Experience the renaissance happening in lower Manhattan
We highly recommend that you put Lower Manhattan on the top of your list of NYC neighborhoods to consider for your next meeting or incentive trip. The changes happening downtown between the Hudson River and the East River make Lower Manhattan the perfect destination to create thought-provoking and innovative meetings and events.
Lower Manhattan is home to the world’s global financial center and as the oldest neighborhood in New York City, it has a multi-layered history. Over the past ten years, this district has blossomed into a hot destination for commerce, hotels, restaurants and residents seeking new experiences in modern day New York.
Within what is arguably the most iconic destination in the world, you’ll find a curious mixture of historical architecture and contemporary design just minutes from the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center.
There are quite a few world class hotels in and around the Financial District that offer unique meeting spaces specially designed for creating bespoke events for attendees. Art galleries, shopping and dining are just a short distance from each hotel and attendees will have the freedom to explore the area throughout their stay.
If you are looking to drive change within in your organization or reward your top performers with an iconic NYC experience with a modern twist, the magic of Lower Manhattan should be the choice destination for your group!
Here are a few sites our Destination Sourcing Specialists and meeting planners currently love in Lower Manhattan:
The Beekman
The Beekman, a Thompson hotel, offers a blend of old world charm and modern amenities that will greatly appeal to business travelers and tourists from around the world. History, architecture, art and luxury touches are found around every corner inside the Beekman.
The showstopper is definitely the iconic nine-story atrium, an architectural delight, which features Victorian wrought-iron railings and an epic skylight that is undeniably instagrammable. The old meets new aesthetic is what makes the Beekman such a highly-sought after hotel for truly luxurious NYC experiences.
The Beekman offers a variety of outstanding meeting and event spaces, all of which evoke old New York glamour and opulence. The Beekman offers 2700 square feet of meeting and event space, including 4 separate meeting rooms that can be tailored to a range of business meetings or incentive visions. Larger groups take advantage of the entire lower level and enjoy the unique architectural design, luxe service and state of the art audio visual capabilities offered in the space.
The Beekman also has two turret penthouse suites surrounded by rooftop terraces, perfect for outdoor events, especially in warmer months. The turret penthouse suites evoke the feeling of a quaint country cottage surrounded by downtown New York skyscrapers. The rooftop space is an unexpected highlight that can be transformed in countless ways by creative meeting planners.
With 287 guest rooms outfitted with art deco and vintage touches, 60 works of art curated by Katherine Gass and access to food and beverage at Temple Court, Augustine and the Bar Room, attendees will find a variety of excellent outlets for business and leisure during their stay at the Beekman.
The Conrad
Adjacent to the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan, and steps from Battery Park, is the Conrad New York Downtown. The Conrad features modern suites, a rooftop terrace and unobstructed views of the Hudson River. This all-suite hotel is a rarity in New York, with the smallest room measuring 430 square feet, which is still larger than the national average hotel room.
The Conrad offers expansive meeting and event space that can be hard to come by in New York City. In fact, the Conrad offers the largest meeting space capacity in Lower Manhattan with more than 30,000 square feet available. The meeting space at the Conrad has up to 18 meeting room combinations and a can accommodate events for up to 500 people. Meeting planners can use the versatile space for a variety of events, including corporate meetings, board meetings or team building events.
Sol DeWitt’s Loopy Doopy, a contemporary art installation in the atrium, is the first thing attendees will notice in the generous lobby, which sets the stage for an art-filled experience. The Conrad features over 2,000 works of art throughout the property, all of which were selected in collaboration with the Public Art Fund, New York City’s preeminent art organization. The Conrad has 463 luxury guest suites, a rooftop bar and lounge with sunset views, and ample opportunities for guests to unwind and enjoy the energy and vibrancy of lower New York.
In recent years, the formerly sleepy area surrounding the Conrad has become a destination for shopping, restaurants and easy access to city parks. The Conrad’s close proximity to the Battery, Brookfield Place shopping and many iconic New York City sites, provide ample opportunity for attendees to explore Lower Manhattan in between business events. Attendees can easily visit the World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty or the New York Stock Exchange during their stay at the Conrad.
The Four Seasons
A luxe option for groups visiting Lower Manhattan is The Four Seasons New York Downtown, situated inside a modern-deco landmark building. Located in the heart of TriBeCa, the Four Seasons Downtown is a sophisticated oasis in bustling Manhattan. The spacious, light-filled interior of the property boasts impeccable modern details and personalized service that will ensure a memorable experience for every guest.
