Washington Heights & Inwood is the home to a diverse and thriving population of about 220,000 people. It is also the home to City’s most fascinating attractions such as George Washington Bridge, Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, the Met Cloisters, and Fort Tryon Park which hosts the Medieval Festival.
Neighborhood Attractions
George Washington Bridge
One of the most spectacular bridges in the five boroughs—and one of the busiest bridges in the world—this two-story, 14-lane structure was opened in 1931, with a lower level added in 1962. GWB, a suspension bridge between New York City and New Jersey over the Hudson River—is always chock-full of cars, trucks, bikes and pedestrians. Patriotic drivers can salute one of the world’s largest American flags, which hangs from the top of the structure, as they pass below.
Learn more on NYC Official Guide
Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse
Personified in the 1942 children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, this landmark became a wartime-era favorite for children around the country. Nearly a decade later, when its usefulness was overshadowed by the lights from the George Washington Bridge, the beloved icon was saved from demolition by thousands of letters from children still enamored with the story. In the ensuing decades, the lighthouse was left to fall into disrepair, but the city undertook a full restoration in 2000 and, after 54 years of darkness, relit it in 2002.
Learn more on NYC Official Guide
The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park
This extraordinary museum, located in Fort Tryon Park, is made up of relocated Romanesque abbeys, with a collection dedicated to art and treasures from the Middle Ages.
Highlights include stained glass from the 13th century, jewelry, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts and the richly detailed Unicorn Tapestries.
Outside, gardens overlooking the Hudson River replicate those from the Middle Ages. It’s a picturesque setting in which to take a relaxing stroll.
Learn more on NYC Official Guide
The Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park
The Medieval Festival brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park is transformed into a medieval market town decorated with bright banners and processional flags. Performers, guests and festival goers dress in medieval costume. Visitors are greeted by authentic medieval music, dance, magic, and minstrels, as well as jugglers and jesters.
If you are interested in becoming a non-food vendor, volunteer or to purchase ad space in festival programs, please visit the Festival page.
Getting Here
Subways
Washington Heights is served by two lines of the New York City Subway system.
On the Eighth Avenue Line (A and C), service is available at 155th Street, 163rd Street–Amsterdam Avenue, and 168th Street. The C line ends at 168th Street. The A train continues and stops at 175th Street–George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, 181st Street, 190th Street, and Dyckman Street. Along the Broadway-Seventh Avenue Line, the 1 train has stations at 157th Street, 168th Street, 181st Street, and 191st Street.
Buses
Manhattan buses that have stops in Washington Heights/Inwood include:
M2,M3: To East 8th Street and 4th Avenue
M4: To Pennsylvania Station (via Broadway and Fifth Avenue) or The Cloisters (when open)/Fort Tryon Park (other times)
M5: To Greenwich Village, via Riverside Drive /Fifth Avenue
M18: To East 110th Street (Central Park North) and Fifth Avenue (From: West 168th Street and Broadway)
M98: To Fort Tryon Park or East 32nd Street/Lexington Avenue, Murray Hill via Third Avenue and the Harlem River Drive (rush hours only)
M100: To West 220th Street/Broadway, Inwood or East 125th Street/Second Avenue, East Harlem (via Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues)
M101: To East 8th Street and Third Avenue via Lexington and Third Avenues.