Manhattan

Manhattan is a long island bordered by the Hudson River (to the west), the East River (to the east), and Harlem (to the north). It has a surface area of 22.83 square miles (59.1 km²).  

Districts of Manhattan

• Lower Manhattan: The southernmost part of the island of Manhattan and the point where New York was founded. In this area, you'll find the business district and various governing bodies. The boundaries of Lower Manhattan go from the south of the island to 14th Street.
• Midtown Manhattan: Running from 14th Street to 59th Street (the southern part of Central Park), its most famous area with the most skyscrapers begins on 33rd Street, where you'll find the legendary Empire State Building.
• Upper Manhattan: Upper Manhattan starts in Central Park and ends on 96th Street. The western part also includes Columbia University and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
• Harlem: This area begins after Upper Manhattan and ends on 155th Street. Its most famous street is 125th Street, where you'll find the Apollo Theatre.
• Washington Heights:  This area is found in the northern part of the island (220th Street). It's named after Fort Washington, a fort built during the 18th century to protect the area from the British.

What to See in Manhattan

A majority of New York's most popular attractions are found in Manhattan. The borough centers mainly around Midtown, north of 31st Street. In Manhattan, you'll find the unequaled Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, Times Square, the controversial MoMA, and other top attractions.  

Lower Manhattan was just as important in the past—it’s where New York first developed—as it is now, with Wall Street and the financial district playing a major role in shaping the global economy

To experience the "other Manhattan" visit the north Manhattan district of Harlem.

If you want to visit Manhattan on a guided tour, check out our Manhattan Tour.