NEW YORK – DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN: FINANCIAL DISTRICT, SOUTH STREET SEAPORT & BATTERY PARK

DESCRIPTION – Downtown Manhattan: Financial District, South Street Seaport & Battery Park

Discover the hidden history of one of the most fast-paced areas of New York City. Downtown Manhattan is home to many significant points of history for the city and the nation as a whole.

The Financial District is home to the business center of the city, from shopping areas like Brookfield Place to commercial building complexes like the World Trade Center and World Financial Center. The World Trade Center in particular is an example of the city’s resilience. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, the area had to be rebuilt in a way that would create a space to remember the victims, reconnect transportation hubs and bring back business in order to move forward. The city responded with the 9/11 Memorial, World Trade Center PATH Station, and the Freedom Tower (One World Trade).

Alongside the modern buildings, there are older structures that stand as reminders of the city’s colonial past. Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel are still standing and are active members of the community. Hidden in plain sight are remnants of the wall for which Wall Street gets its name. There is also Federal Hall, where George Washington was sworn in as the First U.S. President.

After navigating the Canyon of Heroes, you will be rewarded with views of the harbor at Battery Park. Within this greenspace there are several landmarks, such as Castle Clinton and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The park also offers vistas of many points of interest, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

From the colonial past to the present, Downtown Manhattan is home to the movers and shakers of the city.