicated on June 24, 2014 to mark renovations to the station's main entrance. The renovations honor her legacy with photographs, a video display, and the plaque. The entry itself was renamed "The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer".

    Photos
    Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Plaque

    See all

    Empire State Building - Photo opportunity with King Kong himself

    Empire State Building

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    7.3 miKoreatown, Midtown West

    Folks, the Empire State Building built in 1931 in just over a year during the Depression, when…read moreAmerica built fast and huge. Iconic, baby. I went up recently, and let me tell you, it's no One World Trade Center. One World? Smooth, modern, straight to the top no nonsense. Empire State? Lines, more lines, security gauntlet, then they dump you halfway into a gift shop full of overpriced junk. Total tourist trap gimmick! They're making a fortune, but come on let me see the view already! But then you hit the 86th floor deck, wind smacks you in the face, city noise roars up from a thousand feet below horns, life, energy. Tremendous! 360-degree views that make you feel like King Kong himself. Nostalgic as hell Art Deco soul, real history you can touch. Not some sterile glass tower; this is old-school New York grit. Sure, if you want quick and slick, skip to One World. But the Empire State? Pure character. Worth every hassle. Go early, grab the express pass if you're smart, soak it in. It's legendary, folks. Huge! Make New York great again one windy deck at a time.

    I hadn't visited the Empire State Building in probably 20 years, but I decided to visit with my…read morehusband last weekend. It's such a different experience now. 20 years ago, I remember just walking into the lobby, buying a ticket, and heading up to the observation deck. But today? You enter in a different spot, and it's a whole experience. There's a "museum" now and you can spend more time here than just taking in the views from the 86th floor. So why go? It was the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1931 and until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was completed in 1970. (Sad aside: It became NYC's tallest building again after 9/11 until was surpassed by One World Trade Center in 2012.) It features gorgeous art deco architecture and design. It's a cultural icon (one of my favorite parts of the museum experience was a room where you can see dozens of film clips which feature the Empire State Building). The new experience includes exhibits that explain the history, design, and construction of the building. What I learned about its construction was particularly interesting! The construction of the building involved more than 3,500 workers, many of who were Irish and Italian immigrants, and led to an unknown number of deaths of workers (official reports say 5, newspapers at the time reported higher numbers). While I felt this museum addition really added to the experience of visiting the Empire State Building, it has also certainly made visiting the building more expensive. So let's get down to the brass tacks. The base ticket (which gets you entry into everything up to the 86th floor) is $44 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $38 for children (plus a $5 booking charge for each transaction). If you want to visit the 102nd floor for that additional observation deck, it's $79 for adults, $77 for seniors, and $73 for children (plus the booking charge). Then there are ways to spend even more money: a Starbucks Reserve Sunrise ticket ($135 per person); an Express Pass (starting at $85/120 per person); a Premium Experience ($175 per person); and All-Access Tour ($500 per person)... I'm generally not into these expensive view experiences that have popped up all over NYC. But the Empire State Building is special. It's an icon and a view. But I still wasn't willing to pay $80 to visit, so we stuck with the base ticket that gets you access only to the 86th floor observatory. The 86th Floor Observatory contains an enclosed viewing gallery and open-air outdoor viewing area. It's the classic observatory you've seen in movies. And it was certainly enough for me - the museum and the 86th floor observatory! Don't miss/rush through the original main lobby as you leave the experience. Or - if you're not willing to pay for the experience to see the view - stop in at the lobby on its own - it's open to the public (follow the signs for the Starbucks Reserve which is entered through this lobby). The lobby is gorgeous - marble, terrazzo, a scale model of the building... But the highlight is that aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was originally built (without the antenna). It's incredible. It's an icon for a reason, and it was fun to visit and to see it again after so many years. They've certainly made it more of an experience than it used to be (although now, you can't just pop by for the view on a pretty day, since it's prohibitively expensive for a quick visit), but I had a really good time.

    Photos
    Empire State Building - King Kong poster

    King Kong poster

    Empire State Building - Ahhhh godzilla got me

    Ahhhh godzilla got me

    Empire State Building - The souvenir glass that you can only get in the restaurant on the first floor.

    See all

    The souvenir glass that you can only get in the restaurant on the first floor.

    The Little Red Lighthouse - landmarks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...