Location: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Top Things to do in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
10 Things to do in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown) That You Shouldn't Miss
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. Ground Zero Museum Workshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,906 reviews
Ground Zero Museum Workshop: Images & Artifacts from the 9/11 Recovery, in the Meatpacking District near Chelsea Market and the High Line Park. A 5-Star Rated Tour. Want to feel what it was like to be with FDNY Firefighters on the front lines after the 9/11 attacks? Want to educate your kids about this tough subject in a gentle and non-threatening way? Experience the Stunning Images of Official Ground Zero Photographer Gary Marlon Suson. "Rare Photos" (New York Times) are displayed, some in lifelike 3D installations, as well as artifacts & rare video. Rated in Trip Advisor's "Top 25 Museums in the USA" for 2013 and 2014 and in Trip Advisor's "Hall of Fame." Presented in BOSE Surround Sound Audio. 100 Stories. Praised by parents as a "safe" introduction to 9/11 for their young kids. Guests are allowed to pick up rare World Trade Center artifacts. Daily 1.5-hour audio tours from 11am-3pm Wednesday through Sunday include a tour guide and the self-guided audio narration in Dolby Stereo, in English, Italian, French and Spanish. Proceeds shared with Fire Department Charities. Walk-ins welcome. CLOSED MONDAY and TUESDAY. "Incredible Images" says Fox News Channel. Museum is housed in the exact building from where the Official Ground Zero Photographer shot his first images of 9/11. Known worldwide as the "Biggest LITTLE Museum in New York." The "first stop" before heading to visit Ground Zero. On display are "The Frozen Clock" - "The Bible Page" - artifacts such as the largest piece of World Trade window glass in existence and many more well-known images featured on FOX NEWS, BBC and CNN. Small gift area sells books and posters. No graphic footage nor images from morning of 9/11 are shown at GZMW. Tastefully and realistically presented. This award-winning tour is a wonderful prequel to your visit to the National 9/11 Memorial + Museum. Reservations accepted. Handicapped accessible. Private and student tours also available. New 2017 Winter Hours: Closed Monday + Tuesday. Open Wednesday thru Sunday 11am-3pm.
Reviewed By candklow - Houghton-le-Spring, United Kingdom
This museum is like no other and can’t begin to say how highly we’d receommend everyone to visit. Being able to touch some of the recovered artifacts from the tragic 9/11 incident, to seeing in detail the fantastic photography work by Gary Marlon Suson is a very emotionally humbling experience. We were fortunate enough to actually meet Gary personally, which made our visit all the more memorable - although the museum its self is something we wouldn’t forget easily. Not just seeing Gary’s photography, but hearing the emotional passion he had and has for capturing in the most respectful way an uncomprehendable event for us, was the highlight of our NY trip. It’s fairly safe to say the Ground Zero Workshop Museum would be our #1 must do for NY, and we’d certainly visit again when we next come to NY. I’d recommend you book because the museum is fairly small. But the intimacy adds to the experience.
2. World Trade Center Memorial Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,266 reviews
Reviewed By brentthenurseryman - Merimbula, Australia
This is a must see on your visit to NYC. It was raining on the day that we visited but it is majestic and moving in any weather conditions. Make sure you check out the Survivor Tree - the Pyrus tree that survived 9/11 - very awe inspiring. Looking forward to seeing the memorial again on our next visit, but this time lit up at night.
3. World Trade Center's Liberty Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,864 reviews
Reviewed By DoreenD346 - Massachusetts, United States
The fountains/falls are beautiful and the survivor tree was lovely to see. 2 countries had put beautiful wreaths at the tree as it had been UN week in the city. This was a lovely touch. The park it self is lovely. Part of a very busy and emotional day.
4. Woolworth Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,054 reviews
Learn how the biggest retail tycoon of the early twentieth century and a star architect changed the NYC skyline forever. Designed by the renowned architect Cass Gilbert in 1913 to be Frank W. Woolworth’s NYC headquarters, the Woolworth Building was the tallest in the world for 17 years. Long closed to the public, architectural tours of its magnificent vintage lobby are now available.
Reviewed By Coffeeprincess - Spennymoor, United Kingdom
Great to see inside one of the most iconic NYC buildings in architectural history. The tour starts outside the building from the adjacent park, where the gothic facade in terracotta is explained in detail. We then viewed the grand cathedral-like lobby, the back staircase where the bank was situated, and finally the basement which contains the old bank vault. Our guide, Lisa, really brought the building and the Frank Woolworth story alive, much better than reading a conventional guide book could do. The building is still a business centre with many offices, so staff are continually coming and going which adds to authenticity of the tour. Tourists are therefore not allowed to enter the building unless they are part of the tour. The 60 minutes flew by, which gives an indication of how the guide kept our attention and interest. Overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend the 60 minute tour to everyone with a passion for NYC architecture.
5. Tenement Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,555 reviews
The Tenement Museum preserves the history of immigration through the personal accounts of those who built lives in the Lower East Side. Visitors can view restored apartments from the 19th and 20th centuries, walk the historic neighborhood, and interact with residents to learn the stories of generations of immigrants who helped shape the American experience. The museum is available by guided tour only. Each tour focuses on a specific theme and takes visitors to different areas of our two historic tenement buildings or neighborhood.
