walking tours of lower manhattan

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Free Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Lower Manhattan: Where NYC Began

New York is such a walkable city; Manhattan in particular, seeing as it has so many attractions densely packed together. Check out my self-guided walking tour of Lower Manhattan to discover the best of this historic region of New York City on foot.

I previously wrote a self-guided walking tour of Manhattan that goes from the East Village to Central Park and people seem to like it – so I thought I’d do another. This walking tour will take you around the highlights of Lower Manhattan , including the Lower East Side, Little Italy, Chinatown, City Hall, the 9/11 Memorial, the Freedom Tower and the financial district including Wall Street. There’s an optional detour on the Staten Island ferry, and the tour ends with crossing the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Follow my free self-guided walking tour of Lower Manhattan, rather than joining an organised paid-for tour. You won’t have to pay a fee AND you get to do it at your pace. That’s win-win!

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. These are links to products or experiences I recommend and if you were to buy something after clicking on them, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Any earnings go towards the upkeep of this blog, which I appreciate.

Table of Contents

About This Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan (also known as Downtown Manhattan or Downtown New York) is one of the oldest areas of the city: it’s where the city began back in the 17 th century. The land was originally inhabited by Indigenous Americans, but Dutch colonists built a city here named New Amsterdam, which was later taken over and renamed by the English. It remains the financial and civic heart of the city. It is also where the original skyscrapers first sprang up in the 1910s before they were overtaken by the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in mid-town in the 1930s.

I’ve walked around this area of Manhattan a lot and have taken various routes through it. This walking tour is a mixture of several walks that I’ve done myself, picking some of my favourite landmarks in this area.

The route is 6.2 miles / 10 km and would take 2 and a quarter hours if all you did was walk it. However, of course, you’ll want to stop along the way, so I think you should give yourself several hours to do this lower Manhattan walking tour – maybe even the whole day, if you want to take it easy. It is mostly outdoors, so isn’t ideal if you are forecast to have rain (but if that’s the case, I have tonnes of ideas of things to do in NYC on rainy days ).

I’ve included an interactive route you can use in Google Maps at the end.

Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Lower Manhattan – Step By Step

Start in the lower east side.

Our Lower Manhattan walking tour starts at Katz’s Delicatessen , a legendary Jewish deli on the northern border of the Lower East Side. It’s been serving sandwiches since 1888, making it the oldest deli in New York City

Those who have been around for a few decades might remember this place as one of the many movie locations in New York City : it was used in the classic 1980s movie, When Harry Met Sally (1989), for the scene where Sally, played by Meg Ryan, fakes an orgasm.

However, you don’t have to know that movie to be interested in Katz’s Deli. I’ve read that more and more of the old NYC delis are closing, so Katz’s feels even more special for still being there. Despite its fame, it has retained its original character and it is still a great place to fuel up before your walking tour around lower Manhattan. It’s such a classic, I included it on my NYC bucket list .

Not really knowing what to order, I played it safe and ordered a turkey sandwich. I guess I was expecting some politely sliced meat in a sandwich, which is what I’d expect back home in the UK. But what came was a mountain of steaming hot meat, dripping with fat. It could barely be contained between the bread!  Tip: make sure you keep your ticket stub – you need it to get out!

After eating at Katz’s, head three blocks south and one block right (west) until you get to the Tenement Museum . This is a great place to learn about the experience of working-class immigrants in the Lower East Side in the late 19 th century and early 20 th century when they were squeezed into small tenement buildings. These days, of course, the area has been gentrified and is a pretty desirable place to live.

Little Italy

After the Tenement Museum, head west along Delancy or Broome Street until you get to Mulberry Street , the heart of Little Italy (as declared by the sign over the street). This leg is 0.5 miles and should take 10 minutes (non-stop).

This area was named for the congruence of Italian immigrants who formed a community here in the late 19 th century.  There were 10,000 Italians here at its peak population in 1910. The movie Godfather Part 2 recreates a vision of what life was like here in the 1920s.

But the Italian-American inhabitants have largely moved out into other areas and nowadays it feels more like a collection of Italian restaurants than a thriving community.  The 2010 U.S. Community Survey found that no one living in Little Italy was born in Italy and only 5% of residents identified as Italian American.

Nevertheless, if you come through on 19 September, you might catch the feast of San Gennaro , when Mulberry Street throngs with food stalls and decorations in honour of Saint Januarius, the Patron Saint of Naples.

Carrying on south for 5 minutes, by the time you hit Canal Street , the signs on the shops will have already let you know you’re in Chinatown.

This area of Lower Manhattan has had a community of Chinese inhabitants since the last 1800s. Unlike Little Italy, this area still has a high concentration of Chinese people. It’s not the only Chinese community in NYC, but there are still 90-100,000 Chinese-Americans living here. If you want to find out more about the Chinese diaspora, the Museum of Chinese in America is on Centre Street.

If it’s not something you’re used to, the Chinese characters in the signs can feel novel and photogenic. However, my favourite part of Chinatown is off the streets. Columbus Park is a small public park in Chinatown. In the 19 th century, it was part of the dangerous five points neighbourhood, made famous in the Gangs of New York (2002) movie.

Nowadays, it is a peaceful place and feels like the community heart of Chinatown. Locals gather here to meet and play Mahjong or Xiangqi (Chinese chess). It’s a great place to stop and rest (or do some people-watching). I like quiet corners of Manhattan like this – sometimes it’s places like these that you can have unique NYC experiences .

From Columbus Park, head west then south on Centre Street, which will take you to City Hall Park.  You’re now in the civic centre of NYC, where you’ll find New York City Hall and the Tweed Courthouse.  This leg is 0.3 miles and should take 8 minutes (non-stop).

New York City Hall is the oldest city hall in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.

The park itself is small but there’s a pretty fountain and it is overlooked by the neo-Gothic-style Woolworth Building , which was the tallest building in the world when it was built in 1913, until 1930, when the Chrysler building was built.  

9/11 Memorial & Freedom Tower

Go south onto Broadway and then head left onto Fulton Street to get to your next stop, a major destination in Lower Manhattan: the 9/11 Memorial . This leg is 0.3 miles and should take 8 minutes (non-stop).

The 9/11 Memorial contains two square pools that are on the footprint of the two towers of the World Trade Centre, which came down on September 9, 2001. The names of the 2,977  victims are engraved on the marble around them. Standing on the edge of the pools, I felt like the waterfalls cascading down into the sunken pools were a graceful and evocative monument to the fallen buildings and those who died that horrible day. For more of an idea about what to expect at the memorial and museum, check this post about the 9/11 Memorial & Museum .

There’s also Survivor Tree, a pear tree that somehow survived the terror attacks and was rehabilitated and planted in the Memorial in 2010.

In place of the two towers, One World Trade Centre was built and opened in 2014. If you have time and fancy an elevated view over Manhattan and the Hudson River, you could visit the One World observatory at the top.

Wall Street

Once you’ve paid your respects at the 9/11 Memorial, head southeast out of the park and onto Cedar Street, turning onto Nassau Street. This will soon take you past Federal Hall , which is a National Monument, and then to Wall Street , the nerve centre of the financial district and home of the New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest stock exchange by total market capitalization. This leg is 0.4 miles and should take 9 minutes (non-stop).

Wall Street was named after a wooden stockade or wall the Dutch built to protect their settlement in the 17th century. It is a small street and feels like a narrow cavern, such is the height of the buildings along it. If you’re a fan of architecture, you might want to check out some of the old skyscrapers along Wall Street, including 40 Wall Street.

Battery Park & Statue Of Liberty Viewpoint

From Wall Street, take Broad street south and then turn right onto Water Street until you reach the park on the southernmost tip of Manhattan. This area is Battery Park and you can get a view of the Statue of Liberty from here. This leg is 0.6 miles and should take 12 minutes (non-stop).

Battery Park is named for the defensive artillery batteries that were built here in the late 17th century and today you can visit the remains of a 19th century fort, Castle Clinton.

If you have plenty of time, you could also detour and take the Staten Island Ferry from the Whitehall terminal.  The ferry is free and it goes back and forth between Manhattan and Staten Island, taking approx. 25 minutes each way. The ferry route passes by the Statue of Liberty – which makes it a great way to see this famous landmark without paying for an expensive tour. It’s also nice to see the view of Manhattan as you pull out of the dock. It really looks like a cluster of glass and steel trees.

Of course, you might prefer an organised boat tour to the Statue of Liberty , which will give you a much closer look.

Whether or not you take the Staten Island detour, you will now head back towards City Hall along State Street and then Broadway . Don’t expect any theatres around here, though! Those are all several dozen blocks north.

Named for its width, Broadway is an old road that was originally a path made by Indigenous Americans. It runs for 13 miles from Lower Manhattan along the length of Manhattan, through the Bronx and out of the city all the way to Sleepy Hollow in upstate New York.

As you walk this stretch of Broadway in Lower Manhattan, you’ll pass some landmarks along the way, including:

• Charging Bull : a famous bronze statue of a bull said to symbolise aggressive financial optimism and prosperity. The sculpture was created by Italian artist Arturo Di Modica in the wake of the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash and was originally installed outside the New York Stock Exchange as an act of guerrilla art. Between 2017 and 2018, another statue called Fearless Girl was placed in front of Charging Bull, but she was moved to a new spot outside the New York Stock Exchange.
• Trinity Church : You might have already seen this church, from along Wall Street: it appears small, its steeple dwarfed by the surrounding buildings. And yet, it was the tallest building in the United States from 1846 until 1869, and the tallest in New York City until 1890.

This leg is 0.9 miles and should take 20 minutes (non-stop).

Brooklyn Bridge

From Park Row on the South side of City Hall Park, you can get onto the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade , a pedestrian walkway that will take you all the way across the Brooklyn Bridge into the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. It’s a lovely walk, and also one of the best romantic things to do in NYC .

This hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge opened in 1883 as the first fixed crossing over the East River and the longest suspension bridge in the world (at that time).

The brick towers of the bridge are iconic and walking along the bridge will give you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the views of the bridge, and, if you look backwards, of Manhattan as you get further away from it.

The walk across the bridge is quite long: 1.1 miles, so it can take 25 minutes or more. On the other side, there are even more viewpoints, if you need them, including the Brooklyn Bridge Lookout and a classic view of the bridge in between buildings from Washington Street.

You can also walk the Brooklyn Bridge just before nightfall, which is a lovely time to do it, as you get to see the lights come on around the city – it’s one of the best things to do in New York at night .

If you feel like indulging in a good meal after all your exertions, I can recommend the River Café , a floating restaurant on the shore, just south of the Brooklyn Bridge. It is fairly expensive and kind of formal, with suited waiters etc. However, the food is really great, the service is impeccable and the views are unbeatable.

There’s also Juliana’s Pizza , which has won numerous awards and accolades.

Map: Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Lower Manhattan

Here’s a route map of this walking tour of Lower Manhattan, including markers for landmarks you’ll pass and also some places to eat.

How To Use This Map : Click the tab in the top left-hand corner of the map to view the layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each one.  If you click the star next to the map’s title, it will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu, go to ‘Your Places’ or ‘Saved’, then click Maps and you will see this map in your list.

I hope this self-guided walking tour has inspired you to explore lower Manhattan.  It is such a fascinating area, with a real mix of things to see and do.

If you need more inspiration for exploring New York City, check out my other walking tour for Manhattan , and also my guide to movie locations around New York . I’ve even written a 4-Day New York itinerary , to give you ideas about how to make the most of a few days in the city.

And if you want to get off the beaten path a little, you might be interested in my post on unique things to do in NYC .

If you like this article, I'd be delighted if you shared it!

About The Author

Martha Knight

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2 thoughts on “free self-guided walking tour of lower manhattan: where nyc began”.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and virtually following along on this walking tour around Lower Manhattan. It was fascinating to read about the different areas and their development. Not to forget the highlights in each section to look out for. The variety of cultures living next to one another and also taking the ferry around Staten Island would engage me for hours. Thanks for compiling this tour 🙂

Carolin | Solo Travel Story

Thanks so much, Carolin! I really love NYC and I enjoyed creating this route. It’s a lot of walking, but, like you say, there’s so much packed into this part of the city.

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Things to Do in Lower Manhattan NYC: A Self-Guided Walking Tour for First Timers

February 14, 2020 By Thither Staff Leave a Comment

Lower Manhattan is where NYC started, so there’s a story ready to be told on every corner and street. And there’s a ton to see in Lower Manhattan.

Lower Manhattan refers to Greenwich Village, East Village, Soho, Lower East Side, Tribeca and the Financial District neighborhoods. You won’t be able to get to all of these neighborhoods in one day. So this self-guided walking tour really only covers the tip of the iceberg, but is great for those who are visiting for the first time and are looking for somewhere to start. 

The streets especially in the Financial District can get confusing (I once made a wrong turn while looking for a specific address in the area and actually ran into someone else I knew who was looking for a different address but also made a wrong turn – and we’re both from New York!) so to save you time and give you a chance to see as much as possible, follow this self-guided walking tour of Lower Manhattan plus some other things you can do around the area if time permits. 

Contents 

• How to Get to Lower Manhattan 

Where to Stay in Lower Manhattan

• A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Lower Manhattan NYC

Museums in Lower Manhattan

• Cafes in Lower Manhattan

More Restaurants in Lower Manhattan

More nyc resources.

How to Get to Lower Manhattan

We’ll start our walking tour in Tribeca, which is a neighborhood located in Lower Manhattan. To get there, take the 1, 2, 3 trains to Chambers Street.

If you want to skip Tribeca and get right into the Financial District, take the N, R, W trains to Cortlandt Street station, 1 train to WTC – Cortlandt station or 4,5 trains to Fulton St station.

Read More: The Ultimate NYC Subway Guide for Tourists by a Local   

(back to top)

If you’d like to spend most of your trip in Lower Manhattan, there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Here are a few:

For Luxury: The Beekman

The Beekman , A Thompson Hotel is housed in what was one of Manhattan’s original skyscrapers built in 1883. At the heart of the hotel is a beautiful nine-story atrium adorned with Victorian wrought-iron railings. Below is The Bar Room at Temple Court with a portrait of Edgar Allan Poe. (The hotel is built on the site where he published his paper The Broadway Journal .)

For a Boutique Style: The Frederick Hotel

The Frederick Hotel is located in Tribeca and is known to be one of the longest running hotels in Lower Manhattan built in 1844. It was one of the first hotels to feature an Otis Brothers elevator and telephones in each guest room. Today, you’ll find a mix of art nouveau and mid-century modern decor.

For Location: Courtyard by Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan

Choose Courtyard by Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan as your home base for exploring all of Lower Manhattan. It’s located just steps away from the World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial and all the historic sites you’ll be waking to in this self-guided tour.

A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Lower Manhattan

If you walked to all these locations listed below without stopping, it’ll take about one hour and covers 2.5 miles.

If you prefer to spend more time in the Financial District, you can skip over the next three locations, which are all located in Tribeca. But if you’d like to see as much as possible, here we go!

Read More: Things to do in Greenwich Village: A Self-Guided Walking Tour  

Start at Staple Street Skybridge

An iconic part of Tribeca, and an Instagrammer favorite, Staple Street Skybridge connects two buildings with different addresses. The greyish building, 67 Hudson Street once belonged to the New York Hospital and later expanded to the left at 9 Jay Street originally used as a stable and for laundry. Today, the bridge is part of a private residence.

Address: 9 Jay St, New York, NY 10013

Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs

Tiny’s is a cozy restaurant and bar with a cute pink facade. Built in 1810 as a residential building, the townhouse is now run by three siblings and open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends.

Address: 135 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013

The Mysterious Bookshop

Head south to The Mysterious Bookshop. If you’re looking for your next mystery read, this book store only carries books of the mystery, thriller, detective and crime genre. Started in 1979, this is the oldest mystery specialist book store in America.

Read More: A Bibliophile’s Guide to the Best Bookstores in NYC

Address: 58 Warren St, New York, NY 10007

The Oculus 

Continue south to the Financial District. Our first stop is at the Oculus, a transportation hub and a mall, Westfield World Trade Center. Take a picture right when you walk in at the entrance to capture the symmetry of this unique structure designed by Santiago Calatrava. Do a little shopping at or grab a coffee on your way out at Blue Bottle Coffee, Irving Farm Coffee Roasters or Joe Coffee.

Address : 185 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

Nearby: One of the places to see New York City from above is at One World Observatory, accessible through the Oculus. If you have time, go see the view.

Read More: Which is the Best View of NYC?    

9/11 Memorial

Remember and honor those who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks at the 9/11 Memorial, a tribute located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex. And if time permits, go inside the museum to learn more about the events through exhibitions and stories.

Address : 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

Nearby: On the way to our next location is Trinity Church. The first church was constructed on this site in 1698. And it’s worth a visit to see the burial grounds where notable figures in New York City history are buried, including Alexander Hamilton.

The Charging Bull 

An icon of the Financial District, the Charging Bull is a bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica who placed it in front of the New York Stock Exchange illegally. It was then moved to its current location at Bowling Green and has been a popular tourist attraction since. People line up to get a photo with the bull and to touch the bull’s testicles, as word is that it brings good luck.

Address : Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004

Battery Park

You’ve made it to the southern tip of Manhattan. This is where the Dutch began the settlement of New Amsterdam in 1625. Walk along the beautiful waterfront of Battery Park to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and see many monuments commemorating various people and events in history.

If time permits, visit Castle Clinton, a fort which was built to protect New York Harbor from British invasion in 1812. It’s free to visit and guided tours are given by a National Park Service ranger. This is also the point to purchase tickets to take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Address: Battery Park, New York, NY 10004

Stone Street 

Time to discover some of New York City’s oldest streets. One of the most photogenic is Stone Street and today, it’s lined with bars and restaurants including The Dubliner, Stone Street Tavern, Route 66 Smokehouse and Ulysses. (Note: during warm months, these restaurants that line the street put out seating, so you might not be able to get a shot like the one I got above.)

Address : 45 Stone St, New York, NY 10004 

Delmonico’s 

Known as the first fine dining restaurant in America, Delmonic’s was started by the Delmonico brothers in 1837. Today, Delmonico’s still offers a fine dining experience and is still known for their steaks prepared to its original specifications, and for dessert, a Baked Alaska created by Charles Ranhofer, who invented it and other dishes at Delmonico’s in 1862.

Address: 56 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004

End at Wall Street – New York Stock Exchange 

Wall Street was part of the original street plan of New Amsterdam and colonial New York. Some buildings of interest along Wall Street are The New York Stock Exchange at 11 Wall Street and the J. P. Morgan & Co. Building at 23 Wall Street, which was formerly the headquarters of J.P. Morgan and the site of the Wall Street bombing in 1920.

You can’t visit these buildings but you can visit Federal Hall at 28 Wall Street, known as the birthplace of American Government. It was here that George Washington took the oath to become the first President of the United States and home to the first Congress, Supreme Court and Executive Branch offices. You can join a free 30 minute guided by a National Park Service ranger.

Address: 11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

If you flew through Tribeca and the Financial District and are up for more exploring, you can continue this walking tour to these other nearby points of interest: 

Seaport District NYC 

The Seaport District is a place for dining, shopping and entertainment. The area was a port since the 17th century and was also home to Fulton Fish Market, one of the busiest markets in the nation in the 19th century. Schermerhorn Row Block on Fulton Street is part of the area and is home to the South Street Seaport Museum, where you can learn about the rise of New York as a port city.

Address: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

And if you’re still up for more walking, the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge is right around here. Walk the whole way, which is just over a mile, or just about halfway to get a view of the tip of Lower Manhattan.

