Historic NYC Itinerary [Quiz Result]

woman posing in front of the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC
Showing our NYC Photo Journeys guest the beauty of the historic Brooklyn Bridge

By NYC Photo Journeys founder Jessie Festa. Note that some of the links below are product links as well as affiliate links to trusted partners.

From its beginnings as the home of the Indigenous Lenape people to becoming one of the first American settlements of the Dutch (New Amsterdam) to being the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790, NYC is rich in history. 

Walking these streets, in the shadows of towering modern skyscrapers, you’ll pass hundreds-year-old buildings full of stories. 

Lower Manhattan – a very popular location on our private NYC photo tours and professional photoshoots – is particularly historic.

This area is home to some of the oldest structures in New York City — like Trinity Church, which dates back to 1846 and is the resting place of Alexander Hamilton, his wife Eliza, and many other early Americans. You can actually take a Hamilton tour around here to walk your way through this Founding Father’s life. 

Visit St. Paul’s Chapel, the oldest public building in continuous use in New York City since 1766. This is where George Washington attended service and where hundreds of pile workers slept during 9/11. Afterward, you can visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to learn more about this tragic historic event that changed NYC, and the world, forever.

Also visit Federal Hall, where George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States; have a meal at Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington himself dined; and sail to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to learn the history of Lady Liberty as well as the stories of the millions of immigrants who journeyed to and through these historic sites. 

This all being said, Lower Manhattan isn’t your only option for history.

For example, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigrants flooded the Lower East Side and moved into cramped tenement buildings. Each new wave of immigrants left their mark on the city, which has helped turn New York into the diverse destination it is today. This history can be explored at the Tenement Museum, which allows you to visit a preserved 1863 tenement building and learn the stories of the families that lived there.

There are also numerous world-class NYC institutions dedicated to preserving history, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

No matter what you decide to do, make sure to preserve your cherished memories with a private NYC photo tour or professional photoshoot – both of which are customizable! You can see photo examples on Instagram @NYCPhotoTour.

Historic NYC Tours:

➡️ Click here for a full list of New York City tours.

Historic NYC Hotels:

➡️ Click here for a full list of historic NYC hotels.

New York City Travel Tips:

  • Depending on what tours and activities you add to your itinerary, a New York CityPASS is an amazing value and can save you a lot of money
  • Want to see a Broadway show? You can save money by visiting a TKTS Booth for up to 50% off same-day shows
  • While Midtown Manhattan is great, make sure to also explore some of the other neighborhoods – like the West Village, Upper East Side, and SoHo – as well as the other boroughs (like Long Island City in Queens and Bushwick in Brooklyn)
  • If there is a restaurant you really want to dine at, be sure to make a reservation 
  • To find unique and pop-up things to do in NYC, check park calendars, subscribe to NYC newsletters, and research websites like The Skint, Fever, and Secret NYC

Bonus NYC Travel Resources:

Best Central Park Photo Spots To Capture Gorgeous Pictures

Best Places To Take Pictures In NYC

Stunning Spots For The Perfect NYC Picnic

Uniquely New York Experiences Not To Miss

Most Unique Restaurants In New York City

Non-Touristy Things To Do In New York City