Whitehall Terminal

The iconic Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan connects various transit routes including subway lines and ferry operations. It serves as a vital link for commuters and tourists traveling between Manhattan and Staten Island. The terminal itself is situated at Whitehall Street, also known as the financial district of Lower Manhattan, NY. 

 

Near the terminal, you can find the Battery Maritime Building housing the ferry station for the Staten Island Ferry. This is the primary terminal for the Staten Island Ferry, a fare-free system. The ferry station at Whitehall Terminal handles over 70,000 passengers daily and offers gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island as it crosses the New York Harbor. 

 

The terminal resides in a building that spans several square feet of land. It includes several amenities such as waiting areas, ticket booths, and access points for connecting subways. Also, the nearby neighborhoods provide a selection of places for grabbing food or enjoying a hot cup of coffee. 

 

 

What to Know

Originally opened in 1903, the Whitehall Terminal is now a major transportation hub in New York City. It is located in the South Ferry section of lower Manhattan. It is the Staten Island Ferry terminal, which connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Manhattan. It is one of the two terminals used by the ferry system, the other one being St. George Terminal on Staten Island. 

 

Since its operation, it has been a key gateway for commuters and tourists traveling between Manhattan and Staten Island. The terminal was the reason for the growing number of transportation needs and commuters that had to travel between Island and Lower Manhattan, New York. It underwent a lot of changes over the years. A lot of renovations took place to update its design. However, with the renovations, the historical significance of the terminal still remains intact.

 

The overall importance of the Whitehall terminal grew during the early 20th century when the ferry service expanded. It helped streamline passenger flow and added to their convenience. In addition to that, because of its iconic location on the southern tip of Manhattan, it offers gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New York Harbor. Several historic landmarks, such as Battery Park and Castle Clinton, are within walking distance of this terminal. 

 

By 1991, the terminal was completely destroyed in a fire. In February 2005, the terminal reopened and was completely rebuilt. It also became a major transportation hub. Also, the terminal has a really advanced heating and air conditioning system that is partially powered by solar panels. The seats are very comfortable while waiting and the overall place is quite welcoming. A Shanghainese Chinese artist, Ming Fay called the terminal an imaginary journey before the real journey happens.

 

And of course, it serves as a central hub for Staten Island Ferry, which is a common fare-free ferry system in New York. The Ferry can also save you from the traffic of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and you can marvel at New York’s coastline. Along the way, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the views of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Southern tip of Manhattan, and so much more. This way, you can also save some money by not spending on the Liberty tour—because you’re getting the same views from the ferry anyway. The ferry can carry almost 5,000 passengers and it features 3 decks, a bar, and several restrooms. There is a staff of 15 people who are trained professionals and are always there to help you. It is also very safe to travel via ferry because you’ll find NYPD stationed at the Staten Island Ferry vessels and they’ll also be on both terminals.

 

On busier days, the ferry operates every 15-20 minutes—it usually happens during weekdays. And during weekends, it runs every 30 minutes or so. There are a total of 10 boats and around 70,000 commuters and tourists ride this ferry every day. Even though the ferry can hold 5,000 people, it’s not very crowded and you can enjoy the views with peace. The ferry is very clean and spacious, with plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. Although, the outdoor seats fill up very quickly. You can also enjoy the views while sitting inside. The ferry takes about 25 minutes on one way, with a round trip of one hour if you’re traveling in both directions. 

 

Near the terminal, you can find Battery Park spanning over 25 acres. It offers beautiful green space and gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and New York Harbor. Originally, the park was used as a defense against potential attacks—this was back in the day in the 1700s. The name of the park is derived from artillery batteries or military forts. In the 19th century, the land was slowly transformed into a public space and redesigned in the early 20th century by Robert Moses. In 1945, a modern Battery Park was developed that became an urban oasis.

 

The park features a beautiful waterfront promenade that stretches along the edge of the park. Many people love this Esplanade and spend some time here. Also, there is The Sphere, one of the iconic public art pieces in the park. It used to be a part of the World Trade Center before the 9/11 attacks. After that, it was relocated to the Park as a memorial. With that, you will find numerous artworks and sculptures displayed around the park, including “The Immigrant” statue and “The Triumph of the Human Spirit.” The park is also a point where ferries depart for Liberty and Ellis Island.

 

Moreover, the park features several gardens including the Garden of Remembrance, which commemorates those who have died in wars and disasters. And before I forget, it is also home to Castle Clinton, a National Monument that was built to safeguard the place. Now, it welcomes millions of people every year. It also has a ticket office for cruises that will take you to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Admission to the site is completely free and is open all year round. Battery Park also has a playground for kids, which is amazing. It is located on the east edge of the park and is wheelchair accessible. You will also find picnic tables, where you can enjoy your lunch. 

If we’re talking about parks, then visit Bowling Green as well. It’s a historical park, which was founded in the 1700s. It is surrounded by greenery and beautiful flowers and still has its original cast iron fence. You can also find the Native American Museum on one side of the park. Admission to this museum is free as well.

Other than that, the Peter Minuit Plaza was also redesigned for easy accommodation for buses, taxis, and pedestrians. After the events of 9/11, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or MTA received funds to transform the South Ferry Subway Station. The new design included 42 trees and public space for community activities. It also includes a new bus loop. The plaza also has “New Amsterdam Plein and Pavilion”, an area that showcases art, horticulture, and design. 

Also, you should see the Bull statue facing Wall Street if you’re in this park—it is only a block away from the battery park and situated on the northern tip of the park. Wall Street is also known as the financial district of lower Manhattan. The bull symbolizes financial optimism and prosperity and is the work of Arthur Di Modico. The bull weighs around 7100 pounds and it’s 11 feet tall and 16 feet long. 

 

While you’re in the area, head over to any of the food places. You’ll find places famous for their freshly baked pizzas and deli-style sandwiches. You will find Leo’s Bagels that serves hot breakfast with a delicious menu of Grilled Cheese and Egg sandwiches, breakfast wraps, bagels, and so much more. If you’re vegetarian, they also have a few options for that as well. With that, enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee. 

 

How to Get There

If you’re traveling from Times Square, then Line 1 subway is your best and cheapest option. You can also get a taxi if you’re in a hurry but it can be quite expensive. You can also ride a bus that departs from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Wall Street and downtown, New York. Another option is to ride a train that departs every 10 minutes from 42 St. Times Square and arrives at South Ferry. 

 

Best Time to Visit 

It’s best to arrive early at the Whitehall Terminal to avoid rush hours during weekdays. Even on weekends, it’s best to visit this place early. It would be wise not to travel between 3 and 8 pm on weekdays because these are rush hours for students and many commuters. With that, it is also the time that many tour groups arrive at this place to ride the Staten Island Ferry. 

 

Features and Highlights 

- Primary terminal for the Staten Island Ferry, a fare-free service. 

- The terminal is managed by the New York City Department of Transportation.

- The Whitehall ferry terminal is used by over 70,000 passengers every day for traveling aboard the Staten Island ferry. 

- St. George and Whitehall terminals are the two terminals used by many passengers for traveling between the two boroughs. 

- Located near Battery Park and within walking distance of many iconic landmarks.

- Provides proximity to Castle Clinton, which is a historic fort located in Battery Park.

- Well-connected to the New York City’s subway system.

- Nearby subway stations are South Ferry Station and Whitehall Street-South Ferry.

- The terminal is equipped to handle a large volume of foot traffic and has many waiting areas.

- It offers some of the best waterfront views in New York City.

- It is a major modern transportation hub for commuters and tourists alike and remains one of the busiest terminals in NYC.