Location: Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Top Things to do in Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. Stone Street Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
This cobblestoned street is a designated historic district.
Reviewed By Lane-English - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Stone street has plenty of bars and has a great atmosphere. Historically it is one of the oldest streets in new York and famous for its cobbles.
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. 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.
6. 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.
7. New York City Fire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
The New York City Fire Museum is the official museum of the FDNY.Occupying a renovated 1904 Beaux‐Arts firehouse at 278 Spring Street in Hudson Square, west of SoHo, the museum is home to a renowned collection of fire‐related art and artifacts from the 18th century to the present; including hand‐pumped fire engines, horse‐drawn vehicles, early motorized apparatus and firefighting tools and equipment.
Reviewed By christopherbO9687MP - Acton, United States
This museum provides an excellent overview of both the NYC Fire Department and its history within the city. There are lots of meticulously restored historic fire engines dating back to the 19th century, and a collection of artifacts related to the various volunteer and eventually professional firefighting organizations that have existed in the city (even before the merger with Brooklyn and other boroughs). There are also specialized displays related to the horses and even the mascot dogs that have populated the fire stations at various times. The 9/11 memorial is poignant, as other the summaries of other major fires that led to losses of life. The museums also coves the social aspects of firefighting organizations; such as how they also served as social clubs and some of the rivalries between them. Also covered is how the desire for better firefighting equipment and even city water pressure led to major civic improvements. A must for anyone interested in NYC's history, as well as firefighting fans.
8. 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 !!!!!!!!
9. Greenwich Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,791 reviews
Like a small town within Manhattan, the Village has narrow tree-lined streets and brick townhouses.
Reviewed By HappyLouTraveler
A trip to NYC is not complete without visiting Greenwich Village. So much to see, depending upon the weather, of course. Great cafes and unusual little stores, Christopher St, “Alphabet City” to the East, NYU’s campus buildings, Washington Square Park and the grand archway, outstanding comedy clubs, great restaurants, nice boutiques, historic buildings, delightful brownstones, superb falafel, and great people watching! Just take the subway to Christopher St and start zigzag-wandering east... so much to see! Enjoy!
10. 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.