Address : Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038

More Nearby Things to Do in Lower Manhattan NYC

These places are scattered around the places that this self-guided walking tour of Lower Manhattan covers. If any are of interest, add it to your list to visit while you’re taking the walk: 

Because this area of Manhattan is so historic, there’s a ton of museums and places to learn about history:

• This was once a private residence of the De Lancey family built in 1719 and later a hotel and a tavern important to the Revolutionary War. Visit the museum and also have a meal or drink at the restaurant.
• Learn about the Federal Reserve and see the New York Fed’s gold vault on a guided tour. Tours are free but space is limited and must be reserved in advance online. Spots open up 30 days before the tour date at 9 am. 
•   Located in Battery Park, this museum is a living memorial to the Holocaust.
• This is a free museum that’s part of the Smithsonian Institution that displays Native American artifacts and objects.
• Learn all about skyscrapers and NYC’s skyscrapers through the design, technology, construction and real estate aspects of these tall buildings.
• African Burial Ground is the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans.

Read More: Best Free Museums in NYC

Cafes in Lower Manhattan 

If you ever need a break while walking around the area that this self-guided walking tour covers, stop at one of these cafes to refuel:

• Stop by for a cup of coffee and a pastry with space for sitting. 
• Located inside a Paper Source store, maman has several locations around the city and always delivers with its delicious coffee and pastries. 
• For coffee at an espresso bar, plus a full selection of Leonidas’ Belgian Pralines Chocolates. 

• A favorite for classic round pies and old fashioned square pizzas.
• A French restaurant located in the Beekman Hotel for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. 
• An Italian restaurant inside Eataly Italian marketplace overlooking World Trade Center. 
• For a taste of traditional noodles from the city of Xi’an in China. 

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Get to know Lower Manhattan through these fun new walking tours

They were born out of Alliance for Downtown New York’s new Walking Tour Incubator Grant Program.

Whether you’re a tourist or a tried-and-true New Yorker, you can always learn more about New York City—especially when you’re on its streets!

That’s the thinking behind Alliance for Downtown New York’s new Walking Tour Incubator Grant Program , which helped bring about five new walking tours of Lower Manhattan this summer. Following an application process that asked for compelling and original tour concepts, the nonprofit selected  five winners and paid them a grant of up to $12,500 to help develop, launch and scale their tours.

For two months, these entrepreneurs underwent a “rigorous” two-month incubator, which included one-on-one coaching from tourism industry leaders and a cutting-edge educational curriculum designed for tour businesses.

RECOMMENDED: The 6 coolest walking tours in NYC

Below are the brand-new tours that are launching over the next few weeks:

• Downtown LGBTQ+ Activism Walking Tour by Christopher Street Tours: visits historic sites that shaped the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, including spots where pivotal protests were ignited and led activists to fight for justice.
• Sinister Secrets of the Seaport by the South Street Seaport Museum: takes visitors on a twisting journey through the Seaport, unraveling scandalous stories ripped from the headlines and publications from the 1790s to the 1990s.
• Escape to New York - Stories of Faith, Freedom and Fortune by Vivace Tours: brings visitors through the history of Lower Manhattan, from New Amsterdam to today, by showing what makes New York City such a unique enclave of people from around the world seeking both religious freedom and fortune.
• How To Be A New Yorker - Downtown Edition:  an interactive, immersive audio group walking tour by Awesome Walks, where participants will meet business owners and community leaders, thinkers and doers, and get to see the city through their eyes.
• Culinary Master Dining Experience & NYC Afternoon Culinary Adventure by Inside Out Tours : Culinary Masters is a progressive meal journey featuring three renowned chefs and restaurants; the Culinary Adventure is a mouthwatering tasting tour across Lower Manhattan led by expert guides.

Check them out here.

“Pack your walking shoes on your next visit downtown because these new tours will make the perfect addition to any Lower Manhattan itinerary,”  said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “There’s something for everyone, with each offering a fresh perspective on the neighborhood. As we’re in the midst of a busy tourist season in the neighborhood, these new tours are launching at an ideal time.”

We encourage you to always be a tourist in your own town and get out on the street—always be learning!

• Shaye Weaver Editor, Time Out New York

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Lower Manhattan

Private Tour of Lower Manhattan

The Best of Lower Manhattan by Land and by Sea

The past comes to life in the New York harbor and Lower Manhattan. Amazing views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the New York skyline. We'll cover the early Dutch days of New Amsterdam, The Revolutionary War, the history of the South Street Seaport and more.

Experience Real New York

We will explore not just the iconic sites, but seldom seen hidden gems that most tourists never get to experience.

Real New York Tour Guide

We truly believe our guides are the best in New York. It is their own unique perspective that makes our tours personalized, memorable, fun, and anything but cookie cutter.

Learn to Navigate the City

Whether you tour by subway & foot or private vehicle, our tours offer a local and immersive perspective of NYC. Our guides will offer helpful tips on how to navigate the city so you can get the most out of your visit.

No Microphones, Flags, or Scripts

With the personal and intimate experience we offer, you don't have to worry about looking like a tourist.

Pricing & Details Touring by Subway and Foot

For groups larger than 12 guests, please contact us for pricing.

• Recommended start time of 10am or 2pm
• This tour meets at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in Battery Park on the second floor by the elevator. Take the 1 subway train to South Ferry
• This tour is done by subway and walking so if you have any serious mobility issues please let us know
• If you need to cancel or reschedule for any reason, please do so within 48 hours

Pricing & Details Touring by Private Vehicle

• Private Tour Guide
• Driver & Vehicle
• For 3 hours
• Recommended start time of 10am
• Your guide can meet you at the concierge desk of your hotel if you are staying in Manhattan
• We will be getting out of the vehicle for short walks during the tour so please wear comfortable shoes and check the weather for the appropriate dress

Bowling Green Park with Lawrence

See it on our Lower Manhattan Tour

Lower Manhattan Itinerary

Other Private Tour Options

Lower East Side & Williamsburg

Harlem & Morningside Heights

Lower Manhattan Walking Tour: Wall Street and 9/11

Money, history, and heroism on nyc’s most influential streets.

• When 9 AM daily
• Duration 2 hours
• Meeting Point 24 Broad Street

$39 per adult

Local experts, worry-free booking.

Check Availability

• Meeting Point
• Travel Tips

• Visit American landmarks like Federal Hall, where George Washington became president.
• Walk the Financial District to see the New York Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, and a famous tree.
• Hear dramatic stories from American history, such as the Hamilton-Burr duel or the “race for the sky.”
• Reflect on the heroism and tragedy of September 11th at the 9/11 Memorial.
• Tour the Canyon of Heroes at Battery Park, birthplace of the “ticker-tape parade.”
• Enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty as seen from across the bay.

What you'll do

Our tour begins in the Financial District, New York City’s real heart, some say. Once a small Dutch settlement, it’s now home to billion-dollar deals and global financial powerhouses. As you walk Wall Street with your guide, you’ll see and learn about the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank, and much more.

At the 9/11 Memorial, pause to reflect and admire this tribute to the lives lost, including two large fountains symbolically set in the footprints of the Twin Towers. Hear heroic tales of first responders. Marvel at the architecture of Freedom Tower and the Oculus, built from the ashes of Ground Zero.

Next, we’ll head to Battery Park, where you’ll discover a kernel of NYC history few know: the ticker-tape parades honored at the Canyon of Heroes. This is also a wonderful viewpoint for the Statue of Liberty, seen from across the bay. As you enjoy the views, your guide will entertain you with stories about New York’s most famous landmark, the perfect end to our tour of Lower Manhattan.

New York Stock Exchange

The largest stock exchange in the world

Federal Hall

Where George Washington was inaugurated

House of Morgan

NYC headquarters for a banking empire and architectural marvel inspired by Italian piazzas

Trinity Church

Where Alexander Hamilton, a main architect of our financial system, lies buried

9/11 Memorial

A place to reflect, featuring the largest man-made waterfalls in the country

Canyon of Heroes

Birthplace of the “ticker-tape parade” at scenic Battery Park

Charging Bull

A symbol of American commerce, often called the Wall Street Bull

Alexander Hamilton Custom House

A Beaux-Arts landmark built in the early 20th century to collect duties

Battery Park

Featuring the Castle Clinton National Monument and stunning views of the Statue of Liberty

Make this tour private

Book this tour for just your group, starting from $250.

Plan your trip

Accessibility.

This tour is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Refund policy

We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Meeting point

We meet outside the front entrance of 24 Broad Street. Do not go inside as we are not affiliated with the building.

How much walking is there?

We cover about 2 miles in Lower Manhattan at a leisurely pace. If mobility is an issue, please arrange for a private tour .

Does this tour go inside the 9/11 Museum?

This tour covers the 9/11 Memorial but does not go inside the 9/11 Museum. If you’re interested in seeing the museum as part of your visit to Ground Zero, we recommend our 9/11 Memorial and Museum Insider Tour .

What is the rescheduling policy?

We understand plans change. You can always change your tour 24 hours or more before you tour. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. Within 24 hours of your tour, we would have incurred hard costs and therefore cannot allow rescheduling or cancellation without costs.

When should I get there?

Plan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you may not be able to catch up if you arrive late.

What if it rains?

Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we’ll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund.

Are gratuities included?

Tips are always appreciated but never expected. They’re a great way to tell your guide they did an awesome job and show your appreciation.

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Secrets & History of Lower Manhattan Tour

Small Group Sizes

Expert Local Guides

NYC in a Snapshot

You can’t take a trip to New York City without touring Downtown Manhattan. With a 400-year history, this vibrant neighborhood is bursting with landmarks, relics, and stories . Come discover the birthplace of New York as we know it and experience the city like a true local.

THE METRO GUARANTEE

Journey through time and Downtown NYC the best way possible: on foot!

