Simply put, Lower Manhattan has it all! Anytime I have friends visiting me here in New York City, I insist we spend *at least* a day in Lower Manhattan. It's New York City's oldest neighborhood, and it contains some of its most iconic sites as well as exciting new destinations. It has the flurry of activity associated with New York City. It also has quiet seaside and bucolic spots to unwind.
Many people visit the tip of Manhattan in order to see the Statue of Liberty, the 911 Memorial, and the South Street Seaport. While these are amazing, not-to-be-missed sites in Lower Manhattan, there is history and newness woven throughout the entire one square mile that makes up the area. Don't worry about your energy level either. You'll find playgrounds and paths for running off steam. You'll also find park benches with scenic views for all ages to take a break.
When planning your larger itinerary, use this guide to learn which famous sites are a part of Lower Manhattan. Then, use my mini-itinerary suggestions to more fully explore the varied neighborhoods around these tourist spots.
There are multiple ways to get to and around Lower Manhattan. Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn about the varied options. Once you arrive, you might decide you want to spend more than just a day downtown.
Use this guide to plan ahead and consider making Lower Manhattan home-base for a longer visit to New York City. With endless things to do and see, you'll want to come back again and again. The area may be old, but there's always something new.
The Most Iconic Sites in Lower Manhattan
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, as she is more fully known, is not just symbolic to New York City but rather to all of the United States. A gift of friendship from the French in the late 1800s, The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom for all and the hope of a better life.
Lady Liberty is visible from many points in New York City and also from spots in New Jersey. However, the primary way to reach the National Park of Liberty Island is by ticketed ferry boat from The Battery in Lower Manhattan. Visiting The Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City and certainly a memorable one. There are many guides and guidebooks that offer detailed instructions specifically for touring Liberty Island and Lady Liberty alone. You can honestly make a full day of visiting the Statue of Liberty if that is your passion.
For some visitors though, time doesn't allow the 2-3 hours minimum required to visit Liberty Island and this fair lady. So if you want to see the Statue of Liberty from the shore while you explore the tip of Manhattan, click here for my suggestions to help you plan.
The Brooklyn Bridge
A masterpiece of engineering, New York's iconic suspension bridge opened in the late 1800s connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan. It remains a primary passage for cars and trucks between the busy boroughs. It is also extremely popular with pedestrians and cyclists. Why, because the Brooklyn Bridge offers beautiful, panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and popular parts of Brooklyn.
Given the bridge's popularity with tourists and Instagrammers, it can take about an hour to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in one direction. Once on the Brooklyn side, there are various ways to return to Manhattan by subway or ferry or simply by doubling back on foot. In any case, it's best to budget a solid 2+ hours for walking the Brooklyn Bridge and returning back.
Whether you choose to walk the entire Brooklyn Bridge or just a portion, click here for mini-itinerary ideas near the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge at City Hall to help you round out your visit.
The Seaport District
Walking along the cobblestone streets in the South Street Seaport District of Lower Manhattan, you'll pass historic brick buildings dating back to the 1800s and spy original tall sailing ships docked off of Piers 15 and 16. This unique corner or Manhattan offers a nostalgic maritime feeling unlike anywhere else on the island.
Mixed in with the history of the landmarked buildings which are well-documented by the South Street Seaport Museum, there are modern-day shops and cafes. Pier 17 offers a variety of seasonal rooftop activities in addition to its 3 floors of amenities.
Maybe it's the lapping of the East River along the shoreline, but there's a laid-back vibe that permeates the district. That makes the Seaport a great destination for a leisurely meal and a meandering stroll along the waterfront. Daytime and nighttime in the Seaport offer different atmospheres but both promise a great waterside experience. Click here for my mini-itinerary suggestions for South Street Seaport I'm happy to share.
Wall Street
For a street that is a mere six blocks long, Wall Street is known the world over for its mark on history. Along this narrow little road, George Washington, the first President of the United States, took the oath of office. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr built competing-commercial banks on Wall Street furthering a now-infamous rivalry. And here, the New York Stock Exchange formed cementing Wall Street as "the capital of capitalism."
While Wall Street overflows with US History lessons, a walk down this street also offers an impressive mix of architecture both new and old. At the Broadway-end of Wall Street is the diminutive and lovely Trinity Church and cemetery built in the late 1800s. At One Wall Street rises a masterpiece of Art Deco design completed in the mid-1900s. Recently, it has been meticulously transformed into coveted condominiums. Also notable along Wall Street are two prime examples of early 1900s Classical architecture at the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Hall National Memorial. The Classical style was popular for public buildings of the day.
There are numerous tour guide companies that devote themselves to the rich history and detail of this small section of New York City. For history and architecture buffs, Wall Street is a New York City must-see. For those with limited time but still curious to explore the area, I can recommend several mini-itinerary options to take you down Wall Street and around the neighboring areas.
The 911 Memorial
The National September 11 Memorial is a moving and gorgeous tribute to the almost 3,000 lives lost during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 and 1993. Two large square reflecting pools sit in the exact footprints of the former Twin Towers. The memorial which is officially titled, Reflecting Absence, leaves a lasting impression and is a significant sight to visit while in Lower Manhattan.
