The Best of New York's Lower Manhattan, New York

Lower (aka Downtown) Manhattan is a cluster of attractions. Following the September 11 attacks
and ensued reconstruction of the area, the skyline of Lower Manhattan has been transformed and
dominated by the newly-built One World Trade Center. The site of the former World Trade Center now holds
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Lower Manhattan contains many other historic buildings, such as the old
United States Customs House, Federal Hall, not to mention Wall Street and many, many more. To find your
way around this plethora of landmarks and not get lost, follow this self-guided walking tour and enjoy your
time in New York!

1) One World Trade Center (must see)

One World Trade Center (also known as One WTC, 1 World
Trade Center, 1 WTC, or Freedom Tower) is the main
building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower
Manhattan, NYC. One WTC is the tallest building in the
United States, the tallest building in the Western
Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. The supertall
structure has the same name as the North Tower of the
original World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the attacks of September 11, 2001. The new skyscraper
stands on the northwest corner of the 16-acre (6.5 ha) World Trade Center site, on the site of the original 6
World Trade Center. The building is bounded by West Street to the west, Vesey Street to the north, Fulton
Street to the south, and Washington Street to the east.

The building's architect is David Childs, whose firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) also designed the Burj
Khalifa and the Willis Tower. The construction of below-ground utility relocations, footings, and foundations
for the new building began on April 27, 2006. One World Trade Center became the tallest structure in New
York City on April 30, 2012, when it surpassed the height of the Empire State Building. The tower's steel
structure was topped out on August 30, 2012. On May 10, 2013, the final component of the skyscraper's
spire was installed, making the building, including its spire, reach a total height of 1,776 feet (541 m). Its
height in feet is a deliberate reference to the year when the United States Declaration of Independence was
signed. The building opened on November 3, 2014; the One World Observatory opened on May 29, 2015.

Why You Should Visit:

The experience of ascending 100+ floors in under a minute is impressive in itself, but the show when
stepping out of the elevator really is the highlight.
You can take your time, you can buy drinks and sit down, learn more about NYC, and just enjoy the view.

Tip:
Make sure you book in advance and try to coordinate your visit with the weather!

2) National September 11 Memorial & Museum (must see)

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
(known separately as the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11
Memorial Museum) are the principal memorial and
museum, respectively. They commemorate the
September 11, 2001, attacks, which killed 2,977
victims, and the World Trade Center bombing of
1993, which killed six. The memorial is located at the
World Trade Center site, the former location of the
Twin Towers, which were destroyed during the
September 11 attacks. It is operated by a non-profit corporation whose mission is to raise funds for, program,
own, and operate the memorial and museum at the World Trade Center site.
On September 11, 2011, a dedication ceremony commemorating the tenth anniversary of the attacks was
held at the memorial. Three months after its opening, the memorial had been visited by over a million
people. In 2012 Tuesday's Children, a non-profit family-service organization dedicated to individuals directly
impacted by 9/11 and those who have lost loved ones to terrorism worldwide, joined with the 9/11
Memorial to offer private tours to family members of 9/11 victims and first responders.

Why You Should Visit:

There has been a lot of thought gone into making this tribute to all those who lost their lives.
You can go down 70 feet underground to the original bedrock and pillars the buildings were built on, or walk
the grounds outside and look at the fountains.

Many personal belongings of the victims and remnants of structural portions of the buildings and city
emergency vehicles are present to view, also.

Tip:
Try purchasing tickets online in advance, especially during the busier months (holidays or vacation periods).

3) Battery Park (must see)

Battery Park is a well known green space in New York City.
Along the waterfront of the garden, ferries depart taking
visitors to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The park
also has many monuments and memorials within its
grounds.

