Location: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Top Things to do in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Top 10 Architectural Buildings in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown), New York (NY)
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. 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.
2. United States Custom House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
A picturesque Beaux Arts building where visitors can gaze upon beautiful Reginald Marsh murals in an oval rotunda.
Reviewed By philipu2015 - Bedminster, United States
Lower Manhattan is packed with great free things to do and see and this is surely one of them. Here in the canyon of heroes is where New York ticker tape parades start is the the 1907 US customs house now the permanent host of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. I took free tours both on the American Indian and the building itself- All free and fascinating. Did you Know there were 500 tribes in the America’s? The four statues outside are of the 4 continents (remember- it’s from a 1907 perspective) and were designed by the guy who did the Lincoln memorial in DC. There were 3 tours on the Sunday I visited - all different- all about an hour starting at 12 and ending at 3 Pm and of course all free.
3. SuperReal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
After selling 20,000 tickets in the first limited run, SuperReal, the cutting edge interactive digital art installation, is back for the holidays to re imagine the Cipriani landmark building. Converted into a spectacle via one of the largest indoor video mapping installations in the world, SuperReal, blurs the lines between the physical and the digital, illusion and reality.
4. 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.
5. Grace Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Ornate and even a bit eerie, the neo-gothic Grace Church is nonetheless lovely.
Reviewed By Itinerant_Foodies - Greensboro, United States
We came here three times during our stay in NYC, all three times for organ concerts (which are referred to as meditations). Patrick Allen, the organist is very good and uses the organ to its best effect while he plays through either the Bach pieces or other works. All concerts are compelling and worth a listen whether you’re meditating or just listening. Be sure to take the tour of the church as well—it’s history is fascinating.
6. Fraunces Tavern Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By babaganoosh
We're big Hamilton fans. In the past, walked by here on our own Hamilton walking tours but the museum wasn't open / we didn't have time to go through it. Went there Saturday with family and got on the guided tour. Our son broke away from the tour - he was looking for more about the building. Its a great tour / the museum about all that went on over the years. There's actually only 1 (small) room about the building :) My wife and I loved the tour and museum - loads of history. And spoiler alert - along the years the building has burned / been remodeled /was slated for demolition. So not sure how much of the building is original. HAVE TO MENTION: Laurel, the tour guide is great!! Loads of enthusiasm and interest in the topic! Laurel mentioned things like while Washington didn't walk on the current floorboards in the long room because of fires, etc, when people did repairs / renovations, the boards and other things were taken from old buildings of comparable age. We didn't get to see the whole museum (much bigger than I thought it would be). My wife and I will be going back to see more of it.
7. St. Luke's Place
8. St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By ANewyorkguy - New York City, United States
This is the original St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Completely restored it has been given the nomenclature of Basilica. Truly a glorious church but it's not just the beautiful altar, Baptismal font or magnificent stained glass. The core of New York's Little Italy community of years gone by, it is also an historical edifice. In Martin Scorsese's home neighborhood you'll appreciate and you'll recognize the attached small cemetery where scenes from Mean Streets was filmed. Neighborhood has long since changed. It's now an upscale NYC community. Lots of boutiques throughout the area. They even have guided tours if you're interested. For me it was my neighborhood church, the place where my parents were married and I was baptized. For you it's a beautiful place to see, rich in history and culture
9. One World Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28,132 reviews
There are a million things to experience in New York City, but there’s only one way to see them all at once. You can start by hopping a Sky Pod to the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. There, 102 stories up, find yourself face-to-face with New York’s iconic skyline. Maybe you’ve seen views of the city before, but never quite like this. Walk the three sprawling levels of the Observatory and discover surprises along the way. Drop into the café and grab a bite to eat. Step onto the Sky Portal and stroll high above the crowded streets. Take an interactive guided tour of the city with the help of our Skyline Concierges, available to answer any questions you might have about New York’s long and storied history. And don’t leave without stopping by the One Mix bar for a glass of celebratory prosecco and one last look toward the horizon. See for yourself why One World Observatory is truly An Experience Above.
Reviewed By MoonBaby69 - Maidstone, United Kingdom
Amazing experience! Plenty of ‘wow’ moments too! 360 degree view of New York; beautiful views of Empire State, Statue of Liberty, the beautiful bridges and even the Chrysler Building!
