New York classics: things to do in Downtown Manhattan

Each NYC neighborhood has its peculiarities. And the city is always reinventing itself. The Downtown area, for example, where the Financial District is located, is in this process. After the 9/11 episode, the city saw the area rebound – at a fantastic speed. Today, the place has a range of things to do! I was there another day and I realized how many new things came up – a lot only during the three years I live in the city. Let’s check out some of them?

One World Observatory – One World Observatory, at One World Trade Center – the tallest building in New York – opened its doors a year and a half ago. I was impressed by the power of reconstruction of this place and even more so by the fact that they built another building where all that tragedy happened. The experience there is incredible! Everything starts at the elevator, whose walls show the development of the city from the year 1500 to the present day. After the elevator ride, you will see an inspiring video of the city – seriously, it’s exciting. The building is about 1,792 ft and the observatory is on the 102nd floor, providing a 360-degree view of the city. On a clear day, you can see more than 31 miles away. From there, you can see the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Empire State Building, New Jersey, Hudson River, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and so on. The sunset seen from there is breathtaking. You can buy by the website – just click here – and choose the date and time.

Address: 285 Fulton St.

9/11 Memorial – next to the One World Trade Center, you will find the 9/11 Memorial: two pools, with water falling non-stop and whose bottom we can not see (water represents the tears of people who have lost loved ones). You will find the names of each of the victims and it is uncomfortable to read each one. But it is a very beautiful place and that is part of the history. This memorial open to the public, so there is no ticket charge. At the same place, you will find the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the premier US institution dedicated to exploring the implications of attacks, documenting the impact of events. The museum includes pieces of concrete belonging to the twin towers and even a fire engine that was used for rescue and care for the victims. In addition, there is a collection of personal objects, videos, and other materials. The ticket costs $24, but admission is free on Tuesdays, starting at 5pm. Get your ticket through the website. Choose the last option – Free Admission Tuesdays, select the day and number of tickets. Remember that you can get tickets just 1 day in advance – that is, on the Monday before the visit.

Address: 911 Greenwich St.

Westfield World Trade Center Mall – also known as Oculus, the WTC Transportation Hub’s concourse conveniently connects visitors to 11 different subway lines, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system, Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, the World Trade Center Memorial Site, WTC Towers 1, 2, 3, and 4, the World Financial Center and the Winter Garden. It represents the most integrated network of underground pedestrian connections in New York City. At approximately 800,000 square feet, the Hub, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava, is the third-largest transportation center in New York City, rivaling Grand Central Station in size. And there are also stores like Dior, Kate Spade, Apple, Hugo Boss, Vince Camuto, Sephora, Mac, Aldo, and Victoria’s Secret. One of the highlights of the Westfield World Trade Center mall is the second location of Eataly in the city. In fact, the new Eataly is on the third floor of the 4 World Trade Center building but the building is connected to the mall.

Address: 185 Greenwich St.

Brookfield Place – Brookfield Place is nothing more than a shopping mall, focusing on luxury stores. The architecture is beautiful and your goal here doesn’t need to be spend money. The second floor has a food court with an amazing view of the Hudson River. The outdoor is also amazing, with beautiful views – a great place to hanging out the weather permitting . Another cool thing to do is visiting the Le District, a French gourmet market located inside the mall with restaurants, cafes, and a grocery store.  h

Address: 200 Vesey St.

Charging Bull & Wall Street – and we can not forget that Downtown is home to the financial heart of New York, Wall Street! I think the street is super charming with old buildings with incredible architecture – including the Federal Hall. Built in 1700 as the seat of the New York City government, later it served as the United States’ first capitol building under the constitution, being the location where George Washington took office as the first president of the United States. It is open to visitation – learn more details here. Also, at Broadway and Morris St, you will find the Charging Bull.

Battery Park – and of course, we can not talk about Downtown without mentioning this park, which is right on the southern tip of the island. It is from Battery Park that the Statue of Liberty boats depart. You even can see Lady Liberty from the park! Do not forget that the Staten Island Ferry station is right next to Battery Park – and it’s a free and beautiful ride!

Stone Street – Stone Street has a European vibe – it is full of bars and pubs, and during the summer, people often sit at the tables on the street for a drink or beer. Some say it was the first paved street in NYC. In addition, the architecture of the buildings makes the street a super charming place!

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!