Lower Manhattan
This was the first settled area of New York City and is also known as the Financial District or simply "Downtown." Please view our detailed map of Lower Manhattan to determine your best route to your first destination. Once you're here, it's an easy walk to most locations and you'll make many discoveries along the way.

Know Before You Go™
Rebuilding efforts are ongoing and may affect subway service. Know before you go to the destinations below. Visit www.mta.info for service advisories, updated every Friday, that could affect your trip or call 718-330-1234. We apologize for any inconvenience.

City Hall
At Murray Street between Broadway and Park Row
In its nearly 200-year history as the seat of New York City Government, numerous proclamations, celebrations, protests, and rallies have taken place here, occasionally proving that you can fight City Hall. It was designed in the Federal style by architects Joseph-Francois Mangin and John McComb, Jr. and erected between 1803 and 1812.

City Hall Park
The graceful 9-acre commons, directly south of City Hall, is landscaped with specimen horticulture and statuary, and boasts a recently restored ornate granite fountain originally installed in 1871 and designed by Jacob Wrey Mould.

Brooklyn Bridge
Pedestrian access at Centre St adjacent to the Municipal Building
The promenade, which opened in 1883, provides spectacular views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. If you don't want to walk back to Manhattan (it's just over one mile one way!), then catch the or at the High St or the or at Clark St stations in Brooklyn.

South Street Seaport
Fulton and South Sts at Pier 17
The city's historic waterfront has something for both seafarers and landlovers. Board restored tall ships, peruse the maritime museum, or visit more than 100 shops and eateries.

World Trade Center
Church St between Liberty and Barclay Sts
Thousands from around the country and around the world have come to pay their respects at Ground Zero. The land is now being redeveloped.

New York Stock Exchange
18 Broad St between Wall St and Exchange Pl
Billions of dollars are traded here and have been for more than 100 years. While you can't actually enter the building, you can almost feel the energy and excitement that emanates from within.

Federal Hall National Memorial
26 Wall St
See where George Washington was inaugurated as president on April 30, 1789. The Greek Revival structure opened in 1842.

Trinity Church
Broadway at Wall St
Built in 1846, this is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use. There have been three Trinity Churches on this site. Architect Richard Upjohn designed the current structure in the Gothic Revival style. Statesman Alexander Hamilton was buried there after his infamous duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

Charging Bull
The foot of Broadway at Bowling Green
Artist Arturo DeModica created the 7,000-pound statue, a New York icon and a symbol of the financial district since it was placed there in 1989.

Bowling Green
The foot of Broadway
The oldest park in New York City has been in use since 1733. Take a break at this half-acre triangle that affords a peaceful setting amidst the hustle of downtown.

Battery Park
At the tip of lower Manhattan
Enjoy views of the New York Harbor. If you're feeling nautical, you can catch a ferry from here to Ellis Island and perhaps explore your family roots, or to the Statue of Liberty. Buy your tickets at Castle Clinton, a destination unto itself. Originally built as a fort in 1812, it later served as an opera house, aquarium, and immigration-processing center.

The Esplanade
Part park, part sculpture garden, the path hugs the shoreline of Battery Park City along the Hudson River between Chambers St at the north and historic Battery Park at the south.

Century 21
22 Cortlandt St between Church St and Broadway
There are lots of shops in Lower Manhattan, but in its own words it's "New York's Best Kept Secret^®." Shop like a local for designer labels while saving 25 to 75 percent off retail prices.

Daffy's
50 Broadway between Exchange Pl and Wall St
Another shopper's paradise where you can enjoy "high fashion at low prices."

Border's, the international retailer, has a store at 100 Broadway.

There are more than 400 eateries in the vicinity, from delis to fine dining, so you won't go hungry! Stroll down the historic Stone Street between South William and Pearl Streets while you take your pick from among many types of cuisine. In the warm months, you can enjoy your meal al fresco on cobblestone streets.

The Village
Once home to artists and Bohemians, the real estate south of 14 Street, west of Broadway, north of Houston, and east of the Hudson River is now extremely hot property.  Though somewhat mellowed since its counter-culture heyday of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the beat still goes on in its taverns, cafes, unique shops, and through its iconic images. 

