Lower Manhattan – the biggest attractions (map, sightseeing plan, tickets, interesting facts)

New York City Sightseeing Plan

This entry is part of a large guide to New York, which is available at: New York - sightseeing plan [click].
If you are here and have skipped the main post, then definitely I recommend that you read it first. It contains a lot of practical advice related to moving around the city, access to attractions, organizing sightseeing, access to the Internet, etc. It contains additional maps with the location of all attractions, supporting the creation of your own routes and sightseeing plans, and a lot of helpful information allowing for quick orientation in the area.

In the main post you will find plans and descriptions of tours of some of the most interesting neighborhoods in New York:
- Central Manhattan
- Upper Manhattan
- Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
- Brooklyn (neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Williamsburg)

Walking in Lower Manhattan

In this chapter I assume that you already know everything I wrote about in the main guide to New York and I focus solely on detailed information needed for sightseeing. The text has been organized in such a way that it can be used quickly and conveniently during a walk.

In my guide Lower Manhattan has been marked as an area C, and its location on the New York map is visible in the image below.

Area C – Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty

The third day of sightseeing, which includes Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, is the most difficult in my opinion. There is a lot to do, and everything fits together so perfectly into a coherent whole that it would be a shame not to include something. Absolutely focus on comfort: shoes, clothes, everything has to be as comfortable as possible. Don't forget water, sun protection and... a power bank. At the end of the day, when you can barely drag your legs behind you, each of these details will be crucial. I know what I'm talking about, because I did the entire plan on my own feet. It was an absolutely fantastic day, and I'm still collecting impressions from it to this day.
We will start by visiting the island with the Statue of Liberty, then we will go through the financial district, towards the World Trade Center. We will visit Chinatown, the Italian district, SoHo, and finally we will go to two symbolic places, related to the creation of two of the most popular series of all time: "Friends" and "Sex and the City".
I absolutely do not recommend changing the order of attractions. Definitely start with the Statue of Liberty and do the rest later. The earlier you go to the statue, the more time you will have to wander the rest of Lower Manhattan and the more time you will have to eat in Chinatown or the Italian Quarter.
Depending on the season, the first cruise is at 8:00 or 9:00 and the next ones every 15 minutes (in summer) or every hour (in autumn and winter). If you sail to the Statue of Liberty on the next cruises (e.g. at 11:00), you will not have time to complete the entire trip.

Attractions on the tour route: (15) Boat Tour – (16) Staten Island Ferry – (17) Statue of Liberty – (18) Ellis Island – (19) National Museum of the American Indian – (20) Charging Bull – (21) New York Stock Exchange – (22) Federal Hall National Memorial – (23) Trinity Church – (24) World Trade Center Station – (25) World Trade Center Memorial and 9/11 Museum – (26) One World Trade Center – (27) Columbus Park with Sun Yat-sen Memorial – (28) Chinatown – (29) Little Italy – (30) SoHo – (31) Friends Apartment – ​​(32) Sex and the City Apartment
Route length: 8 km (5 miles)
Walking time (excluding time spent visiting attractions): 2 h 30 min

Description of attractions in Lower Manhattan

15. Boat trip – Statue of Liberty

There are basically two ways to see the Statue of Liberty (there are more ways, but we are talking about the easiest and cheapest ones). One of them is a paid boat trip Statue Cruises to the island with the statue, and the other is to take the free Staten Island Ferry, which passes some distance from the statue. I will describe both methods, although I will say right away that the second (free) method is disappointing in practice.

Statue Cruises ships (or rather ferries) sail to the island with the Statue of Liberty. These are large ferries that can hold hundreds of people and run with varying intensity depending on the time of year and seasonal popularity. In the off-season, the courses run about every hour, and in the high season they run as often as every 15 minutes.
This is one of those attractions for which I suggest buying a ticket in advance, especially since, due to our tight schedule, we want to get on the cruise at a specific time.
The ticket distributor on its website does not recommend purchasing tickets from street vendors due to frequent fraud attempts.

