Things to see in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District
Lower Manhattan and the Financial District in New York are the heart of the city when it comes to finance and law. The World Trade Center’s iconic Twin Towers used to be the focal point of Manhattan’s skyline. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001, the One World Trade Centre, 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum are the biggest draws to Downtown Manhattan. Lower Manhattan is, as the name suggests, located at the most Southern part of the island. You’ll find it in between Chamber Street, the Hudson River the East River and Battery Park/New York Harbour.
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Things to see in the Financial District
The Financial District consists of many offices and the headquarters of New York’s most important financial companies. Is this corporate environment interesting for you as a tourist?
Well, I would not recommend spending the night here, as a business district like this clears out after office hours. But for only a day? Definitely! There is a lot to see. The 9/11 Museum and Memorial of course, and how about the iconic Wall Street?
Financial District tour
Instead of taking on this urban jungle adventure all by yourself, you can opt for a guided tour. The guide will tell you all about Wall Street, both from a factual and a personal perspective.
Book the Financial District tour here
Wall Street
Wall Street symbolises the American financial world and even has its own movie. I can’t guarantee you any Leonardo DiCaprio encounters, but Wall Street is definitely worth a visit.
Amongst the many skyscrapers, you’ll find the world-famous stock exchange, the Trinity Church that, back in the 20th century, dominated the skyline with her massive height of 282 feet, and the Federal Hall, where back in 1789 George Washington was inaugurated as the United States’ first-ever president.
The Charging Bull statue
Also not to be missed near Wall Street is the famous Wall Street Bull. This bronze bull statue, officially called the Charging Bull, attracts long lines of tourists. They all want to snap a picture with it, and probably also rub the bull’s nose, horns and ‘private parts’, as this is supposed to give you good luck.
The Fearless Girl statue
Another impressive statue added in the Financial District, is the Fearless Girl. This statue of a fierce little girl was first placed across the bull, but after a year she was moved to a different location. This statue, that was created to honour International Women’s Day, can now be seen in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
One World Observatory and The Oculus
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum are two places in Lower Manhattan that commemorate the 9/11 attacks. On the same site, there are a few more buildings that were built in the years after the attacks. One of those is One World Trade Center, where you can visit One World Observatory to have an impressive view over de surrounding area’s.
A building that definitely attracts attention is the Oculus, a white skeleton-like structure designed by world-famous architect Calatrava. The Oculus is home to many shops and the World Trade Center subway station.
Stone Street
Once you’ve had enough of all things ‘business’, the solution is close-by. Right behind Wall Street, you’ll find Stone Street; an authentic little street that succeeded to escape from the rigorous renewals that hit this area during the end of the previous century. In the summer you can relax on one of the terraces that fill the street, enjoy a gourmet pizza at Adrienne’s Pizza Bar or something more traditional at Ulysses.
Other sights of Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan has much more to offer than finance! You can stroll through cobblestone streets and historical sites, admiring old buildings, churches, parks and the famous waterfront.
Parks in Lower Manhattan
Due to its location at the southernmost tip of Lower Manhattan, Battery Park offers stunning harbour views from the waterfront, where the Statue of Liberty can also be seen in the distance. The park itself features peaceful pathways, colourful flower gardens and a variety of monuments, including the circular Castle Clinton, which was originally built as a fort.
Just a stone’s throw away is the much smaller, historical Bowling Green. It isn’t much more than a big fountain with a couple of benches, but it is New York’s oldest park. Next to this park, you’ll find the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, which is also worth a visit. The New York Department of the National Museum of the American Indian is located inside this building.
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Lower Manhattan is the entrance to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. If you are in this part of town, you can seize the opportunity of catching a boat for a beautiful tour to these world-famous hotspots.
For a variety of boat tours click here
Shopping in Lower Manhattan
Shopping in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District offers a diverse mix of experiences. Century 21 has been a favourite for designer bargains, while the French department store Printemps brings Parisian luxury to the neighbourhood.
Brookfield Place features upscale retailers along the Hudson River, and the modern Westfield World Trade Center shopping mall combines multi-level shopping with both international brands and local favourites.
Where to eat in Lower Manhattan
Thanks to the area’s rich history, there are many restaurants where you can relive the atmosphere of yesteryear. Consider Fraunces Tavern and the restaurants on Stone Street, for example. Or would you prefer to dine with an impressive view of the city? Then head to SAGA or Manhatta.
For food lovers, Eataly at the World Trade Center is also a great option. This Italian marketplace offers everything from fresh pasta and artisanal cheese to sit-down restaurants and quick bites.
Hotels in Lower Manhattan
You can find several good hotels and apartments in Lower Manhattan. A nice hotel close to the 9/11 Museum is Club Quarters World Trade Center. Here you can even book a room with a view of the square Memorial Pools. More centrally located in Lower Manhattan is the Artezen Hotel.
If you want to stay close to Stone Street, the Wall Street Inn is a good, classic hotel. And for those who prefer to book an apartment in New York, there are very good options in this area as well, like One Dutch Hotel.
How to get to Downtown Manhattan
Downtown Manhattan has many subway stations, depending on where you want to start exploring the neighbourhood. For example, you can take one of the many trains to Canal Street or Fulton Street, or take the line 1 to the South Ferry station if you’d like to start at the southernmost part of the area.
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