Fort Lee – Palisades Park – Great NJ Day Trips

by | Aug 16, 2014 | Parks and Recreation | 0 comments

Cannon at Fort Lee Historical Park
Cannon at Fort Lee Historical Park

Great view from Fort Lee Historical Park – kids love the cannons

Fort Lee Historic Park

Fort Lee and Palisades Park are a great destination for a day trip. There is something for everyone:

  • Educational: Visitor center packed with interesting historical information about the Revolutionary War.
  • Kid Friendly: Reconstructed Revolutionary War encampment is great for kids to play on.
  • Scenic views: There are lovely views from Fort Lee park – very romantic
  • Walk to Palisades Park trails: Beautiful nature walk.

Fort Lee Historic Park is a 33-acre cliff-top park area with scenic overlooks, a reconstructed Revolutionary War encampment, and a Visitor Center. The entrance to Fort Lee Historic Park is on Hudson Terrace immediately south of the George Washington Bridge (directions).

Admission to the Historic Park is free; a parking fee of $5 is charged on weekends & holidays in season and for special events (cash only).

Historic Park grounds are open daily during daylight hours. Pets are not permitted. Bicycles are not permitted beyond the parking area. At the north end of the Historic Park, two overlooks command spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River, and the skyline of upper Manhattan. (Restrooms and a drinking fountain are available in season.) In the southern portion of the Historic Park, winding pathways lead past a reconstructed blockhouse to gun batteries and firing steps. Opposite the barbette battery, authentically recreated eighteenth-century soldiers’ and officers’ huts, with a well, woodshed, and baking oven, serve as the focal point for interpretive programs (check our calendar page for details).The Visitor Center is open Weds.–Sun., 10 AM–4:45 PM, with exhibits, gift shop, 150-seat auditorium, restrooms, beverage vending machine, and a water fountain. It is closed on holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.Fort Lee Historic Park office: 201 461-1776 • flhp@njpalisades.org
Cannon at Fort Lee Historic Park

The kids will love the cannons.

Fort Lee found its place in American history during the 1776 British campaign to control New York City and the Hudson River.

Having resisted the British siege of Boston, George Washington turned his attention to the defense of New York City and the Hudson River Valley. Besides constructing fortifications at New York and Long Island, Washington felt it imperative for the army to build and strengthen its defenses along the Hudson River.

The British plan, meanwhile, was to control the length of the Hudson with the overwhelming dominance of its Royal Navy. This plan, if successful, would split the Colonies in half — bringing an early end to the American rebellion…more

Fort Lee historical reconstructions

Fort Lee features authentically recreated eighteenth-century soldiers’ and officers’ huts

Deer at Fort Lee

The beautiful grounds at Fort Lee historical park are home to wild life.

Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey

The Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is about 12 miles long, a half-mile wide, and encompasses 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs.

Within this park you will find more than 30 miles of hiking and ski trails, a boat launching ramp, a scenic riverside drive, a cliff-top parkway and overlooks, riverfront picnic areas and playgrounds, a nature sanctuary, two boat basins, historic sites — and mile after mile of rugged woodlands and vistas just minutes from midtown Manhattan.

The Palisades Interstate Park is a National Historic Landmark and the Palisades are a National Natural Landmark.

The Long Path and Shore Trail are National Recreation Trails…more

The trails are lovely and walking them is a great way to relax and also get some exercise.
The trail is clearly marked and easy to follow.

Woods at Palisades park.

The long trail at Palisades Park is a scenic and beautiful walk through nature.

There are so many places with spectacular views from the long trail at Palisades Park.

View from long trail in Palisades Park

There are many places with spectacular views on the long trail in Palisades Park.

Ross Dock Picnic Area – Palisades Park: Very nice park with great views of both New York city and the magnificent cliffs of Palisades Park.

Palisade Cliffs

Great picnic area with views of the Palisade cliffs and of New York.

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