The ferries operate on two routes. The first one starts and ends at Battery Park, in lower Manhattan in New York, and the second one has its beginning and end in Liberty State Park in New Jersey. These are two different cities and even two different states! This is important information because the ferries operating on both routes do not differ in appearance. At the initial stops, i.e. in New York and New Jersey, there is no problem, because there is no possibility of confusion here (ferries do not mix with each other). However, on the way back from Liberty Island (the one with the Statue of Liberty) and the one visited on the way Ellis Island you have to be careful which ferry you get on. If you get on the wrong ferry, you might end up going back to New Jersey instead of New York.

How to avoid making a mistake when boarding a ferry?
The rule is simple and straightforward. Get on the ferry at exactly the same stop you got off. The ferries from New York and New Jersey land close to each other, but each one always does so in the same place! If a ferry looks exactly like yours, but (especially on Ellis Island) lands 50-100 meters away, don't get on it. Yours will land at exactly the same place as the one you managed to get to the island. Before getting on the ferry, the staff shouts the direction the ferry is going, but the noise generated by the ferry engines and the crowd of people is so loud that it's hard to hear what the staff is shouting.

Buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty
There are three types of tickets available:
- general admission: includes ferry transportation and admission to Statue of Liberty Island and Ellis Island
- plinth: additional entrance to the center of the pedestal at the foot of the statue
- corona: entering the crown on the head of the Statue of Liberty

I didn't manage to get tickets for the crown of the Statue of Liberty. I managed to buy tickets with entry to the pedestal. However, entering the pedestal, which is at the foot of the statue, doesn't give you much. There are no better views of the surroundings from here, and you can barely see the statue itself (because you're practically underneath it). If I were to buy tickets again, the basic ticket is completely sufficient, i.e. general admission.

By the way, let me remind you that you can choose a cruise to the Statue of Liberty as one of the attractions as part of the New York City Card, which I wrote about in more detail earlier: New York CityPASS on GetYourGuide – [click]

If you want to buy tickets for the cruise separately, then below are verified links to safe sources of tickets. Due to the fact that from time to time there are periodic promotions, prices may change over time. Sometimes they are less, sometimes more attractive, and availability varies. Click, check and choose the best option for you.

Learn More: tickets for the Statue of Liberty on GetYourGuide – [click]

Learn More: tickets for the Statue of Liberty on Tiqets – [click]

If you want to go to the top and inside the crown on the head of the Statue of Liberty, look for tickets on the website Statue City Cruises and do it more or less half a year ago. There are so few tickets that there is no chance of buying them later.

IMPORTANT
There is no time limit on the time spent on the Statue of Liberty Island or Ellis Island. The time on your ticket is only for the first ferry entry at the beginning of the route, and then you can go at your own pace and spend as much time on the islands as you like.

Boats depart from Battery Park, GPS coordinates:
40°42’11.4″N 74°01’02.8″W
40.703162, -74.017429 - click and route

WARNING!!!
The main pier in Battery Park, where ships depart, is currently under renovation. Until the renovation is complete, ships will depart from the adjacent pier, located directly next to Battery Park. Getting there is not difficult, but to be on the safe side, here are the coordinates of the temporary pier

Temporary passenger quay for City Cruises ships, GPS coordinates:
40°42’07.2″N 74°00’58.9″W
40.701999, -74.016365 - click and route

16. Staten island ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry that connects Manhattan and Staten Island in New York City. The ferry sails across New York Bay and offers passengers views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. You'll find texts recommending taking the free ferry everywhere, not because the views are amazing, but because... it's free. In short, it's supposed to be a good way to see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline for free. But is it really?
I will answer very subjectively but honestly: in my opinion it is not!

I think that giving up a paid cruise to the Statue of Liberty Island (which costs about $30) in favor of a free, crowded ferry (after all, everyone wants it for free, so it can be inhumane here) is a big mistake. The Staten Island Ferry route does not go as close to the Statue of Liberty as you would like. I got the impression that the ferries deliberately keep a safe distance from the statue, which makes sense. Otherwise, paid trips to the Statue Island would be pointless. So the ferry does not come closer than 0,5 kilometers (!!!).

