Things to do in  Financial District

What’s the difference between a “bear” and “bull” market? Word on Wall Street is that while a bear swipes its paws down, a bull strikes its horns up, signaling rising stock prices. A symbol of financial power and optimism, this muscular bronze statue draws travelers who want to take photos next to an American icon.

New York City’s SeaGlass Carousel is an amusement ride like no other. Housed in a glass-paneled nautilus shell atop the original New York Aquarium site, the carousel whisks visitors away to a whimsical world under the sea, creating a magical convergence of art and entertainment enjoyed by locals and tourists.

Dive into Manhattan’s maritime past with a visit to the South Street Seaport Museum, a cultural landmark in the heart of the South Street Seaport Historic District. The museum is known for its vintage ships docked outside, but inside the exhibition halls are full of treasures, from art depicting maritime life to historic photographs and artifacts. This museum provides an extensive look into the founding history of New York City and the role the seaport played in that evolution.

With its benches and tables, rows of trees, and open-air artworks like Mark di Suvero’s towering red Joie de Vivre sculpture, Zuccotti Park has been catering to New Yorkers since the late 1960s. Office workers often take their lunch break here, but the space is most famous as the setting of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, when activist encampments took over the park.

The Federal Hall National Memorial in New York City’s Financial District is a historic landmark where George Washington took the presidential oath in 1789, marking the birth of the US government. Explore its impressive Greek Revival architecture, exhibits on the country’s beginnings, and artifacts like Washington’s inaugural Bible. This memorial is particularly popular with history enthusiasts.