EThe editors · 3 Neighbourhood walks lists — switch
Lower Manhattan on foot
Where New York began: the Battery, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and the Seaport, in a loop.
12 placesA full dayRead the guide ↓
1. The BatteryStart at the tip of the island.Lower ManhattanFree to visit30 minFree
2. National Museum of the American IndianA free museum in the old Custom House.Lower ManhattanFree to visit1 hourFree
3. Bowling Green and the Charging BullThe bull and Bowling Green, early.Lower ManhattanFree to visit10 minFree
4. Stone StreetA cobbled block of pubs for lunch.Lower ManhattanFood & drink1 hourDrinks and food
5. Fraunces TavernWhere Washington said goodbye to his officers.Lower ManhattanFood & drink1 hourMuseum entry paid; food about $25+
6. Wall Street and the Stock ExchangeWall Street and the Fearless Girl.Lower ManhattanFrom outside10 minFree to look
7. Federal HallWhere Washington was sworn in.Lower ManhattanFree to visit20–30 minFree
8. Trinity ChurchHamilton’s grave in the churchyard.Lower ManhattanFree to visit20 minFree
9. 9/11 Memorial poolsThe memorial pools in the towers’ footprints.Lower ManhattanFree to visit30–45 minFree (the museum is paid)
10. The OculusThe white transit hall next door.Lower ManhattanFree to visit15 minFree
11. City Hall and City Hall ParkCity Hall and its park.Lower ManhattanFrom outside15 minFree to look
12. South Street Seaport and Pier 17Finish at the Seaport for sunset.Lower ManhattanFree to visit45 minFree
The guide
How to do it: Lower Manhattan on foot
Lower Manhattan is where New York started: the Dutch fort, Washington’s inauguration, Wall Street and, now, the memorial at the World Trade Center.
It’s compact enough to walk in a day, and quiet on weekends when the offices are closed.
- The order to do it in
- A loop from the Battery: Bowling Green, Stone Street, Fraunces Tavern, Wall Street, Federal Hall, Trinity Church, the 9/11 Memorial and Oculus, City Hall, and the Seaport for sunset.
- When to go
- Weekends are quieter on the streets; Federal Hall is open on weekdays.
- Getting there
- South Ferry (1), Bowling Green (4 5), or Whitehall St (R W).
- What it costs
- Free, except the 9/11 Museum and Fraunces Tavern’s museum.
Worth knowing
- The memorial pools are free; the museum below them is ticketed.
Started from the pins on Capture the Atlas’s Lower Manhattan map (the map). Places, notes and the guide checked and written by us; prices and opening times change, so check before you go.