• New York City, one of the most historic areas in New Yorkmanhattan downtown image by manuelclerc from Fotolia.com
  
  New York City is one of the most historic areas in New York. In 1664, the Dutch settled on the island of Manhattan, calling it "New Amsterdam." The city was home to several battles in the American Revolutionary War, and was even the capital of the United States until 1790. History buffs, tourists, and locals alike can spend the day in Manhattan learning about colonial New York. Several of the colonial areas in New York are in lower Manhattan because that is where the city began.
  
  

Federal Hall

• Federal Hall is often called the birthplace of American government. This is the site of City Hall in the 18th century. It was also the meeting place of the Stamp Act Congress. The Stamp Act Congress was assembled in October 1765 to protest taxation without representation. It was here that George Washington took the oath to become America's first president.
  
  Federal Hall
  26 Wall St.
  New York, NY 10005
  (212) 825-6888
  nps.gov
  
  

City Hall Park

• City Hall Park was once the town common. In 1741, slaves who participated in an uprising were hanged here. It is surrounded by government buildings that date back to the early 1800s.
  
  City Hall Park
  Intersection of Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street
  New York, NY
  (212) NEW-YORK
  nycgovparks.org/parks/cityhallpark
  
  

Fraunces Tavern

• This tavern was built in 1719. It served as a private residence, but was later converted into an inn and tavern. Paul Revere was a guest at this inn in 1774, where he met with the New York Sons of Liberty. In the Long Room, General Washington met with members of the Continental Army after the American Revolution. It is now part of the museum. After the war, parts of the tavern were used for the offices of the Departments of War, Treasury, and Foreign Affairs.
  
  Fraunces Tavern Museum
  54 Pearl Street
  New York, NY 10004
  (212) 968-1776‎
  frauncestavernmuseum.org
  
  

Bowling Green Park

• This is the oldest park in New York City. It was established in 1773 and is still surrounded by the original iron fence that was erected in the 1760s. Bowling Green Park also served as an important part of the history of the Declaration of Independence. On July 9, 1776, after the Declaration was signed, a crowd went to the park and tore down a large statue of King George III. They cut it into pieces and melted the pieces down into bullets that were later used by the Continental Army. The crowd also tore off ornaments that were on the top of the fence. The irregular surface that they left is still visible.
  
  Bowling Green Park
  Broadway and Whitehall St.
  New York, NY 10079
  nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/lmr/html/bowling_green