Explore the city with local certified guides who know every twist and turn on our world-famous streets

Benefit from a smaller sized group for a more intimate experience

Eat a real slice of New York style pizza for an authentic NYC experience

Take some free time to walk around the 9/11 Memorial

Our job isn’t over when the tour ends; we’ve got you covered while you’re in town with customized guides for shopping, eating out, and even the most Instagram-worthy locations to make your trip perfect

Click the tabs to find out more

Trip details, gift a tour.

$45 per adult Children under 12 years old go free! Family ticket deal: Use the promo code “FAMILY” for 1 free ticket when you buy 3

Departure time

Starting point.

Tweed Courthouse steps, 52 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007

The following stations serve our meeting point:

Availability

Every day, year-round

Approximately 3 hours

Max 15, Min 2 Are you a group larger than 15 people? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with a private tour. We will even tailor your tour to the interests of the group. Please fill out the inquiry form , and we’ll get back to you with a quote.

New York style pizza at last stop

Not included

Souvenirs or items bought along the way

Participation requirements

To take this tour, you must be able to walk/stand for 3 hours. There will be stops and areas to rest along the way.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes and enthusiasm!

About your Guide

You will be accompanied by a local certified tour guide. Read more about our guides here .

Testimonials

Sarah | january 2020.

So much fun, we really enjoyed this tour. It was a good walking pace for all, from Grandma to our 10 year old. We learned history, fun facts and how friendly New York can be to visitors. Our guide was great and patient with all our questions. The pizza reward at the end made this a very nice family tour!

Molly | November 2019

We enjoyed our tour of lower Manhattan. Our guide was very knowledgeable and offered helpful recommendations for other places to explore. Since we were in a small group, he personalized the tour based on our areas of interest. We would highly recommend this tour!

Abdullah | October 2019

I booked the tour to explore the Lower Manhattan in a short time. It was a great tour with such an experienced guide, his valuable information was more than expected. We learned a lot about the historical buildings and we enjoyed it so much. Thank you guys so much!

OVERVIEW OF YOUR TOUR

As one of New York City’s oldest neighborhoods, Downtown Manhattan is a fascinating area boasting a rich history and a litany of entertaining stories. Visit iconic monuments in American history such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Federal Hall, and the World Trade Center Memorial. Finish it off with a slice of New York style pizza for a truly authentic New York City experience. There are stories and secrets behind every corner. Let your tour guide walk you through the city’s history and uncover them together.

Stops at 11 of New York City’s Most Iconic Spots Including:

Brooklyn Bridge A true New York City icon. We’ll learn all about its past and its role in shaping the identity of the city.

Federal Hall This historic building has long been a symbol of America’s democratic legacy and freedom. Let your guide explain the building’s pivotal role in helping form the US government.

New York Stock Exchange Gain insight into New York City’s financial world with a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, one of the most influential buildings for US capital markets and one of the world’s largest stock exchanges.

Charging Bull & Fearless Girl We’ll visit the statues of the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl to learn all about guerilla art and the feminist monument.

WTC & 9/11 Memorial Here, we’ll discuss the events of 9/11 and the massive rebuilding effort that followed. We will also offer some time for walking the solemn grounds and for private reflection.

New York Style Pizza End your tour like a real New Yorker with a slice of New York style pizza on us!

…and many more!

Socks are cool, but the best gift you can give is long-lasting memories of a great experience. Gifting one of our tours is the perfect way to help your loved ones make the most out of their stay in the city.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can i take this tour as a private option.

Absolutely. If you’d like our local tour guide to show you the sites on a private tour, please get in touch via our form .

How difficult is the walking aspect of the tour?

Physical excursion on this tour is minimal. However, we recommend you are at a moderate fitness level and feel comfortable walking/standing for 2.5 hours.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes! In fact, children under 12 go free.

Who is my tour guide?

We have scoured the city to assemble the best group of guides possible to host you during your time with us. Like any group of local New Yorkers, our expert guides have diverse interests and backgrounds but share an enthusiasm for New York City and an eagerness to share it with you. All of the Metro Tours tour guides are friendly, NYC-certified with a wealth of local knowledge. These are our streets — let us take you through them like a local!

Can I tip my tour guide?

Our tour guides continuously research and update their tours to provide you with the best possible experience. While it’s never expected, if you enjoyed your tour and want to give a tip to your tour guide, please do!

What happens if I’m the only person on the tour?

Our tours require a minimum of two people to run. If you’re the only person on the tour, we will do our best to move you to a different time. Alternatively, we can offer a refund.

What if the weather is bad?

We at Metro Tours love what we do, and for that reason, we don’t want you to miss a thing! Our tours run year-round and (mostly) rain or shine. If the weather becomes too inclement, we will alert you via phone/email/text within two hours of the starting time. If a tour is canceled due to difficult weather conditions, we will issue you a full refund.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page!

Inquire about a private tour, fill out the form and we'll get back to you soon, check out our blog.

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Lower Manhattan Walking Tour

Financial District, New York, NY 10038, USA

40.7076681, -74.009271

Price range

Enjoy a Lower Manhattan walking tour around the main thoroughfares and buildings this side of the city, the most historical area in all of New York.

Table of Contents

• Impressive view from One World Observatory • Get to know the historic heart of Manhattan’s Financial District: Wall Street • Essential information about the consequences of the events of 9/11 • Panoramic view of the keysites of in Lower Manhattan • Chance to visit 9/11 Memorial, Museum

Enjoy Lower Manhattan with a tour around the main thoroughfares and buildings this side of the city, the most historical area in all of New York. This tour has been designed for you to choose the option that is best suited to you from among the four offered.

Take a guided tour complete with a panoramic view of the key buildings in Lower Manhattan. This area includes the part of the city built after the Dutch purchased the island all the way to Ground Zero, a vital place of pilgrimage for any tourist. We will get a complete account of the September 11 attacks.

Wall Street’s architecture is rooted in the Gilded Age, although there are also some Art Deco influences in the neighborhood. The most important buildings in the area are the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, built at the beginning of the 19th century in the Greek Revival style.

Return time: 12:00pm

One World Observatory

This option includes the complete walking tour and tickets to One World Observatory, from which you can see the buildings of Lower Manhattan.

Return time: 1:00pm

9/11 Memorial, Museum

This option includes the complete walking tour as well as tickets to the 9/11 Memorial, Museum, which serves as the country’s primary institution to examine and document the consequences of the events of 9/11 and explore the importance of carrying on.

Return time: 2:00pm

One World Observatory and 9/11 Memorial, Museum

This option includes the complete walking tour and tickets to One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial, Museum.

Return time: 3:00pm

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St. Paul’s Chapel – 1766

Last revolutionary war tour.

I will be leaving NYC at the end of February 2024! THANK YOU to everyone who has come on my tours since opening in 2005. It has been a great pleasure to bring the story of NY’s early history to thousands of people.

I will conduct ONE FINAL Revolutionary War Tour on Sunday, 2/11/24, at 11:00 am. It will be a cash-only or Venmo event, $50/person. The tour will meet at Broadway and Warren Street and end at Fraunces Tavern Museum. I expect it will take about three hours; I plan to include material I generally do not cover! This is the LAST OPPORTUNITY to take a tour with me in NYC.

If you would like to come, please let me know by sending an email so I will know who to expect.

I will be reopening in another location in the Summer of 2024; in the meantime, you can continue to follow me on social media on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube .

Revolutionary War Walking Tour

Historic New York City

New York – In 1776  all eyes were on “The Island at the Center of the World”!

Take a walk from the Stamp Act protests of 1765 through President Washington’s Farewell at the end of the War for Independence in 1783.

You’ll experience the spellbinding story of the American Revolution while walking on the very streets where it happened. Original documents and prints will help us visualize those events.

You’ll visit:

• The Liberty Pole — site of violent protests
• The Commons – Declaration Read 1776
• St. Paul’s Chapel and Graveyard  1766
• Wall Street
• Fraunces Tavern – Washington’s Farewell
• plus more…

You’ll hear the stories of Sons of Liberty, soldiers, printers, and spies and the risks they took to fight against the oppression of the British Empire. And you’ll see real propaganda used by both sides. Was anyone objective?

We’ll stand where the Continental Army landed during their dangerous escape from the British in Brooklyn in the middle of the night. Imagine what it must have been like!

Tour Preview: Liberty Pole

Hamilton Walking Tour

Hamilton and Burr!

Forget everything you think you know about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr!

Take a stroll through the lives of these two incredible men. We’ll tell you the story NO ONE else can. Who were these men really? You will be stunned at how different the reality is from what we believe today.

You’ll hear their personal stories in their own words and the words of those who knew them.

You’ll Visit:

• the site of King’s College
• The Room Where it Happened
• Hercules Mulligan’s
• Washington’s Inauguration
• The Bank of NY, Trinity Church
• St. Paul’s Chapel
• the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton and their son, Philip

You’ll hear a hilarious ballad written about Burr and his secret lover! And we’ll “remember the ladies” with a tour stop dedicated to the capable, inspiring women in their lives.

How did two intelligent, educated, successful, ambitious men end up pointing pistols at each other at a dueling ground in New Jersey? AND who really shot first?

Trinity Graveyard Preview:

Karen Quinones Your Tour Guide

Karen has been conducting tours of lower Manhattan since 2005 and knows every nook and cranny of the area. She is also a historical reenactor and participates, as Mrs. Q, in NYC area Revolutionary War reenactments.

Karen is the author of “Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation,” a critically acclaimed Young Adult biography of Aaron Burr’s daughter available directly from Karen or on Amazon .

Join Karen for an unforgettable historical experience without modern revisionism!

Follow us on Facebook for a Daily History Story

Or sign up for a weekly email digest of our daily history story posts. (We will not use your email for any other purpose.)

History Reenactments

Evacuation day 1783.

Mrs. Q joins Alexander Hamilton for a walk through NYC the day the British left at the end of the Revolutionary War. Who might we run into along the way?

