17+ Best Things to Do in the Financial District, NYC

Iconic artwork, centuries of history, modern museums, and eye-catching architecture: when it comes to the best things to do in the Financial District, NYC, visitors are spoiled for choice!

Situated at the far southern tip of Manhattan, New York’s Financial District (also known as FiDi) is simultaneously incredibly historic (the city of New York as we know it today was founded here in 1624) and ruthlessly modern.

Its most popular attractions include stories of some of our country’s most idealistic moments (George Washington was sworn in as president here), as well as its most tragic (the 9/11 Memorial and Museum).

Planning a visit to this incredible neighborhood and want to make the most of it?

Here’s what to do in the Financial District, NYC!

Best Things to Do in the Financial District, NYC

Soak up magnificent skyline views at the One World Trade Center.

As the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, it’s safe to say that the One World Trade Center, located in the heart of FiDi, boasts magnificent views of Manhattan and New York Harbor!

When looking north, the One World Observatory offers a mirror-image view of the classic observation decks in Midtown: instead of viewing the Financial District from afar, you’re viewing Midtown itself–with the iconic Empire State Building front and center, of course.

If you’re looking for an alternative observation deck to the classic options at the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock, the One World Observatory on the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center is the perfect fit.

Book tickets to visit the One World Observatory today!

Marvel at the Oculus.

Part shopping mall, part subway stop, part memorial, part bizarre marvel, the Oculus is nothing if not unforgettable.

What do you see when you look at it: a whale, a bird, something else entirely?

And when you step inside, do you feel a bit swallowed?

It’s a bizarre place, but however strange, it’s also an emotionally charged one.

The Oculus is built right on Ground Zero, and, in addition to its other purposes, functions as a somewhat subtle memorial to 9/11.

Tour the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Without a doubt, visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is the most emotionally devastating part of visiting the Financial District.

It’s also, of course, inseparable from the neighborhood that once called the Twin Towers home.

The memorial and the museum are technically separate destinations, though they’re both located right next to each other at Ground Zero.

The memorial, which is located in the footprints of the two towers, is sobering and free to visit.

On the other hand, the museum is an intense, heartbreaking account of the events of 9/11 and the rescue and recovery events that followed, and is home to tens of thousands of artifacts and exhibits, including preservation of first-person testimony.

It’s an incredibly moving museum and absolutely worth visiting, but it’s heavy. We’ve been once in recent years, and probably won’t revisit it for at least a decade.

If you hope to visit the museum, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance (and, if you can, schedule your visit for outside the peak hours in the middle of the day, as the museum can get very crowded).

Regardless of whether or not you tour the museum during your trip, we highly recommend taking a moment to reflect at the memorial.

Book tickets to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum today.

Museum-hop through FiDi.

While the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is, without a doubt, the largest and most famous museum in NYC’s Financial District, there are several more worth visiting if you have time!

The National Museum of the American Indian (an affiliate of the Smithsonian in Washington DC, and therefore free to visit!), the Fraunces Tavern Museum (where patriots once plotted for the American Revolution), and the Museum of Jewish Heritage (“A Living Memorial to the Holocaust”) also call the neighborhood home.

The National Museum of the American Indian, pictured below, is also housed in the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, which was built at the turn of the 20th century.

Explore The Battery.

It’s safe to say that The Battery is one of the most popular stops in the Financial District… if for no other reason than the fact that this is where visitors board ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

This famous park is also worth visiting for other reasons, though.

It’s home to Castle Clinton National Monument, beautifully shaded green space, many monuments and memorials, and views of the Statue of Liberty.

Fun fact: if you’ve heard of “Battery Park”, this is the same place!

The park’s name was changed (back to) its historical name of The Battery in 2015.

You can read more about the history of the park here.

Snap a photo with the Charging Bull.

To me, the Charging Bull is synonymous with tourist attractions in FiDi, and it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t always there!

