Lower Manhattan, New York, USA

Lower Manhattan, also known as Downtown Manhattan, is the southernmost part of Manhattan Island in New York City, defined as the area south of 14th Street. It includes well-known neighborhoods such as the East Village, famous for its bars, hip restaurants, music venues, vintage shops, and cafés, and the West Village, known for its luxury boutiques, upscale restaurants, bars, theaters, and iconic music venues like the Village Vanguard jazz club.

The Financial District is the city’s main economic hub and home to major landmarks such as the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Trade Center, and 4 World Trade Center. Chinatown is another key area, filled with Chinese restaurants, bubble tea shops, markets, and souvenir stores. SoHo, short for “South of Houston Street,” is a major shopping and cultural destination known for its art galleries, designer boutiques, cast-iron architecture, and long association with artists. The Civic Center is where many government offices and courthouses are located, including New York City Hall, One Police Plaza, the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, and the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Lower Manhattan is one of the fastest-growing areas of New York City. Its southern edge is defined by The Battery and Bowling Green, while 14th Street marks its northern boundary. The district is bordered by the East River to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Historically, Lower Manhattan is the birthplace and core of New York City. Originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe, the area was settled by Dutch colonists in the 17th century, who founded New Amsterdam on what is now Lower Manhattan.

Today, Lower Manhattan is one of the largest business districts in the United States and home to many corporate headquarters, iconic landmarks, and major tourist attractions. Bowling Green is a small but historic and popular park near the southern end of Broadway and close to the Financial District. It is a U.S. National Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Adjacent to Bowling Green is the National Museum of the American Indian, part of the Smithsonian Institution, which showcases Native American art, culture, and history spanning thousands of years. The museum was originally established in 1916 and became part of the Smithsonian in 1989. New York City Hall, located in City Hall Park, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark completed in 1812. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, it continues to house the mayor’s office and the New York City Council.