From this distance, the statue is a bit more visible than from the shore, but the view is not satisfying enough. Looking at it this way is like licking candy through a wrapper. You don't fly thousands of kilometers to the other side of the ocean just to pay $30 and not see one of the city's most important attractions in detail! In addition, the ferry is always crowded. The promise of seeing the Statue of Liberty for free, which is common in online guides, attracts a crowd of people to the ferry. Finding a good spot on the right side of the ferry is not easy at all, and taking a good photo is practically impossible.
I don't recommend this solution, but if you decide to do it anyway, here's some helpful information.

Route and travel time
The ferry runs between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. The trip takes about 25 minutes each way.

Hours and frequency
Ferries run daily, 15 hours a day, every 20-30 minutes during peak times and every XNUMX minutes outside of peak times. There is no fare.

History
The Staten Island Ferry has been in operation since the 19th century, initially operated by private companies. It is now operated by the City of New York.

Whitehall Terminal – Staten Island Ferry Terminal, GPS coordinates:
40°42’05.3″N 74°00’47.4″W
40.701484, -74.013170 - click and route

17. Statue of Liberty

The information I am about to share will forever change the way you look at the Statue of Liberty. We all see a statue based on the figure of a woman symbolizing freedom, from Eugène Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People."

However, if you dig a little deeper, the facts turn out to be much more interesting than the somewhat boring official version. Well, going a little deeper into the matter, we will reach three figures who worked together on the design of the Statue of Liberty. The pedestal was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the steel structure and base were designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, yes, the same one from the Eiffel Tower in Paris), while the author of the sculpture's shapes is Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. And it must be admitted that the latter (the sculptor) showed great panache! I assume that, having the task of a lifetime ahead of him, the artist wanted to create a figure that could be considered ideal. According to various sources, looking for inspiration for the body of the statue, Bartholdi copied the body of his lover and gave the face the features of his mother (!!!). I admit that this is a rather peculiar idea 🙂
Well, if the artist thought this combination was perfect?
This is how the statue of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi's lover with the face of his mother was created, which is now the most famous symbol of freedom and independence on our planet.
The statue was first assembled in France and symbolically presented (1884) to the American ambassador in Paris. It was then dismantled, transported to the United States and reassembled (1882), taking its place on an island at the mouth of the Hudson River: Liberty Island.
As for the statue's dimensions, I'll start with the most embarrassing ones. The Statue of Liberty weighs 229 tons and is 11 meters wide at the waist. The statue itself is 46,5 meters high, and with the pedestal 93 meters high. The main construction materials are: steel (structure) and copper (skin).

Curiosity:
The Statue of Liberty's entire surface is made of copper. Imagine how beautiful it must have looked, so shiny before it became patinated and turned verdigris.

I wrote extensively about purchasing tickets to the Statue of Liberty at the point 15 (i.e. cruises to the island with the statue), so I won't repeat it here.

statue of Liberty, GPS coordinates:
40°41’21.6″N 74°02’40.6″W
40.689321, -74.044616 - click and route

18. Ellis Island

Ellis Island is a historic island located in New York Bay at the mouth of the Hudson River, between New York and New Jersey. It is known mainly because of the United States immigration center that operated there for over 60 years (1892-1954). In practice, it was a filter through which every immigrant arriving this way had to pass. In total, about 12 million (!!!) people passed through the immigration center during its operation.

Before the arrival of Europeans, the island was used by Native Americans for fishing. In the 17th century, it was taken over by Dutch settlers and passed through various owners before becoming the property of the United States government. The name "Ellis Island" comes from Samuel Ellis, who owned the island in the second half of the 18th century.