Battery Park gets its name from the artillery stationed by

the British in the location to protect the early New York
settlements. Castle Clinton, the last remnant of the
fortress that protected the city, built in 1812, lies at its northern end. Pier A, a former fireboat station, Hope
Gardens, a memorial to AIDS victims, and the East Coast Memorial, a monument to soldiers who died in
World War II, lie within the park. In 1855, Castle Garden that forms part of Battery Park became the first
immigrant depot in the world and remained so for 40 years until the venue shifted to Ellis Island. A sculpture
called, “The Sphere”, that stood in front of the erstwhile World Trade Center, survived the attack and is now
located in the Park.

Today, Battery Park is a beautifully landscaped and flower bed laden place to take a relaxing stroll with
breathtaking views. Its location has made the park the starting point of walking tours around the city. All
through the summer, there are concerts playing on the grounds.

Why You Should Visit:

This lovely park has a great view either of the lower Manhattan skyline or of the sea with the Statue of
Liberty.
A quiet place to rest (especially down on the water) or to enjoy all the restaurant options in the area.

Tip:
Easy to combine this with a trip on the Staten Island Ferry (free) or a walk along other parts of lower
Manhattan.
If going aboard one of the sightseeing boats, be at the park at least an hour and a half early for your voyage
as the lines are usually very long.

4) Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is an
imposing building constructed to handle the
increasing duty collection requirements for the
prospering port of New York City. In 1990, the United
States Congress passed a legislation to name the
building in honor of Alexander Hamilton, the first
secretary of the U.S. treasury.

The present Custom House stands in the location of

an earlier customs office that burned down in 1814.
The building was designed in Beaux Arts style by Minnesota architect, Cass Gilbert, and the plan was selected
by the then supervising architect of the treasury, James Knox Taylor. It was constructed between 1900 and
1907 under the supervision of John Pierce. The structure has a Roman dome under which public transactions
once took place. There are also many ornate sculptures, paintings and decorations by American artists like
Daniel Chester French and Albert Jaegers. The building was saved from demolition in 1979 by Senator Daniel
Patrick Moynihan, who lobbied for its preservation and restoration.

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is on the National Register for Historic Places and was designated a
National Historic Landmark in 1976. Today, the building houses the New York branch of the National
Museum of the American Indian and the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

5) Bowling Green Park

Located near the financial district of New York City,
Bowling Green Park is a fenced in garden that was
once used for bowling. It is the place where the
Dutch Governor, Peter Minuit, bought Manhattan
for $24 worth of merchandise and is regarded as the
birthplace of New York City. The crescent shaped
Bowling Green Park, enclosed by its original 18th
century fence, has benches and tables making it a
favorite lunchtime destination for financial district
employees. The charging bull statue of the New York
Stock Exchange, a symbol of financial hope, is located within the park.

Bowling Green Park stands besides the original Dutch fort of New Amsterdam. It is the oldest public park in
New York City. At first it was a cattle market. Later, it became a parade ground with a large statue of King
George III made of lead in its midst. During the war of independence, the statue was torn down and the lead
used to make patriot bullets. After the revolution, elegant houses were built around the park and it became
the promenade of wealthy residents. In 1850, it was thrown open to the general public. In 1939, the park
was improved for the World’s Fair. After years of neglect, it was restored in 1970 and improved further in
1990.
6) Church of the Holy Trinity
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity serves the
residents of the Upper East Side of New York City. It is a
functioning parish church that opens its doors to
worshipers from all walks of life.

The Episcopal Church of Holy Trinity was consecrated in

1899. The structure was designed by J. Smith Barney of
the New York firm of Barney and Chapman. The
inspiration of the interior plan was the Litchfield
Cathedral in England. It has an octagonal apse and an open timbered ceiling. There are 17 stained glass
windows made by Henry Holiday. The exterior walls are clad in dark terra cotta wainscoting to give the
impression of a brownstone building like other landmark buildings in New York City. The exterior has a 13th
century French Gothic architectural style. The tower that rises from the middle of the church is 150 feet high.
Ten bells of varying weight cast by the New York firm Meneeley and Co, chime using a manual chime-stand
stationed in the middle of the tower.

The church provides shelter for about 15 people every night and is home to the Triangle Theater that
produces works of established and new playwrights.

