There’s nothing like summer in NYC – it seems as if the whole city is enjoying life outside – eating, drinking, soaking in the sun and city views! There is to see all over New York, so we’re taking a look at the best places in downtown NYC – the Financial District, or FiDi as New Yorkers often call it. When people visit New York, most stay around midtown, this is the location where all the tourist spots are – Times Square, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, the museums and Central Park. But, downtown New York is an entirely different vibe. Its calmer and quieter, and has some spots that are worth visiting. Continue reading for some of the best places sights in Downtown New York City.
Where to Stay in Downtown New York
Club Quarters Hotel, New York City, World Trade Center
Club Quarters Hotel, New York City, World Trade Center is an awesome hotel in a perfect location in the Financial District of downtown NYC. The Financial District is not the most popular part of New York to visit or stay, it doesn’t have the lights or trendy spots of midtown but I love it for its own charm. I love the history, and it seems to be a bit of an oxymoron for New York but I love that its less crowded and a bit calmer than midtown. This is a great hotel, walking distance from the top sights you’ll want to see downtown. Its clean, modern and an overall beautiful hotel. Plus, they serve breakfast on the top floor with an amazing view of the whole city. I try to run up for a peek every morning, and at night but sometimes its closed for events in the evening.
Eat and Drink
Eataly
Eataly is the place where all good things are made of. Its a foodie’s dream land, there is so much goodness here, you won’t believe me until you go! It comprised of a fantastic market for fresh food of all kinds as well as little restaurants, a cafe, charcuterie board, pasta stations, just about anything you can think of that is Italian. Get the ragu at the pasta station you won’t regret it! And a cappuccino. And a cannoli 🙂
Stone Street
Stone Street is a short ally in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City that is one of the city’s oldest streets. Today the cluster of historic buildings along Stone, South William, Pearl Streets and Coenties Alley form the Stone Street Historic District. In the summer time, the pubs and restaurants that line this street fill up the ally with tables, for lively outdoor dining and drinks. Its a great place to spend a hot summer NYC day with some drinks and good company!
Brookfield Place
Brookfield Place is a beautiful new shopping mall right across from the 911 Memorial and Oculus. The clothing shops are a tad out of my price range personally, BUT if you need a place for a quick bite there is an excellent food court upstairs that has just about anything you can think of.
Sites
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
So I’m a bit of an architecture nut, I just LOVE this bridge and love the views so I really recommend going at odd hours. We went at about 9am on a Sunday and it was AH-Mazing! I also loved going around 10pm but safety tip, please don’t go alone and be always aware of your surroundings!
Ferry to Ellis Island
We’re originally from Brooklyn, my parents lived half their life here, and visiting Ellis Island was something they never did! Funny enough, at random, my cousin and her kids also were in New York the same weekend and had the same plan! So the whole fam got to do this together and it was the BEST time! The kids really loved The Statue of Liberty, they followed along with the headset and explained a lot back to us. I enjoyed the sights and taking photos. The kids got a little bored at Ellis Island though so they didn’t stick around too long. We LOVED the history of it though. If you have some time to kill its really worth an afternoon!
Check out the Oculus
This transportation hub, the Oculus is a $4 billion structure that gives the appearance of white ribs that interlock high above the ground. Upon walking in you will see two underground floors of a breathtaking shopping center. Its almost something out of a futuristic sci-fi movie, its just so pristine looking and its design is truly ingenious. The underground network connects with the Westfield World Trade Center mall. The main station house, the Oculus, opened on March 3, 2016, and the terminal was renamed the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, or “World Trade Center” for short.
South Street Seaport
The South Street Seaport has gone through many changes since 1625, when the when the first pier in the area appeared. Dutch West India Company founded an outpost here. It grew into a huge trading port and then most notably the Fulton Fish Market opened in 1822. South Street Seaport features some of the oldest architecture in downtown Manhattan, and includes the largest concentration of restored early 19th-century commercial buildings in the city. This includes renovated original mercantile buildings, renovated sailing ships, the former Fulton Fish Market, and modern tourist malls featuring food, shopping, and nightlife. Its such a beautiful and lively part of town; ever time I visit I always see massive changes to this area; there’s always something new. And with views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge its a great place to explore, grab some food or drinks and enjoy the sights!
911 Memorial
This one is a bit of a sobering recommendation. I have to admit that in my 7 years of regular visits to New York, it took me until 2020 to finally build up the nerve to visit. And honestly, it was tough. The memorial was created beautifully and it’s a masterful homage to the events that took place that day and the people who endured it. But it surely was a heavy experience.
Hope this helps you to plan your next trip to the city! Feel free to email me at amandameetsworld1@gmail.com and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!
