A Guide to Downtown’s Art Deco Architecture
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The Women of Revolutionary New York
Continue ReadingRooftop at Pier 17 Announces 2026 Summer Concert Lineup
This year’s lineup of more than 60 shows features something for everyone, from up-and-coming bands on the precipice of stardom to big established acts
We’re Rooting for You! Our Annual Plant Giveaway Returns May 13
Our annual spring plant giveaway is back! On May 13, come grab some tulip bulbs from Bowling Green Park.
Radio Row, Once a Bustling Electronics District, Lives on in Lower Manhattan
Taezoo Park’s installation at 120 Broadway connects back to Lower Manhattan’s electronics heyday.
One40 Rooftop Unveils Spring Menu and Golden Hour Rooftop Bar
Do Business
The World in One Square Mile
There’s so much to see and do in Lower Manhattan
Spending a few days downtown? Check out these sample itineraries to make sure you don’t miss everything the neighborhood has to offer.
Your plans for the week are right here
Take a peek at our community calendar to learn about ongoing events in the neighborhood.
A one-stop-shop for your downtown business
Looking for research, statistics, market data or incentives? Find it all here.
A clean, safe and dynamic neighborhood
Serving an area from roughly City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street, the Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID).
Explore Life Downtown
It’s just not New York City without Lower Manhattan. It’s magnetic. It’s electric. It’s everything and a little bit more. Whether you’re making the most of a weekend getaway or looking for ways to mix up your lunch break, downtown has all the shopping, dining and entertainment you could ask for.
Come visit downtown
Get Inspired
We’ve been cooking something up 🍳
Next week, we’re turning over the feed to chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, as he takes a culinary journey across Lower Manhattan spanning cuisines, cultures and generations.
Samuelsson is at the helm of “The United Tastes of America,” our six-part series showcasing an impressive fraction of our neighborhood’s diverse restaurant scene. Hear from chefs and proprietors at Farida, Kesté, Brooklyn Chop House, Maison Passerelle, Delmonico’s and of course, Samuelsson’s own Metropolis at the Perelman Arts Center.
Celebrating food in New York City means uplifting the people who make it. Once the gateway to the United States for legions of immigrants who came through Castle Clinton and Ellis Island, Lower Manhattan is now home to an incredibly diverse array of business owners — retailers, entrepreneurs and, crucially, chefs and restaurateurs — who come from every corner of the globe.
The videos showcase the depth of flavor and choice in Lower Manhattan, proving, as always, that the neighborhood’s diversity is its strength. We can’t wait for you to watch!
True patriots go to happy hour 🦅🇺🇸🍻
Welcome to our brand new series: Stories from Old New York. As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, we’re taking a closer look at the characters, locations and events that helped shape the early history of New York City, and the country as a whole. On this first episode, “The Whiskey Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” we explore the revolutionary history of Lower Manhattan’s bars and taverns.
NYC has always been a party town – in 1757 it was described as “one of the most social places on the continent.” Decades later, as the American Revolution approached, New York was the second most populous city in the British North American colonies and a vital commercial port. Goods and information entered New York’s waters daily, and constant travel in and out of the harbor connected people throughout the colonial landscape.
The city’s taverns provided space for exchange and communal needs, making them among the most important structures in colonial New York. And as tensions between the colonists and ruling British forces grew, grievances were aired over pints, and in some cases, plans of rebellion were hatched.
Learn more about the role that New York City’s taverns played in the American Revolution at the link in our bio 🔗
Earth Day in the neighborhood 🌎
Thanks to our volunteers who braved the early morning rain to join our horticulture team in Bowling Green Park and Elizabeth H. Berger Plaza to plant flowers, reseed lawns and keep our public spaces looking beautiful. We couldn’t do it without you!
Can we hear a little commotion for the tulips?? 🌷🌷
Bowling Green Park is in full bloom right now, thanks to our amazing horticulture crew here at the Downtown Alliance. Be sure to see the flowers while you still can, and then join us on May 13 for our annual bulb giveaway!
Finally. Bask in the magnificent glory of the sun at our signature outdoor tables and chairs, which are back out for the season. Take advantage of this brief summer preview by bringing lunch outside, or catching some rays before the train ride home.
