Home to the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street forms the core of New York City’s Financial District. This street in Lower Manhattan is lined with contemporary skyscrapers and historic landmarks. You don’t have to be a stock broker to enjoy a stroll along this iconic street that symbolizes power, wealth, innovation, and many other great American values and attributes. Click to book your Wall Street & Financial District walking tour.
Must-See Attractions located along Wall Street
Contents
The western edge of Wall Street is marked by Trinity Church, a historic Episcopal entity that dates back to British rule of New York City. Some of the church’s notable architectural features include a tall steeple and brown facade. This place of worship and its cemeteries are open to the public for walking tours.
Perhaps the most famous landmark on this busy street is the New York Stock Exchange. Massive columns and intricate pediments define the Neoclassical architecture of this edifice. The busy trading floors at the NYSE are also open for behind-the-scenes tours.
While visiting the core of the Financial District, it’s appropriate to check out the Museum of American Finance. This museum displays exhibits that explain all major aspects of the American economy since the 18th century. There’s a particular focus on Alexander Hamilton, who essentially established the foundation for the nation’s financial sector. This Founding Father is buried just a few blocks away in the churchyard of Trinity Church.
History buffs should stop at Federal Hall, which dates back to the early 1700s. Originally built for British colonial use, this Greek Revival structure defined one of the most important moments in American history. George Washington officially assumed the role of the country’s first president at this landmark. Set up in 1882, a bronze statue of this charismatic leader still stands near the front entrance.
The eastern tip of Wall Street terminates at Mannahatta Park, which has plenty of benches and some small gardens. Although it’s not technically installed on Wall Street, the Charging Bull Statue is another notable attraction that’s strongly associated with the NYSE and Financial District.
The Stock Market Bull Statue
This monumental creature, which is often referred to as the Charging Bull or the Wall Street Bull was created by New York artist Arturo Di Modica in 1989. Made entirely of bronze, this 7000-pound structure was illegally placed in front of the New York Stock Exchange as a response to the recent stock market crash (also known as Black Tuesday, October 20, 1987). The authorities were called in to remove the structure but locals resisted. Today the Wall Street Bull has been relocated to the corner of Broadway and Bowling Green, and currently stands guard just inside Bowling Green Park.
The New York Stock Exchange
Wall Street’s most famous resident, the New York Stock Exchange is a definite must-see for anyone planning a New York City vacation! Located at the corner of Wall Street and Broad, the NYSE has been closed to visitors since the September 11th terror attacks in 2001. A quick drive by the New York Stock Exchange is probably the best view you’ll get.
St. Pauls Chapel
Although it sounds a little out of place, St. Pauls Chapel is one of Wall Street’s most stunning attractions. Known as Manhattan’s oldest public building, St. Pauls’s Church was completed in 1766 and served the likes of General Cornwallis during the Revolutionary Wars, and even George Washington marched to St. Pauls’s on his inauguration day. Inside the church, you’ll find an array of exciting features including the Montgomery Memorial (commemorating Brigadier General Richard Montgomery) and the Golden Sunburst design.
The World Financial Center
This thoroughly modern business complex is really quite the sight to behold, so be sure to take a drive by it in your upcoming Action Car Rental New York City rent-a-car. Home to office space, shopping plazas, and eateries, the World Financial Center overlooks the Hudson River and avoided major damage during the attacks of September 11th. Aside from major business occupants like Dow Jones and American Express, the World Financial Center also houses some 35 specialty shops and restaurants, providing visitors with splendid views and tons of breathtaking scenery.
If you have the time, we encourage you to take a walk through the World Financial Center, as well as the surrounding gardens. The newly renovated Winter Garden is absolutely breathtaking, featuring a glass-enclosed public green space. Originally built in 1988, the Winter Gardens was covered in a 55-foot mound of debris following the terror attacks, and underwent a $55 million renovation in the spring of 2002.
Wall Street truly is one of the city’s most exciting attractions, so be sure to check it out during your upcoming New York City vacation. There’s a little bit of everything along this street, so come prepared for an afternoon of exciting sightseeing!
History
When the Dutch occupied the island of Manhattan in the 1600s, they built some crude walls and fortifications for protection. Merchants and businessmen of New Amsterdam traded routinely on a narrow street that would eventually evolve into the epicenter of New York City’s financial sector.
The opening of the New York Stock Exchange in 1795 marked the birth of a strong and vibrant American economy. In 1971, the NASDAQ stock exchange became another important fixture on Wall Street. For generations, this street has epitomized the success and resilience of American capitalism. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was perhaps the most disastrous event that ever occurred on this street.
Transportation
Spanning approximately eight blocks in Lower Manhattan, Wall Street is easily accessible by public transportation. Several New York City Subway trains stop at various points along this busy street. The Wall Street station that’s located near Trinity Church is served by the 4 and 5 lines. Situated underneath the NYSE, the Broad Street station gets service from the J and Z routes. The station behind the Museum of American Finance has tracks for the 2 and 3 lines.
You could also get to this famous street by taking a ferry to Pier 11 along the East River. The NYC Ferry links this terminal with various points in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Wall Street has limited outdoor parking, so you’ll need to find an indoor garage that charges hourly or daily rates.
Final Word
When it comes to money and power, Wall Street is the place to be, baby! Investments and big business are the names of the game on Wall Street, creating a fast-paced atmosphere of cut-throat competition! Wall Street truly is the epicenter of the financial world, so don’t miss your opportunity to check it out firsthand! Whether you’re interested in visiting the New York Stock Exchange or stopping by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Wall Street has it all, so remember to check it out during your upcoming New York City vacation!
Rubbing shoulders with the big wigs are a daily occurrence along Wall Street, so don’t be surprised if you feel a little overwhelmed! From the Museum of American Financial History to the World Financial Center, Wall Street is the place to be, so go ahead and check it out for yourself soon!