Lower Manhattan Guided Walking Tour with 9/11 Memorial

Details

Discover the history of Lower Manhattan on this 2.5-hour guided walking tour, where the city's colonial past meets its financial powerhouse present. 

Explore the area's Dutch and colonial origins, remarkable architecture and hidden public spaces that reveal how New York grew from a 17th-century trading post into a global capital. Begin at Battery Park, where sweeping views of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty set the stage for New York's role as the gateway to America. See the famous Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues before walking along Wall Street, home to the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office. Pass Trinity Church, final resting place of Alexander Hamilton, and admire the towering facades of financial institutions that have shaped global markets for centuries.

Your journey continues to the poignant 9/11 Memorial, where the twin reflecting pools honor the lives lost in the attacks. Stand before One World Trade Center, a symbol of resilience, before concluding in Zuccotti Park, once the epicenter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. 

By the end of this tour, you'll have uncovered the history, ambition, and endurance that make Lower Manhattan one of the most influential districts in the world.

Itinerary

• Stops generally include but are not limited to:
• Castle Clinton National Monument— begin your journey at Castle Clinton, a historic fort that has served many roles throughout New York's history. Built between 1808 and 1811, it later became America's first official immigration station, welcoming over 8 million immigrants before Ellis Island took over in 1892. (10 minutes)
• New York Harbor— take in sweeping views of New York Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. As the gateway to America, this historic waterway has played a vital role in trade, immigration, and defense for centuries. (10 minutes)
• Sea Glass Carousel— pass by the whimsical Seaglass Carousel, an artistic, fish-shaped ride symbolizing the area's resilience following Hurricane Sandy. Its glowing, translucent sea creatures make it one of the most unique carousels in the world. (10 minutes)
• Bowling Green— step into New York City's oldest park, dating back to 1733. Once a gathering place for Native Americans, Bowling Green was later the site of the infamous toppling of King George III's statue during the American Revolution. (10 minutes)
• Charging Bull— see the world-famous Charging Bull, a bold symbol of Wall Street's financial power. Originally placed outside the New York Stock Exchange as an act of guerrilla art, this bronze icon now stands proudly in Bowling Green. (10 minutes)
• Trinity Church Wall Street — admire the grandeur of Trinity Church, a Gothic Revival landmark established in 1696. Walk through its historic graveyard, the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton, and other notable figures. (10 minutes)
• Wall Street— stroll down the heart of America's financial district, home to global banking institutions and the world's largest stock exchange. Learn how this historic street shaped the modern economy. (10 minutes)
• New York Stock Exchange (Exterior Only)— stand before the imposing façade of the New York Stock Exchange, the world's largest stock exchange. Founded in 1792, this iconic institution remains a powerhouse of global finance. (10 minutes)
• Fearless Girl— see the Fearless Girl statue, standing defiantly near the Stock Exchange. Originally placed facing the Charging Bull, this modern symbol of empowerment challenges corporate leadership to embrace diversity. (10 minutes)
• House of Morgan (Exterior Only)— gaze up at the House of Morgan, once the headquarters of J.P. Morgan's financial empire. Built in 1913, this neoclassical structure was the target of a deadly Wall Street bombing in 1920. (10 minutes)
• Federal Hall— visit the historic Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office as the first U.S. president in 1789. The current neoclassical building, completed in 1842, commemorates America's early democracy. (10 minutes)
• St. Paul's Chapel— step inside the oldest surviving church in Manhattan, where George Washington once worshipped. This 18th-century chapel became a place of refuge for first responders in the aftermath of 9/11. (10 minutes)
• Zuccotti Park— pass by Zuccotti Park, a privately owned public space that became the epicenter of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. This urban plaza was also impacted by the events of 9/11. (10 minutes)
• One World Trade Center— gaze up at One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower. Rising 1,776 feet, this striking skyscraper symbolizes resilience and renewal at the site of the former Twin Towers. (10 minutes)
• The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum— pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial, where two vast reflecting pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers. Surrounded by bronze panels inscribed with the names of victims, this solemn site honors those lost in the attacks. (10 minutes)