Discover New York's Financial District from a Whole New Perspective

The iconic skyline of the Financial District is unmatched. Only Midtown, further north, could overshadow it. The city's commercial heart, the Financial District is so famous that its geographic influence has spread across the country. Business districts are now mostly located in the south of the city!

The Financial District is full of activities. It attracts a lot of people traveling on business , attending a conference or working for a multinational. Besides its glittering skyscrapers filled with offices, the district has grown to meet the needs of workers. So you'll find plenty of bars, restaurants and nightlife venues appealing to young professionals looking to unwind during happy hour.

However, even if you're not there to work, you'll still enjoy famous area attractions like the New York Stock Exchange , Battery Park, One World Trade Center, and the 9/11 Memorial .

Whatever your reason for coming, New York Habitat is happy to welcome you! With our innovative approach to finding Financial District rental apartments and new types of accommodation, including New Jersey and relocations , discovering the Financial District for business or pleasure has never been easier. Read on to find out how to enjoy the Financial District from a whole new perspective!

The Transformation of the Financial District

The Financial District is the city's most synonymous with renewal. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, New Yorkers, from citizens to celebrities to government, realized the need to rebuild and revitalize this area of ​​Lower Manhattan . Work began with the One World Trade Center , the seat of international trade in the United States, but also a symbol of the city and the country's capacity to face adversity.

Opened in 2014, it is impossible to miss in the New York landscape, since it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. For these reasons, One World Trade Center is a great place to start your visit to the Financial District!

See the city from a new perspective at One World Observatory , a panoramic terrace located on the 100th floor of One World Trade Center. It offers breathtaking views of the neighborhood, the Brooklyn Bridge, New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and New Jersey. Millions of visitors come there every year, so we advise you to book your tickets in advance!

The superb 9/11 memorial at the foot of the tower is sobering. The park is free to access and includes a magnificent grove of oak trees, two large waterfalls and reflecting pools in place of the original towers of the World Trade Center.

A visit to the park is essential to understand New York's history, but respect and contemplation are required. To find out more, you can also discover the National September 11 Museum located within the grounds of the park (entry is chargeable).

Do business in the Financial District

The Financial District is the heart of business and commerce in New York City, and one of the most important business districts in the world. Businessmen from all over the world visit, live and above all work there, consolidating New York's status as a world-class city. As a result, the area must have many vacation rentals .

Even if you're not in the Financial District to work, there's one attraction you can't miss: the New York Stock Exchange ! The building has appeared on the big screen numerous times , including in the movie Wall Street.

Many identify it by the name of the street in which it is located, at 11 Wall Street. Although the interior of the building is not open to the public, its superb Romanesque architecture, like that of its neighbors, is worth a visit even from the outside. The facade of the building, an integral part of the nation, is often adorned with a large American flag.

The bronze Wall Street Bull statue , located at the intersection of Morris Street and Broadway, is also nearby. Symbol of the American capitalist spirit, it is much photographed by tourists. Discover the statue, and other major tourist destinations in the Financial District, with our article guide!

Relax in the Financial District

It can be nice to take a minute to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. Walk away from major attractions to experience the unique atmosphere and activities of the Financial District. So make your own experience and live like a local ! Part of the financial district's appeal is its waterfront location.

There are many ways to experience New York's waterfront throughout the area. For example, you can eat and take in the views, take a stroll, visit attractions like the South Street Seaport , and even go boating or taking a trip on the Staten Island ferry. As a bonus, its location facilitates visit to the Statue of Liberty.

To be in touch with nature , go to Battery Park , a 10 hectare green space in southwest Manhattan. It is a great place to watch the sunset over the water. There you will find many memorials, sculptures, and works of art.

The park is also a popular and picturesque place for a walk, where you can walk or jog. During the week, you will find a multitude of food trucks to enjoy an inexpensive meal in the surroundings!

With the revival of Lower Manhattan, the area has become a premier shopping and dining destination. You'll be spoiled for choice: from fancy restaurants to trendy gastropubs to inexpensive pizzerias. The sector offers many possibilities for professionals who want to relax after work. You will therefore find a multitude of bars and microbreweries where you can mingle with the locals.

The renovation of Brookfield Place , a business center formerly known as the World Financial Center , was completed in 2014. The complex houses the offices of many large corporations, such as Merrill Lynch and American Express, as well as the Winter Garden Atrium , a magnificent 10-story glass-vaulted pavilion brimming with shops and event spaces. You will also find trees and plants here, making it a great place to spend a rainy day !

A New Look at the Financial District with New York Habitat Apartments

We are also pleased to announce our new selection of New Jersey apartments , an attractive place to stay for those residing in the Financial District. Our Jersey City and Hoboken rentals are easily accessible from Lower Manhattan and even further afield in Midtown, thanks to the PATH subway system, an underground transit system that runs along the New York subway to Manhattan.

If you really want a unique New York experience, stay in another state! With lower rents than in Manhattan, renting an apartment in New Jersey can even save you money. As always, our agents are on hand and proud to be licensed in two states.

Transport in the Financial District

We can't talk about the Financial District without mentioning its many metro lines  ! The neighborhood is the best-served area in New York, with an average distance of only 160 meters between residents' apartments and a subway entrance. The renewal of the district has also enabled certain stations to have an architecture that is worth seeing!

First, there's Fulton Center , a large station served by eight lines (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J and Z) and connected to four other lines (E, N, R and W) . Inaugurated in 2014, it has more than 2,700 m² of retail area.

If you're from New Jersey or just want to admire stunning architecture, the Oculus and Westfield World Trade Center malls are for you! The station is connected to the Fulton Center and is a terminus of the PATH subway lines .

Enter the lobby of the Oculus shopping center and train station to admire its high slanted white ceilings, flooded with light through floor-to-ceiling windows. Walking around the Oculus has become an attraction in its own right, and the 34,000 m² of its shopping center, which opened in 2016, offers an attractive option for shopping.

Eighteen years after the September 11 attacks, the Financial District has become a thriving New York neighborhood and is a testament to the city's ability to rebuild itself. Visitors and business people alike can appreciate the new dimension of this famous area. If you're ready to find out, book a furnished apartment or vacation rental and completely reinvent your New York  experience !