Over 26,000 gallons of water tumble 30 feet into the pools below. While the waterfalls are quite powerful, the noise creates a surprising sense of calm allowing a place to tune out the world around you. You can spend anywhere from a few moments to several contemplative hours at the 9/11 Memorial fountains. When you feel recharged and ready to explore the City once again, I have several mini-itinerary suggestions near the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to maximize the experience in the area. Just click here to view.
Battery Park City
Whenever I want to escape the grid of Upper Manhattan or retreat from the grit of the older streets downtown, I set out for Battery Park City. Here you will find an urban planning success-story! It just so happens to be sitting on almost 100 acres of earth and stone landfill excavated from the original World Trade Center, but you'd never know it. The pristine community boasts a long waterfront esplanade, manicured green lawns, and numerous plazas and playgrounds.
The commercial centerpiece of Battery Park City is Brookfield Place. Most impressive is the sunny, glass-enclosed Winter Garden atrium. Towering palm trees, abundant seating, rotating art installations and public performances make it easy to be a repeat visitor. And if you feel like a little window-shopping or perhaps some serious retail therapy, there are loads of luxury brand shops flanking the Winter Garden to get you looking and feeling your best. Food options in Brookfield Place are plentiful as well.
Visiting Battery Park City can sometimes feel like sneaking away to the suburbs. However, when you explore a little more closely, you'll discover unique spots that are quintessential to New York. Follow my mini-itinerary here to know where to go in Battery Park City.
Transit Options in Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan's transportation options are numerous and varied for different levels of mobility and budget. Yes, you can always take an Uber or the classic New York City yellow cab. However, trains, ferries, and buses are numerous and couple of them are free.
Once I'm in Lower Manhattan, I love to hop on and off the red Downtown Connection buses. These neighborhood buses are totally free and are my favorite way to get around Lower Manhattan, besides walking of course. Look for the red buses circulating from the Seaport District to Battery Park City as they are a great option for residents and visitors alike who perhaps want to get out of the elements or simply give their feet a rest.
Trains to Lower Manhattan
NYC Subway - 12 different lines coming from all reaches of New York City
PATH Trains - 2 different lines coming from nearby New Jersey into the World Train Center hub
Buses to Lower Manhattan
NYC Buses - 6 local and 24 express bus routes running into downtown
Downtown Connection - 36 stops looping the perimeter of Lower Manhattan and ALWAYS FREE
Passenger Ferries to Lower Manhattan
Hudson River Ferries - 10 different NY Waterway routes from nearby New Jersey dock in Lower Manhattan (5 arrive at Wall Street's Pier 11 and 5 arrive at Brookfield Place / Battery Park City)
East River Ferries - 5 different NYC Ferry routes dock at Wall Street's Pier 11 arriving from Brooklyn, Queens, Mid and Upper Manhattan
Staten Island Ferry - 1 internationally renowned NYC ferry runs regularly between White Hall in Lower Manhattan and St. George on Staten Island and is ALWAYS FREE
Where to Sleep in Lower Manhattan
Over the past decade, the number of hotel rooms in Lower Manhattan has nearly tripled. Therefore, there is more variety to choose from to match budgets, style, and neighborhood preferences. From boutique hotels to familiar names like Marriott and Hilton, it is possible to get a great night's sleep in the city that never sleeps.
Editor's Note: Due to Covid-19, there are on-going travel restrictions and temporary hotel closures in effect right now in New York City. Use the link below to help guide your hotel search, but please contact the business directly to confirm its most current status.
Fascinating Brief History of Lower Manhattan
You don't need to be a history buff to enjoy Lower Manhattan, but there are some basic historical facts that help explain how the neighborhoods on the southernmost tip of Manhattan evolved and took shape.
The 1600s through the 1800s
Beginning in the mid-1600s European explorers and traders alike recognized the value of the waterfront location of Lower Manhattan. Here, the mighty Hudson River and the East River converge and empty into the New York Bay which feeds out to the Atlantic Ocean. New Amsterdam, as the settlement here was first called, served as a critical port of entry for explorations and trading posts further upriver.
Fast forward to the 1800s, the continued growth of the shipping industry brought a booming business to what is now the South Street Seaport area. A visit to the South Street Seaport Museum will confirm that the networking of business and finance across ship owners, dock workers, hotels, taverns, printers, and banks all played vital roles in the area's economic growth and the creation of the adjacent Financial District.
The 1900s to Today
Throughout much of the 1900s, Lower Manhattan came to be recognized as the Financial capital of the world housing several behemoth banks on Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and even the gold bullion vaults of the Federal Reserve of New York which can still be toured today.
By the 1970s however, the luster of Lower Manhattan began to wane and the first World Trade Center was built to help revitalize the area. The 1.2 million cubic feet of earth excavated from the sixteen-acre site became land fill for an extension of the island of Manhattan and allowed the development of an adjacent planned residential neighborhood called Battery Park City.
After the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, Lower Manhattan saw a shift with many corporate businesses moving out and further uptown. Meanwhile, many existing buildings in the Financial District transformed themselves, and new apartment towers began to cater to a more residential lifestyle taking shape in the community alongside restaurant and shopping destinations.
Today, the combined neighborhoods of the South Street Seaport, the Financial District, and Battery Park City welcome tourists, families, and stay-cationers to discover the past and to find something new around every turn.
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