This is a small selection of photos of everything below "Midtown Manhattan" in New York City with an emphasis on tourism highlights. There are two distinct architectural areas: the downtown neighborhoods that have smaller buildings compared to the Wall Street / financial district skyscrapers.
A very popular place for tourists to go downtown is the South Street Seaport. A long time ago it was a working seaport and there is an old ship, a museum, a small shopping mall and a place to take some boat rides.
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/south-end-nyc/south-street-seaport
South Street Seaport and Financial District, NYC
In the background of the above photo is the financial district of lower Manhattan. It is where the World Trade Center is now, but was being built when this photo was taken. Very close to this area is my most recommended tourist activity: walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. It's free, much of the time it's not crowded, and it may be the best views of Manhattan Island on foot.
Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Level NYC
There are actually "parks" on both sides of the bridge. There is a small park at City Hall in Manhattan (a Green Line stop) and there is a big park with a large lawn area in Brooklyn.
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/south-end-nyc/brooklyn-bridge
City Hall Park NYC
Brooklyn Bridge Parks in Brooklyn, NYC
Heading towards the south end of Manhattan and Battery Park (a great escape from the huge concrete caverns of Wall Street), you would pass by the World Trade Center, the New York Stock Exchange (the building with the big flag over the front), and Federal Hall national historic site, where the US had its first government.
Federal Hall on Wall Street, NYC
At Battery Park, on the south end of Manhattan, you can get a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I've lived in the area most of my life and I've never gone over because there is a huge line of people to get tickets for the ferry in the nice weather, so plan ahead. One way to get a nice view of the Statue of Liberty without visiting the island is the Circle Line boat ride, a private company tour that circles Manhattan by boat.
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/south-end-nyc/battery-park
Statue of Liberty NYC
The south end of Manhattan has most of the tourist destinations downtown. The other areas like Greenwich Village, Little Italy, China Town, etc., may be more interesting if you are up for walking them and like old architecture. It is very easy to find good places to eat there too.
Little Italy, Downtown NYC
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/downtown-nyc/little-italy
Father Demo Square, Greenwich Village NYC
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/downtown-nyc/greenwich-village
I have separated two different walking tours of the downtown area on my website, South End of Manhattan, which is of more interest for tourists in general,
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/south-end-nyc
and the Downtown NYC Neighborhoods. Enjoy.
http://kimbriggs.com/photo/new-york-city-manhattan/downtown-nyc
Signs of Downtown NYC
