State St, Financial District

If you want some perspective while you're in New York, there are no better places to go to than Battery Park, with its unimposing, clean and flat greenery, and the Staten Island Ferry, which offers both a way to Staten Island for commuters and a free (that's right, free) way to see Lower Manhattan's towering skyscrapers (as well as Liberty Island and the vast waterway linking the boroughs). Food and other amenities can be a little scarce this far downtown (many places close after business hours are up), but this is still a must-visit.

State Street runs right along Battery Park and that is honestly it's main attraction. Battery Park is a huge draw and double decker buses and tour groups are all over the place. While some would find it rather obnoxious it doesn't take away the wonder of this area. The entire neighborhood has a lot of personality and the ability to spend some time in battery park with a bottle of water and maybe an ice cream makes it all worth while. This is a must see for anyone visiting NY.

Bordering Battery Park City, this street runs from Bowling Green down to South Ferry. It's a high point for tourists-the double decker buses leave from a spot midway between, and hot-dog vendors and ice-cream sellers are plentiful here-as, during the day, are those guys hawking t-shirts and gold watches.

Still, there's a lot of beauty to be gleaned here. From the nearby veteran's memorial to the Museum of the American Indian, you barely have to walk anywhere to see things, and at night, once the mobile tourist traps go away, it's a gorgeous place to walk. Park benches line the street, and you can sit in the twilight and cool night air there, or go a little further and look over at the water. South Ferry continues running all night, as do the multiple subways that stop within a block or two.

Ellis Island was amazing. It is hard to put in words. Despite Ellis Island being a complex of different buildings, visitors are only allowed in the main building. In my opinion, Ellis Island is a must-see.
Don’t try to visit Ellis Island if you’re planning on leaving NYC the same day – it’s about a four-hour visit and if the line to board the ferry is already long, you’re going to find yourself racing against the clock.