The Financial District has been synonymous with the Manhattan of the popular imagination for some time - its tall buildings and skyline, its busy streets, its symbols of economic strength and financial wheeling and dealing. So when the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center resulted in the collapse of the Twin Towers, it was no surprise the impact this had not just on the neighborhood, but on the city and country as well. The district will be recovering for some time, and the celebrated skyline you've seen in movies has been radically altered. There is still plenty to see in the area, however, and in any case many visitors might find a pilgrimage to the site of the former Twin Towers - or as near as you can get - hard to resist.

At the time of writing, some of the subway lines that were running below the former World Trade Center have not reopened; the best way to reach the Financial District is by taking the #1, #2, #4 or #5 to Wall Street and starting your wanderings there