Things to do and see in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District

New York’s Lower Manhattan and the Financial District are the heart of the city in finance and law. The area offers plenty of things to see and do. The World Trade Center’s iconic Twin Towers used to be the focal point of Manhattan skyline. After the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, the One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum are the biggest draws to Downtown Manhattan. Lower Manhattan, as the name suggests, is located at the most Southern part of the island, between Chambers Street, Hudson River, East River and Battery Park/New York Harbour.

Eric's Index

1 Things to do and see in the Financial District
2 Other sights of Lower Manhattan
- 2.1 The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
3 Where to eat in Lower Manhattan
4 Hotels in Lower Manhattan
5 How to get to Downtown Manhattan
6 FAQ

Things to do and 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 to you, as a tourist?

Well, I wouldn’t recommend spending the night here, because it tends to lose some life after office hours. But for a day? Definitely! There’s a lot to see: The 9/11 Museum and Memorial, of course, and how about 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 is synonymous with the American financial industry, it even has its own movie! While I can’t promise any Leonardo DiCaprio sightings, Wall Street is definitely worth a visit.

Amongst the many skyscrapers, you’ll find the world-famous stock exchange, Trinity Church; which back in the 20th century, dominated the skyline with its height of 282 feet and Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as United States’ first-ever president in 1789.

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 bring luck.

The Fearless Girl statue

Another impressive statue 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, which was created to honour International Women’s Day, can now be seen in front of the New York Stock Exchange.

Eric’s Tip: “On my Eric’s New York App, you can find the ‘Downtown Manhattan’ walking route. During this walk through the area, you’ll walk by some of the famous landmarks, but also spots that are less known. Open the app and select ‘walking routes’ to see an overview of the different routes.”

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 of the surrounding areas.

One building that definitely attracts attention is the Oculus, a white skeleton-like structure designed by the world-famous architect Calatrava. The Oculus is home to numerous shops and the World Trade Center subway station.

Stone Street

Once you’ve had your fill of all things ‘business’, get some respite right behind Wall Street, at Stone Street. An authentic little street that managed to escape the rigorous renovations that hit the 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! Like the waterfront, Battery Park, for example. Or the much smaller and 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. Located inside this building is the New York Department of the National Museum of the American Indian.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Lower Manhattan also houses the entrance to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. If you are in this part of town, you can seize the opportunity to catch a boat for a beautiful tour of these world-famous hotspots.

For a variety of boat tours click here

Eric’s Tip: “Will you be visiting the Financial District in the warmer months? Bring a sweater or coat! The massive buildings will have you walking in the shade most of the day. Even in winter, you should count on a colder temperature than elsewhere in town. The wind will ruthlessly blow through the so-called ‘canyons’, which can result in an extra chill.”

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.

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.

FAQ

Yes, the Financial District is very safe, so you don't have to worry when exploring this area of Manhattan.

The most famous street of the Financial District is Wall Street, home to the New York Stock Exchange and the centre of American finance.

If you plan to explore Lower Manhattan and don't want to miss anything, I recommend downloading my app. I'll take you to the best spots, both well-known and undiscovered.

Yes, Lower Manhattan has a lot to offer, from the many sites commemorating 9/11 to the streets that laid the foundation for the city.