Brooklyn & Lower Manhattan


We spent a day exploring Brooklyn and continue on other attractions in Lower Manhattan:

  1. Start the day with Financial District
  2. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to explore Dumbo
  3. Take an Instagram worthy photo of Manhattan Bridge at Dumbo
  4. Continue on City Hall & City Hall Park
  5. Visit the New York County Supreme Court
  6. Shopping at Soho & Noho
  7. Washington Square Arch

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

We stayed at Artezen Hotel in Financial District hence our first stop for the day is to explore Financial District, also known as FiDi in lower Manhattan.


You will walk into a mix of historic and modern buildings and there is so much to see in this bustling financial hub. Some of the must see landmarks here:
  • Wall Street - New York Stock Exchange 
  • Federal Hall
  • Federal Reserve Bank of New York
  • Charging Bull

Federal Hall
The first capitol of the United States of America where George Washington took his oath as the nation's first president.


Federal Reserve Bank of New York
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is responsible for executing the central bank's monetary policy by reviewing price inflation and economic, and by regulating the banks within its territory.


New York Stock Exchange
Take a walk down Wall Street where you will see the home to The New York Stock Exchange. New York Stock Exchange is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies.


Charging Bull
Charging Bull is is one of the must see icon near New York Stock Exchange. There was such a long queue just to take a photograph here.


The Charging Bull was designed by Maestro Arturo as an antidote to Black Monday, the stock market crash in 1987. His goal was to inspire people to carry on through hard times and it represents America and New York's "can-do spirit" , where anyone can become successful with hard work and determination.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

From Financial District, we cross the Brooklyn Bridge to our next destination Dumbo.


Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the world's first steel-wire suspension bridge designed by German engineer John Augustus Roebling. Started in 1869, it took 14 years for the bridge completion. 


Shortly before the construction begin, John died leaving his son Washington as Chief Engineer. However, Washington developed Caissons disease, and was paralyzed during construction. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling took over the construction as Chief Engineer continued the construction until is is completed.


This iconic bridge was built to connect the city of Brooklyn and Manhattan by spanning the East River. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S National Park Service and landmark of New York City.


The bridge is around 1.8 km long between the curbs at Park Row, Manhattan and Sands Street in Brooklyn.
 

DUMBO

Dumbo (An acronym of "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass") is a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn.


This is the most Instagram worthy spot to get a photo of the iconic Manhattan Bridge, it is located at the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street.


The steely-blue Manhattan Bridge was completed in 1912, it was first planned as a traditional wire-cable suspension bridge to be used exclusively by trains. The trains going back and forth Manhattan Bridge creates impact on the bridge causes structural damage therefore the tracks were closed.


Nearby Restaurants
  • Pizzeria Grimaldi - Fabulous Pizza in Dumbo
  • Jacques Torres Chocolate Shop - Dumbo's most famous chocolatier
  • Almondine - Rated as the "Best Croissants in New York City" by NY Magazine

CITY HALL

City Hall is the oldest City Hall in the United States completed in 1812 that remains as governmental functions. It is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY HALL PARK

City Hall Park occupies a triangular 8.8 acre site surrounding City Hall in the Civic Center of Manhattan. This area was originally a municipal prison built in 1768 to house prisoners of war during the Revolutionary War. 


The centerpiece of the park is Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain, a Victorian design features a granite basin with semi-circular pools on both sides, and a central cascade. This historic park originally has gas streetlights on the sidewalks however it was replaced by vintage-style electric lamps in 1903. 


Nearby Restaurants
  • Takahachi Bakery: 3 min walk
  • Little Italy Pizza: 3 min walk
  • Da Claudio: 5 min walk
  • The Bar Room at The Beekman: 6 min walk

NEW YORK COUNTY SUPREME COURT

The New York County Supreme Court was designated as a New York City Landmark in 1966. It is located at 60 Centre Street in Manhattan, on Foley Square just north of the entrance ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Nearby Restaurant: Joe's Shanghai (9 min walk)


The hexagonal building was designed by Guy Lowell in classical Roman Style, built between 1913 - 1927. Guy Lowell was selected as the architect through a design competition in 1913. 


As you walk up the steps, you will see a row of massive Corinthian colonnade at the front of the courthouse. There are three acroteria(statue) above the triangular pediment representing - Truth (left), Law (middle) & Equity (right).

SOHO & NOHO

We continued on to Soho & Noho to do some shopping and got ourselves a luggage to fit in our shopping.

Nearby Restaurant: Prince Street Pizza

WASHINGTON SQUARE ARCH

A marble Roman triumphal arch in Washington Square Park was built between 1890 - 1892 to honor the centennial of the first president's inauguration, George Washington.

Nearby Restaurant: Emily





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