Jefferson Market Library
425 Avenue of the Americas between 9th and 10th Streets
This landmark branch of the New York Public Library system served as the Women's Court until 1932 and its history has some judicial and literary twists.  Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage, testified there in 1896 on behalf of a woman he felt was unjustly arrested for prostitution.  It was also where Harry K. Thaw was tried for the 1906 murder of architect Stanford White (White's firm had designed 11 other library branches).  The scandal was immortalized in E.L. Doctorow's novel Ragtime.
Subway: to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
Bus: M5, M6, M8

Washington Square Park
At the foot of 5th Avenue
The property was designated as a park in 1823 on what was formerly a public burial ground.  The arch, an iconic image closely associated with nearby New York University, was erected in 1888 to commemorate the centennial of President George Washington's inauguration.  Originally built of plaster and wood, it was replaced in 1892 with a 77-foot-high marble arch designed by New York architect Stanford White.  Other notable structures include a fountain, a monument of Giuseppe Garibaldi, and built-in chess tables, which are almost full with diehard players.
Subway: to W 4 St-Washington Sq; N R W to 8 St-NYU
Bus: M1, M5, M6, M8

Historic Homes
Waverly Place at 5th Avenue
On the perimeter of the Square are homes that date back to the 1900s.  Take a stroll around the park where you can evoke images of life popularized in the Henry James novel Washington Square.
Subway: to W 4 St-Washington Sq; N R W to 8 St-NYU
Bus: M1, M5, M6, M8

West 4 Street Basketball Courts
6th Avenue between West 3rd and 4th Streets
Check out the free amateur games, a 40-year tradition, every day in June, July, and August at “the Cage.”  It is so named because the game is played inside a half-regulation sized court surrounded by a 20 foot high chain link fence.  Don't expect to sit down or have the chance to purchase any stadium-style refreshments here, but there are plenty of eateries to check out after the game.
Subway: to W 4 St-Washington Sq
Bus: M5, M6

Cafés
There are restaurants and cafes in every cuisine imaginable.  Menus are usually posted outside, giving you a chance to decide which type you want to enjoy (and what your budget can afford).  Or check out the Dining section by clicking on the Café link shown above.  While reservations are recommended, you can probably get seating if you arrive a little bit earlier than the usual dinner crowd.
Subway: to W 4 St-Washington Sq; N R W to 8 St-NYU; 1 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
Bus: M5, M6, M7, M8, M20

Meatpacking District
This tiny hippest-of-hip enclaves runs roughly from West 15 Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street.  Since earning landmark status, the area is officially called the Gansevoort Market Historic District.  By day the neighborhood is still the center of the city's wholesale meat industry. Come evening, you’ll rub elbows with the chic elite. Save your pennies and eat at one of its four star restaurants or browse at its upscale boutiques.
Subway: to 14 St
Bus: M11, M20

Boutiques
Find “oh, this old thing?” at Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Scoop or one of more than 50 other shops.  Stores are located throughout the neighborhood but are concentrated on 14 Street.

Chelsea Market
75 9 Av at 16 St
Bordering the Meatpacking District and Chelsea is the former National Biscuit Company (NABISCO) factory.  Today you can enjoy its many food shops and cafes, all in an industrial setting.  On weekends, special events include live music, tango dancing and lessons, and performances by the Samurai Knife Sharpener.

The High Line Elevated Railroad
34 St to Gansevoort Street
The “High Line” ran from 35th Street down to St. John's Park Terminal.  It went through the center of blocks, connecting directly to factories and warehouses, shipping and receiving raw and manufactured goods without causing any street-level traffic.  As interstate trucking gained popularity, trains stopped running on it in 1980, but the structure remained.  However, it now has a new use - as an elevated city park. Ground was broken in April 2006, and the first section opened June 2009.

Meat Distributors
Don't be surprised to see signs like these on the same block as the trendy shops.  Though not a numerous as in the past, pickups and deliveries are still taking place in the wee hours of the morning.

Dana Discovery Center
110 St between Fifth and Lenox Avs
Located at the top of the Harlem Meer (Dutch for lake) in upper Central Park, the building serves as one of four visitor centers in the park, and also offers a variety of free family and community programs, as well as seasonal exhibits and holiday events.
Subway: to Central Park North/110 St; to 110 St
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M18

Conservatory Garden
Fifth Av between 104 and 106 St
The six-acre formal garden is landscaped in the Italian, French, and English styles.
Subway: to Central Park North/110 St; to 103 or 110 St
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M18

Delacorte Theater
Mid-park at 80th Street
The Delacorte is a public open-air seasonal stage and summer home of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. Tickets are free but be prepared to wait in line for tickets here, or at the Public Theater's home at 425 Lafayette St.
Subway: to 81 St-Museum of Natural History
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M10, M79

