The Financial District of New York is one of the liveliest and most energetic locations in the United States. The banking capitol of the world is located at the southern tip of Manhattan, surrounded by iconic landmarks and tourist locations known throughout the world.
The Exchange is a far cry from its beginnings in 1792 when twenty-four brokers met outside under a Buttonwood Tree on May 17, at 68 Wall Street to sign the Buttonwood Agreement. The Bank of New York was the first of five securities traded that day and the brokers became the first New York Stock Exchange members.
The New York Stock Exchange sits in the heart of the Financial District and is sometimes known as the "Big Board." It is now located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Headquarters of many of the city's major financial institutions, including the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Wall Street has been home to the New York Mercantile Exchange, NASDAQ, the New York Board of Trade, and the former American Stock Exchange.
It is the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at US$19.69 trillion as of May 2015. The average daily trading value was approximately US$169 billion in 2013. The NYSE is home to more than 2,800 companies whose stocks are traded at the exchange face-to-face.
In the past, the Exchange has had to close its doors temporarily only a handful of times. Those notable closings include the beginning of World War I in 1914, "Black Thursday" on October 24, 1929, and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.
The Financial District is also a major tourist and sightseeing destination. The often photographed landmarks include the New York Stock Exchange, the bronze Charging Bull Statue at Bowling Green, the Brooklyn Bridge, and historic Trinity Church.
Ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart from its docks nearby and offers a wonderful view of the New York skyline both during the day and especially at night. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is now one of the most visited locations in New York. As a memorial to the many who lost their lives on that day, it is appropriate to treat the displays as such. The "Ground Zero" Museum offers a moving experience that some may find emotionally overwhelming. If that's the case, museum personnel do offer a way to exit without disruption to other patrons.
On weekdays, the Financial District is a beehive of commerce and activity. The 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, J, R and Z subway trains all stop in the area, and are quite full at rush hours.
There are a number of hotels in the area that serves all price points. As in virtually all areas of New York, both taxis and restaurants are plentiful. There is no shortage of choices for nighttime entertainment, attractions and sightseeing opportunities.
Enjoy your stay!
