Serviced Apartments in Financial District, NYC

 Facts About the Financial District 

The Financial District has a chequered history, one that is synonymous with the rapid transformation and evolution of New York City itself. A few facts about the area can be found below:

• The City of New York was first created in the Financial District back in 1624. 
• The neighbourhood overlaps with the New Amsterdam settlement boundaries and has the headquarters of the major financial institutions in the city. 
• Prominent names here include the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the New York Stock Exchange. 
• Anchored on the landmark Wall Street, the Financial District has been called the world’s financial center and the most financially powerful city worldwide. 
• Other exchanges headquartered here include NASDAQ, the New York Mercantile Exchange, the New York Board of Trade and more. 
• The Federal Reserve is famous for its gold vaults that go 80 feet beneath street levels. Almost 1/4th or 25% of the world’s gold is housed here. 
• Architectural influences are mostly from the Gilded Age with amazing art-deco buildings and skyscrapers and high-rises dotting the area. 
• Castle Clinton was the very first immigration station in America here. 
• Stone Street, the famous restaurant hub in the Financial District, is known as the first paved street in New York. 
• The Charging Bull Statue just in front of Bowling Green is one of the most famous landmarks in New York City. 

Cost of Living in the Financial District

Taking its prime location into account, the Financial District is not a very affordable place to live in. The cost of living here is approximately 90% higher than the average in New York City while the cost of living is also higher than the national average by a whopping 123%. The general sales tax is 21% lower than the national average while housing here is 337% higher than the national average. New York state income tax is higher than the national average by 62%. Average rentals can be upwards of $4,208 for an average apartment size of 700+ square feet. Year-on-year rental increases are somewhere around 2%. Median selling prices are quite high at $762,000 and it may soar higher to anywhere around $989,000 on an average. Median prices (per square foot) may be more than $1,103 approximately. For dining, pubbing, nightlife and shopping, it varies from one address to another, depending on the nature of the establishment. Fine dining restaurants will naturally charge more for a meal than a cozy neighborhood diner. 

Tips for Visiting the Financial District

• The area is liked by pet-owners since most high-rises allow four-legged friends within the premises. 
• Weekdays are quite congested with the buzz of New Yorkers coming down to work here. 
• Lunch-time means longer lines spilling over to the sidewalk for take-out choices including Shake Shack and Chop’t. 
• You can avoid the real crowd by opting for power-packed meals at steak houses in the area such as Delmonico’s. 
• The bars are packed in the evenings with the after-work crowd taking advantage of happy hour offers and specials. 
• Weekends are slower and ideal for finding tables almost anywhere you choose. Areas like Fulton Market and South Street Seaport will help you enjoy relaxed weekends dining out, drinking or simply taking in the lovely ambience. 
• Stone Street is the entertainment center so head here instead of expecting active nightlife options right outside your building. 
• A Hudson River cruise is often the best way to explore the sights and sounds of the Financial District and NYC in general. 

Things to Do in the Financial District

When travelers step out of their Financial District serviced apartments in NYC, there are several experiences that they can check out in the neighborhood. From couples and families to solo travelers, there are plenty of things to keep everyone entertained. 

Q. What are the most popular things to do in the Financial District? 

Here are some of the essential things to do in the Financial District:

• Explore the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial and pay tribute to the martyrs. 
• Catch the panoramic views from the top of the Freedom Tower. 
• Explore Wall Street and take a picture with the famous Charging Bull Statue in the heart of Manhattan. 
• Enjoy the greenery and waterfront views at Battery Park and Pier A. 
• Indulge in a delicious lunch and shopping at Brookfield Place, a mini-mall featuring some of the top fashion brands like J Crew, Ferragamo, DVF, Burberry, Michael Kors and Hermes among others. 

Q. What are some free things to do in the Financial District? 

When budgets are tight, these are some activities that can help: 

• Ride the Staten Island ferry and get amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. 
• Take in the panoramic views from the Brooklyn Bridge. 
• Visit Governors Island and its National Monument. 
• Visit the Oculus. 
• Paying a visit to the Trinity Church is also a good idea. 

Q. What are some family-friendly things to do in the Financial District? 

Here are some of the quintessentially family-friendly things to do in the Financial District. 

