NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, has named Lower Manhattan as the third destination to be featured in Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a program designed to increase visitation, support local businesses and encourage exploration in areas outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs.
Lower Manhattan is home to the financial center of the United States and includes the neighborhoods south of Chambers Street such as the Financial District and Battery Park City. According to the Downtown Alliance more than 9 million tourists already visit Lower Manhattan to see the New York Stock Exchange, walk down Wall Street and visit the 9/11 Memorial, but the neighborhood is also a great place to shop, dine, stay and explore. Lower Manhattan is easily reachable by over 12 subway lines and the PATH trains, making it one of the City’s most accessible neighborhoods for both visitors and locals to enjoy.
Accommodations
There are 19 hotels with an estimated 4,500 hotel rooms in Lower Manhattan, with 9 of the 19 hotels opening since 2006. Some hotels in the neighborhood include:
The Best Western Seaport Inn is located in the heart of the South Street Seaport district and is within walking distance to Lower Manhattan’s most popular destinations. Many guest rooms provide views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Recently reopened, the Holiday Inn Express New York City Wall Street is located in the heart of the Financial District a short distance from the New York Stock Exchange, City Hall and the Federal Reserve Bank.
With 126 rooms, Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel, is a boutique hotel that features a modern English tavern and a level of design and elegant artistry throughout the property.
Located just steps from the 9/11 Memorial and the soon-to-be- complete One World Trade Center, World Center Hotel provides guests with views of New York Harbor from atop its View of the World Terrace Club.
Cultural Institutions
The country’s only independent museum dedicated to American financial history, the Museum of American Finance has interactive displays and historical artifacts pertaining to Wall Street, plus programming for families.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage honors those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and offers visitors multiple perspectives on modern Jewish history, life and culture.
Located in Lower Manhattan’s popular Battery Park City, The Skyscraper Museum celebrates New York City’s rich architectural heritage as a City that influenced the modern skyscraper.
Dining and Nightlife
A favorite spot of New York City’s political operatives, Blue Spoon Coffee Company offers fair-trade coffee and made-to-order sandwiches served by a friendly staff.
Combining the flavors of the Southwest with seafood, Cowgirl Sea-Horse is a lively spot in which to eat and drink in the heart of the South Street Seaport historic district.
Steps from the old Fulton Fish Market, Fresh Salt is a welcoming neighborhood bar that harks back to old New York, complete with a full menu of sandwiches, small plate items and advertised as having one of the best Bloody Marys in town.
Located on a picturesque street in the financial district, Stone Street Tavern has outdoor seating and serves everything from bison burgers and fish 'n’ chips to lobster mac 'n’ cheese and salmon.
Shopping
From clothes and shoes to cribs and toys, Babesta provides everything a parent needs to outfit the littlest members of the family.
Bowne Printers gives visitors a glimpse inside a 19th-century print shop. At Bowne, visitors can view some of the world’s oldest working printing presses, and it even offers handcrafted print runs for letterheads, note cards and announcements.
For more than 20 years, Chameleon Comics and Cards has provided the neighborhood with an array of collectibles ranging from comics books to sports cards to graphic novels.
Located in a 19th-century ship’s chandlery, Pasanella and Son Vintners has more than 400 wines ranging from small, family-operated vineyards to established labels. In a tasting room that opens into a private garden, visitors can sample the shop's many wines.
Attractions
Offering a fun way to experience New York City, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Hornblower Cruises & Events, New York Water Taxi and Statue Cruises all provide visitors with an opportunity to see the sights along the Hudson and East Rivers including some of the best views of the Statue of Liberty.
New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The Neighborhood x Neighborhood initiative intends to spotlight the affordability and accessibility of neighborhoods across the five boroughs with a particular emphasis on areas that have seen new hotel development in recent years. Neighborhoods and featured highlights were chosen in collaboration with City Council officials, the Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Small Business Services, business development districts, community leaders and with consideration of NYC & Company’s more than 2,000 members.