Lower Manhattan, Ground Zero & 9/11 Museum: Private Walking Tour

What your day looks like

Your tour starts with the unpretentious tale of the early settlers to the city, from a sleepy Dutch trading post to the dazzling rise of the world's busiest financial capital. You will have the pleasure of visiting Stone Street in the Historic District before moving north, just as the settlers did. As you make your way through Wall Street, you will discover how an 18th-century street bazaar would eventually become a centre for global commerce. Your expert local guide will give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight into some of the world’s most powerful financial institutions, as you walk by New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. Here you will see the spot where George Washington was inaugurated and enjoy the handsome Federal Reserve. There will also be a chance to pop into Trinity Church, which has roots dating back to 1697. At the National 9/11 Memorial, your guide will share with you the history of the World Trade Center, discuss the tragic events of 9/11, and walk you through the Memorial’s design. The area formerly known as 'Ground Zero' is now the site of a moving memorial and has indeed become an important historic landmark. Next to it is the rebuilt One World Trade Center, often referred to as Freedom Tower, it stretches 1776 feet above the ground. Here your knowledgeable guide will tell you of the events leading up to the untimely destruction of the towers, as well as share some of the heart-wrenching stories of the families, survivors and 9/11 heroes. You will also visit St. Paul's Chapel, which miraculously survived the 9/11 attack. Your tour finishes with entrance tickets to the 9/11 Museum. Your guide will take you to the queue, and give you your timed tickets before departing with you. Once inside the museum, you are free to explore the museum at your own pace. Attractions along this route: - Federal Hall National Memorial: A monument on the site of the old Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. - Federal Reserve Bank of New York: A major financial decision-maker, this bank played a key role in the authorities' reaction to the recent economic crisis. - Wall Street: The hub of US financial services that has come to represent capitalism in its purest form. - Trinity Church: A venerable church in the Wall Street area, with a turbulent history and reported land holdings of over $2 billion. - The New York Stock Exchange: The world's most valuable stock exchange, trading billions of dollars daily. - National 9/11 Memorial & Museum: A quieting tribute to the earth-shattering events of September 11, 2001. - Charging Bull: A guerilla installation following the 1987 stock market crash, the Charging Bull remains in the financial district as a symbol of energy, strength, and unpredictability. - St Paul's Chapel: Episcopal Church that still has a pew where George Washington prayed after his inauguration.