The 15 best things to do in the Financial District

You can walk the streets of the Financial District, plus take some breaks, in about two and a half hours—well, depending on whether you're walking a New Yorker's pace, of course.

Either way, it won't take you a full day to see it all. So wear some comfortable shoes and hit the pavement. Explore from the World Trade Center to the East River, weave in and out of the cobblestone streets, marvel at the architecture and the rich history around you. And, yeah, if you really want that picture with the Charging Bull on Broadway, do it—you'll probably have to wait in line though, so bake in some extra time for that.

This full acre of green space overlooks the East River and the Financial District from its perch. It's filled with flowers and plants, and often hosts outdoor movies in its amphitheater in the summer.

New York got a taste of Paris with Printemps, the French chain of high-end department stores that first debuted in Europe back in 1865. It opened its first-ever location in Manhattan at One Wall Street in a debut that is just as beautiful, luxurious and fashion-forward as you’d expect. Shop the merchandise, eat at Maison Passerelle, grab coffee and a treat at Café Jalu or have a cocktail at one of several bars.

If you haven't been to the Fraunces Tavern Museum yet, it's definitely worth a visit. It's the oldest building in Manhattan, dating all the way back to 1719. While it was built as a mansion, the building has had lots of other uses over the years including as a dance hall, a boarding house, commercial space and a home for government offices in America's early days.

The museum operates on the upper floors of the building daily from noon to 5pm with $10 adult admission. Permanent exhibits include a George Washington portrait gallery, a re-creation of the post-Revolutionary foreign affairs office, commemorative war objects and a deep dive into the building’s history. It’s also home to “The Long Room” where Washington delivered his famous farewell to officers at the end of the Revolution. Today, the room is furnished with period objects and used as an educational space.

This branch of the Smithsonian Institution displays its collection around the grand rotunda of the 1907 Custom House located at the bottom of Broadway (which, many moons ago, began as an Indigenous trail). The life and culture of Indigenous Americans is presented in rotating exhibitions—from Navajo jewelry to ritual tribal-dance costumes—along with contemporary artwork. 

The museum is a branch of the NMAI in Washington, D.C., and thus officially an extension of the Smithsonian Institute—which is why it’s free (well, not entirely; your taxes pay for it). No tickets are required, just show up to explore.

Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology is a unique immersive museum created by artist Roy Nachum (you might recognize his name because he designed Rihanna's famed Anti album cover) and his business partner Michael Cayre, a real estate developer. The 36,000-square-foot space opened in early 2024 at 21 Dey Street, with a total of 15 different rooms to explore, each one attacking all the senses upon entrance.

The 9/11 Museum, located where the Twin Towers once stood, explores the history of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The museum houses artifacts, historical records, firefighting equipment and a memorial exhibition. Tours with expert guides are available.

Outside the museum is the memorial, which honors the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America. Outdoor memorial audio guides are available for purchase on site. While outside, also look for the 9/11 Memorial Glade and The Survivor Tree.

Here's the full guide to visiting the 9/11 Museum & Memorial.

As far as tourist magnets go, Fraunces is one of New York’s best. It’s a stately brick colonial that overtly exploits its own history, yes, including occupancy by George Washington. But the place still works on a few levels beyond that i.e. you can get a good buzz going in a cool room with pretty good food. 

The decor isn’t doing Revolutionary War-era cosplay so much as continuity. Low light, old wood, and a warren of rooms—squint and you could be in an HBO period piece. There are several different bar rooms to choose from once inside.

The Financial District is home to two of Time Out's favorite rooftop bars and restaurants, Manhatta and Saga. Make a reservation or try your luck at a walk-in and enjoy the view as the sky changes color.

The ferry is one of the best ways to see NYC, and Pier 11 Wall Street is its main transit hub. There you can catch NYC Ferry and ride it all along the East River past landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge. Routes differ, but it will take you to Rockaway at its southernmost point and Throgsneck Ferry Point Park to the north. On the Hudson, you can ride between Wall Street and Midtown West. Travellers can also connect to NY Waterway, which brings folks between Manhattan and New Jersey.