There is even more to see on our Youtube Channel about the American Revolution in NY.

Follow us on social media or sign up for our weekly email digest for announcements of other events like this one.

NEW!!! Karen Q Virtual Experiences

Join Karen Q on a tour of Fraunces Tavern Museum. Built in 1719, it is the oldest building in Lower Manhattan. In this video we look at the George Washington Portrait Gallery, the Clinton Room, and the Long Room where General Washington gave his farewell address at the end of the Revolutionary War.

You can see more of Karen’s virtual tours on our Youtube Channel. Learn New York City’s history from someone who loves it!

Our Tours Are Different!

Our tours are different from anything else in NYC!  We don’t spend a couple of days looking up sites on the internet and writing a script. Instead, we carefully research every time period we cover.  We use period documents like newspapers, pamphlets, personal correspondence and broadsides. Then, we pick events that you will find most interesting and that you can relate to. Plus, all of our tours are designed to tell a complete story from start to finish and conducted personally by the researcher.

All tours are limited to 15 customers on weekdays and 20 on weekends. We want to engage with you and create a total historic experience. Plus, we use original period documents on all of our tours to help illustrate the story.

Watch the video below to see how Karen Q builds our unique and amazing tours and what makes them different from all of the others. Then, check out our excellent reviews  and book your tour!

Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation – by Karen Cherro Quinones

The story of theodosia burr, daughter of vp aaron burr.

Author signed copies available – $35 plus free shipping – contact Karen for more info .

“The writing is crisp, clear, and engaging. Full-color illustrations add visual appeal. …Burr’s prominence as an educated, modern woman made her a role model for her time. Interesting and accessible way to learn about early U.S. history through a remarkable young woman’s life.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The detailed source notes, bibliography, and further reading make for a well-researched and interesting look at a little-known person and the times in which she lived.” — J. B. Petty, Booklist

Learn all about Theodosia on our Hamilton and Burr walking tour.

Take a Private Tour

Give yourself or a history lover you know a private tour with Karen Q! She’ll answer all of your questions and tailor the story to your interests. An unforgettable experience.

Email for Info

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Wall Street Walking Tour | Map and Route

This post is a free, self-guided Wall Street walking tour along with a map.

We also review and compare various guided Wall Street tours available to you including our pay-what-you-wish tours of Lower Manhattan that include Wall Street.

• Self-Guided Tour
• Finance Focused Tours
• Things to Do Near Wall Street
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Lower Manhattan Tours

Wall Street is synonymous with the Financial District and the nature of the business conducted in this area for about 225 years.

Many sights are worth a visit and the street can tell many interesting stories. 

The street is named for the wooden stockade constructed under the then-Dutch colonial governor Peter Stuyvesant on the northern boundary of New Amsterdam.

Federal Hall (former US Treasury Building)

Wooden markers in the cobblestone street are reminiscent of the wall designed to protect the Dutch colony from the British invasion.  

Our self-guided tour of Wall Street walks you through this history.  

We also include Wall Street as well as the Financial District on our pay-what-you-like Lower Manhattan Walking Tour  as well as a few other of our pay-what-you-like New York tours:

• Downtown Manhattan Tour
• New York in a Day Tour

Wall Street is also a stop on our GPS-enabled audio tour of Lower Manhattan. Listen to a clip below.

If you are interested in taking a guided Wall Street tour catered specifically to those interested in finance, then you might want to consider a  guided Wall Street tour .

For more information on things to do on Wall Street and in the area, including where to eat and even where to stay, see our extensive post, What to do on Wall Street .

How To Get Here

Wall Street is in the Financial District on the east side of Lower Manhattan. All  hop-on-hop-off bus  companies have stops at Wall Street.

The street stretches between Trinity Church on Broadway to the East River.

You can use this link  for directions to Wall Street  from your departure point.

There are several subway stations that you could use to access Wall Street.

• 2, 3, 4, 5 to Wall Street
• J or Z trains to the Broad Street
• 1 or R trains to Rector Street
• A or C trains to Fulton Street

By bus  

• M55, M15, M22

New to the subway and bus system? You may find our posts on the subway helpful: Navigating the NYC Subway and Which Subway Pass to Purchase .

SELF-GUIDED WALL STREET TOUR

Click the map to enlarge

A - Trinity Church -  Corner of Wall Street and Broadway

Before you start the tour, admire this beautiful Gothic-inspired church.

Its steeple measures 284 feet (87 meters) and was once the tallest building in all of New York City.

It's strange to see Trinity dwarfed by all of the larger modern buildings surrounding it (of course, the tallest building in New York is One World Observatory ).  

Take a quick look inside to admire its stained-glass windows and roam about its graveyard.

The earliest burial dates back to the early 1600s when New York City was called New Amsterdam.

Notable burials include American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (of $10 bill fame) as well as Robert Fulton, who invented the first viable steamboat. 

Read our self-guided tour of Trinity Church  and its graveyard.

B - 1 Wall Street

The first building on the right as one enters Wall Street from Broadway is one of the best-designed buildings of Ralph Walker.

In the Art Deco style, the building was constructed between 1929-32 for the Irving Trust Co.  

Through the tall windows, passersby are gifted with a view of the flaming mosaic walls designed by Mildred Meière.

The Bank of New York, founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1789, was the first stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1792.

C - Bankers Trust Company - 14 Wall Street 

Located on the left side of the street, and built in 1912 by Trowbridge & Livingston, the stepped pyramid at the top is so iconic that Bankers Trust adopted it as the company logo.  

One thing you might notice is that this particular building appears to rise completely vertically, rather than inward steps.

This is because this building was built before New York City instituted its setback laws, which was a response to complaints that buildings like the Bankers Trust Building created a darkened Wall Street below.  

You can see the difference between this building and 40 Wall Street, which was built under the new rules.

D - New York Stock Exchange - corner of Wall Street and Broad Street

Originally formed under a buttonwood tree further west down Wall Street, the NYSE moved into this Classical style building in 1903.

Now part of the ICE, the Intercontinental Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange is the largest in the world, responsible for about $169 billion in trading daily.

The sculpture in the Broad Street portico is “Integrity Protecting the Works of Man” by John Quincy Adams Ward.

Be sure to read our full post on the New York Stock Exchange , which includes a virtual tour and video of the trading floors.

E - Federal Hall National Memorial  corner of Wall Street and Broad Street

George Washington (also designed by JQA Ward) is standing on what would have been the second-floor balcony of City Hall, which was located on this site until 1812.

Here is where the U.S. Congress met just after the American Revolution and it's where George Washington took his oath of office on April 30, 1789.  

Designed in the Classic style, with Greek and Roman details, the building is said to reflect the democratic ideals of ancient Greece and the power of the Roman Empire.

Step inside to see the former vault in the basement or visit the changing exhibits that are on display in several of the building's rooms.  

The National Park Service also operates a visitor center here. This is a great place to use the bathroom facilities.

F - Morgan Guaranty Trust -  corner of Wall Street and Broad Street 

The former Morgan Guaranty Trust Company at 23 Wall Street was the bank of J.P. Morgan, who said he did not need a skyscraper as a monument to his wealth since everyone knew how much he was worth.

On the Wall Street side of the building gouges can still be seen under the last two windows from a bomb blast in 1920.

A cart of TNT exploded, killing 33 people and sending more than 300 to the hospital with injuries.

No one was arrested, although anarchists were suspected of this domestic terrorism, the largest of its kind until the Oklahoma City Bombing.  

G - Trust Company of America - 37 Wall St.

Beaux-Arts style building designed by Francis Kimball was the center of the Panic of 1907, which encouraged the Federal Reserve system to be developed.

Today, Tiffany has a satellite store on the street level.

H - 40 Wall Street (The Trump Building)  

Constructed by H. Craig Severance and Yasuo Matsui for the Bank of Manhattan in 1929, it was designed to be the tallest building in the world.

But architect William Van Alen, who was building the Chrysler Building on 42nd Street, surpassed the height of 40 Wall Street by raising a spire atop the Chrysler Building three days after 40 Wall Street opened.  

40 Wall Street is one of our Top 10 Skyscrapers in New York City .  Today, it's owned by a quite famous New Yorker - Donald Trump.

I - Museum of American Finance - 48 Wall Street 

The Museum of American Finance is located in the grand hall of the former Bank of New York Building.

The Museum, a non-profit Smithsonian affiliate, is the only independent museum dedicated to providing educational programs on “finance, the financial markets, money, banking, and Alexander Hamilton,” according to their website .

As of March 2024, the museum has moved online.

J - 55 Wall Street

Built after the fire of 1835 destroyed the original Merchants’ Exchange, this three-story Ionic temple-style building boasts 16 single-block granite columns of Quincy granite and a commanding central hall that is now an events facility for Cipriani.

The upper floors were added by McKim, Mead & White in 1907 after the custom house relocated from this building to Bowling Green.

Today, the upper floors are 106 exquisite apartments for Cipriani Club Residences.

K - Deutsche Bank - 60 Wall Street 

This 50-story skyscraper is the tallest building on Wall Street.

Built in 1985 for JP Morgan and Company, it was purchased by Deutsche Bank in 2001.

Once the attacks of 9/11 damaged the company’s building on Liberty Street, the 5500 employees were relocated here.

The design is a modern interpretation of a Greek temple.

On the roof at 737 feet is a solar installation, the highest solar PV installation in the world.

This building was rumored to be the real headquarters of the Occupy Wall Street movement, holding events for the group sleeping in Zuccotti Park, just up Broadway.

L -  The Crest of 63 Wall Street

The 1929 headquarters of Brown Brothers Harriman; was converted to apartments in 2004.

The front is decorated with Greek drachmas.

M - Site of the Buttonwood Agreement - 68 Wall Street

An event that instituted the New York Stock Exchange in 1792. Traders gathered outside the building to do their business before moving inside.