Swipe through for a map of where to find them ➡️
On May 14, Sofar Sounds, in partnership with the Downtown Alliance, will showcase three up-and-coming artists in Lower Manhattan’s newest concert venue – The Great Hall at Conwell Coffee and Cocktail Hall 🎷🎶🍸
Located in a 1931 Art Deco tower, @theconwellcocktailhall is one of the most beautiful spots to grab breakfast or get some work done in the neighborhood. In the evenings, it becomes a swanky cocktail lounge and live event space, where musicians and performers of all stripes shine on their historic stages. Next month, famed global music presenters @sofarsounds will transform it into something you won’t want to miss.
The details are still top-secret, but expect a jazzy night with some of the industry’s most talented rising stars (plus delicious cocktails). Link in bio for more 🔗
UPDATE: Thanks to all the dutiful bird lovers in the comments letting us know this little guy may be hurt! This spotting was a few days ago, but if anyone in Lower Manhattan comes across an American Woodcock sitting near a building, there’s a chance it needs some help. See @wildbirdfund’s pinned comment ❤️
Breaking (bird) news 🗞️🗞️
NYC’s bird du jour (or bird du printemps, rather) has been spotted downtown! The American Woodcock has been making waves in Bryant Park this migration season, drawing crowds from all over the city to admire its funny, wobbly dance and pleasantly rotund appearance. Perhaps this one made a pit stop on its way uptown to enjoy Lower Manhattan’s world-class attractions and beautiful public spaces…
Keep an eye out and let us know if you spot it again! Thanks to @piperconway for the scoop 🪶
The summer of soccer is almost upon us ⚽
For the first time since 1994, the FIFA World Cup is coming to North America. And the New York City area is in for a real treat: in addition to eight matches scheduled in June and July, the final will also take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
You can expect the biggest global sporting event to shake things up in the city. An influx of visitors, dozens of planned events and activations, changes in transit operations, the list goes on. Don’t worry — we’re here to guide you through all things FIFA World Cup ‘26. Whether you’re a ticket holder staying in Lower Manhattan or a local looking to join in on the fun, find everything you need to warm up for FIFA at downtownny.com/soccer.
There are buds on the trees, flowers in the grass and a handful of holidays to help coax you out of your apartment and into the swing of spring 🌸🌿🐣
We’ve got events on the roster for Easter, Earth Day, National Poetry Month and Independent Bookstore Day (sorry, Tax Day), that you won’t want to miss, as well as other exciting, offbeat activities to try this month.
Bookmark this post or share with a friend, and as always, report back if you do something great in the neighborhood! Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss out on everything we’ve got going on downtown 🔗
🚨 This is NOT an April Fool’s prank 🚨
It’s real – this summer, you’ll (finally) be able to bike from Union Square to the Brooklyn Bridge. The project will involve widening the existing one-way bike lane from five feet to 11 feet, creating room for bicycles to travel both north and south, making for a smoother, safer route overall.
The development is part of @nyc_dot’s efforts to bring “significantly more pedestrian space” to New York City’s streets ahead of this summer’s World Cup activities.
Head to the link in our bio to learn more about the new pedestrian infrastructure coming to Lower Manhattan and beyond 🔗
Next Saturday, April 4, purge your unwanted documents, e-waste and old clothes at the Downtown Alliance’s spring recycling event! ♻️
Head to Fulton Street between Ryders Alley and Cliff Street, where you’ll find a red Downtown Alliance tent and a mobile shredding truck and collection bins. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until the truck is filled.
Swipe through for the full list of what we’re accepting ➡️
Lower Manhattan is where New York City began, so it’s no surprise these winding streets are full of the footprints of epic historical figures. Within those histories, the stories of the women who lived, worked and forged their own way downtown shine. Their tenacity and courage impacted both the New York of their time, and the country today.
As you wander the neighborhood this Women’s History Month, look out for these five places where ✨herstory✨ was made.
Cover photo credit: Tucci Family Archives
About the Alliance
Maintaining Quality of Life
Our People
At the Downtown Alliance, our staff is committed to your success.
Downtown Connection
Our free bus service makes 36 stops around the perimeter of Lower Manhattan.
Dine Around Downtown
Sample signature menu dishes at a feast of Lower Manhattan restaurants for $5 to $10 all at one community food festival.
LM Live
Our live programming initiative brings the Lower Manhattan community together around events that highlight the neighborhood’s talent, innovation, history and culture.
We are the Alliance for Downtown New York. We manage the Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID) and provide service, advocacy, research and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st century Central Business District for businesses, residents and visitors. Our district comprises Lower Manhattan south of the north side of Murray Street, roughly from City Hall at the north to the Battery at the south, and from the East River to West Street.