A (quick) trip to Little Island

Floating in the Hudson River

Earlier this year Little Island debuted with a LOT OF HYPE and made its way on our must-see summer list. True to its name, the 2.4 acre outdoor park floats in the Hudson River off the West Side Highway in the Meatpacking District. The sculptural structure is made up of cascading, white tulip-shaped concrete pots supported by elongated stems in the water and held together by a beautiful landscape of hundreds of native trees, flowering plants and scrubs.

We visited mid-morning on a Saturday when timed entry wasn’t required. (Timed entry tickets are required from noon onwards and subject to change.) There are stairs and ramped pathways on two sides of the island which leads up to two look out points offering spectacular views of Midtown and Downtown as well as New Jersey. We checked out both sides which were fairly crowded along the way up and definitely too crowded once at the top, especially at the Southwest Overlook. A few benches are along the way for resting or to just sit and soak in the surrounding vistas and nature.

 
We had plans to spend approx. 3 hours but it was too hot, there was no live entertainment and the food trucks were closed for a break. The only shaded areas available were in the food court section which is served by a couple of food trucks offering small bites and sips. Menu items consist of local sandwiches, sweet treats and a local beer/cocktail menu.

It was good to see the space but next time we’d plan around one of their live performances for a more entertaining visit. I would note that the park was crowded and even more crowds came in by midday when we were leaving. The few staff around were helpful. And we all liked it better than The Vessel at Hudson Yards.

Accessibility Information:
- Little Island was designed with inclusion and accessibility in mind, from its physical spaces to its public programs. Read more about it’s inclusive approach here: https://littleisland.org/accessibility-park/
- There are multiple restrooms and a single user, gender neutral restroom which we didn't get to check out due to long lines.
- The Amphitheatre has eight (8) wheelchair accommodations.
- ASL, audio description, and open captioning are provided for select performances throughout the season, view calendar here https://www.littleislandtickets.com/

 Accessible Neighborhood Itinerary:
Little Island pairs up well with the HighLine that goes directly into Hudson Yards. Dine at Mercado Little Spain.
Head over to Chelsea Market if you’re looking for more food choices, some of the restaurants are accessible.

Transportation:

Buses M11, M12 and M14 take you to 14th and 10th

Important: Information is subject to change, please visit https://littleisland.org/ for the most up to date details.
Oct 2024