In reality, though, you don’t have to go far back in history to find the origin of the Charging Bull: artist Arturo Di Modica first debuted the statue (without permission) in 1989.

The bull was conceived as a testament to the grit and determination of the American people, and New Yorkers in particular.

Today, it is one of the most popular places to visit in the Financial District, so prepare to wait in line (or arrive at dawn) if you want to grab a photo with it!

I took the photo included here by standing off to the side and snapping quickly while two people changed places.

If you look closely, you can see the National Museum of the American Indian in the back left of the photo.

… and the Fearless Girl.

Several years ago, the Fearless Girl statue stared down the Charging Bull–but not anymore!

Due to the positive messaging behind the Charging Bull statue, many felt that it wasn’t the right place for the Fearless Girl, and she was moved in 2018.

Today, she lives on Broad Street, staring down the New York Stock Exchange!

Stop by the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

Though visitors can’t go inside the Exchange anymore, if you’re coming all the way to FiDi, it’s worth taking a quick look at one of the most famous buildings in the city!

The NYSE is located on historic Broad Street, which is paved with cobblestones in front of the iconic building.

It’s also located practically next door to Federal Hall and very close to Trinity Church, so any self-guided walking tour of FiDi is bound to bring you very close by.

Check out Bowling Green.

As NYC’s oldest park–it has been designated as public property since 1686–Bowling Green is a memorable stop when visiting the Financial District!

Historical stories hold that Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan for $24 from the Lenape people here, and though that is likely far from the whole story, the legend serves to fold Bowling Green into the larger story of NYC.

You’ll find the Charging Bull sitting at the far end of Bowling Green, so it’s an easy addition to your list of things to do in the Financial District.

Pay a visit to Trinity Church.

The historic Trinity Church is still an active Episcopalian parish, and the Gothic revival building immediately sticks out on Wall Street as distinctly different from the more modern skyscrapers that surround it.

Hamilton fans will no doubt recognize Trinity Church, whose cemetery holds the Founding Father and his family.

Alexander Hamilton was also involved with the congregation, whose history (though not the current building) dates to the 17th century.

It’s worth taking a moment to step inside Trinity Church, as it’s free and quick to visit.

There is a quick security check, but we’ve never waited more than a minute or so to get in.

Entering the church will allow you to appreciate its gorgeous stained glass and also wander through the shaded graveyard (if you’re looking for the Hamiltons, you’ll find them on the south side of the cemetery).

Get a quick look at the Federal Hall National Memorial.

Though the current structure is the third iteration of the original 1703 building, Federal Hall is worth dropping in on for its significance to a piece of American history that far predates the more modern vibe of the New York City Financial District as a whole.

This is the spot where George Washington was sworn in as president, where the first US Congress was held, and also–a bit earlier than the other two events–a letter to King George was drafted by the colonists formally protesting “taxation without representation”.

Federal Hall National Memorial is operated by the National Park Service and operates as an interesting and free-to-visit museum, with guided tours given twice per day.

Step inside Fraunces Tavern.

Open since 1762 (not a typo!), Fraunces Tavern offers excellent food and drinks with an unforgettable history and ambiance.

George Washington bid farewell to his troops after the Revolutionary War here, and many other Founding Fathers visited before, during, and after the war.

For a history nerd like me, it’s one of the coolest places to visit in FiDi, whether you’re coming for a drink, the museum located upstairs, to enjoy live music, and/or a meal.

To me, it’s one of the few places in the city that actually feels like being in Europe (thanks to its age, no doubt), especially the Dingle Whiskey Bar–which you should definitely take a moment to walk through if you’re not seated there.

Whenever family and friends would come to visit us in the city, we would inevitably end up taking them to Fraunces Tavern after visiting the top attractions in the Financial District.

Relax at the Elevated Acre.

Located at 55 Water Street, the Elevated Acre is literally elevated beyond the hustle and bustle of the street level: you’ll find this park on the roof!

