14 Fun Things to See and Do in Lower Manhattan

Aerial view of Lower Manhattan, New York City, featuring the tall One World Trade Center skyscraper, surrounding buildings, and the Hudson River under a blue sky with clouds.

Courtesy, One World Observatory

Visit the Top of One World Trade

The Observatory, spread over three floors some 1,268 feet above the street, provides plenty of space for admiring city views.

Crowds of people walk along the street in New York’s Financial District, with the New York Stock Exchange building on the right, displaying large American flags. Tall buildings line both sides of the street.

Wall Street. Photo: Marley White

See Where Modern Finance Began

The New York Stock Exchange (the building on the right) emerged from the Buttonwood Agreement, which took place in Lower Manhattan in the late 1700s. Wall Street's resonance remains as strong as ever.

Large white modern building with wing-like structures, surrounded by tall skyscrapers. Crowds of people walk and gather outside on a sunny day in a city setting.

Oculus. Photo: Lucia Vázquez

Look Skyward at Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus

More than a shopping and transportation center, the Oculus is a modernist piece of architectural art—and a symbolic nod to the events of 9/11. Each year on that day, the roof opens at 8:46am (the time the first tower—the North—was struck), and the sun shines through it at 10:28am (the time the North Tower fell)., after which is closes.

The image shows the illuminated 9/11 Memorial reflecting pool at dusk, surrounded by tall skyscrapers and trees in New York City. The golden lights highlight the water and the names inscribed along the pool’s edge.

9/11 Memorial. Photo: Brittany Petronella

Reflect the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers; the names of the fallen line their exterior. A guided tour of the memorial and the museum, which holds exhibitions full of artifacts and stories, is a great way of understanding the events and ongoing impact of 9/11.

People cross a busy intersection in a city with tall modern buildings behind a historic brick building with American flags. Cars and taxis wait at the traffic light under a clear sky.

Fraunces Tavern. Photo: Molly Flores

Have a Date with History at the Fraunces Tavern

This building, which serves as a museum, bar and restaurant, dates back to the 1700s and played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War.

The entrance to the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, featuring a grand staircase, two large statues, and banners above the doorway. People are walking and sitting on the steps outside.

National Museum of the American Indian. Photo: Gabby Jones

Learn About Indigenous Culture

There may be no better place here to begin understanding the role and contributions of Indigenous peoples to modern-day NYC than the Museum of the American Indian. Start with Native New York exhibit and then move on to the other permanent and temporary displays.

People stand near the African Burial Ground National Monument, a large stone memorial in a city park. In the foreground, an informational sign titled "A Place of Remembrance" explains the site's significance.

African Burial Ground National Monument. Photo: Gabby Jones

Visit the African Burial Ground National Monument

Rediscovered in the 1990s, this moment pays tribute to what was a public burial space for Blacks New Yorkers in the 1600s and 1700s.

A sunlit cemetery with old gravestones and a tall monument, surrounded by leafy trees and tall city buildings in the background.

Trinity Church Wall Street. Photo: Molly Flores

See Alexander Hamilton's Resting Place

Trinity Church, which was once the tallest building in the City, has a Gothic Revival spire, plenty of stained glass and a churchyard whose interred include a Titanic survivor and Alexander Hamilton.

People walk along a cobblestone street lined with historic red-brick buildings and storefronts; a sign reads "Water St" and ship masts are visible in the background.

The Seaport. Photo: Lucia Vázquez

Discover the Charms of the Seaport

The oldest shop in town, a museum with historic ships, cobblestone streets, cool bars and restaurants—the Seaport has lots of ways to introduce you to its waterfront appeal.

A busy, elegant restaurant with white tablecloths, seated diners, and a waiter serving food. A large mural of people socializing decorates one wall, adding vibrant color to the stylish interior.

Delmonico’s. Photo: Lanna Apisukh

Have a Steak Where Fine Dining Began

There is a lot of history at Delmonico's, the Lower Manhattan restaurant known for introducing various dishes to the culinary canon and for being the first establishment to allow women to dine on their own.

Exhibit space with large black-and-white historical photos on the walls, including an arched entrance with Hebrew text and a Star of David. Informational panels with text and images line the walkway.

Museum of Jewish Heritage. Photo: David Paler

Explore Jewish History

See exhibitions and attend talks at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

A lively outdoor dining area in a narrow city alley, with people sitting under tents and strings of international flags hanging overhead between brick buildings.

Stone Street. Photo: Julienne Schaer

Stroll, Sit and Sip on Stone Street

The pedestrianized block is home to numerous bars and restaurants, many with outdoor seating. It is a fun place to have a drink or meal while being part of the scene.

People sit and walk in front of the Federal Hall National Memorial, a Greek Revival building with tall columns and a statue on the steps, surrounded by tall city buildings.

Wall Street. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

Walk in Washington's Footsteps

Federal Hall National Memorial, which stands on the site of the old Federal Hall—where Washington was inaugurated as the first president—is open for ranger-guided tours.

Two people walk past the historic Castle Clinton building, made of brown stone, with a National Park Service sign in front in New York City. The sky is partly cloudy.

Castle Clinton. Photo: Lucia Vázquez

Make the Rounds at Castle Clinton

This old fort is more than just a historic site—it serves as the departure point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (make sure you only buy tickets from Statue City Cruises, the official operator for statue visits).