Civic Center NYC: Where the Brooklyn Bridge Begins

In Manhattan's Civic Center, everything revolves around New York's City Hall, set on a beautiful, busy plaza: City Hall Park.

It isn't really a neighborhood but a border area of Downtown Manhattan between the Financial District and Chinatown.

What to see in NYC's Civic Center

The city's government buildings are clustered around City Hall, among them the courthouses and the offices of the New York Police Department, buildings you'll surely recognize because they show up in just about every NYC crime series out there.

Protest territory

This area is always alive, and it's a usual gathering point for street protests and demonstrations.

It's also a regular spot for the news networks, whose distinctive vans are parked all around, always ready to broadcast statements from the New York politicians and officials who pass through here.

Classic skyscrapers

There are also iconic New York skyscrapers here, like the Woolworth Building, one of the oldest in New York (1913), with refined neo-Gothic architecture, the favorite style of the early 20th century, the era when the city's great fortunes began to be built.

Several of these buildings have been designated city landmarks. If the history of skyscrapers interests you, you can visit the Skyscraper Museum. It's one of the most interesting free museums in NYC.

Starting point of the Brooklyn Bridge

The pedestrian walkway of the famous Brooklyn Bridge starts at the Civic Center, and as the name suggests, it links two important New York boroughs on either side of the East River: Manhattan and the neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

The pedestrian entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge is right across from City Hall, so it's a good idea to start your walk toward Brooklyn after getting to know a bit of the Civic Center, the place from which New York is governed.

I really do insist that you cross the East River on foot over the bridge. It's one of the most spectacular things you can do in New York, and it's completely free.

While I'm at it, you can walk across several New York bridges. At that link I give you all the details on how to do it.

Where to eat in the Civic Center

As for food, a good plan when you're in Manhattan's Civic Center is to head over to Manhattan's Chinatown, just a few blocks from City Hall, where you'll find Asian delicacies on every corner.

I recommend trying the dim sum served at the spots on Baxter Street!

Address

The Civic Center is located around City Hall. It's bounded to the east by the East River, to the west by Broadway, to the north by Chinatown and to the south by the Financial District.

How to get to New York's Civic Center

As I always say, the best way to get around is by taking the New York subway. It's the fastest and most efficient option.

To visit the Civic Center, take lines 4, 5, 6 (Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station) or subway lines J, M, Z (Chambers Street station).

If you'd like to know a bit more about the history of New York's City Hall building, the Wikipedia article is very thorough.