The building burned during the fire of 1835, forcing the then non-profit association to move up Wall Street to its present location.

This concludes our tour of Wall Street.  If you found this tour useful, please share this with friends and family.

Be sure to read about other things to see and do in Lower Manhattan as well as our other self-guided tours of NYC .

PREMIUM WALL STREET TOURS

Although it can be interesting to take a self-guided tour around Wall Street, learning about the history of this location from an expert can be even better.

If you want to do more than just see the sights, there are a few very good tours that will provide a lot of information about this historic street.

Discover how the New York Stock Exchange developed and learn all about the people who built empires within the buildings in this financial district.

The Wall Street Experience

New York’s financial district is rich in history. There are so many details that anyone not taking a Wall Street tour is likely to miss something.

Thankfully, the Wall Street Experience provides a lot of information on its various walking tours. 

Unlike their competitors, they offer 2 different tours of Wall Street.

Their 75-minute  Wall Street Insider Tour  covers the essentials of the development of Wall Street from the small Dutch colony founded 400 years before.

You'll see the important institutions and hear great stories.  

Their two-hour  Financial Crisis Tour  covers the history of Lower Manhattan, from the first Dutch settlers to the origin of a new nation.

The tour then goes a step further by going into detail about the complex events that caused the recent Great Recession of 2008.

If you want to learn about more than just the formation of the stock exchange and the people who made a name for themselves on this busy street, this is an excellent option.

Wall Street Experience is also known as Experience First and a full list of their tours can be found here .  

The Wall Street Experience has been given positive reviews by the likes of the BBC, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

Their full 5-star rating on TripAdvisor suggests that these high-profile reviews are very accurate.

Several reviewers have described their trip as both fascinating and informative, and you won’t find many comments that disagree with these sentiments.

This is one of the most well-respected tour companies in New York, and their excursions are worth consideration.

Ticket Prices and Tour Information

• Every day at 1:30 pm
• Adults $39 | Children (ages 4-12) $35 | Under 3 years old free
• Every day at 10 am (our lasts approximately 2 hours)
• Adults $50 | Children (ages 4-12) $40 | Under 3 years old free

Wall Street and Financial District Walking Tour  

This company offers a highly rated 2-hour tour of Wall Street every day (except  Tuesdays) at 2:30 pm.

• Adults (age 13+) $34.95 
• Children (age 4-12) $19.95
• Seniors (62+)  $32.95
• Infant (Age 3 and younger) Free

Social Justice Tours

To learn about the dark side of Wall Street, you might like to take this tour which looks at corruption on Wall Street throughout history.

Tickets are just $16 and a portion of the proceeds go to a worthy non-profit organization. Check  their calendar  for dates.

* currently being offered only as a private tour

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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

10 Best Eco-Tours You Can Take In New York City

• Choose eco-friendly transportation: Use the highly efficient and cheap mass transit system of subways and buses in NYC to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable tourism.
• Explore NYC's top attractions sustainably: Opt for these eco-friendly NYC tours that have a minimal impact on the environment and showcase the city's history, parks, and cultural landmarks. Walk, cycle, or take an eco sailboat tour to experience the Big Apple while being environmentally conscious.
• Embrace sustainable food options: Join a walking food tour that showcases quintessential New York street food while walking through the city's streets instead of using vehicles. By supporting local eateries and choosing sustainable transportation, tourists can contribute to a greener New York City.

Eco-tourism and eco-travel in New York City? Yes, the world's busiest cosmopolitan does a lot to make it an environmentally friendly destination. The best example of this is its highly useful and used mass transit system of subway and bus services. Citizens and visitors are highly encouraged to use this super efficient and cheap mode of transportation within the city.

Sustainable tourism is conscientious travel, and this means being careful with the environment and respecting the community. Visitors can contribute towards this effort by choosing mass transit over taxis, staying at eco-friendly New York City hotels or homestays that make an effort to be “green,” shopping at a locally owned store, and eating at a diner or coffee shop instead of at a branded fast-food chain. Plus, New York City recycles its bottles and cans (including bottled water), and travelers can look for containers for recyclables before discarding litter.

Outside of the everyday small things that people can do to be eco-friendly during an NYC vacation, they can also be kind to the environment while sightseeing and having fun in the Big Apple. Tourists have an incredible amount of interesting things to do in NYC, and the city offers them lots of eco-friendly options while doing so - in the form of eco-friendly NYC tours. Here is a list of some of the best eco-tours in New York City that let travelers explore its top sights and sounds while ensuring a low-impact, low carbon footprint at the same time.

The following eco-friendly tours in New York City were selected based on their minimal impact on the environment, low carbon footprint, and appreciation and value of nature. From walking and cycling tours to excursions to botanical gardens and farms that highlight nature's importance, these environmentally friendly NYC tours are worth it for eco-conscious travelers.

Historic NYC Downtown Walking Tour

Downtown New York City! No other historical neighborhood can lay claim to so much impact or influence in the world over a relatively brief period in global events, and so a tour like this one is an essential item on the bucket list of things to do in NYC for anyone.

The tour retraces the evolution of Lower Manhattan, the historic role of New York Harbor, and the covert activities of the Revolutionary War. While on the tour, visitors will explore key historical locations like Wall Street, Stone Street Historic District, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Hamilton's grave site, etc., and discover how Lower Manhattan has transformed since 9/11.

Downtown Manhattan is one of the most densely populated places in New York City, and a walking tour is a refreshing and most eco-friendly way of seeing this iconic city.

• Price: $50 per person
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Meeting Point: Upon reservation, travelers will receive a confirmation with maps and the best mode of transportation to get to the meeting point
• Reservation: Click here for reservations

Related: Just 25 Beautiful Photos Of New York City's Skyline

Central Park Walking Tour

Central Park is certainly one of the most popular places in New York City. They say even a few days walking through Central Park (which is free to visit) will not be enough to cover its many hidden corners and stories. The only way to see the park to justify the park's true potential is by walking, and this expert-led Central Park Walking Tour offers views and entrance to areas unavailable to even cyclists.

It is a relaxing stroll of a little over two hours covering the history, structures, plants, animals, and movies filmed in the park, told in a way both entertaining for adults and children. Visitors are expected to have a moderate fitness level of being able to walk for 2 hours at a comfortable pace. Being a rather large park, it's best to follow a guide who knows it very well to have a richer experience.

• Price: $45 per person
• Duration: 2 hours
• Meeting Point: CENTRALPARKHORSES, 7TH AVE &, Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

This tour will have a maximum of 12 travelers.

New York Botanical Garden Visit

Located in the Bronx, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden is nature's paradise in every season of the year. With 50 breathtaking gardens, indoor rain forests and deserts, 50 acres of native forest, a river, waterfalls, and rolling green hills, the Garden is a blessing for the environment and a must-see destination for NYC visitors.

The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Most of the Garden consists of outdoor spaces and are open in all weather conditions. Visitors are advised to dress for the weather and exploration. Refreshments are available at the Pine Tree Café within the property.

• Price: $35 per adult, $31 per student/senior (65+), $15 per child (2-12), Free (children under 2, members)
• Duration: All day pass
• Location: 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458

Related: The New York Botanical Gardens Are Home To NYC's Old Growth Forests, But That's Not The Only Reason To Visit

New York City Skyline Night Sailboat Tour

Seeing New York City's lights at night is a spectacle that just cannot be missed. City Lights Sail on America 2.0 is a breathtaking eco-friendly cruise through the waters of New York Harbor, sailing past One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, all lit up brilliantly to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that begs to be repeated, and more than just once.

This incredible eco-friendly ride is one of the best places to view the New York City skyline . It's better enjoyed with a romantic companion or a close group of friends who want to have a quiet, relaxed evening and watch the most admired skyline in the world. Each seat allows a complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soda, and additional beverages are available for purchase by credit card.

• Price: $76 per person
• Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Extreme high winds, fog, torrential rain, extremely low temperatures, etc., may contribute to a cancelation decision.

New York Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

New York City isn't just a bustling financial capital. With its rich history of culture and cuisine, it is also a food capital of the world, with delicacies from around the globe in fine dining restaurants as well as finger-licking street food.

This tour allows visitors an opportunity to contribute towards a greener New York by walking the vehicle-riddled streets of Manhattan instead of using a cab or bus, all the while sampling several quintessential New York street food favorites like classic bagels, New York-style pizza and gourmet doughnuts. The local tour guide takes visitors to some of New York’s best under-the-radar eateries.

• Price: $85 per person
• Duration: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
• Meeting Point: IFC Center, 323 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014

This tour requires a minimum number of 12 travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, guests will be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Hudson River Greenway Bike Tour

Nothing could define an eco-friendly activity more than people using their energy while exploring nature. This is a small-group guided bike tour along the Hudson River in New York City on one of the most popular places to ride, offering beautiful water views, fresh unpolluted air, and a dedicated bike path that is closed to car traffic.

The use of a bicycle and a helmet is included in the Hudson River Greenway Bike Tour, so visitors have one less thing to be concerned about. Just land up there with comfortable clothing and shoes (suggested shorts or track pants with sneakers and a T-shirt) and get ready to spend some time refreshing yourself from the city's bustle. The tour prefers small groups of no more than 15 to allow a more personal experience for the group.

• Price: $53 per person
• Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
• Meeting Point: Pier 84 at Hudson River Park, 555 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Infant seats are available on request.

A Day In Brooklyn Bike Tour

Brooklyn is one of New York City's coolest neighborhoods. This bicycle tour through Brooklyn explores tough-to-reach areas that most tourists often miss. The eco-friendly ride also goes through popular landmarks and hidden gems, like areas under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, including breweries and eateries to stop and refuel.

Photo stops and complimentary tastings along the way make this a popular choice for active New York City visitors, especially those who prefer environment-friendly activities that are fun, informative, and don't leave a carbon footprint.

