Fort Tilden

The fort's natural landscape shifts from dunes and a maritime forest to freshwater ponds, sharing the peninsula with athletic fields, an arts center, and a theater. Historic relics of its coastal defense past, like the Nike Missile Launch Site and Battery Harris, sit quietly among the brush, with the battery's eastern observation deck looking out to Jamaica Bay and the Manhattan skyline. The off-season brings a windy, head-clearing space for hiking and dog walking, though visitors should note that swimming is prohibited due to the lack of lifeguards.