The financial district of New York is a very famous neighborhood and you will have seen it in movies, series and in many photographs. If you want to see it in person, we recommend you visit it from Monday to Friday because there is more atmosphere, the number of offices there are so many people on the move during the week, making you feel like one of them.
There are many places to see on Wall Street and the lower part of Manhattan. Beyond the famous New York Stock Exchange, you can visit other sites related to finance, churches, parks and buildings with history. So I recommend that you dedicate at least one whole day of your New York itinerary to get to know this part of the city.
WHAT TO SEE IN WALL STREET AND LOWER MANHATTAN
1. The New York Stock Exchange
The first thing I recommend you visit is the New York Stock Exchange. New York has the largest stock market in the world in monetary value and number of companies. Its headquarters are at 11 Wall Street, the street that gives its name to the financial district. The New York Stock Exchange has become the world economic center. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the New York Stock Exchange has not been open to the public, but its façade continues to be an essential thing to see on Wall Street and from here you can start your route.
2. The Wall Street Bull
Another stop you should make is to have your picture taken with the Wall Street Bull.
It is a sculpture created by Arturo Di Modica, made of bronze and installed in the area in 1989. It represents the strength and optimism of the American people after a great stock market crash in 1987. Now it has become the representative of New York's financial district and economic prosperity. Legend has it that if you rub the bull's testicles you will have good luck. If you travel in high season, the queues to be photographed with the bull are huge. If you start your day early, go early to take advantage of the fact that there are fewer people and take the famous photo with the bull :)
3. The girl with no name
In front of the bull you will find the figure of a girl. A few hours before International Women's Day in 2017, a bronze sculpture of a girl standing up to the Wall Street bull appeared. It is the work of the sculptor Kristel Visbal, who wanted to represent the strength of women in an environment managed mostly by men.
The sculptor of the bull complained because this 1.30m girl gave his work a negative connotation of his creation. That's why the girl moved in front of the stock exchange building. Do you like change?
4. Bowling Green
Next to the Bull of Wall Street is a park that is surrounded by the original fences. It was created in 1733 and is the oldest park in New York. Its name is due to the fact that it was formerly a bowling alley. Now the games have been pushed to the side and the Bowling Green benches are packed with workers from the financial district when they leave for lunch.
5. 9/11 Memorial
The financial area of New York suffered a severe blow on September 11, 2001. The attacks against the Twin Towers caused a great impact throughout the world. The 9/11 Memorial is a must-see on Wall Street. You will be able to see two huge inverted fonts with the names of all the people who passed away that tragic day. It is a tribute to the victims and if you want you can also enter the 9/11 museum.
6. One World Trade Center
The substitute for the Twin Towers is One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower. It is the tallest skyscraper in the United States, and the sixth tallest in the world with its 541 meters high.
7. Federal Hall National
Did you know that the United States government was born on Wall Street? The current Federal Hall National Memorial is built on the same site as the building where George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States. That is why there is a sculpture in his memory right in front of the imposing Greek-style façade. You can visit its interior with a free tour to learn about the origins of the country.
8. The Oculus
Adjacent to the imposing Freedom Tower is an impressively designed shopping center and metro station. The Oculus is the work of Santiago Calatrava and its white skeleton-shaped structure has aroused much controversy because it cost 4,000 million dollars.
9. Trinity Church
An essential stop is to visit Trinity Church. It is located at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway. It is surprising to think that the neo-classical Trinity Church was the tallest building in New York when it opened in 1846. Behind the church is a small cemetery.
The contrast of the church surrounded by skyscrapers is fascinating.
The church's chapel, known as St Paul's Chapel, is famous for having withstood the attacks of September 11 without even breaking a glass. It served as a shelter for the wounded and even created a makeshift memorial. Today there is still an exhibition about those hard days.
10. Stone Street
Stone Street is one of the places I like the most on Wall Street because it has a special charm. In the midst of so many modern skyscrapers you can stroll along a cobbled street where colonial-style buildings characteristic for their reddish bricks are still preserved. It is a lively area with bars and restaurants.
11. Battery Park
Battery Park was the first place where thousands of immigrants arriving by boat to the city stepped foot in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is without a doubt a historical place to see on Wall Street. That is why Clinton Castle, an old fort, is preserved, and there are dozens of memorials.
12. Alexander Hamilton US Custom House
The Alexander Hamilton US Custom House building, in neo-classical style, is another of the buildings worth visiting on Wall Street. Its name recalls the time when it was a customs office until 1973. The headquarters of the National Museum of the American Indians is currently located there.
13. African Burial Ground National Monument
You cannot leave Manhattan without seeing the African Burial Ground National Monument. In the origins of New York, when it was still called New Amsterdam, the African-American population was buried in a cemetery far from the city. More than 400 bodies were discovered buried during the 17th and 18th centuries, most of them were slaves. That space has been converted into a memorial to New York's African-American heritage.
14. New York City Hall
New York City Hall is the oldest in the United States. You can book a free tour to see inside.
15. The Statue of Liberty
And last but not least, don't forget to visit the Statue of Liberty. You can do it in several ways and I will have already told you about it in another post:
You can see it with the free ferry that goes to Staten Island, although you don't get close to the statue, you can see it from afar and can be photographed perfectly. In addition to that you will have spectacular views of Manhattan. I will tell you more about this ferry in what to see in Staten Island in 1 day
The other option to visit the Statue of Liberty is taking a tour to visit it. The tour includes a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to New York a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!