Five stops on foot that span centuries of New York, from the ferry dock to a bridge opened in 1883.
First stop: Battery Park and Castle Clinton
Start where the boats leave. Battery Park covers about 10 hectares at the southern end of Manhattan facing the harbor, with monuments, paths and the glass-walled SeaGlass Carousel. Inside is Castle Clinton, a red-sandstone fort from the early 1800s that later served as an immigration station. The full story is in Castle Clinton and Battery Park: the gateway to the Statue.
It is a good place to get your bearings: from here you can see the harbor, the boats and, far off, the Statue. If you have not decided which boat to take, compare the options in Ferries and boats to the Statue of Liberty: which to choose.
Bowling Green and the Charging Bull
Leave the park on its northeast side and you reach Bowling Green, a small park a few steps away. Close by is the Charging Bull sculpture, one of the most photographed spots in the neighborhood. It is often crowded, so go with patience and no rush.
It is a short stop that works as a natural link between the ferry area and the Financial District, and it takes only a few minutes to walk.
Wall Street: more history than it looks
Wall Street is a short street of eight blocks, just under 2,000 feet long, between Broadway and the East River. The name comes from a real wall: the Dutch of New Amsterdam built a wooden palisade here in 1653, and a wall stood on the street until 1699. The Dutch called the street Het Cingel, "the belt".
Today the name stands for the New York Stock Exchange and American finance. Early skyscrapers went up here in the 20th century, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is in the area. For a traveler, the best thing is simply to walk it and read the architecture. Look up, and remember that many buildings have restricted access.
The 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center
A few minutes to the northwest is the rebuilt World Trade Center site. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum honors the 2,977 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the six killed in the 1993 bombing. The memorial, titled "Reflecting Absence", occupies the footprints of the Twin Towers: two large square pools surrounded by swamp white oaks, with the victims' names inscribed around the edges.
It opened to the public on September 12, 2011, and the museum was dedicated in 2014. Right beside it stands One World Trade Center, 1,776 feet (541 meters) tall, a figure that nods to the year of the Declaration of Independence. This is a place to visit with respect and without hurry; check the official website for what is open and how to reserve entry.
The Brooklyn Bridge
From the World Trade Center you can keep walking east to the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened on May 24, 1883, as the first fixed crossing of the East River. When it opened it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1,595.5 feet. It was designed by John A. Roebling, and his son Washington Roebling and Washington's wife, the engineer Emily Warren Roebling, carried the project forward.
Its stone towers with pointed arches and its crisscrossing cables have made it a symbol of the city. A pedestrian walkway offers skyline views; check current conditions and avoid the busiest hours if you want some calm. If you want to see the Statue without going out to the island, read Where to see the Statue of Liberty without going to the island.
How to combine it with your boat trip
If you plan the full visit to the Statue and Ellis Island, that outing may take up much of your day, so Lower Manhattan fits better as a morning or afternoon walk. One-day itinerary: Statue, Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan suggests an order, and How to visit the Statue of Liberty explains how to organize your booking.
Leave generous time, wear comfortable shoes and check each official site for current hours and rules, which change with the season and with events. If you want something quieter, Governors Island: the quiet island off Manhattan is a short boat ride away.
Walking tours of Lower Manhattan
There are guided walking tours of Battery Park, Wall Street and Lower Manhattan, as well as visits focused on the 9/11 memorial. Pick based on your available time and the kind of history that interests you, and verify what each option includes.
9/11 Ground Zero & Memorial Tour with Optional 9/11 Museum
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NYC 9/11 Memorial and Museum Ticket with Tour Options
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NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, 9/11 Memorial
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NYC City Tour: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street
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9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional Museum and One World Access
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Manhattan Neighborhood Private Customized Walking Tour
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See more tours and activities on GetYourGuide →Frequently asked questions
What can I see on foot from the Statue of Liberty ferry dock?
Very close by are Battery Park and Castle Clinton, Bowling Green, the Charging Bull and Wall Street. A little farther north are the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center, and heading east, the Brooklyn Bridge.
What is the 9/11 Memorial?
It is a memorial and museum on the site of the Twin Towers, dedicated to the victims of the 2001 and 1993 attacks. The memorial has two large square pools carrying the victims' names, surrounded by oak trees.
Can you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Yes, the bridge has a path for pedestrians and cyclists with views of the Manhattan skyline. Conditions and walkways can change because of works or events, so check current information before you cross.
Why is it called Wall Street?
It is named after a defensive wall, really a wooden palisade, that the Dutch of New Amsterdam built in 1653. A wall stood there until 1699, and the Dutch called the street Het Cingel, meaning "the belt".
How tall is One World Trade Center?
It is 1,776 feet tall, about 541 meters, a number that refers to 1776, the year of the Declaration of Independence. It has 94 stories, although the top floor is numbered 104. It opened on November 3, 2014.
How much time do I need for Lower Manhattan?
If you only want to see the streets and take photos, a few hours is enough. Add the memorial and museum, the Brooklyn Bridge or long stops, and it can fill half a day or more. Plan generously and leave room for surprises.
Can I combine this route with the Statue visit?
Yes, but the trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island takes up much of the day. The easiest way is to keep a morning or an afternoon for Lower Manhattan, or use a separate day, depending on your time.
Keep reading
Ellis Island: what to see
An island that is partly New York and partly New Jersey, and almost nobody can say where the line runs.
See the Statue of Liberty for free: the Staten Island Ferry
The boat New Yorkers take to work happens to pass in view of a global icon.
Statue of Liberty crown: how to climb it
The crown is the highest point inside the statue you can still reach, and it is not for everyone.
The abandoned Ellis Island hospital: hard hat tour
Hundreds of babies were born here, and many travelers who arrived sick never left on the same ship.
Sources
Facts taken from Wikipedia and the U.S. National Park Service (public domain). Always verify practical information on the official websites.
Photo credits
- Christopher Michel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Christopher Michel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Adam Moss, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0