Discover Downtown Manhattan on this walking route through the oldest part of New York. You’ll walk through the historic South Street Seaport, right through the Financial District and past the 9/11 Memorial. All places steeped in history. I created the Downtown route and took the photos myself, and as I walk it fairly regularly, I make sure everything is still up to date. Using my Eric’s New York App, you can follow the route whenever it suits you, at your own pace.
Download the app and buy your walking route for New York here
Eric's Index
- 1 Highlights of the Downtown Manhattan Route
- 2 How’s This Walking Route?
- 3 Where New York Began
- 4 How Does the Walking Route Work in the App?
- 5 FAQ
- 5.1 Where does the walking route through Downtown Manhattan start?
- 5.2 How long is the walking route through Downtown Manhattan?
- 5.3 Is the Downtown walking route difficult to walk?
- 5.4 Do I need internet access while walking the route?
- 5.5 Is the route suitable for children?
- 5.6 Can I buy several walking routes at the same time?
Highlights of the Downtown Manhattan Route
Downtown Manhattan is home to some of New York’s most historic sites. Almost every corner here reveals a piece of history waiting to be discovered.
You’ll start at South Street Seaport, the old harbour where goods were once unloaded. Amidst the historic buildings and cobbled streets of the Seaport District, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time, with the skyscrapers of the Financial District just behind you.
You’ll then stroll into the Financial District, the beating heart of the economy. You’ll walk past Wall Street, home to the famous stock exchange. You’ll also pass places that might otherwise go unnoticed, but are just as interesting.
Arriving at the 9/11 Memorial is a truly moving experience. You can take your time looking around here, or visit the 9/11 Museum and the One World Observatory.
At each stop, I’ll tell you what there is to see and why that particular spot is well worth a visit. By the end of this walk, you’ll know Downtown Manhattan like no one else.
How’s This Walking Route?
The Downtown Manhattan walking tour is about 8 km long and takes around 150 minutes. The route is flat, so you won’t encounter any hills or steps. However, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take it in along the way, so allow a bit of extra time if you want to take your time and enjoy everything.
Along the way, you’ll find plenty of cafés, benches and places to sit for a while. You set your own pace, and the walk is easily manageable even with children: for example, you’ll pass a large playground.
Where New York Began
The city we now call New York once began on the southern tip of the island. Downtown Manhattan is therefore its birthplace, and you can see that for yourself. What strikes you is how closely the old and the new sit side by side here: a small 18th-century church stands right in the shadow of a skyscraper.
Nowhere else in the city can you see the centuries so closely intertwined. For anyone keen to find out more about the history of New York, this is the perfect part of the city to explore on foot.
Practical Information
- Starting point: Fulton Street subway station
- Distance: 8 kilometres
- Duration: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Price: from $2 as part of a package
- Best time: This walk is enjoyable at any time of day. On weekdays, you can mingle with the businesspeople, while on weekends it’s mostly quiet.
Pairs well with:
Do you enjoy walking? With the package, you can explore every part of New York at your own pace. For example, this Downtown walking tour links up nicely with the DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge route: its end point is right next to the starting point of this walk. Or follow my evening tour ‘Off the Beaten PATH’ and see this same area after dark, when the office towers light up.
How Does the Walking Route Work in the App?
All you need for this Downtown walk is my Eric’s New York App. The route works offline, so even without a signal, you’ll know exactly where you’re going. It only takes a few minutes to get everything ready:
- Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
- Select the Downtown Manhattan walking route.
- Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
- You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
- On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.
You don’t have to wait until you’re on your trip: buy the route in advance and take your time at home to see what you’ll be seeing along the way. Once in New York, follow the map at your own pace. You’re, of course, free to stop for a coffee or take a detour; afterwards, you can simply pick up where you left off.
If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app
Tip: Budget-Friendly Walking Routes Through New York
Are you planning to walk more than one walking route during your city break? If so, go for the package in the app. It allows you to buy several routes in one go, which works out cheaper than buying them individually. That way, you can discover the most beautiful parts of New York on foot in just a few days.
View all walking routes and packages in the app
FAQ
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