Lower Manhattan

After returning from Ellis Island, we spent hours walking Lower Manhattan. And though our feet almost gave out on us (way to go boys for sticking it through for so many miles!!!), we saw some pretty amazing things.

Who doesn't want their picture taken with the NYSE Charging Bull (which is actually located a short distance away from Wall Street on Bowling Green)?!?


The New York Stock Exchange does not allow visitors inside. But we joined the throngs outside for a few pictures.

Right across the street from the NYSE is the Federal Hall National Memorial, where George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States.




A bit farther down the street is Trinity Church, founded in 1697 by King William III of England, and burial ground for Alexander Hamilton.



Also nearby (right next to Ground Zero), but not photographed, is the World Financial Center. Since we went on a Holiday (Labor Day), it was virtually empty. The only people there were tourists looking out over Ground Zero. But I'm certain that on any normal weekday it would be packed!



This monument, The Sphere, stood for three decades on the plaza at the World Trade Center as a symbol of peace. On 9/11 it was damaged, but stayed intact after the collapse of the towers. Located on the southernmost point of Manhattan in Battery Park, it serves as a temporary memorial to those who lost their lives.



The permanent 9/11 memorial will be opening at Ground Zero on 9/11/11, only a few days after we were there. Our view of the memorial was still very obstructed by the construction that was taking place in preparing for its opening, this Sunday.

The tower on the left is scheduled to be completed in 2013 and be identical in height to the tallest of the twin tower buildings. It will have an illuminated antenna that will reach 1,776 feet, commemorating the year of America's founding.
The bottom right building is a 9/11 Museum with a tentative 2012 completion date.
We were unable to see the reflecting pools from our limited vantage point (security is very tight & the general public are not allowed on the site), but will surely see them on TV this weekend. Upon completion, there will be four towers, a Transportation Hub, a 9/11 Museum, and the National September 11 Memorial entitled 'Reflecting Absence', featuring 30-foot-tall waterfalls.

I'm pretty sure they're working around the clock to get the memorial ready for opening in just a few days!

After touring the financial district, we walked over to the South Street Seaport. This touristy little area was created to give visitors an idea of New York's 19th century nautical era. It's quite a contrast to the skyscrapers jutting out right behind it.
Cute as it was, we didn't stay for long. After a nice cool drink, we headed for the subway to get back and prop up our feet for a few minutes. We still had a long night ahead of us and needed a little break.

I really wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. But we just couldn't fit everything in, so this was the one we gave up. Maybe on another trip.