Little Red Lighthouse
Little Red Lighthouse
4
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Washington Heights
How to get there
- 181st St • 4 min walk
- 181st St • 7 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
45 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
20
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Charles S
Northamptonshire, UK1,039 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Officially the lighthouse's name is Jeffrey's Hook Light, located in Fort Washington Park under the George Washington bridge. It's nickname came from a 1942 children's book 'The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge'. Jeffrey's Hook is a small point of land that supports the base of the eastern pier of the bridge. To avert danger for shipping it began as a red pole hung out over the river in the late 1800's which was subsequently lit. A structure on the point followed by a 40 feet red tower was completed in 1921. When asked the question of a local we were told there are many ways to access the lighthouse, including a steep northside footbridge, a flatter southside footbridge, a new pedestrian and bicycle footbridge, an obscure unmade path via a pedestrian underpass and lastly a route via Washington heights - take your pick! The light was re-lit in 2002 and there are infrequent tours by the Urban Park Rangers. So much history for a small lighthouse.
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ6,135 contributions
Jun 2020
Don't miss this little gem of a historical spot made famous by the book "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" by Hildegarde Swift. The lighthouse was decommissioned years ago but its place on the Hudson River under the George Washington Bridge is picturesque and makes for a good visit. This part of Fort Washington Park is beautiful and nice for taking pictures. The breezes are amazing!
The lighthouse is not open but you can take pictures by it. It is a nice part of the park to visit but it is a long trip down walking and not for the faint hearted on the way back up.
The lighthouse is not open but you can take pictures by it. It is a nice part of the park to visit but it is a long trip down walking and not for the faint hearted on the way back up.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoblesseOrBleach
Northern Mariana Islands, Mariana Islands13 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Holy cow was this difficult to get to! If you must (and that's probably the case if you're reading this), there is a foot bridge just north of W 181st St. If traveling by car, best to park on the street near 181st St & Riverside Drive (recommend parking on 181st St or just south of that unless you're planning to head further north afterwards, otherwise you'll end of driving further out than you need to). If you're using GPS you can find a random business on Riverside Dr south of W 181st St to pinpoint (there's at least one). After you park (check the street signs!), carefully cross the foot bridge and follow the path toward the underpass that will take you under 9A (Henry Hudson Pkwy), continue the path past the American Redoubt Marker, there's an overpass for the railroad, a short jaunt down the hill and you'll see it! Maybe 10 min from your parking space. You'll get some nice views of the George Washington Bridge and the rest of Manhattan. When visited, the lighthouse itself was a little worse for wear - could use another paint job. Been meaning to check it out ever since I heard about it a few months back. Was it worth the trek? At least I saw it. Pretty desolate area other than the occasional walker and the troll in the booth under the bridge.
Written February 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
disneydiddl
Brussels, Belgium52 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
I like lighthouses and I always try to visit some when I travel. Some years ago, I saw, from far away, this little red lighthouse from a boat tour (circle line tour ; but we couldn't go close to it because of a problem that day). So I wanted to go. I had read those reports here and decided to try to find my way. It is easier than some people say here. We took a bus till 181st street and from there, we followed what Google told us, and it is easy to find (or you can follow the indications with "Hudson bike" there ; it is about 15-20 minutes to walk from the bus (or metro) station. If you love lighthouses, you should do this visit. We then walked along the Greenway till 125th street and it is a lovely walk too.
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFuentes782
Golden, CO33 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
On a rainy Thanksgiving day eve, I took the 'A' train to Fort Washington Avenue and 181st. Street to visit Jeffrey's Hook Light, affectionately known as Little Red Lighthouse. With no specific walking directions to the lighthouse, I asked a street vendor and an ambulance driver for the quickest way to Fort Washington Park where Little Red stands. Following their helpful tips, I went west on 181st. Street passing Plaza Lafayette and turned right on Riverside Drive. A short walk and turning left onto the Hudson River Greenway, a pedestrian overpass and two pedestrian tunnels later, finally took me to the lighthouse, proudly settled almost directly under the George Washington Bridge. Despite a slightly treacherous path and the cold crosswinds of the Hudson River, my mile-long trek culminated with the delightful sight of the red lighthouse, standing majestic on the riverbank.
To those of you who feel a love for lighthouses, the Little Red Light is a must see when visiting Manhattan, a hidden treasure tucked away on the eastern end pier of the George Washington Bridge.
