Sightseeing

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge: Pedestrian Entrance at Centre and Park Row Sts

Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Walking or biking across from Brooklyn to Manhattan (about a 30 minute stroll) offers a fantastic view of the city skyline, as well as a chance to enjoy the neo-Gothic towers, arches and passageways.

Charging Bull

Charging Bull is a 7,100 lb bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica that stands in Bowling Green Park. A Wall Street icon, the bull has been immortalized in tourist photos and movies. In an act of "guerrilla art" in 1989, Di Modica installed the statue in front of the New York Stock Exchange as a Christmas gift to the people of New York. The police seized the sculpture and placed it into an impound lot, but the ensuing public outcry led to its installation at the current Bowling Green location.

Federal Hall National Memorial 26 Wall St

Built in 1700, Federal Hall served as the first capitol building and was the site of George Washington's inauguration as the first President. The building was demolished in 1812, and the current National Memorial on the site is operated by the National Park Service as a museum. The steps are a popular place for stockbrokers to lunch, and you can't pass without grabbing a photo with George.

Ground Zero

The site where the World Trade Center stood before the September 11 attacks is bounded by Vesey Street to the north, the West Side Highway to the west, Liberty Street to the south, and Church Street to the east. Stop to pay your respects and peek at the progress of the redesign. The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at 20 Vesey Street offers a model of the proposed development.

New York Stock Exchange: 18 Broad St

The world's largest stock exchange is a National Historic landmark. Snap the classic photo - you, the Wall Street sign and the Stock Exchange - as you try to fathom the 153 billion dollars traded daily and wonder who's ringing the opening bell.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the statue is a gift to the United States from the people of France and has become an iconic symbol of freedom and of the United States. Ferries to the statue depart from Battery Park and also stop at Ellis Island. Only 240 people per day are permitted to climb the staircase to the crown - you can reserve your ticket up to a year in advance.

Trinity Church 79 Broadway

When the third Trinity Church (the first was lost to fire and the second to structural damage) was completed in 1846, its spire was the highest point in New York. The church is a National Historic Landmark and considered a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture. Its backyard cemetery houses the remains of historical greats such as Alexander Hamilton.

Battery Park Library

Learning About What You've Seen

Battery Park Branch Library 175 North End Ave

NYPL's first certified green library in Manhattan is a bright, happy place, with plenty of space for reading and more than 30 terminals for surfing. Check out the Staff Recommended Reads for reliably fun suggestions.

New Amsterdam Branch Library 9 Murray St

Older and dingier than Battery Park but features sections of recently returned books and DVDs that are a great source of content you didn't know you were interested in until you saw it.

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