News feature on visitors to Ground Zero viewing platform, undated

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Downtown worth rediscovering Visitors to Ground Zero can see By UN«. NGUYEN somc of citv’s most historic sites DAILY NEWS FEATURE WRITER «/ Across the street is Federal Hall, the

A t 10:30 a.m. on the first day of her • first-ever trip to Manhattan, Neva former U.S. Custom House and a beauti­ Hascall and two friends stand in ful example of Greek Revival architec­ the line at South Street Seaport’s ture. George Washington’s statue Pier 16, waiting for tickets to the stands in front, a memorial to the day Ground Zero viewing platform. he took the oath of office as the na­ “I just wanted to make sense of the trag­ tion’s first President. The Downtown edy,” says the retired hospital administra­ Alliance (212-606-4060) offers a free, tor from New Mexico. “I feel I am visiting 90-minute Wall Street Walking Tour a cemetery, to honor the people who every Thursday and Saturday at noon. died.” New Yorkers wait in line, ; ■ Trinity Church, on Broadway be­ toa “I need to see something tween Wall and Pine Sts., escaped the to get closure for it,” says events of Sept. 11 intact. The Neo-Goth- Peggy Geoghan, a 38-year- ic structure with its artful spire has old security worker from been providing solace since 1846. (A Levittown. “My girlfriend’s Trinity Church in some form has stood brother was killed.” here since 1697.) Tickets give visitors a ■ Downtown museums. The Muse­ 30-minute window on the um of American Financial History platform at Broadway and (212-908-4110, $2 admission) is 15 min­ Fblton St. They are distribut­ utes south of Ground Zero at 28 Broad­ ed daily on a first-come way. It features an exhibition of piggy basis from 11 a.m. until banks. A little farther 6 p.m. or until the day’s sup­ ------------- down the hill, at 1 Bowling ply runs out. (Call Green, is the Smithsonian 212-732-7678 for more infor­ National Museum of the mation.) American Indian The walk from the Sea­ (212-514-3888, free admis­ port ticket office to Ground sion). Zero is no more than 15 min­ ■ Fraunces Tavern. The utes, leaving many visitors newly renovated Fraunces with time to spend down­ Tavern restaurant at 54 Pearl St. (212-968-1776) town. Here are some sugges­ tions for what to see and where to eat before or after your visit: combines classic American food and a building dating to the American Revolu­ fieb- ijcSoQi ■ South Street Seaport tion. Admission to the up­ Walk the cobbled streets and pop into stairs museum, where quaint brick buildings featuring such Washington delivered his farewell address, is $2 for mainstream retailers as Coach, Abercrom­ children and seniors; $3 bie & Fitch and Gap. Stroll the boardwalk for adults. and get a wonderful view of the East Riv­ ■ Dining choices. For a er and the Brooklyn Bridge. Be sure to hearty bistro lunch, there’s check out Mariposa, the butterfly galleiy. Les Halles Downtown (15 ■ The South Street Seaport Museum John St., 212-679-4111). ; (212-748-8600). A $5 ticket will give you Mangia (40 Wall St., i access to three galleries and a 19th-centu­ 212-425-4040) has salads, ry printing shop. At Pier 16, climb onto soups and sandwiches and the Ambrose, a 1908 lightship, and the a spacious eating area. Peking, a 1911 bark, and learn how sail­ Two choices from Pier 17 ors live. The museum has a free after­ at the South Street Seaport: Cubano noon tour designed to help put the awful Nuevo Latino and Sago Tea Cafe. Vine events of Sept. 11 into historical perspec­ on Broad Street (212-344-VINE) serves tive. New American fare, and Ruben’s Em­ ■ The New York Stock Exchange is a panadas at 64 Fulton St. (212-962-5330) few blocks southeast on Wall St. The visi­ serves delicious empanadas filled with tors’ gallery has been closed since Sept. everything from tofu to Argentine sau­ 11, but the columns — lit to resemble an sage for under $4. American flag — are worth seeing.

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