10+ Things to Do in Lower Manhattan

During your trip to New York City, you'll inevitably spend some time in Lower Manhattan, from intriguing museums to setting sail on the Hudson River and hopping over to Brooklyn.

By Katie Sagal
Published: May 16, 2024
New York

Manhattan is incredibly diverse, with a wide variety of neighborhoods and regions with distinct character. Because there’s so much to see and do throughout the city, it can often be useful when planning a trip to New York to narrow down your options by neighborhood.

If you’re looking for things to do in Lower Manhattan and nearby areas during your trip to New York, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...

  • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
  • 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  • Circle Line Cruises
  • Clipper City Tall Ship Sail
  • And more!

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry

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No visit to New York City is complete without a trip out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Disembark from the ferry at Liberty Island for a chance to tour the country’s most famous statue, and then head over to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum for a unique look at a very special time in American history. If you have any family that came through Ellis Island in the early twentieth century, you may even find an ancestor’s name on the wall.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

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Visitors to Lower Manhattan simply have to pay a visit to the moving and insightful 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Come here to learn all about the 1993 bombing and the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, see relics that survived the wreckage, and hear about the lives that were lost. This poignant record of one of the nation's greatest tragedies is an important monument in NYC.

9/11 Tribute Center Hands-On Tour

If you want a different take on this sad event in American history, you can take a self-guided tour through multiple galleries showcasing the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks on NYC. Learn all about the heroism of the first responders, the lives lost, and the legacy they left behind.

Hear personal stories from the volunteers who staff the Tribute Center, and leave with a better understanding of this terrible event in American history. The main difference between these two attractions is the focus on first-person survivor experiences in the 9/11 Tribute Center.

Shearwater Classic Schooner Sail

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If you want to mix in some outdoorsy fun with your cultural explorations, you may be interested in a cruise. For a relaxing venture out onto NYC waters, the Daytime Statue Sail from Manhattan by Sail is a delightful option. See the sights from a glorious 82-foot schooner known as The Shearwater and enjoy a peaceful cruise with full narration.

Harbor Lights Cruise

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Take an evening Harbor Lights Cruise down the Hudson River for unique NYC views at sunset. Sail past the impressive skyline of Manhattan, and then to the main attraction herself, with the chance for that postcard-perfect shot of the Statute of Liberty. A few of the highlights you'll see along your cruise include:

  • USS Intrepid Pier
  • Ellis Island
  • Wall Street
  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Empire State Building
  • and more...

Clipper City Tall Ship Sail

Set sail from Lower Manhattan on the historically inspired Clipper City Tall Ship. Although the original ship that shares its name was built in 1854, this recreated vessel offers much of the same historical charm with many modern amenities. Plus, you’ll get a chance to see all the can’t-miss sights of NYC, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty and beyond.

National Museum of the American Indian

For all the great museums in NYC, it can be hard to find one with totally free admission. The National Museum of the American Indian – a Smithsonian Institution museum – is a perfect choice for those interested in the arts, culture, and heritage of American Indian peoples. With permanent and special exhibits, performances, and events, there’s plenty to do at this top cultural destination.

Nearby Attractions in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Museum & Brooklyn Botanic Garden

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While there’s no shortage of beauty to be found in New York City, there’s a special kind of natural and artistic wonder to be found in the Brooklyn Museum and the nearby Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The Brooklyn Museum boasts collections from around the world, with holdings as diverse as Ancient Egyptian pottery and modern feminist artwork. After you’ve roamed their galleries, stroll the 52-acre botanical garden outside for some natural inspiration.

Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour

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This amazing sightseeing ride begins in Manhattan and takes you across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Explore the many landmarks and sights available on both sides of the bridge, and take some unbeatable photographs of and from the bridge itself. A great way to be active while touring!

Barclays Center

This popular arena is a Brooklyn hotspot. Home to the Brooklyn Nets and host to a multitude of concerts and special events, the Barclays Center is a great place to experience some real NYC culture. Check the schedule while you’re in town to see if you can enjoy a game or a show – it’s worth a visit to this trendy venue.

