For a one-stop (maybe two-) city experience, head down to lower Manhattan to the recently opened Oculus structure by Santiago Calatrava at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, connecting New Jersey PATH trains and subways of New York City.
The Oculus houses not only the transportation hub, but Westfield World Trade Center’s more than 35,000 square feet of retail space including shopping, dining, art, culture, events and entertainment. Here you can easily spend the entire day browsing the shops, dining, having dessert, enjoying a coffee or just enjoying the people-watching and culture.
The hub is quickly attracting millions of visitors each year, especially as a place of remembrance and tribute to those who perished in the 9/11 attacks. Take a quiet walk around the reflecting pools, or visit the observatory at 1 World Trade Center.
Within a short walking distance you can also visit Battery Park, hop on a ferry to the Statue of Liberty or to Staten Island and back again.
Also check out:
- The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (180 Greenwich Street)
- National Museum of the American Indian (One Bowling Green)
- Museum of Jewish Heritage (36 Battery Place)
- The Skyscraper Museum (39 Battery Place)
Getting there:
There are plenty of parking garages nearby, but if you choose to go car-less, take the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station. From there, still inside Penn Station, take the 1, 2, 3 or E line downtown to World Trade Center/Chambers Street exit. To return, grab any of the same lines uptown, back to Penn Station.