Ellis Island became a federal immigration port on January 1, 1892. For the next six decades, immigrants arriving in America were interviewed, health-screened, and assessed for their fitness for life in the United States. The main reception building, known as “The Great Hall,” was where immigrants first met officials. Although many newcomers successfully entered the new country, some were forced to return due to illness or lack of resources. At its peak, from 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island processed up to 5 immigrants per day. In 1924, as a result of more restrictive immigration laws, the island ceased to be a main reception port, and immigrants were accepted on land. Ellis Island continued to serve as a detention center for people awaiting court decisions until 1954, when the reception center was finally closed. Currently, the original reception building on the island (the so-called Great Hall) houses the Immigration Museum, opened in 1990 (considered one of the most important museums of this type in the world).
The museum features exhibits that document the lives and journeys of millions of immigrants, presenting documents, photographs, passenger lists, memorabilia and memories of their first moments in America. It also houses an interactive database, the American Family Immigration History Center, which allows visitors to search through the records of those who came to the island, helping Americans trace their ancestors.

Ellis Island, GPS coordinates:
40°41’57.3″N 74°02’24.3″W
40.699243, -74.040087 - click and route

19. National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in New York City, also known as the George Gustav Heye Center, is one of the Smithsonian Institution's principal facilities dedicated to Native American culture and heritage. The George Gustav Heye Center is named after the renowned American collector who began collecting artifacts and works of art from Native Americans in the early 1989th century, amassing one of the largest collections in the world. In 1994, the collection was incorporated into the Smithsonian Institution, and part of it became the basis for the museum in New York City, which opened in XNUMX.
The Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, which houses the museum, is an architectural landmark in itself (interiors abound in marble, stucco, and frescoes). Built in the Beaux-Arts style, it once served as a customs house, symbolizing New York's commercial power.

NMAI in New York houses a diverse collection of more than one million artifacts representing dozens of indigenous cultures from the Americas. The collection depicts everyday life, rituals, and art from diverse communities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in cultural diversity. The main exhibitions are two major permanent exhibitions:
- "Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian” includes a collection of 700 objects from across North, Central and South America. Exhibits include traditional clothing, jewelry, masks, ceramics, as well as everyday objects and contemporary art.
- "Ceremonial Dress and Objects” consists of ceremonial costumes, headdresses, and ritual objects that reflect the spiritual and aesthetic significance of various Native American groups. Exhibits include ornate costumes, headdresses, and jewelry that played a key role in ceremonies, dances, and other rituals.

National Museum of the American Indian, GPS coordinates:
40°42’16.2″N 74°00’49.4″W
40.704506, -74.013734 - click and route

20. The Bull of Wall Street (Charging Bull)

The Wall Street Bull, also known as the Charging Bull, is now a true international symbol of financial markets around the world. He is still surrounded by crowds and there is usually a long line to take a picture with him.
You could say that the bull took Wall Street by storm, because it appeared here in rather unusual circumstances. Arturo Di Modica, an Italian artist living in New York, placed it without permission and secretly under the cover of darkness in front of the New York Stock Exchange as a symbol of hope and perseverance after the stock market crash of 1987.
The night before the bull was to be set up, the artist went to the location to reconnoiter. His observations showed that due to constant police patrols, he would only have 4,5 minutes to set up the bull. However, there were some surprises. On the night of the bull's setting up (December 15, 1989), it turned out that the access road to the planned location was blocked by... a freshly set up Christmas tree. It was 1:00 a.m. and they had to decide immediately what to do next. Since the destination was already quite close, Di Modica decided that this was a good opportunity and they would set up the bull under the tree as a gift for New Yorkers.
It was a shock when suddenly, one morning, a mighty and massive statue of a bull greeted the brokers in front of the stock exchange building. It was the news of the day on all the televisions!
The city authorities did not like this and the sculpture was removed and taken away (to Queens) that same day. The city's residents reacted immediately and social protests began, which forced the New York authorities to take the bull back and reinstall it near Wall Street, to its current location at Bowling Green Park.
There is a belief among tourists that touching the bull's genitals will bring good luck in business, so the bull is much more popular from behind than from the front.

The statue is made of bronze. It weighs 3,200 tons, is 4,9 m long and 3,4 m high. Work on the sculpture lasted two years. The cost of making it amounted to 350 thousand dollars was borne by the author.

