Hanging out in Lower Manhattan

I spent  a week in New York City at the end of the summer while my daughter went to orientation for grad school. Later in the week Mr. UR met us there and we moved her into her new apartment. While I've been to New York a few times, I've never really explored the Lower Manhattan area. Fueled by the building of the One World Trade Center and the opening of the 9/11 Museum, there has been quite a bit happening in this area of Manhattan. And I found out that there's alot to like here.

Battery Park Other than walking through to get on the boat to visit the Statue of Liberty, I had never really explored Battery Park. The park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan where the Hudson and East rivers come together. All the way back to the founding of the city, this is where the first cannons were erected to protect it - hence, "the battery." The park had become quite neglected by the 1980's so a master plan was created to bring it back to being a prominent Manhattan park.  There is a small cafe that is open seasonally, snack vendors, gardens, monuments and memorials, a labryinth, and a waterfront promenade. 


View of Lower Manhattan from Battery Park


Good ole Lady Liberty from the park



Battery Park

We were there on a very pleasant summer day and though there were quite a few people there, it wasn't overly crowded. We took in the views of the harbor and Lady Liberty. Saw the statue honoring immigrants to the US, witnessed a confrontation between 2 groups of tour bus operators (apparently one group was encroaching upon the others sales territory!) and took a ride on the (somewhat) new Seaglass Carousel at the Battery Park Conservancy. Of course, you can go there and have a wander around, grab an ice cream bar and watch the boats go in and out of the harbor if you'd rather - and just watch the world go by!



Monument to The Immigrants



Sea Glass Carousel









South Street Seaport
A historic district underneath the Brooklyn Bridge - on the Manhattan side - the South Street Seaport includes some of the island's oldest buildings. Now a shopping, dining and entertainment area, the Seaport features views of the Brooklyn Bridge and includes historical buildings, renovated ships and the former Fulton Fish Market. You can take your pick of restaurants, bars and coffee houses or pick up a drink from the food trucks and sit at the tables on the street - in the summer. There is also the South Street Seaport Museum which houses ongoing seafaring exhibits and historic ship tours (there are 5 historic vessels that you can pay to visit) And they host historical walking tours with different themes. 




Titanic Memorial







It was a bit to early for us to dine, so we wandered down and a did a bit of window shopping and people watching. If I get back, I'd love to visit the museum and do a walking tour.(Technically, the South Street Seaport isn't included in Lower Manhattan but it was within walking distance from our hotel so I'm including it in our visit)






The Occulus
The Occulus is the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. Designed by world famous architect Santiago Calatrava, it's the third largest transportation hub in NYC. It incorporates "78,000 square feet of multi-level, state of the art retail and dining." This futuristic building is designed to bring light down into the subterannean level rail station. 








I visited for one purpose - to have lunch at the famous Eataly. After getting directions from an employee - this place is Large - I set off to enjoy an Italian birthday meal. But it wasn't to be. The lines to get into the market/restaurants/cafe were down the escalator going up. I finally made it inside Eataly but I knew the wait was going to be forever. So I exited the mall at Liberty St. and walked straight to "pizza by the slice" Majestic Pizza. And enjoyed every bite. You just can't beat New York Pizza!


Trinity Church and the Wall Street Bull Statue
Alexander Hamilton is buried in the Trinity Church Cemetery and due to the success of Hamilton on Broadway, this graveyard has become THE place to visit for fans of the show. We walked by and thought we would come back later in the day when there was less of a crowd, but it was closed. So we took a look from outside the gates. Another thing to do when I go back. And another very popular sight to see is the Charging Bull Statue located in Bowling Green Park in the Financial District. I don't have a photo because it was mobbed. There were people in front of it, behind it and on top of it. I had no idea that it was so popular! So try your luck at seeing it - and getting a photo. Maybe you'll do better than I did!






Hang out at the waterfront
You can spend some time down at the piers - there are multiple - and grab a hot dog from a cart or a drink from a bar and watch the boats come and go. Mr. UR and I caught the East River Ferry here to go across to Brooklyn and we enjoyed sitting at the Industry Kitchen open air bar before hand while watching all the river traffic. 











As always with such a large city as New York there is still so much left undone. I didn't make it to Fraunces Tavern and Stone Street, One World Trade Center, the African Burial Ground National Monument, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum or, even though I've been to the 9/11 memorial, the 9/11 Museum. And all of that is in Lower Manhattan. I think I need quite a few more trips to New York - but then, one can never do it all, can one?

If you go: 
The Sea Glass Carousel is located in the Conservancy in Battery Park . It is open weekends and NYC Public School Holidays. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on site. The entrance is located at State St. and Water St.

Have you been to New York City? What did you enjoy doing there?

This post is part of a link-up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox , Weekend Wanderlust Travel Blog Party and Weekend Travel Inspiration at Malaysian Meanders!







Comments

  1. You certainly found some gems. Love the pic of Trinity Church.

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    1. Thanks! There are so many gems to find in New York! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. I visited Lower Manhattan on December and had a great time! Yes, it was cold but at least it was sunny. I really liked the Occulus. I thought the interior gives you that wow factor. I can't believe I missed the sea glass carousel! #TPThursday

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    1. Sorry you missed the Sea Glass Carousel! It's not very well known I think. And I thought the Occulus was out of this world cool. So different! Thanks for stopping by, Ruth!

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  4. Your NYC Pizza looked great. You're right they have great pizza and it is so cheap! We visitied Eataly in Rome and fortunately there were no line ups!

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    1. I think this Eataly was so popular since it had just opened but I would love to visit the one in Rome. :) Thanks for stopping by, Jan!

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  5. Great pictures Jill! And stumbling on a tour operator turf war is so hilariously New York. :) Glad your pizza was a delicious plan b. #weekendwanderlust

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    1. Thank you! And yeah, I walked right through the turf war - they were yelling and pushing each other. Quite the scene for someone who lives in the rural south where it's extremely quiet! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!

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  6. When I was in New York city, I was able to get a picture of the Wall Street bull without too many other people. I also took the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Hubby grew up in New York City so he has seen a lot of the city - 40 years ago.

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    1. This was my first visit of more than a few days so I felt like I really was able to explore more in-depth. Nice to not just pop in and out but have time to walk around. I hope I am able to go back at Christmas and see all the decorations! Thanks for visiting, Rhonda!

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  7. You're right about that. New York requires multiple trips. I wish I could live there for a year, but I don't think that's going to happen so we'll just keep chipping away one visit at a time, And you can bet a few slices will be eaten each time! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

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    1. I'm going to do the same - chipping away and eating a few slices each time! Thanks for visiting, Jim!

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  8. I'd love to visit NYC #wkendtravelinspiration

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    1. It is definitely something to see - hope you make it there someday! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I have fond visits or my visits to New York. I want to back again one of these days. So much has changed. #TPThursday

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    1. It has certainly changed since the first time I went there! I'm enjoying being able to visit my daughter - and see more of the city. Thanks for stopping by, Nancie!

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  10. I expect you'll be visiting Manhattan a lot more now that your daughter is living there. What a great excuse to head to NYC! I've only been in Battery Park to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. That Oculus looks very intriguing. I'd love to go there myself.

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    1. Yes, it's a win-win - New York and my daughter! The Oculus is very otherwordly, and a bit sterile. But I certainly loved Lower Manhattan. Now on to exploring more parts of the city!

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