With 14,575 square feet of meeting space and 11 meeting rooms with triple-pained glass, each event space offers opportunities to create inspired and impactful events in a relaxed environment. On the meeting room level, attendees enter through a private foyer into an elegant event space in the heart of billionaire’s row. There’s endless potential for creative event design to maximize the exclusive and prestigious space.
For many meeting planners, this Four Seasons destination is at the top of the list for incentive trips because of the world class amenities, including an entire floor devoted to health and wellness which features a luxury spa and lap pool. Attendees can relax and rejuvenate in the seven-room spa, which offers a variety of spa services provided in a tranquil setting right in the middle of a vibrant city. Likewise, the state-of-the-art fitness center overlooks downtown Manhattan.
There’s a great deal of options for group activities in and around TriBeCa. There’s shopping, art museums and architectural tours within the neighborhood, which make it easy for attendees to network and unwind in between or after meetings. The Four Seasons New York Downtown is an ideal destination for meetings, events and incentive travel in Lower Manhattan.
Memorable experiences to consider during your stay in Lower Manhattan
Peruse the Street Seaport District
Just a short walk from the Beekman is the Seaport District, between the East River and the Financial District. This history-rich neighborhood includes two blocks of cobblestone streets where visitors and locals shop, dine and come together. Visitors can expect sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River and the Manhattan skyline from this revitalized district.
Right on the East River, Pier 17 is full of dining options, shopping and waterfront space to explore. Pier 17 offers venue rentals right on the East River, surrounded by former mercantile and tenement buildings, maritime architecture, and remnants of the 19th and 20th century immigrant and working-class communities who once dwelled there.
This charming and historic district is a great place for groups to meander, dine and shop. Attendees can choose from upscale restaurants, museums and even workout classes in this highly walkable area. Attendees will experience of the confluence of old New York mixing with modern day influence.
Visit World Trade Center
Millions of people have visited the 9/11 Memorial since it’s opened in May 2014. If you visit Lower Manhattan, chances are high that you’ll end up walking through the memorial site. There are several museums in close proximity to the 9/11 memorial and endless opportunities for people watching.
Just across from the 9/11 memorial are The Oculus, home to the new World Trade Center transportation hub and St. Paul’s Chapel. These two structures, right across the street from each other, illustrate the history, resilience and ever-changing cityscape that attracts millions of visitors to Lower Manhattan each year.
For a memorable experience, groups should book a reservation or grab a drink at One Dine at One World Observatory, a sky-high restaurant with spectacular view of the New York City skyline. One Dine is located inside One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere!
Explore The Battery (formerly known as Battery Park) and New York Harbor
The Battery is a public park, located at the tip of Lower Manhattan, with views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Visitors to NYC can experience a mixture of historical and modern sites inside the Battery, including Castle Clinton and the Sea Glass Carousel.
Within the Battery, there’s restaurants and cafes to sit and enjoy views of the New York Harbor to the east, or the Statue of Liberty to the west. There are ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty available for purchase, which take visitors from Battery Park, to Liberty Island, to Ellis Island and back.
From the Battery it’s a short walk or Uber to Eataly, a popular destination for dining in Lower Manhattan. Eataly, right in the heart of Lower Manhattan, is a great place for groups to casually grab take out, sip Italian wine or enjoy a sit down meal together.
Plan your next meeting or event in Lower Manhattan
New York City greets millions of visitors each year from around the globe. This world-class destination has truly limitless potential for unforgettable experiences. Every trip to Manhattan is an opportunity to learn about and explore one of the most dynamic, culturally rich cities on Earth.
We trust the deep knowledge and expertise of NYC & Company to point us in the right direction each time we visit NYC. For the best recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and how to get the most out of your next trip to Manhattan, take advantage of the wealth of information NYC & Company has to share with every visitor to NYC!
Are you interested in booking NYC as your next meeting destination? We would love to help you design a unique New York City experience. Our Meeting and Events Consultant can help you with experiential event design and bring New York City to life through each step of your next program. We also have meeting planners who will help with your logistics and bring your event vision to life!
Schedule a call today to learn more about Destination Sourcing services from Soundings Connect!