• Check out the Seaglass Carousel at Battery Park. 
• Visit The Oculus, a premier shopping center cum transportation hub with ample snacking joints and retailers. 
• An evening visit to the Bosque Fountain will be a magical experience for the kids. 
• A Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour is always the best family-friendly thing to do in the Financial District. 
• Get jaw-dropping views from the One World Observatory. 
• Ride the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal. 
• Take your family for a relaxing day at Central Park, complete with the waterfront, zoo, promenades, statues and many other attractions. 

Places to Visit in the Financial District 

There are several attractions for visitors in New York City and the Financial District puts travelers in close proximity to several of these. Here are some of the top places to visit in the Financial District. 

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum - The Twin Towers were destroyed on 9/11 and were situated in the Financial District. A trip is incomplete without visiting this beautifully created museum and paying homage to those who perished in the attacks. The twin reflecting pools at the memorial, where the towers once stood, are particularly heart-wrenching. 
• Seaglass Carousel - Situated within the 25 acre Battery Park at Manhattan’s southern tip, the Seaglass carousel is a delightful experience for families. This aquatic carousel has rides on glass sea horses which also change colors. The New York Aquarium is another bonus attraction here. 
• Pier 25 - Located alongside the pristine Hudson River in the Financial District, Pier 25 has a bevy of fun attractions for the whole family. Mini golf on the 18-hole course to a stream, pond, waterfall, footbridge and sand trap, there is plenty to do here. You can reserve beach volleyball courts in advance too. 
• South Street Seaport - A famous neighborhood within the Financial District, this is where New York City got its moorings as a key port city and you can still find original bars, boats and cobblestone streets from bygone eras. The South Street Seaport Museum deserves a visit along with the famous mercantile buildings and ships docked at the harbor. There are several trendy eateries along with rotating displays of public art. 
• The Oculus - The Oculus is part of the World Trade Center and is known for its stunning architecture. Part train station, part retail hub, it is completely crafted from glass, housing some of the biggest global brands along with pop-up exhibits, art exhibitions, food and drink stores and more. 

Places to Eat in the Financial District

When it comes to dining out in New York City, there is a wide range of restaurants to choose from. The Financial District is no exception, housing some of the city’s most well-known dining joints offering everything from gourmet fine dining experiences to relaxed and cozy comfort food. 

• Manhatta
• Crown Shy 
• Augustine
• The Fulton
• Pearl Diner
• Delmonico’s
• Hole in The Wall 
• The Dead Rabbit
• Fraunces Tavern
• Harry’s 
• Keste
• Pisillo
• Leo’s Bagels 

Street Food in the Financial District 

When you are walking around the historic Financial District and exploring a bevy of attractions, you will naturally be in the mood for some delectable street treats. Here are some of the top options to satiate your hunger pangs on the move. 

• Crab House
• Luke’s Lobster
• Veronica’s Kitchen 
• Biryani House Cart
• Sam’s Falafel Stand
• Sandra’s Food Spot Cart
• Uncle Gussy’s
• Greek Street Meat Cart
• PokeRice
• Nish Nush 

Shopping in the Financial District

New York City is the global fashion Mecca and headquarters for several leading brands as well. Fifth Avenue in NYC is generally regarded as the costliest and most exclusive shopping street in the country. Here are some of the best places to shop in the Financial District. 

• Century 21
• Westfield World Trade Center
• New Amsterdam Market
• Lot-Less Closeouts
• Victoria’s Secret 
• Anthropologie
• Tiffany & Co. 

Transportation in the Financial District 

The Financial District is located at the heart of Downtown Manhattan, offering access to the New York City Ferry, cabs, water taxis and bus networks alike. It is also well connected through a network of subway stations including the following: 

• Fulton Street 
• World Trade Center
• Wall Street 
• WTC Cortlandt
• Chambers Street
• Whitehall Street- South Ferry 
• Park Place Station 
• City Hall Station 

The PATH train lines can be accessed in the Financial District along with the QM11, BXM18 and X27 bus lines. 

Weather in the Financial District

The weather varies in New York City from a crisp fall to bright summer days and cozy winters. Travelers can visit the Financial District and New York City anytime right from the fall where there is a crispy and fresh breeze, comfortable temperatures and bright sunlight to cold winters spanning January and February or even the slightly hotter summers. September-November is a good time to visit in the early fall or even in the cold stretch between December and February to experience the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Spring has warmer weather with common showers (March-May) while June-August is the hottest season and a great time to visit for families. Weather conditions are a little humid at this time of the year.