Boasting a skyline that’s recognizable around the world, this part of Manhattan squeezes so much into its streets that the sky’s the limit.
Located on the southern tip of the island, Lower Manhattan is one of the densest parts of New York City. Stroll through the Financial District admiring the skyscrapers and hop on the ferry to visit the Staten Island Museum. In the winter wander the aisles of Poets House in Battery Park City and come back in the summer for an outdoor reading. No matter the time of year or what you enjoy it’s not difficult to find something to your liking.
Take the subway to Christopher Street and find the historic Stonewall Inn, where the 1969 riot became a turning point for LGBT activism and rights. Before getting to Chinatown, stop by the Museum of Chinese in America. Afterwards, dine at one of the many dim sum parlors located within a 10-minute walk; some of these have been in the same place since the 1920s.
Lower Manhattan houses several monuments, including the African Burial Ground National Monument, the One World Trade Center and one-half of the Brooklyn Bridge. In the evenings find a variety of excursions, ranging from comedy at the Dark Horse Comedy Club to concerts at the Bowery Ballroom. Or walk through the streets touring your own historic sights, whether it’s a stoop in the St. Marks Historic District or a brownstone in the West Village.
Some buildings in Lower Manhattan are older than the USA, for example, St. Paul's Chapel on Wall Street, built in 1766. Other parts, such as the 9/11 memorial, reflect more recent history. On the furthest tip of the island visit the National Museum of the American Indian or the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
NYC has a variety of accessible public transportation options available. Travel to Lower Manhattan on the train, choosing your bus or subway route depending on which side of the island you’re trying to get to. Driving is not recommended, since parking is notoriously difficult in New York. If you’re coming from Brooklyn there are also multiple subway options, or take a nice walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.