Belvedere Castle
Mid-park at 79 St
The diminutive palace was built in 1869 and created by the designers of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Today it is the home of Henry Luce Nature Observatory and the United States Weather Bureau, which has been collecting meteorological data there since 1912.
Subway: to 81 St-Museum of Natural History
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M10, M79

Conservatory Water
East side from 72 to 75 Sts
While the conservatory was never built, the water is there in the form of a pond where visitors can watch or rent radio-powered miniature yachts.
Subway: to 72 St; to 77 St
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M72

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain
Mid-park at 72 St
The park's Victorian roots are best exemplified here with a mall on which to promenade, a fountain with soothing sound of rushing water, and a grand staircase to swoop down into another era.
Subway: to 72 St; to 68 St or 77 St
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M10, M72

Wildlife Center and Children's Zoo
East side between 63 and 66 Sts
The living collection includes animals from tropic, temperate, and polar regions around the world. See the seal lions perform tricks at mealtime, or watch the famous polar bear do the backstroke. The Children's Zoo is geared to educating pint-sized animal lovers.
Subway: to 59 St; to 68 St/Hunter College; to 5 Av/59 St
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M66, M72

The Carousel
Mid-park at 64 St
The Park has had a carousel since 1870. The Stein and Goldstein Company of Brooklyn manufactured the current one in 1908 for a trolley terminal outside of Coney Island. Kids just need to know it provides a really cool ride.
Subway: to 66 St/Lincoln Center; to 59 St/Columbus Circle; to 57 St; to 57 St/7 Av
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M10, M66, M72

Wollman Rink
East Side between 62 and 63 Sts
The 33,000-square-foot rink is an iconic winter in New York City destination. In the summer, it's the site of Victorian Gardens, a mini-amusement park.
Subway: to 59 St/Columbus Circle; to 59 St/Columbus Circle; to 57 St; to 57 St/7 Av
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M10, M66, M72

Riverbank State Park
145 St and Riverside Dr
Named for its location as well as its views, this 28-acre recreational area was inspired by urban rooftop designs like those in Japan. Play tennis, basketball, swim laps, roller skate (where there is a small luncheonette) and more, plus two playgrounds are available for the kids. Have lunch or dinner at one of the picnic areas, all of which offer spectacular vistas of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. The roller rink converts to ice skating from November to January.
Subway: to 145 St
Bus: Bx19, M11, M4, M5

Harlem Stage at Aaron Davis Hall
Convent Avenue, between W 133 and 135 Sts
Harlem's performing arts center, located on the campus of the City College of New York
Subway: to 137 St; to 125 St
Bus: M4, M5 to 135 St; M11 to 135 St and Amsterdam Av; M101 to 135 St and Amsterdam Av

The view from the 125 St station platform on the line
Soaring five stories above the Manhattan Valley, you can enjoy bird's eye views of the neighborhood from the open-air platform. This was the first elevated station on the original IRT subway, built in 1904.

Apollo Theatre
253 W 125 St
The theater became world-famous during the 1920s and ‘30s by showcasing the hottest African-American artists. It introduced its regular Amateur Night shows in 1934, and launched the careers of stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Lauryn Hill, and Sarah Vaughan.
Subway: to 125 St
Bus: Bx15, M100, M101, M10, M2

The Studio Museum in Harlem
144 W 125 St between Adam Clayton Powell and Lenox Avs
Exhibits the work of African-American and Caribbean artists and offers a wide variety of education and public programs.
Subway: to 125 St
Bus: M101, M102, M100, Bx15

Harlem Lanes
2110-2118 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd at W 126 St
Harlem's only bowling alley, its 24 lanes are located on the third and fourth floors, along with a café, lounge, and facilities for private parties.
Subway: to 135 St
Bus: M2, Bx15, M100, M101, M102

H&M Art Gallery
17 E 125 St near Fifth Av
Gallery specializing in African-American art.
Subway: to 125 St
Bus: Bx15, M100, M101, M1, M102

The River Room
Riverbank State Park
Entrance at W 145 St and Riverside Dr
Overlooking the Hudson River, serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, cuisine is a fusion of Southern, Caribbean, Latin and African influences. Features live music.
Subway: to 145 St
Bus: Bx19, M11, M4, M5

Sylvia's Soul Food
328 Lenox Av at 127 St
This iconic soul food restaurant, founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, has become a multi-generational family enterprise with a location in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a line of prepared foods, beauty and skin care items, cookbooks, and a children's book written by Mrs. Woods.
Subway: to 125 St
Bus: M1, M7, M102 to 127 St