For our trip to downtown Manhattan, we started at the Staten Island Ferry Station. This station is used for many tourists because it gives them the opportunity to have an awesome view, including the Statue of Liberty without having to pay higher rates of a regular tour. This area is easily accessible by public transportation. Of professor reminded us that this area was the first settled by the Dutch when New York was founded due to the strategic location and today is the Financial District. For this reason, we experienced walking on the streets that were designed not in straight lanes, but waves because the purpose was to connect the land that was in the past. For this reason, downtown Manhattan has so much history that can be still observed nowadays.

For instance, we were able to see many historical buildings in this area and all within walking distance. First, we saw were used to be the settlement of the house of Elizabeth Ann Seton, now displayed as a shrine. We saw the sign outside mentioning she was the first born saint in America. We were also able to visit Fraunces Tavern, which had a plate outside indicating that after the American Revolution in 1783, George Washington had a farewell to his officers on the second floor of this building. Because of the it’s history, the building is a New York City Landmark as well as a National Historical Place. This is also now a restaurant/bar and a small museum on the second floor. We were also able to observed what it was the Canyon of Heroes, which is where parades and celebrations used to take place and ticker-tape used to be thrown from the buildings as there was no confetti back then.

 1- Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton
2- FravncessTavern
3-Sign on the Tavern
4-Area of the Canyon of Heroes

While we kept walking we reached the Bowling Green Park and Fence. Here our professor pointed out was where the statue of King George III used to be, but was removed by the Patriots pm 1779 as states on the sign on the fence. We also saw on the fence how the crowns on the fence were not anymore on the fence, because they were removed together with the statue.The Bowling Green Fence is a Landmark of New York.  In this same area we saw what is today the National Museum of the American Indian and National Archives New York City, where we could see the sculptures outside. As we saw these represents the different continents such as America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Furthermore, we saw the famous Charging bull statue where there were many tourists making a line for pictures. Very close to it, we also saw the new status of the Fearless girl which also called the attention of tourists.

 1 and 2- Bowling Green Park and Fence
3-sculptures outside the National Museum of the American Indian
4-Charging bull statue

We also passed by the The New York Stock Exchange, which is New York’s economical heart. Then, we visited the Federal Hall National Memorial. The building itself was stunning and had a Greek influence. George Washington took oath as the First President of the United States. There was no entrance fee and we were able to see the Bible used by George Washington. After that, we proceed to Trinity Church, but could only see it from outside because it was closed due to renovations. However, we visited the cemetery where Alexander Hamilton’s funeral was held and where his grave is located, but they were doing some maintenance on his grave .

 Trinity church

 1-The New York Stock Exchange
2-Federal Hall
3-Bible used by George Washington

Of course we couldn’t finish our tour in a better area than in the World Trade Center and Brookfield place. We had mixed feelings with sadness and joy. The Oculus looks beautiful from outside and inside. Of course the white represents peace and that is exactly the feeling I had. However, I’m not sure the shopping stores are appropriate in this place. In any case, we saw a lot of local and tourists in the area as it was a pretty sunny day. Nevertheless The Brookfield place was also beautiful with more shopping stores of well known brands such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry and others. However, this is also a nice place just to hang up and eat because their food court is quite big and have several options. The good part about it was the view and the outside seating area. You could easily go there just to enjoy the view. I did observe more locals and I was glad we finished there the tour with such a view in a sunny day.

 
1- The Oculus and One World Trade Center
2,3 and 4-The Brookfield place