Head up the escalators and find yourself on a sprawling green lawn, perfect for resting your feet and taking a break from exploring the top things to do in Lower Manhattan.

Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stop by Stone Street.

Want to transport yourself to Europe without leaving Manhattan?

There may be no better place to do so than Stone Street, which bills itself as NYC’s first nightlife district!

Originally paved in 1658, Stone Street was the first street paved with stone in the city and has been a recognized historic district since the 1990s and is home to several festivals throughout the year, including Oktoberfest.

Though it’s not the only cobblestone street in NYC or even the Financial District, it is a notable part of the neighborhood!

It’s beautiful, unexpected, and also lined with plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy while resting your feet for a bit.

Visit St. Paul’s Chapel.

Built in 1766, the historic St. Paul’s Chapel is part of the Trinity Church Parish.

Like Trinity Church, St. Paul’s has a connection to the Founding Fathers.

George Washington was a member of St. Paul’s during a time period when Trinity Church itself was being rebuilt after a fire, and he prayed there following his inauguration in 1789.

Though the chapel itself is starker inside than Trinity Church is, it’s free to visit and worth poking your head in if it’s open when you stop by.

The 18th-century graveyard at St. Paul’s overlooks (through a filter of shade trees) the Oculus and the One World Trade Center, giving it a distinct old-meets-new aura that is one of the coolest parts of visiting the Financial District!

More Attractions Near the Financial District, New York

Set off to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

As two of the most popular attractions in New York City, it’s safe to say that boarding a boat to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is one of the top things to do in FiDi!

Located in New York Harbor, you can opt to visit both or just one of these incredible sights during your trip.

Fair warning: it takes more time than you think to see both islands in detail.

Think of your excursion more like a day trip than a single activity if you want to see them both, and opt for the earliest ferry that you can!

Pre-book your ferry and tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island today!

Walk to Brooklyn.

The Manhattan end of the Brooklyn Bridge is less than a 20-minute walk from the heart of the Financial District.

If you are planning to cross the bridge on foot during your trip to the city, it’s easily combined with your time in the Financial District!

The entrance to the bridge is right in front of City Hall, too, which will allow you to catch a quick look at another memorable building as you start making your way to DUMBO.

Catch the Staten Island Ferry.

Want to admire views of the Statue of Liberty, but don’t want to take the time (or shell out the money) to visit?

The Staten Island Ferry is the perfect solution!

It’s absolutely free to ride (the official website warns to beware of scammers trying to sell tickets) and boasts excellent views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

The ferry leaves from Whitehall Terminal near The Battery in the Financial District, NYC!

Where is the Financial District in New York?

The Financial District is located at the far southern tip of the island of Manhattan.

The neighborhood’s northern border is often considered to be Chambers Street, which is also where you’ll find City Hall and the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.

How to Get to the Financial District

Generally speaking, the easiest way to get to FiDi from other places in the city, and especially other places in Manhattan, is via the subway.

Here’s an official map of NYC’s subway system.

Several lines run to the Financial District, NYC, and they generally move much faster than taxis/Ubers do if you’re coming from Midtown or Uptown.

Hop on/hop off bus tours like this are popular in Manhattan, especially in Midtown and the Financial District. We don’t recommend them to most travelers, though: you’re far more likely to waste time sitting in traffic than add efficiency to your day!

Read More About Visiting New York City (and Beyond)

If you found this blog post about the Financial District helpful, we’d love to continue to be part of your travel research here on Our Escape Clause!

You can check out our 100+ blog posts about the USA here, or browse these guides:

• 21+ Fun Things to Do in Midtown, NYC (Beyond Times Square)
• The Best Places to Visit in November in the USA (Fall Vacation Ideas!)
• 3 Days in Philly: The Perfect Weekend in Philadelphia Itinerary
• The (Massive) Ultimate 4 Days in New York Itinerary
• 21+ Dreamy East Coast Beach Towns (Perfect for Summer Getaways)