Save on Lower Manhattan attraction admission

Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Batman Vs. Superman. Freddie Vs. Jason. Kramer Vs. Kramer. It seems that, as a species, we have a fascination with face-offs. We even have a classic 1997 action thriller named after them! So, clearly, humans love a good head-to-head. In the spirit of healthy competition, let's pit two of New York's best attractions against one another and see which comes out top. The Edge Vs. the Empire State Building. Young blood versus the old guard. Youth Vs. Experience. Who will win? Does visiting both make you the real winner? Let's explore. Round 1. Fight! Edge Vs. Empire State Building: Backstories The Empire State Building likely needs no introduction. Once the proud owner of 'the world's tallest building' moniker, it has since been beaten by some ungodly tall creations in the past 50 years. Still, it's arguably one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet. At nearly 1,500ft tall, it towers over the rest of Manhattan like a beacon of capitalist excess. Around 4 million people ascend its many floors to look out over the city every year. So it's probably going to win the popularity contest. Image courtesy of Mike Van Moonlight/Shutterstock The Edge, on the other hand, is the guitarist of U2. Wait, that's not right. Just going to check our notes. No, this Edge is, in fact, a massive observation platform found in the gentrified redevelopment of Hudson Yards. Surrounded by new builds and moderno architecture, its tower of sights is unmissable. As it's so new, there isn't much backstory to mention here. But, given the comparisons between its name and a certain stadium-rock guitarist, one could only imagine there is some crossover there. Just to be clear, there isn't. We had to say that for legal reasons. But one can imagine. Edge Vs. Empire State Building: Cinema stylings Image courtesy of Drop of Light/Shutterstock The Empire State Building has a rather storied history on celluloid. Who could forget King Kong climbing the tower's summit with damsel in hand while planes pepper them with gunfire? But that's just one of many. In fact, it's likely one of the most photographed landmarks in cinematic history. How does Edge measure up? Well, given its relative infancy, not so well. In fact, no matter how hard we looked, we couldn't find a single film that featured it. However, while it may not be in any movies, you can actually watch movies up there. Yes, the Edge has its own outdoor cinema thanks to a partnership with NY's Museum of Modern Art. Beat that, Empire State Building! What can you do at Edge When you arrive, you'll likely want to see the view from the top and discover what all the fuss is about. So, head inside and ride the elevator a might 100 stories up. Then, step out onto the open-air viewing platform and see for yourself. Oh, did we mention that platform has a glass floor? No? Well, if you're already up there, you'll learn the hard way. Once you're braving it, dare to sip some champagne and look out on the city's skyline in wonder. Take some snaps too, because a chance like this should not go begging. Then, when you're done soaking up the views, head down into Hudson Yards. You'll find plenty of places to eat, drink, and even shop in this new development, so go ham. What can you do at the Empire State Building While it may be tempting to head straight to the top of the Empire State Building, settle down. Take it slow and soak it all in. Start at the bottom, where you'll be greeted by the recently-restored Art Deco lobby, which boasts 24-karat gold and aluminum leaf ceiling murals. Enough opulence! Time to move on. Next, immerse yourself in the Empire State's interactive museum, which features a dozen galleries that explore the history of the building, from its conception and creation through to today. Selfies ahoy with the large King Kong statue on display. Then, head up to the 80th floor and wander the art exhibits that are all dedicated the icon of the NY skyline. Now, yes, it's finally time to make your way to the summit and experience the best views in the city. You'll get a 360-degree view of the city that is as Grammable as any other skyline. Come rain, shine, or freezing temperatures, your time in the summit will be aided by state-of-the-art heaters that will keep you warm and toasty during New York's most arctic months. How to get to Edge For starters, head towards Hudson Yards. You can get there on the subway by taking the Number 7 through Times Square to Penn Station. Bus-wise, the M34-SBS, M12, and M11 bus lines stop within a few minutes walk of the tower. You could even hop on two wheels and bike there. Cycle to the Hudson River Park along the West Side Highway and follow the trail down the Hudson Yards. Easy, peasy, and good for the ol' heart! 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And, when you're in the city that never sleeps, make sure your itinerary is loaded up for a full 24 hours with Go City. Thanks to our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see Edge, the Empire State Building, and New York's best of the rest at one low price!
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