• Price: $118 per person
• Duration: 5 hours
• Meeting Point: Under the Manhattan Bridge - Brooklyn, NY 11205. (This location is a Lock away SeflStorage. Guests are requested to wait at the front gate for a tour guide to meet them here)

This tour will have a maximum of 12 travelers. The minimum age for travelers is 13 years old.

Prospect Park Walking Tour

Prospect Park is a 585-acre park located in the center of Brooklyn. On this tour, the experienced guide helps the visitors discover hidden treasures, natural wonders, and little-known tales of Prospect Park .

While taking in the beauty of this iconic park’s woodlands, waterways, wildlife, and landmarks, visitors also get to explore layers of history, flora, and the architecture of the surroundings. The tour gives an insight into how the park supports environmental conservation, historic preservation, and recreational and cultural access for locals and visitors from around the world.

• Price: $25 per person (children under 5 are free)
• Meeting Point: Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza

Related: The Ultimate Eco-Travel Checklist: 10 Things To Be Aware Of When Traveling

Farm.One Classic Tasting Tour

Farm.One’s indoor hydroponic farm uses LED lighting, hydroponics, and technology to grow hundreds of culinary plants with no pesticides or chemicals and up to 90% less water than a traditional farm. The tour offers visitors a chance to connect with fellow plant lovers while experiencing new flavors and culinary plants in a sensory experience not easily found anywhere else in New York.

This 1 hour guided tour takes visitors to the grow room, display racks, and packing room. It allows guests to taste rare herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. Each visitor gets a complimentary 0% ABV beverage crafted with Farm.One greens.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Location: 625 Bergen Street in Brooklyn, New York

Exploration Day At Randall’s Island Urban Farm

Despite its concrete density, New York City has hundreds of farms and gardens that produce fruit, vegetables, and herbs that are distributed and consumed within the city. Randall’s Island Urban Farm, set on 1 acre of land, grows hundreds of plants and teaches visitors about sustainable farming practices like pollination and composting.

The farm also has rice paddies, berry bushes, and greenhouses, all of which are open to the public on Exploration Days during weekends in the summer months. Throughout the year, the farm hosts over 200 free public events on the grounds of Randall's Island Park Alliance, including tours, waterfront activities, annual Earth Day and Harvest Festivals, and more.

• Price: Free
• Duration: Subject to individual interest
• Timing and Reservation: There are specific days when visitors can explore the farm. Please check for relevant information .

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New Tour Alert! SWEETS AND SCREAMS: A SUGARY SWEET GHOST WALK OF GREENWICH VILLAGE

New York City’s Historic Downtown (Pt. 1)

A Portrait of its Heritage Treasures through the Eyes of Children

One of the most pleasurable — and at times, memorable! — moments on a stroll is overhearing sidewalk conversations that pique our interest, engage our curiosity, charm our sense of humor, and have us trying to delve for our own answers!

With each NYC neighborhood having its own personalities and quirks that animate imaginations into further flight, children have proven to have the most wide-eyed lenses, compelling expansions of our own observations and perceptions. Immediately drawn to the alluring, the strange, the curious, children will attune their heightened senses to absorb all around them … often (and most always!) leaving parents or guardians with the challenge of answering that perpetual child’s question, “But why? ….”

Here, we present a dozen questions on Lower Manhattan that we have kept in our hearts’ sacred vaults. While we cannot claim to know every parent’s or guardian’s response (often starting with, “Hmmm”, or “Well, uh, ….” or “Because that’s the way it is…” ), we thought we’d take our editorial broad-stroke brushes in our own childlike ways for a palette that captures a neighborhood’s stories … a gathering of questions overheard at its famous sites or attractions. So here is a collection that paints a delightful portrait of a neighborhood through some of its heritage treasures, with answers for children’s rating and review. Enjoy!

At City Hall : Why is the flag blue, white and orange? And what is the circle in the middle?

The New York City flag has three vertical stripes of blue, white, and orange with the city’s seal in the Center.

About the flag: its three colors honor the role that the Dutch played in the city’s history and development. When they settled a trading colony called New Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan in 1625, they flew the Prince’s Flag of the Dutch Republic — which carried the same colors — over the community.

About the seal: it contains many symbols. A bald eagle represents the United States; a Native American honors the region’s original Lenni Lenape inhabitants; a sailor pays tribute to the city’s maritime heritage; beavers, flour barrels and a windmill represent early commerce and industry.

On Nassau Street: Why are the streets so narrow around here?

We are walking on trails from colonial New York’s Dutch past (1624-1664). The layout of these streets formed a settlement they called New Amsterdam.

A map of the Dutch colony, created in 1660 by surveyor Jacques Cortelyou, shows that the original street plan of that time is the essentially the same one walked today, with little changed over the centuries in maze-like routes and rambling patterns.

If we had that 1660 map — called the Castello Plan for an Italian estate where it was rediscovered in 1900 — we will see many details to help us reimagine the many homes, businesses, canals, streets … and a wall that once stood along our stroll! But narrow were the streets then … and definitely narrow remain the streets now.

On Wall Street: Why did the Dutch build a wall?

In early 1653, the Dutch colony’s Director-General Stuyvesant was ordered to fortify the settlement of New Amsterdam from oncoming English warships bent on taking it to expand their territorial hold on trade. To protect the Dutch community from the English, African slaves built a 12-foot wall of logs along the northern edge of New Amsterdam. It stretched across Manhattan island — from the Hudson River in the west, to the East River.

But the wall didn’t really work. In 1664, the English came around the tip of Manhattan via the waters of New York Harbor, demanding a Dutch surrender. The British takeover would result in the renaming of New Amsterdam to New York, in honor of the Duke of York, who organized the mission of conquest.

At Federal Hall : Are we in the center of NYC?

In many ways, yes. Historic Downtown is recognized as the source of New York City’s growth. The host of many “firsts”, The nurturing ground through which political, financial, economic, cultural and other countless milestones would be achieved.

But, no, Lower Manhattan is not the geographic midpoint of NYC. With the metropolis’ expansive area coverage of boroughs, islands and bodies of water, the exact location of “Geographic Center” is still disputed. The battle for prestige continues between the neighborhoods of Woodside, Queens and Bushwick, Brooklyn, who both claim the title.

At St. Paul’s Chapel : Why does the eagle look like a turkey?

Above George Washington’s pew in St. Paul’s Chapel, where he knelt to pray following his inauguration as the First President of a new nation in 1789, hangs one of the earliest, original oil paintings of the Great Seal of the United States.

Commissioned in 1784, the year after Washington’s Presidential Inauguration, the painting highlights our proposed National Bird with a banner in its beak bearing the national motto “E Pluribus Unum”: Out of Many, One.” On its chest is a crest featuring thirteen stripes for the thirteen states, representing the new American republic.

But, wait, do our eyes deceive us? Is it an Eagle … or a Turkey? Which feathered competitor would more fittingly carry the role? It is from observations such as these that myths and legends tend to form …

With the just-formed republic requiring a Great Seal, the early design on the oil painting prompted one Founding Father to focus on the portrayal of the National Bird, weighing its merits of integrity as an official national emblem for a fledgling nation. In a 1784 letter addressed to his daughter Sarah, Benjamin Franklin criticized the original design of the eagle, saying that it looked more like a turkey.

In appraising the eagle, he wrote: “For my own part I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character.” And in defending the honor of the turkey against a proposed Bird of Dominion, he continued, it is “a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America…He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage.”

At Trinity Church : Why does the church have that brown color?

Let us introduce the brownstone.

The present Trinity Church, completed in 1846, is a Gothic Revival monument executed in brownstone by the noted ecclesiastical architect Richard Upjohn. It is generally regarded as the first significant building in the city with brownstone walls.

Local brownstone, a red sandstone, was the material of choice for many churches and was frequently used in New York construction before the 1850s. Supplied by quarries along the Passaic River in New Jersey, this type of sandstone as a building material is solid, yet easily carved.

By Hamilton’s Grave at Trinity Church: Why do they leave so many coins here?

When Lin-Manuel’s musical Hamilton burst onto the stage with phenomenal success, this Broadway hit drew — and continues to attract — countless visitors to Alexander Hamilton’s grave in the Burial Grounds of Trinity Church.

The number of coins, flags and flowers laid at his grave has its worth! It is a fitting homage for a Founding Father, who most profoundly influenced the economic development of this country: our nation’s first secretary of the Treasury as well as the chief architect of the American financial system. The face on the $10 bill.

Hamilton’s Grave at Trinity Church

On Beaver Street: Why is a street named after a beaver?

The beaver greatly deserves the recognition! Tributes gratefully appear in more places than one. In addition to this street sign, beavers are featured on The Seal of the City of New York — and on the facade of many landmark buildings — for the essential role played in early history and commerce. Their pelts from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to European markets in the early 1600s spurred the profitable fur trade across the oceans, with more than 80,000 skins exported.

These days, the beavers are fortunately spared their earlier fate. And, yes, we are happy to report they are back in NYC waters , swimmingly safe.

By the U.S. Customs House: What are those statues on top of the building?

Situated at the south tip of Manhattan by New York Harbor, the U.S. Customs House is often associated with the import and export of goods, signaling maritime impact. In homage to this tradition, the twelve marble statues above the columns on the main facade represent personifications of seafaring nations through both ancient and modern history.

Each sculpture is 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and weighs 20 short tons (18 long tons; 18 metric tons). These allegorical sculptures were arranged in chronological sequence from east to west, beginning with ancient Greece and Rome, progressing into more recent French and British empires. With the official opening of the U.S. Custom House in 1907, NYC’s status as an economic powerhouse was solidified, joining the lineage of ancestral ports prominently displayed on the building.

Today, the U.S. Customs House is home to The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York .

On Stone Street: What kind of stones are they?

