Lower Manhattan, Wall Street & World Trade Center
Half a day in New York’s past and present (Lower Manhattan)
Explore the Financial district, Wall Street and South Street Seaport
You’ll spend a couple of hours discovering how this historic neighborhood – which welcomed the first European immigrants – became the center of international finance and the economic beating heart of New York. It has never stopped reinventing itself and transforming, adapting and recovering to shocks like the Wall Street crash, 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy.
Step 1 : New York’s Foundations
Cross over New York’s oldest street, Stone Street, and admire the first skyscrapers. These are the Woolworth Building and the Civic Center (Court and City Hall). Then walk the streets along the city’s original buildings.
Step 2 : The Wolf of Wall Street
At the heart of global finance! Pretend you’re a trader for a few hours in the financial district of Wall Street, home to investment banks and the New York Stock Exchange.
Step 3 : For one river to another
After Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, New York recovered its river banks along the East River with the refurbishment of its former South Street Sea Port. This continued to the west along the Hudson River with the redevelopment of public spaces at Brookfield Place
Step 4 : World Trade Center
This area was transformed after the September 11 attacks. Both remembrance and renewal are combined in the new buildings around the 11/09 memorial – the One World Trade Center (the highest tower in New York), the Oculus, Saint Paul’s Chapel, etc.
Ideas for before or after a visit to South Manhattan:
● Sail to Lady Liberty with a visit to the Statue and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum
● Fly over Manhattan in a helicopter
● Reach for the sky and climb up to the observatory on the One World Trade Center
● Go to the 9/11 museum for a moment of reflexion.
Practical Information
Duration
Ideally we recommend 3.5hours in summer, but a reduced version of 2 hours in the winter, but we’re happy to personalize it for the time you wish to dedicate to this neighborhood.
Availability
This tour is available year round.
Accessibility
This tour is wheelchair accessible. Contact us for more details.