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Federal Hall and New York Stock Exchange

New YorkAttractionhistoric destination
Federal Hall and New York Stock Exchange
Photo: photo source

Across a narrow street, the birthplace of the federal government faces the monumental exterior of the world’s best-known stock exchange.

Guide's tip. Begin on Federal Hall’s steps and compare its columns with the NYSE facade across Broad Street. Federal Hall is free, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and uses the visitor entrance at 15 Pine Street. The New York Stock Exchange is closed to the general public, so this is an outside view only. Walk 0.67 miles to South Street Seaport.

On a walking tour. Stop 6 of 10 on the walking tour New York, Lower Manhattan origins to the harbor, every stop on a map in walking order.

Open till 16:00 · about 45 min for a visit

The story

The corner of Wall and Broad Streets holds two different kinds of power. The earlier Federal Hall on this site became the seat of the new United States government, where George Washington took the oath of office in 1789. The present Greek Revival building opened in 1842 as a custom house and later served as a sub-treasury. Across Broad Street, the New York Stock Exchange building gives commerce its own temple-like facade.

Compare the two fronts. Columns, pediments, sculpture and broad steps turn government and finance into public theater, even though only one building welcomes ordinary visitors. Look for the way the narrow street makes both structures feel larger and more intense.

Federal Hall is free and currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., using the Pine Street entrance. The NYSE is not open to the general public. View it from the public street and obey barriers and security staff.

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