Washington Heights: 8 Things You Shouldn’t Miss

This might be the first time you're reading about Washington Heights, but once you know its history and its attractions, I'm sure you'll be adding Manhattan's Little Dominican Republic to your itinerary.

Recently, Little Dominican Republic became widely known thanks to Lin Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights. The show was later adapted for the big screen, and I go into the details in my list of movies filmed in New York.

But long before the Latino community made it home and Miranda made it famous, New Yorkers already knew it well: Washington Heights sits at the base of the George Washington Bridge, the bridge that connects Manhattan with New Jersey.

Things to See in Washington Heights

Like so many other parts of New York, this neighborhood is changing because of gentrification. Plenty of young people have moved to Washington Heights for the cheaper rents. Even so, the Dominican flavor still rules here.

That mix has made Washington Heights a fascinating place, hipster one minute and Caribbean the next. You've got to see it!

While it's mostly residential, it has parks overlooking the Hudson River, two very famous New York bridges and even a historic lighthouse!

If you like museums, Washington Heights is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s branch devoted to medieval art.

Now that you have the overview, here are the details for visiting the landmarks of Washington Heights:

1. George Washington Bridge

The George Washington Bridge, opened in 1931, is everywhere in Washington Heights. You can see it from practically every street!

Because it connects New York with New Jersey across the Hudson River, it's one of the most important bridges in New York and one of the busiest in the world. It has 14 lanes of traffic!

Along with the Lincoln Tunnel, the George Washington Bridge is one of the main gateways into Manhattan and a New York icon that every resident knows, along with everyone across the river in New Jersey.

If you're heading to Philadelphia from New York by car or bus, you'll cross the George Washington Bridge. It's a trip I recommend, by the way: the city where the United States was founded is barely 2 hours from New York.

2. J. Hood Wright Park

This Washington Heights park has several viewpoints of the George Washington Bridge and the cliffs along the Hudson River. It's where they shot another of the dance scenes in In the Heights (2021).

If you want spectacular photos of the bridge, this is a good spot, but really, any street running down to the Hudson River will do. I can't even remember which street I took this photo on. All of Washington Heights is one big lookout!

3. Little Red Lighthouse

Set aside time for the walk to Fort Washington Park, part of Manhattan's Riverside Park along the Hudson River.

For me it was one of the most cinematic experiences of all (I even started shooting in black and white!). Out there it's just you, the roar of the traffic, and that particular Manhattan solitude in the middle of millions of people.

Keep in mind that you have to pass under the George Washington Bridge viaduct. It feels a little unnerving because it's so empty, but I did this walk in winter. In summer the park gets plenty of visitors.

The truth is that reaching the base of the mighty George Washington Bridge, in a park on the banks of the Hudson River, was worth every minute of walking and even the scare going under the tunnel (too many New York cop shows in my past, clearly 🤣)

And under the bridge you'll find another hidden gem of New York: a little red lighthouse -the Jeffrey's Hook Light– tucked beneath the enormous George Washington Bridge.

Besides reminding us of New York's maritime past, the lighthouse is famous for the children's book «The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge.» A story with a lovely moral: even small things matter.

It's a wonderfully photogenic spot. The lighthouse's official name is Jeffrey's Hook Light.

I won't give you directions. It's easier to look it up on Google Maps and follow the route.

4. High Bridge Park

If you love walking across New York's bridges, Washington Heights is a must.

There you'll find the High Bridge, the oldest bridge in New York (2301 Amsterdam Ave), opened in 1848 to link Manhattan with the Bronx over the Harlem River.

This bridge was part of the infrastructure of the Croton Aqueduct, built to bring water to Manhattan.

The tower you see on the Manhattan side of the bridge belonged to the water system and stopped operating in 1970.

In 2015 the bridge was restored and turned into a pedestrian walkway that begs to be crossed on foot. When you go to Washington Heights, walk this iconic bridge!

The tower and the bridge access are in Highbridge Park.

5. The Met Cloisters

The main cultural attraction in Washington Heights is The Cloisters, the branch of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art dedicated to medieval art, perched at the top of Fort Tryon Park.

The most remarkable thing about The Cloisters is that the building incorporates original medieval European structures. You can visit with the same Met ticket, though it has to be used the same day.

6. Fort Tryon Park

If you're visiting The Cloisters you'll see Fort Tryon Park by default, since the museum sits inside it.

Give yourself enough time to wander the park, especially if you're traveling to New York in the fall. Fort Tryon Park is a great viewpoint over the Hudson River and the changing colors of the trees.

From the park you can also spot the George Washington Bridge in the distance, though very far off.

7. The 191st St Subway Station Pedestrian Tunnel

If you're hunting for authentic New York places off the usual tourist trail, the pedestrian tunnel leading to the 191st St station on the 1 subway line is absolutely one of them.

It's a subway passageway that's honestly a bit neglected, and it's incredibly long. It runs 3 blocks underground! There are plans to spruce it up, though that might strip away its raw authenticity.

If you go, know that it isn't as friendly a place as In the Heights makes it look in the musical number filmed inside.

The Washington Heights subway tunnel has two claims to fame: it leads to the deepest subway station in the city and it's covered in graffiti. What could be more New York than that?

The tunnel entrance is at the corner of St. Nicholas Avenue and 191st Street.

8. Morris-Jumel Mansion: the oldest house in NYC

If you want to dig into New York's rich history, head to the Morris-Jumel Mansion, a historic gem in the heart of Washington Heights.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is a house museum today. Built in 1765, it's the oldest residence still standing in Manhattan.

During the American Revolution it served as George Washington's headquarters during the Battle of Harlem Heights. Later, the mansion was home to several important historical figures.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion has been restored to reflect how it looked in the 18th century. Inside, you'll find exhibits on New York's colonial period.

You can check more details for your visit on the official Morris-Jumel Mansion website.

To get there by subway, get off at the 163rd Street – Amsterdam Avenue station (1 or C lines).

The history of Washington Heights

The neighborhood is named after the first president of the United States, George Washington. And it was right here that he fought one of the most decisive battles against the British army.

After the war, several wealthy families decided to build their mansions in the area, and the Morris-Jumel Mansion is one example.

With successive waves of immigrants, Washington Heights changed over time.

First it was an Irish neighborhood, then home to African Americans fleeing racism in the South, and by the 20th century it became home to Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexicans and Cubans.

Today, close to 70% of Washington Heights residents are Latino and Spanish is the dominant language. That makes visiting very easy.

Where is Washington Heights?

Washington Heights is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, just north of iconic Harlem. It stretches from 155th Street in the south to Dyckman Street in the north.

How to get to Washington Heights

The A and C lines. Stations from street .

The 1 line of the New York subway runs to Washington Heights (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line), with stations between 155th and 207th Streets.

During rush hours and for express service, the A line of the New York subway (IND Eighth Avenue Line) also works.