In the old days of New Amsterdam, this was a main road — once called Hoogh Straet (High Street) — that ran along a mere block from the water’s edge at Pearl Street. At the request of residents who complained of the road’s heavy dust and poor conditions, it was paved in 1658 with roundish cobble stones typically pulled from nearby river beds that smoothened the stones’ rough edges over time.

The current name of Stone Street comes simply from the paving of one of the city’s oldest roads —first with naturally occurring cobble stones, then with hand-carved granite stones known as Belgian blocks. This is how the formerly-name Hoogh Straet earned the honor of becoming the first cobbled street in New Amsterdam.

By Fraunces Tavern : What did Washington eat there?

Our first President was a patron of this noted tavern — then known as the Queen’s Head. He would dine there when first arriving in New York City on April 13, 1776 and would return on momentous occasions. This famous gathering place — which witnessed the British Colonial Period, the Revolutionary War, and the birth of a new nation — was owned by Samuel Fraunces, whose culinary skills were offered on full display, but whose alliances were kept a closely-guarded secret during a precarious time in our history.

If ever there was a “go-to” center for any motive or occasion in British Colonial New York, it would be Fraunces Tavern. A hub for the era’s patriots, loyalists, and spies; a ground cover for extremist organizations; a destination for fine dining in British Colonial New York; a magnet for the community. Over its tables were disclosed troop movements, secret messages, political debates, comings-and-goings, invitations to lavish celebrations or announcements of somber ceremonies. But from Samuel Fraunces’ kitchen emerged meals and pastries which Gen. George Washington’s palate could never resist.

Before finally leaving New York at the end of the Revolutionary War, Gen. Washington would walk through Fraunces Tavern’s doors on at least two more occasions for celebratory dinners. The first would be on November 25, 1783, a date signaling the evacuation of British troops from the city; the second and final one, several days later on December 4, 1783, when Washington would bid farewell to his troops.

According to the Montclair Historical Society’s The Thirteen Colonies Cookbook , the menu for the Evacuation Day Banquet included Fresh Sorrel Soup with Sippets, Roasted Lamb with Oyster Forcemeat, Tipsy Squire and Carrot Tea Cake. And while no detailed records are disclosed for menu items on the Farewell Dinner at the Tavern’s Long Room, it is famously recorded that Washington stood before the Continental Army and bid goodbye to each of his officers in an emotional toast. A glass of wine in hand.

Along the Canyon of Heroes: Who are the heroes?

If we take a stroll on Broadway, along a stretch between Battery Park and City Hall, we notice black granite plaques embedded on sidewalks on both sides of the street. There are more than 200 of them, each with a story.

A closer look at each plaque would reveal a date and a name. A date for a ticker-tape parade. And the name of an honoree: a “hero” whom we exalt with showers of confetti and deafening cheers along the skyscraper-carved canyon of Broadway.

From the first festivities spontaneously given during the 1886 Dedication of the Statue of Liberty … to the long-planned 2021 Hometown Heroes celebrations for pandemic first-responders and essential workers … the parades have honored heads of state, war generals, athletes, foreign dignitaries, and more. We might pause: What was the life behind each victory? What were the times in which it earned accolades? What were the popular sentiments rallying for its memory?

A meditative and thought-provoking stroll along the Canyon this can be.

In Battery Park: Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?

When the Statue was unveiled in 1886, it was shiny penny-colored brown. Its exterior is made of copper, and it turned that shade of green because of oxidation.

By 1906, it was covered with a blue-green patina, due to chemical reactions between metal and water. With New York Harbor’s extreme elements of high winds, salt water and air pollution, the blue-green patina is a protective layer that shields the statue and preserves it.

And, last but not least, a frequently-overheard inquiry …

By the Charging Bull: Why are there more people taking pictures at the back of the bull rather than the front?

As fate would have this, it appears the Charging Bull has been destined for greater viewing: from all sides … and from either end. The rubbing of the rear — specifically, the “Bulls Balls” — has evolved to become a venerated tradition, a preferable homage for the assurance of good fortune and wealth. But when sculptor Arturo Di Modica first gifted New York City with an 11-foot tall, 18-foot long, three-and-a-half-ton bronze “Charging Bull” 33 years ago, his creation was not welcome!

The sculpture — neither commissioned nor approved — would first make its appearance by going on covert mission: unbeknownst to the entire city, it would be planted in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the early morning light of winter’s December 15, 1989. A mysterious Christmas gift without any sighting of a Santa Claus or Elf. A recognized symbol of America’s tenacious stock market and a country’s financial might. A tribute to the power and resilient spirit of New York in the aftermath of the 1987 stock market crash known as “Black Monday”.

But, as the sunrise greeted office workers to the Financial District, the Bull would be rejected by NYSE, much to the distraught of a far more welcoming and excited crowd that had gathered to greet it. The New York Police Department (NYPD) would be called and the Bull would find itself carted away on a massive rig that took all day for the NYSE to find. But feisty New Yorkers, denied of their Christmas Gift, clamored for its home and would not temper their outcry over its displacement. Gratefully, the Mayor’s Office, New York Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Bowling Green Association joined forces to comply.

Thus, on December 21, 1989 — within a week of its being cast out by the Exchange — the Charging Bull would find a permanent home where it now stands, enthroned by millions. In all sorts of ways, from all angles and directions, in all its “golden” glory.

*** Should you — or your child — have a question about the Historic District or any neighborhood, do send them in. Or, for the pure pleasure of discovery and exploration, we invite you to join our tour of Historic Downtown , and have you asking more!

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Trump’s trial is the latest chapter in the rich history of Lower Manhattan’s courts.

A cluster of downtown buildings has served as the borough’s “epicenter of criminal justice in New York since the 1830s,” said a lawyer who has led walking tours of Manhattan courthouses.

By Matthew Mpoke Bigg

• April 26, 2024

For a decade, Robert Pigott, a lawyer, has led walking tours of the courthouses of Manhattan, guiding visitors around landmarks where the city’s rich legal history has played out. Now the trial of Donald J. Trump has added a chapter to the story he gets to tell.

Mr. Pigott’s tours, which he runs in his spare time, revolve around a cluster of downtown buildings that are the borough’s judicial hub. For now, 100 Centre Street — the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, where the former president’s case is being heard — is the focus.

But just down the street on Foley Square sits Manhattan’s most elegant courthouse building, New York’s Supreme Court, with its sweeping flight of 32 stone steps leading up to a series of imposing Corinthian columns. Other court buildings are dotted around nearby.

“The eyes of the nation and the world are trained on criminal court cases in New York County, whether it’s organized crime, Wall Street cases or federal cases,” Mr. Pigott said.

Mr. Trump’s trial is remarkable because it is the first time that a former American president has been criminally prosecuted. The defendant’s status as this year’s presumptive Republican presidential nominee adds a contemporary political dimension.

For Mr. Pigott, 64, who has written a book about the history of the city’s courthouses, the real significance is what it says about the status of a few blocks of Manhattan as a nexus. He pointed out that Mr. Trump’s civil fraud case and defamation case also both played out this year in courthouses within spitting distance of the criminal trial.

“Now, when I arrive at the expanse of Foley Square midway through the walk, I can point to something truly remarkable — three different courthouses where the same former U.S. president has been on trial,” he said.

Mr. Trump’s trial shows how politics, celebrity and the location of the court itself can reinforce one another to make a big story bigger. New York’s status as a media hub increases the spotlight during high-profile cases and the high-profile cases held over the decades have, in turn, made the city’s courts an attractive setting for fictional courtroom dramas.

In these buildings, a jury convicted Anna Sorokin for grand larceny in 2019 for posing as a German heiress to swindle wealthy New Yorkers — a case that almost by definition blurred fact and fiction. Naturally, the tale has since been turned into a series on Netflix.

The cluster is also where a group of Black and Latino teenagers, then known as the Central Park Five, were wrongly convicted in 1990 of raping a jogger — a case also rendered as a Netflix series — and where Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty in 1981 to murdering the musician John Lennon.

The New York Supreme Court building, a trial-level court, often serves as a symbol of the court complex. It featured prominently in the television show “Law and Order" and the 1957 courtroom film classic “12 Angry Men,” to cite just two examples.

Mr. Pigott, however, is drawn to the history of the legal system before the 20th century and how it evolved through its buildings. The first stop on the tours he runs is a sidewalk nearby with glass blocks embedded in it, through which it is possible to see the excavations of a courthouse built by the Dutch in the colonial era.

The authorities in New York built a judicial infrastructure in this part of Lower Manhattan starting mainly in the 19th century, when the area experienced significant gang violence, he said.

“This one-block radius has been the epicenter of criminal justice in New York since the 1830s,” said Mr. Pigott.

For all the drama associated with the Trump trial, the streets outside the criminal courthouse have generally been calm this week. Reporters and members of the public have lined up for entry to the courthouse. And on Thursday morning, Collect Pond Park across the street, which has been designated for protests, was empty. Its only occupants were some police officers and a few pigeons.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg is a London-based reporter on the Live team at The Times, which covers breaking and developing news. More about Matthew Mpoke Bigg

The Flourishing World of Central Park

This verdant tourist destination is a pleasure ground for locals, too..

36 Hours in Central Park:  With its endless trails, hidden nooks, museums and nearby night spots, the park is a hub for both thriving activities and where one can find  a more tranquil, timeless Manhattan .

Flaco’s Kingdom : Before his demise earlier in February , the Eurasian eagle-owl’s escape from the Central Park Zoo  and subsequent life on the loose  captured the public’s attention and hearts .

Shakespeare Hits the Road: To many people, Central Park in the summer equals Shakespeare in the Park. But this year, because of renovations at the theater traditionally hosting the productions, the show will step outside  the confines of the park.

Regreening in the Park: A construction project next to the North Woods, involves remaking a part of the park  that serves as a backyard for nearby blocks in East Harlem, where green spaces are sorely missing.

A Reporter’s Design: Ever wondered who designed one of Central Park? Read about the life of Frederick Law Olmsted , who helped create one of New York’s shining jewels.