What to do in Lower Manhattan, NY

Activities, attractions and tours

Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Whitney Museum of American Art
Lower Manhattan
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Top places to visit

1. One World Trade Center

Standing well above its skyscraping neighbors, One World Trade Center is a building that is easily identifiable from New Jersey and from most parts of the boroughs surrounding Manhattan. The reflective sheen of the structure’s glass is easy to mistake for metal, and its isosceles triangular façades give it the appearance of having a twisting motion toward the sky.
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NEW YORK - JULY 02 2016: Aerial view of the Freedom Tower at One World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York

2. Wall Street

New York City’s central business district is located on the southern tip of Manhattan, and is home to the state’s major government and financial institutions. Many of the world’s biggest business decisions are made in the district, and many of the most influential global companies are based in the area south of Chambers Street. Among these are the New York Stock Exchange, on the world-renowned Wall Street. There are a number of important cultural landmarks in the area, including the former site of the World Trade Center, and Lower Manhattan is a popular destination for visitors wanting to discover the history of the area, see the impressive array of architecture or pay their respects to those lost during the September 11 attacks.
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3. Brooklyn Bridge

As one of the oldest and longest suspension bridges in North America, the Brooklyn Bridge has long been an icon of progress for New Yorkers. Spanning almost 1600 feet (487.7 meters), the bridge crosses the East River and connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn. The bridge features six lanes for automobiles and two lanes dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, and carries more than 120,000 people daily. The Brooklyn Bridge has long been a destination for tourists, and today visitors flock to the bridge for stunning views up the East River, and for the history linked to the bridge.
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Panoramic view of Brooklyn Bridge and East River at sunrise with New York City, NY skyline post 9/11 view'

4. Battery Park

This waterfront park is a favorite destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike, offering a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York. Overlooking the New York Bay, Battery Park is the departure point for many of New York’s ferries, including the Staten Island, Ellis Island and Liberty Island ferries. Named for the battery that protected the city during the 17th century, the park is full of history, and has played an important role in shaping contemporary New York culture. Visitors to the park can discover this through the monuments throughout the park, while enjoying one of the best sunsets in the city.
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Battery Park featuring cruising, a garden and a fountain

5. National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum pays tribute to the victims of September 11 attacks, and brings a sense of somber tranquility to busy Lower Manhattan.
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The National September 11 Memorial featuring a city

6. Washington Square Park

The best way to enter Washington Square Park is from the north, on 5th Avenue. As you pass high-end medical offices and views of the Empire State Building, you will emerge by the enormous archway and memorial that rises well above the rest of the park. Proceed under the arch and walk to the center of the park for another of its highlights. Here, you will find an enormous fountain that was once a popular hangout for bohemians, academics and artists.
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Washington Square Park showing a park

7. The Oculus

Enter the World Trade Center Transportation Hub via the magnificent Oculus, the street-level building and structure that offers access to the hub as well as to a vast shopping and dining space. See for yourself the remarkable structure that took 12 years to create, and was troubled by setbacks along the way. Snap a selfie against one of New York City’s favorite backdrops, the unmistakable sweeping white roof of the Oculus.
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The Oculus showing interior views as well as a small group of people

What to do in Lower Manhattan

Popular places to visit

One World Trade Center showing skyline, a sunset and a city

One World Trade Center

Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the observation platform of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, near to where the Twin Towers once stood.

One World Trade Center
Wall Street

Wall Street

The home of global finance also offers a fascinating historical excursion.

Wall Street
Washington Square Park showing a park

New York University

Walk around the campus of New York University, a well-known university in New York. Experience the acclaimed art galleries and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

New York University
Battery Park featuring a square or plaza, modern architecture and a city

Battery Park

This stylish park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan is a destination for one of the best sunsets in the city.

Battery Park
National September 11 Memorial & Museum

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Paying tribute to the thousands who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, this is a poignant and somber landmark for locals and tourists alike.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Washington Square Park showing a park

Washington Square Park

In a city with many pretty parks, this is one of the most beautiful. You may recognize its iconic arch and fountain from a movie or postcard.

Washington Square Park
New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange is just one of the places to see in New York, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the fascinating museums and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

New York Stock Exchange
The Oculus showing interior views as well as a small group of people

The Oculus

Pose for an iconic New York photo at one of the city’s most talked-about landmarks, a striking retail space and work of art that was 12 years in the making.

The Oculus
Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

Explore the waterfront in New York with a trip to Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal. Experience the acclaimed art galleries and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

Explore areas of Lower Manhattan

SoHo - Tribeca showing a city

SoHo

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

This fashionable neighborhood is great for shopping, eating and drinking.

SoHo
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Financial District

4.5/5(112 area reviews)

Explore the symbolic center of global finance, walk along the harbor and admire New Yorkers’ resilience in this scenic area.

Financial District
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Lower East Side

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Old combines with new and high art meets urban grit in this ever-changing and eclectic melting pot neighborhood with broad appeal.

Lower East Side
West Village featuring signage, city views and café lifestyle

West Village

This center for arts and culture is also one of the few places located off of the grid of Manhattan’s streets.

West Village
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East Village

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Arts venues, parks, theaters and community centers anchor this Lower Manhattan neighborhood, an iconic backdrop to tales of New York City’s history.

East Village
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Chinatown

4/5(29 area reviews)

One of the largest Chinatown’s in the USA features every kind of Chinese cuisine, grocery store and herbalist, and a history rich in Asian, as well as European, heritage.

Chinatown

Day trip destinations from Lower Manhattan

New York

New York

Liberty State Park which includes city views, general coastal views and night scenes

Jersey City

Pier A Park featuring a river or creek, a high-rise building and views

Hoboken

Brooklyn Bridge Park featuring a river or creek, a city and skyline

Brooklyn