Wall Street Bull, GPS coordinates:
40°42’20.0″N 74°00’48.4″W
40.705556, -74.013444 - click and route

21. New York Stock Exchange

The New York Stock Exchange, known as NYSE, is the world's largest stock exchange in terms of market capitalization. Its beginning is quite strange, because it was not established as an institution supervised by any higher authority, but was a private initiative. Twenty-four brokers and stock traders met on May 17, 1792 under a plane tree on Wall Street, known as the "Buttonwood Tree" and signed an agreement, known today as the "Plane Tree Agreement". In it, the brokers agreed to broker securities trades exclusively between themselves, which (officially) was intended to regulate the market and eliminate speculation. However, I have a suspicion that it could rather have been about closing the trade under the control of a select group of people, guaranteeing them a certain profit from each transaction. An important element of the agreement was the commission that the brokers would charge for their services on each transaction. Well. First come, first served!
In the beginning, just five securities were traded, including government bonds and shares of the Bank of New York.
Over time, this agreement became the foundation of the modern stock exchange and initiated the development of an organized financial market in the United States, and a small association of brokers transformed into the largest stock exchange in the world: the New York Stock Exchange.

In front of the stock exchange stands a small but very popular sculpture of the "Fearless Girl", which is supposed to symbolize the strength and determination of women in the world of finance and to raise awareness of gender equality. Initially, the girl was placed in front of the Wall Street Bull (20) that I described earlier, which aroused the dissatisfaction and strong protests of Arturo Di Modica (the author of the bull sculpture). According to him, placing the Fearless Girl in front of the Charging Bull completely changed the message of the sculpture and ... it is hard to disagree with him. Because how? The Charging Bull - a proud symbol of the growth, development and strength of the capital market in the USA should be stopped by the Fearless Girl? What for? Why?
The author of the bull therefore categorically demanded that the girl be removed, and so it was. The girl was moved in front of the stock exchange building, no longer restrains the bull and is very popular with tourists. Everyone wants a picture with her. I have one too.

New York Stock Exchange, GPS coordinates:
40°42’24.6″N 74°00’39.7″W
40.706827, -74.011013 - click and route

22. Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall was originally New York City Hall and the site of the first United States Congress. When New York became the first U.S. capital after the ratification of the Constitution, Federal Hall was the temporary seat of the federal government.
On the balcony of Federal Hall on April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States (a statue of Washington stands in front of the entrance to Federal Hall to commemorate this moment).
The original Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, and the current building, which we know today as Federal Hall National Memorial, was built in 1842 as a customs house. This building also served as a branch of the Bank of the United States.
Federal Hall is open to the public (free of charge) and houses numerous exhibits, including the stone George Washington stood on during his inauguration, as well as copies of historical documents such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You can also see the old presidential chair that Washington sat in.

Federal hall national memorial, GPS coordinates:
40°42’25.9″N 74°00’37.4″W
40.707189, -74.010397 - click and route

23. Holy Trinity Church

The neo-Gothic Trinity Church is one of the oldest and most famous churches in the city. It was built in 1698 and has been rebuilt twice since then. The current building, completed in 1846, is therefore the third version of the church. From its completion in 1846 for 44 years until 1890, the tower of the Holy Trinity Church was the highest point in New York. At 86 meters high, it dominated the city, and its visible spire served as a landmark for sailors entering the harbor.
The church is home to one of the oldest cemeteries in New York, where significant figures in American history are buried. Among others, Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, and Robert Fulton, inventor and pioneer of steamboats, are buried here.

By the cemetery you’ll come across St. Paul’s Chapel (so distinctive and eye-catching you definitely won’t miss it), also part of Trinity Church. The chapel is the oldest continuously used religious building in New York City, and was used as a place of prayer for George Washington after his inauguration.
If you look around carefully or glance at a map, you’ll quickly notice that the church is just a few blocks from the World Trade Center. It survived the September 11, 2001 attacks without major damage, despite the massive destruction in the area. After the attacks, it was a place of refuge and rest for rescue workers and volunteers working on the rescue effort.

