Downtown Manhattan Heliport, heliport
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport is a landing facility for helicopters situated on a pier along the East River near Wall Street. The site features a concrete terminal building and parking areas on both the pier and an adjacent barge, where helicopters are staged for passenger flights and airport transfers.
The heliport opened in 1960 as one of the first scheduled helicopter facilities for passengers in the United States. It was rebuilt in the 1980s after structural issues damaged the original pier, establishing itself as an essential transportation hub for business travel and sightseeing.
The heliport draws business travelers and sightseers who want to experience the city from above. Helicopter tours have become a way for visitors to see Manhattan's landmarks and layout in a way that ground-level exploration cannot offer.
The closest subway station is Whitehall Street-South Ferry, just a few minutes' walk away, and several bus lines stop nearby. If driving, use the parking garages in the area since the heliport itself has no on-site parking.
When it opened, this facility was one of only a few places in the US offering regular helicopter service and served top government officials including Presidents. Today it is the sole location in New York City where sightseeing helicopter flights for tourists operate.
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