Wandering around Lower Manhattan/Downtown New York

Sometimes, the best adventures happen by chance. This New York trip wasn’t planned as a sightseeing getaway—it was actually for logistics! My friend and I were heading to an all-women’s weekend camp, and since the bus to camp departed from NYC, we decided to fly in a day early. That turned into a seven-hour, 21,000-step adventure exploring the heart of Lower Manhattan.

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As soon as we checked into our hotel, we needed some delicious New York pizza. Luckily, the hotel was only a few minutes away from Joe’s Pizza on Fulton Street. Given how small the space was, we felt even luckier when we snagged a table to enjoy our pizzas. With carbs in our system, we began our downtown trek.

First stop, the Oculus, a dove-shaped structure part of the World Trade Center campus. According to its website, it has 12 subway lines, shops, and multiple access points. What amazed me about the Oculus is that no matter how busy the space was, it was peaceful. You can read more about its architect, Santiago Calatrava, here.

We exited the Oculus and headed to the 9/11 Memorial Pools to pay respects to those who passed. The Memorial Pools are the footprints of the Twin Towers. Standing there, hearing the water flow, it’s impossible not to feel a mix of grief and gratitude. We also stopped by the Survivor Tree, a Callery tree that endured the attacks and continues to bloom—a beautiful symbol of resilience.

During my first trip to New York in 2010, the area was still being rebuilt. The only photo I had the courage to take was a replica of the Statue of Liberty known as Lady Liberty. According to the 9/11 Museum website, Lady Liberty appeared outside of a firehouse in Manhattan and was covered with mementos from mourners and visitors.¹

We continued our wandering Financial District (FiDi) to check out how long the lines were to see the Charging Bull. If you believe in superstition, go rub the bull’s testicles and supposedly, you’ll have luck and financial prosperity. Of course, there was a long line! We were aware that the Fearless Girl statue was nearby and opted to get a photo with her instead.

We saw the Fearless Girl and the New York Stock Exchange. She was originally placed facing the Charging Bull in homage of International Women’s Day in 2017. The Fearless Girl was moved and is currently facing the New York Stock Exchange.²

Walking back north, we found the historic Trinity Church, which has stood in the city for over 300 years. According to the church’s website, it’s also the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton, and Angelica Schuyler Church³—a must-visit for any Hamilton fan or history lover.

As the sun began to set, we made our way toward Battery Park for a view of the real Statue of Liberty. Seeing her from the park was magical, especially with the sun getting ready to set behind her.

Then came a surprise: a turkey strutting around Battery Park! A woman seemed to be following it, so maybe it was her pet? I did a quick Google search and found that back in April 2025, cops tried to catch a wandering turkey named Astoria in Manhattan.⁴ Could it be her? Either way, spotting a turkey in New York City was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card.

One of the best tips we got was to visit the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset. The timing couldn’t have been better—the skyline glowed as the lights began to shimmer. We only walked halfway across, but the views of the city from the bridge were nothing short of breathtaking.

After all that walking, it was time for dessert (or two). We took our first subway ride to NoHo to grab one of the best cookies in New York – Levain! I learned about these fist-sized cookies back in 2021. I was so curious that I actually got them shipped and have loved them since. I’m grateful that they now have branches in L.A., but my friend hasn’t had them. Since she has a sweet tooth like me, I knew she would appreciate it too!

To feel like a local, we decided to eat our cookies at Washington Square Park. Since it was a hot, humid day, people and dogs were walking IN the fountain! Thankfully, we didn’t get wet as we devoured our cookies.

We checked the weather, and it forecasted showers were on the way, but we had one more stop – Ferrara Bakery and Cafe in Little Italy for more sweets. Ferrara has been around for 130 years and is known for their rich, creamy cannolis.

And with that, as the drizzle started falling, we got back on the subway and headed back downtown to our hotel – tired, full, but happy.

✅ Stay near The Oculus: It’s not just a transport hub—it’s also a great landmark to start exploring from if you’re flying into Newark or JFK.

👟 Wear comfy shoes: Even if you’re visiting in late September like we did, expect heat, humidity, and a lot of walking. Water-resistant sneakers are your best friend in case it does rain. For this trip, I sported my Allbrids Wool Sneakers.

☕ Fuel up often: Between pizza, cookies, and cannolis, there’s no shortage of delicious pit stops downtown!

💧 And, of course, stay hydrated. My new favorite is my Owala water bottle, which Jenna and I decorated during our trip.

This quick, less than 24-hour adventure reminded me that even a short stay can turn into a full-blown adventure. If you find yourself in New York for just a day, let yourself wander—you’ll be amazed at how much you can see (and eat!) in just a few hours. I hope this blurb inspires you to wander or keep wandering, even if it’s just for a few hours.

1. Lady Liberty – 9/11 Memorial, https://ladyliberty.911memorial.org/ ↩︎
2. Fearless Girl Statue Facts, https://www.thewallstreetexperience.com/blog/everything-to-know-about-the-fearless-girl-statue/ ↩︎
3. Trinity Church History, https://trinitychurchnyc.org/visit-history/places/trinity-church ↩︎
4. Inside Edition, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHIc8d-fhhY ↩︎

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