Curiosity:
Trinity Church is one of the largest landowners in Manhattan. Thanks to a land donation from King William III and numerous investments, the parish now manages billions of dollars worth of real estate

Church of the Holy Trinity, GPS coordinates:
40°42’28.4″N 74°00’42.5″W
40.707884, -74.011792 - click and route

24. World Trade Center Station

The World Trade Center Station, also known as the Oculus, is a metro station that was once an old metro station that was completely destroyed during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Anyone who has visited Valencia, Spain, will immediately see similarities between this building and the equally impressive and incredible buildings in Valencia. This is a good clue, as they were designed by the same artist: Santiago Calatrava.
As you approach the station, you will notice (best seen from a distance) that the building’s shape resembles a dove taking flight with its wings raised. Calatrava intended to capture the moment the bird flies out of its cage, symbolizing freedom and new beginnings after 9/11.
The station is a huge transport hub, but it also serves as a shopping mall. Inside, there is an elegant space with branded shops, restaurants and public spaces, and the main hall resembles the interior of a cathedral. It is definitely worth going inside the building as well.

World Trade Center Station, GPS coordinates:
40°42’41.6″N 74°00’41.1″W
40.711542, -74.011418 - click and route

25. World Trade Center Memorial and 9/11 Museum

The 9/11 Museum in New York (officially the National September 11 Memorial & Museum) is a place commemorating the victims of the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001. It was opened in 2011.
The museum is located on the site of the World Trade Center Towers. It is part of the larger 9/11 Memorial complex, which also includes two large pools of water marking the site where the twin towers once stood.
The museum has a unique exhibition that documents not only the attacks themselves, but also the stories of individual victims. The exhibits include photos, clothing, pieces of aircraft, destroyed building elements, and personal items of victims. One of the most moving items is the pilot's seat of American Airlines Flight 11, which hit the north tower of the World Trade Center, as well as a cell phone whose owner tried to call his family before he died.
There is also an exhibit dedicated to the sounds of September 11, 2001. It includes recordings of telephone conversations of victims, rescuers and others who were present at the tragic events.
Part of the museum is located below ground level, in the heart of the area where the towers stood. Here you can see, for example, fragments of the “tridents,” the steel structural elements that formed the core of the towers’ construction.

WARNING!
Taking photos is not allowed in the museum!

Tickets to the 9/11 Museum can be purchased separately, independently of other attractions or, for example, as part of CityPASS New York Ticket Package. Below you will find a link to tickets for the museum only.

Learn More: tickets to 9/11 Museum – [click] (GetYourGuide)

Entrance to 9/11 Museum, GPS coordinates:
40°42’41.6″N 74°00’44.9″W
40.711567, -74.012466 - click and route

World Trade Center Tower Memorial Pool, GPS coordinates
40°42’43.6″N 74°00’47.5″W
40.712119, -74.013182 - click and route

26. One World Trade Center

Completed in 2013, the 541-meter-high One World Trade Center is currently (I am writing this in 2024) the tallest building in the United States and in the Western Hemisphere. It currently ranks 8th in the world (see: list of the tallest buildings in the world).

Curiosity:
If the height of One World Trade Center were given in feet rather than meters, it would be exactly 1 feet. The similarity to the year 776, the year of the United States Declaration of Independence, is not coincidental.

The main tourist attraction of the building is the One World Observatory observation deck located at its top (floors 100-102). For obvious reasons, it is the highest terrace in New York. All the buildings in the city are viewed from above.

