The Highest Natural Point on Manhattan
New York, New York County, New York
Marker Inscription
THE HIGHEST NATURAL POINT ON MANHATTAN
The Story
In Washington Heights, atop the ridge of hard Manhattan schist that gives the neighborhood its name, this marker fixes the island's highest natural elevation—roughly 265 feet above the harbor. Manhattan's dramatic north-end topography, carved by ancient geology and later by the street grid, reaches its crest here in what is today Bennett Park. That commanding high ground was no idle curiosity: during the American Revolution the Continental Army fortified this vantage precisely because whoever held the heights controlled the Hudson approaches to the city.
Why it matters
It marks the literal high point of an island that became the nation's greatest metropolis, tying a simple fact of geography to the strategic story of New York in the fight for independence.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- 81 Leonard Gallery10.0 mi away
- Gerben Fine Art10.1 mi away
- Bureau10.1 mi away · 112 Duane Street
- Hall des Lumières10.2 mi away · 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY
- Cloud Gallery10.3 mi away
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum10.5 mi away · 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY
Attractions
- The River Project Wetlab9.5 mi away
- FDNY Ladder 89.9 mi away · 14 North Moore Street, New York
- Dream house9.9 mi away
- Cortlandt Alley9.9 mi away
- Chinatown10.0 mi away
- Textile building10.0 mi away
Food & drink
- Sweetgreen10.8 mi away
- Maman10.8 mi away
- Greene Hook Bar & Kitchen10.8 mi away
- Semicolon Cafe10.8 mi away
- Rumi Turkish Grill10.9 mi away
- Bluestone Lane10.9 mi away
Places to stay
- DoubleTree10.3 mi away · 455 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ
- Conrad10.4 mi away · 102 North End Avenue, New York
- Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City10.4 mi away · 21 2nd Street, Jersey City, NJ
- M Social Hotel New York Downtown10.5 mi away · 55 Church Street, New York, NY
- Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson10.6 mi away · 2 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ
- Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area10.6 mi away · 170 Broadway, New York, NY
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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