To those of you who feel a love for lighthouses, the Little Red Light is a must see when visiting Manhattan, a hidden treasure tucked away on the eastern end pier of the George Washington Bridge.
Written December 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TreyPod
Nashville, TN26 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
Located on the Hudson River just under the George Washington Bridge.... the Little Red Lighthouse. Although I made the trek, it wasn't open and later found that it is open the 2nd Saturday of months June-October. Admission is free. To get here - take the Subway to 181st street and prepare to walk a little bit.
Written July 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abiola7
New York City, New York25 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift, illustrated by Lynd Ward made it famous in the early 40s. It's a joy to walk along the Hudson river on a lovely day and come up to this little red treasure under the bridge.
The lighthouse is one of those treasures that never fails to surprise you that you're still in New York City. Walk with the one you love or a large group. It's worth it.
The lighthouse is one of those treasures that never fails to surprise you that you're still in New York City. Walk with the one you love or a large group. It's worth it.
Written April 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmB30
Hackensack, NJ481 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
Recently visited walking from a historic park in Fort Lee, NJ, across the George Washington Bridge. I think the round trip walk at a reasonable pace took a little more than an hour, but I am not sure. This is a beautiful spot. The sight of the lighthouse with the bridge behind is impressive. After getting off the bridge the walk to the lighthouse was longer than I expected, not obvious but able to be figured out for someone who did not plan ahead. Walking trails, overpasses, and tunnels are required to get around the higher speed roadways near the river. The overall experience of walking the bridge and visiting the park was fantastic, but I wish the park immediately around the lighthouse was a bit more extensive and manicured so that those visiting could better appreciate the experience. Also, with the exception of the historic park where I started, I noticed no bathrooms or anyplace where water (public fountain or vending machine) was available.
Written August 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bosl2018
New York City, NY1 contribution
Apr 2018
I've always wanted to go to this and just never got around to it until now at age 55, but I'm glad I did. I was apprehensive at first as it seemed complicated and wasn't sure how safe it was. Turns out that it wasn't so complicated and we went a shorter way than the Google Maps gave us (but the Google Map gives a safer way if you are doing it alone). All in all, well worth it. And check out the Sisyphus Stones on the longer walk.
Written October 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy V
New York City, NY56 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We walked from the parking lot at 153rd St., off the West Side Highway, to the Little Red Lighthouse, under the George Washington Bridge (and back) and found glorious views, fascinating details and good exercise (~3 miles round trip).
Before anyone starts the walk, of course they have to read the children's classic The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge, which adds immensely to the emotional satisfaction of finally seeing the heroic "little brother" still perched on its Jacob's Point rocks. You can't go inside the lighthouse, but wandering around it is delightful.
On the way, we found a great set of sculpted rocks and saw the artist continuing to assemble his shoreline piece. We saw a basketball court under the highway, no doubt the West Side Story set inspiration. We had sunset views of Manhattan on our way back to the car.
This is a hidden gem of NYC!
Before anyone starts the walk, of course they have to read the children's classic The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge, which adds immensely to the emotional satisfaction of finally seeing the heroic "little brother" still perched on its Jacob's Point rocks. You can't go inside the lighthouse, but wandering around it is delightful.
On the way, we found a great set of sculpted rocks and saw the artist continuing to assemble his shoreline piece. We saw a basketball court under the highway, no doubt the West Side Story set inspiration. We had sunset views of Manhattan on our way back to the car.
This is a hidden gem of NYC!
Written March 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
“Currently closed to the public. For more information about tours and festivals, please call the Urban Park Rangers at (212) 360-1444.”
Written September 27, 2024
Hi lovethatbark,
Obviously NYC isn't the best place for driving or parking, but there is a parking lot at 148 that you can park at and then walk up. You have to get to 148 by going to 158 and broadway and turning west onto 158 down to Riverside Drive but under and it will take you to the parking lot.
If you're coming from the north and from the GWB, take the Hudson Parkway and take the 158th st exit. Will take you to the same parking lot.
This walk from 148 to the lighthouse (at approx 178) will be a bit easier than walking from 181 (since it's flat). However, you can also try to find street parking at 181 and walk down the crazy hill.
Written November 28, 2017
Hi, how do you get there by car? I have a difficult time finding the directions...Thank you so much.
Written March 9, 2016
You can't reach the lighthouse by car. You either have to park at 148 and walk north (googlemap to Ten Mile River Playground) or park at 181 and surrounding areas and walk down the crazy hill (and back up that crazy hill).
Written November 28, 2017
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