Learn More: One World Observatory tickets – [click] – (provided by Tiqets)

Learn More: Ticket packages including One World Observatory – [click] – (provided by Tiqets)

One World Observatory Observation Deck at One World Trade Center, GPS coordinates:
40°42’45.9″N 74°00’48.1″W
40.712758, -74.013351 - click and route

27. Columbus Park with Sun Yat-sen Monument

Walking through New York City according to my guide, you will practically stumble upon Columbus Park, located on the border of Chinatown. It is not a commonly recommended place to visit in New York City, but in my opinion it is interesting enough to make sure you do not miss it. Entering Columbus Park will give you a clear signal that you are entering New York City's Chinatown and will immediately introduce you to its specific atmosphere. The park is most often filled with Chinese music (played from small, portable speakers) or played (sung) live. This sometimes happens in several places at once, which, given the small area of ​​the park, means that several sources of sound overlap. The tables in the park are literally covered with Chinese people playing cards or traditional Chinese games and puzzles. During my visit, there was a clear division into card tables for men and women (yes, yes! women play cards hard too). Those who don't mind music (especially from three different sources at once) dancing, dance on the sidewalk, or... do gymnastics. I watched this phenomenon for some time and to this day I can't tell whether it's dancing to one of several simultaneous backgrounds or maybe gymnastics. In general, the atmosphere in the park put me in a great mood in a second (despite being tired) and immediately transported me to China. If you want to start exploring Chinatown, it's best to do it here!

Curiosity
Columbus Park’s iconic landmark is the Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925) Monument. It’s hard to imagine, but it was his revolutionary work that ended thousands of years of imperial rule! He played a key role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China in 1912. His vision and ideology helped lay the foundations for the modern Chinese state, although his legacy has been interpreted differently by different Chinese factions, including both the Kuomintang (KMT) on Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on the mainland. He is often called the “Father of Modern China.”

Columbus Park, GPS coordinates:
40°42’56.2″N 74°00’00.1″W
40.715597, -74.000016 - click and route

28. Chinatown

New York City's Chinatown began in the 19th century when Chinese immigrants began arriving in the United States in search of work and a better life. Many of them worked on the transcontinental railroad or in manufacturing. After the railroad was completed, many immigrants settled in cities like New York City, where they created their own communities. Chinatown quickly grew and is now one of the largest and oldest Chinatowns in the United States.

For the curious:
In addition to the previously described Columbus Park, the district's characteristic landmarks include:
- Mott Street: Chinatown's main street, lined with restaurants, shops and stalls selling seafood, spices and traditional products. Here you can try authentic Chinese dishes such as dim sum and wontons.
- Chinese American Museum (MOCA): Tells the story of Chinese immigration to the U.S. Featuring exhibits that illustrate the hardships Chinese immigrants faced as well as their contributions to American culture.
- Mahayana Temple: The largest Buddhist temple in Manhattan, with an impressive golden Buddha statue. Worth a visit for a peaceful, meditative atmosphere in the heart of a bustling neighborhood.

A landmark on the main drag of Mott Street, GPS coordinates:
40°42’56.3″N 73°59’54.5″W
40.715643, -73.998477 - click and route

Chinese American Museum (MOCA), GPS coordinates:
40°43’09.8″N 73°59’56.5″W
40.719383, -73.999031 - click and route

Mahayana Temple, GPS coordinates:
40°42’58.1″N 73°59’43.5″W
40.716126, -73.995416 - click and route

29. Little Italy

Little Italy began to develop in the late 19th century, when thousands of Italians came to New York City in search of a better life. The neighborhood was inhabited primarily by families from Southern Italy. It is home to the first pizzeria in the U.S., Lombardi's, which now serves traditional Italian dishes: pizza, pasta, and cannoli. Although many Italian families moved to the suburbs in the 20th century, Little Italy still attracts tourists and locals interested in Italian culture.
Little Italy is a good place to sit down, relax and eat something tasty (although not necessarily cheap).

Italian Quarter, GPS coordinates:
40°43’05.7″N 73°59’52.4″W
40.718248, -73.997893 - click and route

30. Soho

SoHo (South of Houston Street) was originally an industrial district, full of factories and warehouses, but in the 60s and 70s it attracted the attention of artists looking for large, affordable spaces for their studios. The low (then) prices of post-factory vacancies and the unique character of the steel facades proved to be a strong magnet. SoHo quickly filled with artists and was hailed as a district of art, fashion and design. It became fashionable and ... very expensive.

