What To Do In NYC: 6 Lower Manhattan Attractions

The Lower Manhattan skyline is one of the most well-known sights in all NYC. We’ve all seen it, with the Hudson River and the East River converging, the skyscrapers reaching their fingertips up.

It’s known as a busy place- a place for business, bustle, and rush. There’s so much to see, so we made a list of our favorite secret (and not so secret) Lower Manhattan must-sees.

There’s nothing secret about Wall Street. It’s the center of our economy, and quite a bit of history, after all. However, it can be a bit overwhelming at times.

Our tip is to go to Wall Street after 6pm. That’s when this iconic street becomes a ghost town. The streets are narrow and you almost feel like you can reach out and touch the buildings. It’s quite an experience standing in an alley with skyscrapers towering around you. It’s an experience and feeling you won’t forget!

Another street that we can’t leave out is Christopher Street. This street is iconic in NYC for many different reasons, from gay pride to the picturesque brick cafes and quintessential brownstones.

Get a coffee to sip on while you walk through this classic Manhattan street. Or sit and watch the people walk by. Visit a little of NYC’s rich history.

This museum isn’t one you’ll find in the guide books. This tiny museum is tucked into a shipping container in an alley of Lower Manhattan and has revolving exhibits. The showcases contain bits of modern humanity in the form of tiny objects from around the world.

Current themes are: Modern Religion, Venezuelan Counterfeits, Nothing is Perfect, Brad Clip Taxonomy, iPhone-Powered, and Border Wall Prototype.

Where: Mmuseumm; 4 Cortlandt Alley, Manhattan (25 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When: Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm; Other days through viewing window

The Lower Manhattan museum is free to the public and is a must-see; it’s a Smithsonian museum, after all.

Current attractions include a piece about native art that focuses on light and sound, native heritage and identity in the Caribbean, and Infinity of Nations. Interactive events include Exploring art and technology, concerts, and Day of the Dead in October.

Where: National Museum of the Native Indian; One Bowling Green, Manhattan (25 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When: Friday – Wednesday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 10am – 8pm

There’s no better way to admire the majesty of Manhattan other than a walk along the pedestrian promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll see the complete skyline, as well as a unique view of the East River.

The bridge has a lot of its own history as well. It was built 1869, making it one of the oldest roadway bridges in the country. And of course, we can’t write about it without mentioning the beautiful steel-wire construction, earning it recognition as a National Historical Landmark.

Though this is a newer museum in NYC, we can’t make a list about Lower Manhattan without a nod to the memories we all have of that day in September. This museum is a somber one, but one full of hidden pride and hope between the lines.

Outside the museum, you can visit the reflecting pools which rest in the bases of the twin towers. The names of victims are inscribed on the surrounding ledges. Inside the museum, you will find pieces of wreckage and the stories of those who were involved in the attacks, rescue, and clean up after. It’s a biting memory, but one we cannot forget.

Where: National 9/11 Memorial & Museum; 180 Greenwich St., Manhattan (25 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When (Memorial): Daily 7:30am – 9pm

When (Museum): Sunday – Thursday 9am – 8pm (last entry at 6pm); Friday & Saturday 9am – 9pm (last entry at 7pm)

The Lombardy is located in Midtown Manhattan, roughly 30 minutes from anywhere in Lower Manhattan. Our hotel is located in a historic building, but is decorated in a modern art deco style, which balances the old and the new in an artful way. Our central location is close to everything, whether you are traveling by subway, taxi, bike, or on foot. We look forward to hosting you.