Not For Tourists

Of course, the most famous structure is the one that's missing—the World Trade Center Towers, which were destroyed by a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. That said, the World Trade Center has been reborn in an inspiring if slightly schizophrenic monument to both its tragic past and hopeful future.

the Lower East Side has traditionally been known as the epicenter of immigrant cultures.

Last but not least, the Charging Bull statue at Bowling Green, initially installed as a piece of guerrilla art, has become the ultimate symbol for New York's financial strength, and beloved by photo-snapping tourists from all over the world.

. If you're looking for a place to start, check out St. Paul's Chapel and Cemetery, which dates back to 1766, Trinity Church, whose spire was once the tallest point in Manhattan, and Federal Hall, site of the first capitol of the United States. You can also head to Battery Park to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, and, far more interestingly, to Ellis Island where you can explore the history of immigration in the United States.