The cast iron facades, often decorated and painted in bright colors, give the district a unique character and make walking through SoHo a feast for the eyes. The SoHo area should rather be considered one of the world’s largest collections of cast iron architecture, and at the same time a historic district of great historical and architectural significance.

Today, the district has become a bit pretentious and serves as an exclusive fashion shopping center. There are many luxury boutiques, designer stores, and popular brands such as Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, as well as local boutiques offering unique, handmade products. It is worth noting that it is not only tourists who shop here, but also New Yorkers.
While the number of galleries in SoHo has diminished in recent decades, the district still has much to offer art lovers. There are many contemporary galleries that showcase works by New York and international artists, as well as exhibition spaces that showcase contemporary and experimental art.

Green Street (one of the most interesting streets), GPS coordinates:
40°43’23.6″N 74°00’03.1″W
40.723234, -74.000867 - click and route

Prince Street (Prada and other expensive brands), GPS coordinates:
40°43’28.7″N 73°59’54.9″W
40.724641, -73.998586 - click and route

31. Apartment from the movie "Friends"

The apartment in the series FRIENDS is one of the most iconic locations in television history. Although the series is set in New York City, most of the filming was done on a studio in Los Angeles. However, the building that served as the exterior of Monica and Rachel's (and later Chandler and Joey's) apartment is actually located in New York's Greenwich Village.
The building stands on the corner of Bedford Street and Grove Street. It is a typical example of a New York red brick tenement with classic external fire escapes. In the series, we mainly see the facade and windows of the apartment.
The characters in FRIENDS often met at the fictional Central Perk coffee shop, which was located on the ground floor of the building. In reality, there is a restaurant called "The Little Owl" at that address, and Central Perk was just a set in a Los Angeles studio.

“Friends” apartment, 90 Bedford St, New York, GPS coordinates:
40°43’56.8″N 74°00’19.3″W
40.732431, -74.005371 - click and route

32. Apartment from the movie "Sex and the City"

The apartment of Carrie Bradshaw, the main character of the series Sex and the City, is located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan and is today a symbol of pop culture. Although in the series, Carrie lived on the Upper East Side at the fictional address 245 East 73rd Street, the exterior scenes of her apartment were filmed at 66 Perry Street in Greenwich Village.
The apartment is located on a charming, historic street surrounded by trees and classic New York tenement houses. The atmosphere of this street is immediately contagious.
The red brick building has a typical New York style, with elegant cast iron stairs leading to the main entrance. It was on these stairs that Carrie often pondered her life's dilemmas, wrote in a notebook, or simply observed the city life.
Carrie’s apartment was a place where viewers could peek into her world, full of fashion, romantic adventures and personal dilemmas. As a writer with a column about love and relationships, Carrie spent a lot of time in her small but stylish apartment.

Due to the popularity of the place, the owners installed a small chain on the stairs to limit the number of visitors.

Curiosity
In the show, Carrie rented an apartment for a relatively low price, but in real life, the Greenwich Village location is one of the most expensive in New York. An apartment of that size, especially with such an iconic history and address, would have been too expensive for Carrie—especially for someone working in a not-so-well-paid job as a journalist. But the show has its own rules, which (as it turns out) worked out perfectly.

Carrie Bradshaw apartment, 66 Perry Street, GPS coordinates:
40°44’07.4″N 74°00’14.2″W
40.735379, -74.003931 - click and route

Hotels and lodging in New York

Below I am posting a few links to hotels in New York. However, it would be madness to recommend only a few specific hotels in such a large city. The offer of New York (in this case on booking.com) is almost inexhaustible. For this reason, do not treat my suggestions as a specific indication of the hotels that I recommend. Treat them as a good start for further searches. The links I have posted use the search engine mechanism, which, in addition to a specific hotel, always offers other, similar offers, often more attractively priced. Additionally, the links contain filters prepared by me. They prevent the display of many offers that could unnecessarily clutter the search results and appropriately narrow the search area to the area that interests us. So you do not have to do it manually every time. I recommend using these links, because they make the search easier and save time.

Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown – [click]

Hyatt Place New York Chelsea – [click]

JG Sohotel – [click]

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