7) Federal Hall
This building, regarded as the finest example of classical
architecture bears witness to momentous events in the
history of New York City and the entire nation. Today,
the building houses a museum dedicated to the history
of the city after independence.

Federal Hall stands on the location of the former city

hall built by the British in 1700. The first congress met
in the building after the revolutions and it was here that
George Washington was declared President. In 1789, architect Charles Pierre L’Enfant was given the task of
building the city of Washington DC and enlarging Federal Hall. The result was the first federal style building
in the US. In 1790, New York City ceased to be the capital of the U.S. and the original building was torn down.
Ithiel Down and Alexander Jackson Davis designed the present building with a classical design. Doric columns
and a domed ceiling by John Frazee added to the classical appearance of the structure. The intent of the
architects was to make the structure a symbol of democracy like the Parthenon in ancient Greece.

A large bronze statue of George Washington taking oath by John Quincy Adams Ward marks the spot where
the first president of the United States was sworn in. Exhibits at the museum in Federal Hall include displays
depicting the inauguration and meeting of the first congress and the arrest of newspaper publisher John
Peter Zenger for exposing the corruption of the British government that led to major changes in the freedom
of the press.

8) Wall Street (must see)

The best-known location in the United States,
Wall Street symbolizes the financial markets of
the country. It is the principal financial center of
the world. The street consists of eight blocks and
runs from Broadway to South Street in the East
River, Manhattan.

Wall Street was originally De Waal Straat after a

wall built by the Dutch to protect their
settlements from the British and Native
Americans. A small group of traders met under a buttonwood tree after the war of independence and called
themselves the Buttonwood Association. This group started what later became the New York Stock
Exchange. In the 19th and 20th centuries, all major financial institutions had their headquarters or offices in
the street. The New York Stock Exchange, the New York Mercantile Exchange, the New York Board of Trade
and the Federal Reserve with a Gold vault 80 feet beneath the surface are located here. Wall Street was the
scene of the September 11th destruction of the World Trade Center that caused a temporary loss of business
in the area with firms relocating to other places in the city or to other States.
Some beautiful historic buildings located here include the classic Federal Hall, the neoclassic New York Stock
Exchange and the elaborately decorated former home of the Bank of Manhattan at 40, Wall Street.
Why You Should Visit:
The area is easily accessible through the subway system and is an easy walk.
It can be a good stop prior to or after a trip to the Statue of Liberty as you embark/disembark through Battery
Park.
9) Brooklyn Bridge (must see)
When the Brooklyn Bridge was dedicated in 1883, it was
the largest suspension bridge in the world and regarded
at the time as the 8th wonder of the world. The bridge
connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn over
the East River.

The design of the Brooklyn Bridge was drawn up by John

Augustus Roebling who had previously planned other
smaller suspension bridges. Construction began under
the supervision of his son Washington Roebling and later his daughter in law Emily Roebling oversaw the
building of the bridge. It was completed in 1883. The opening was a grand ceremony attended by prominent
statesmen like President Chester A. Arthur and the New York Mayor, Franklin Edson. Emily Roebling was the
first person to cross the bridge and on the first day, 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people went across from
Manhattan to Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Bridge has carried a range of vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to modern automobiles in
its lifetime. Earlier trolleys and elevated trains crossed the bridge. Today there are six lanes for automobile
traffic. Commercial vehicles and buses are prohibited from using the bridge because of the height and weight
restrictions. Visitors can take a stroll on the separate walkway in the center lane of the bridge for
breathtaking views and to admire the brilliant skills that went into making this amazing engineering feat.
Why You Should Visit:
A great walk to view the Manhattan skyline and soak up the atmosphere of New York.
Tip:
Stay to the one pedestrian side while walking, or if you're biking, to the one biker side. The lanes get really
narrow at certain points (it is an old bridge), so if you're walking, you don't wanna get hit by a bike!
That aside, do a little research about the Brooklyn side before you go because there are some excellent and
modestly priced restaurants there that don't get much press.