New York route for 3 days for history lovers

Drop off your luggage and freshen up. The city's history is waiting just outside your door.

Head to the heart of the Financial District, where New York's story began as New Amsterdam.

Stand where George Washington was inaugurated. This Greek Revival masterpiece served as the first capitol of the United States. The stone Washington stood on during his oath is preserved inside.

A short stroll through the canyons of Wall Street.

A Gothic Revival gem surrounded by skyscrapers. It was once the tallest building in the city. The churchyard contains the oldest carved gravestone in NYC (Richard Churcher, 1681).

Walk down Broadway, passing the "Charging Bull" statue.

This circular sandstone fort has been a theater, an opera house, and the precursor to Ellis Island. Over 8 million immigrants passed through here between 1855 and 1890.

A lush waterfront park offering the best free views of Lady Liberty. The park is built on landfill, much of it from the excavation of the World Trade Center.

Head toward the city's first paved street.

Walk toward the bridge entrance as the city lights begin to twinkle.

Walk across the world's first steel-wire suspension bridge. To prove its safety in 1884, P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants across the span.