Reviewed By OurThoughts4 - Toronto, Canada
The Tenenment Museum is located in a neighbourhood worth exploring before or after the tour. The bookstore of the Museum is worth spending sometime in. Staff very accessible and informative from the cashiers to the tour guide. Our tour guide for the Hard Times tour was an excellent storyteller and was able to make history come alive as well as make the links to current social issues in a thought provoking and respectful way. The tour was enhanced by having some local New York visitors also on tour and making links to their day to day life now - particularly as it relates to neighbourhoods and homes available. Definitely can be hot on the tour but paper fans are provided and little stools for part of the group to take breaks on. A bit of a challenge not being able to lean against the walls.
6. Trinity Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,487 reviews
Trinity Church Wall Street is in the midst of a two-year rejuvenation project to enhance the overall worship experience, make spaces accessible and welcoming, upgrade technology and infrastructure, and address deferred maintenance. The nave, or main body, of Trinity Church is currently closed to tours but offers Sunday services at 11:15am. Sunday services at 9:15am are also held in Trinity's Chapel of All Saints, and 9am family service and 8 pm Compline services take place at St. Paul’s Chapel. During the week, you can join us in the Chapel of All Saints at these times as well: Morning Prayer Weekdays at 8:15 am and 9 am; Midday Eucharist Weekdays at 12:05 pm; and Evening Prayer Weekdays at 5:15 pm.
Reviewed By Bridstow - Peterborough, United Kingdom
The Church is in the financial district just a short distance from the New York Stock Exchange. Although most of the Church was closed for refurbishment I have rated this highly because of its exterior, historic value and the churchyard in which you will find among others the burial place for Alexander Hamilton 1757 - 1804 First Secretary of The Treasury and his first born son Philip 1782 - 1801. The Chapel of All Saints is open daily for prayer during the refurbishment The Church is well worth a visit but if wanting to look inside I would advise checking whether the works have finished to save disappointment.
7. Whitney Museum of American Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,145 reviews
The Whitney Museum is New York's home for modern and contemporary art of the United States. Located in Manhattan's vibrant Meatpacking District, the Whitney presents the work of living artists alongside perennial favorites by Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jacob Lawrence, Alexander Calder, and many others. Through August 8 immerse yourself in the abstract world of Julie Mehretu. Featuring more than seventy artworks, including monumental canvases and a new site-specific work inspired by New York City, Julie Mehretu offers the most comprehensive view of the artist’s practice to date. Advance ticketing is required: book timed tickets today and prepare for your trip at whitney.org.
Reviewed By 653fayef - New York City, United States
Start at the top floor and start with the Hoppers from the permanent collection.... Work your way down to the unusual modern art....sculpture.... Go out on the terraces and see the interesting sculptures
8. St. Paul's Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,435 reviews
Founded in 1766, St. Paul's Chapel is part of the Trinity Wall Street parish. George Washington prayed here after his inauguration as President in 1789. It is open to visitors daily and worship services are held in the chapel every Sunday. The chapel regularly hosts community events, concerts, and art exhibitions. The churchyard is open to visitors who wish to visit the historic memorials and monuments or enjoy a moment of quiet. Free guided tours are offered Fridays at 3pm. Meet at the pulpit inside St. Paul’s Chapel. Beginning Sunday May 13, the 8 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, and 8 pm Compline services will take place at St. Paul’s Chapel.
Reviewed By dustythoughts - Manchester, United States
This small, beautiful chapel is grounded in America's founding history (it was founded in the 18th century and George Washington worshipped here), as well as in more recent history - given it's geographic location near the World Trade Center site, it offered refuge to first responders. There are stuffed animals and other memorials to acknowledge 9/11, in a sobering yet comforting reminder of where we've been and how far we've come. There's also a small cemetery next to the chapel. It's both a memorial and an active church with services, so while you're allowed to walk through the chapel, please remember to be respectful of the community still praying there.
9. Washington Square Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,587 reviews
A 9.75-acre city park in Greenwich Village, characterized by its large, central fountain, and known as a major center of community activity for the neighborhood residents.
Reviewed By Luciafernandez62
This is a very interesting place to visit if you want to understand the feeling and the vibes of this Manhattan neighborhood. Its most distinctive feature is the Washington Square Arch, a triumphal marble arch built in 1892. I visited this lively square on a Sunday, and it was really crowded, with children and their parents, and lots of young people strolling around, taking pictures, playing games, and having a good time. Under the arch there was a man playing a very large piano, surrounded by people enjoying the show. The square is surrounded by the buildings of NYU; therefore lots of students and faculty are always around the park in their free time. You can have a picnic at the square, play chess on the stone tables, talk to your friends, hang around the large circular fountain located in the center of the square, enjoy the different types of plants, flowers and trees, or just relax sitting on a bench.
10. SoHo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,832 reviews
Reviewed By efexinteriors - New York City, United States
SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston Street) So you can grab coffee and a pastry from one of the many Instagrammable cafes and eateries .Walk back in time, along the cobblestone streets. The city’s most fashionable neighborhood has no shortage of trendy spots for shopping and dining, but careful explorers will find Soho’s true charm in the cobblestone streets, cast-iron architecture, and sweeping lofts and galleries. A creative vibe established by the neighborhood’s resident artists and the pulse of downtown NYC at your fingertips. A NYC MUST !!!!!!!!
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