Things to do in Lower Manhattan

Activities, attractions and tours

Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Whitney Museum of American Art
Lower Manhattan
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Top places to visit

1. One World Trade Center

Standing well above its skyscraping neighbors, One World Trade Center is a building that is easily identifiable from New Jersey and from most parts of the boroughs surrounding Manhattan. The reflective sheen of the structure’s glass is easy to mistake for metal, and its isosceles triangular façades give it the appearance of having a twisting motion toward the sky.
Learn more
NEW YORK - JULY 02 2016: Aerial view of the Freedom Tower at One World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York

2. Wall Street

Near the southern tip of Manhattan is New York City’s Wall Street, one of the world’s most active and influential financial districts. Walk through canyons created by wide buildings in which some of the world’s biggest business decisions are made. The area also has major government institutions and a famous national monument.
Learn more
0_BXP64596h

3. Brooklyn Bridge

As one of the oldest and longest suspension bridges in North America, the Brooklyn Bridge has long been an icon of progress for New Yorkers. Spanning almost 1600 feet (487.7 meters), the bridge crosses the East River and connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn. The bridge features six lanes for automobiles and two lanes dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, and carries more than 120,000 people daily. The Brooklyn Bridge has long been a destination for tourists, and today visitors flock to the bridge for stunning views up the East River, and for the history linked to the bridge.
Learn more
Panoramic view of Brooklyn Bridge and East River at sunrise with New York City, NY skyline post 9/11 view'

4. Battery Park

This waterfront park is a favorite destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike, offering a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York. Overlooking the New York Bay, Battery Park is the departure point for many of New York’s ferries, including the Staten Island, Ellis Island and Liberty Island ferries. Named for the battery that protected the city during the 17th century, the park is full of history, and has played an important role in shaping contemporary New York culture. Visitors to the park can discover this through the monuments throughout the park, while enjoying one of the best sunsets in the city.
Learn more
Battery Park showing a fountain, cruising and a garden

5. National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial remembers the victims of the World Trade Center attacks of September 2001. This commemorative square is a quiet place of thought, counterposed with the hustle and bustle of Lower Manhattan.
Learn more
The National September 11 Memorial featuring a city

6. Washington Square Park

The best way to enter Washington Square Park is from the north, on 5th Avenue. As you pass high-end medical offices and views of the Empire State Building, you will emerge by the enormous archway and memorial that rises well above the rest of the park. Proceed under the arch and walk to the center of the park for another of its highlights. Here, you will find an enormous fountain that was once a popular hangout for bohemians, academics and artists.
Learn more
Washington Square Park showing a park

7. The Oculus

Enter the World Trade Center Transportation Hub via the magnificent Oculus, the street-level building and structure that offers access to the hub as well as to a vast shopping and dining space. See for yourself the remarkable structure that took 12 years to create, and was troubled by setbacks along the way. Snap a selfie against one of New York City’s favorite backdrops, the unmistakable sweeping white roof of the Oculus.
Learn more
The Oculus showing interior views as well as a small group of people

8. Whitney Museum of American Art

The renowned Whitney Museum of American Art has a sleek modern design and overlooks the Hudson River. Founded by a socialite and art patron in 1931, the museum has developed a focus on American art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Stroll past the various displays across many floors to grapple with contemporary U.S. art.
Learn more
Whitney Museum of American Art

What to do in Lower Manhattan

Popular places to visit

One World Trade Center featuring a sunset, a city and skyline

One World Trade Center

4.5/5(1,251 reviews)

Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the observation platform of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, near to where the Twin Towers once stood.

One World Trade Center
Wall Street

Wall Street

4/5(9 reviews)

The U.S. home of global finance offers a fascinating historical excursion. Nearby, visit the site honoring those involved in the fatal events of September 11, 2001.

Wall Street
Washington Square Park showing a park

New York University

4/5(30 reviews)

Walk around the campus of New York University, a well-known university in New York. Experience the acclaimed theatre scene and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

New York University
Battery Park showing a square or plaza, modern architecture and a skyscraper

Battery Park

4/5(793 reviews)

This stylish park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan is a destination for one of the best sunsets in the city.

Battery Park
National September 11 Memorial & Museum

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

4.5/5(165 reviews)

This sober landmark pays homage to the thousands who died on September 11, 2001.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Washington Square Park showing a park

Washington Square Park

4.5/5(5 reviews)

In a city with many pretty parks, this is one of the most beautiful. You may recognize its iconic arch and fountain from a movie or postcard.

Washington Square Park
New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

3.5/5(10 reviews)

New York Stock Exchange is just one of the places to see in New York, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the fascinating museums and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

New York Stock Exchange
South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport

5/5(4 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in New York with a trip to South Street Seaport. Experience the acclaimed theatre scene and fascinating museums in this vibrant area.

South Street Seaport
The Oculus showing interior views as well as a small group of people

The Oculus

4/5(2 reviews)

Pose for an iconic New York photo at one of the city’s most talked-about landmarks, a striking retail space and work of art that was 12 years in the making.

The Oculus

Areas of Lower Manhattan

SoHo - Tribeca featuring a city

SoHo

This fashionable neighborhood is great for shopping, eating and drinking.

SoHo
Default Image

Financial District

Explore the symbolic center of global finance, walk along the harbor and admire New Yorkers’ resilience in this scenic area.

Financial District
Default Image

Lower East Side

Old combines with new and high art meets urban grit in this ever-changing and eclectic melting pot neighborhood with broad appeal.

Lower East Side
West Village featuring city views, a city and signage

West Village

This center for arts and culture is also one of the few places located off of the grid of Manhattan’s streets.

West Village
Default Image

East Village

Arts venues, parks, theaters and community centers anchor this Lower Manhattan neighborhood, an iconic backdrop to tales of New York City’s history.

East Village
Default Image

Chinatown

One of the largest Chinatown’s in the USA features every kind of Chinese cuisine, grocery store and herbalist, and a history rich in Asian, as well as European, heritage.

Chinatown
New York

New York

Liberty State Park which includes general coastal views, central business district and night scenes

Jersey City

Pier A Park which includes a high-rise building, a river or creek and a city

Hoboken

Brooklyn Bridge Park showing skyline, a city and a river or creek

Brooklyn