Built in 1828 on Staten Island’s eastern shore, Fort Tompkins Light guided vessels through the Narrows into New York Harbor for decades before being deactivated. The lighthouse sits within the grounds of Fort Wadsworth, one of the nation’s oldest military installations, giving it a layered historical significance that few East Coast lights can match. The tower is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it remains visible from the surrounding fort grounds. Golden hour provides the best photography, with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as a dramatic backdrop. Nearby, visitors can explore Fort Wadsworth’s Battery Weed, the Staten Island Greenbelt trails, and the free Staten Island Ferry offering sweeping harbor views.

Explore Nearby

• Minnesota Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
• Iron Mountain Divisional Camp -Patton — Public Land in California
• Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Florida
• Government Trail — Public Land
• Liberty State Park — State Park in New Jersey