Ground level to harbour edge
A day in New York City — 6 stops, about 3.09 km on foot, 44 minutes walking.
A Lower Manhattan day that starts at the World Trade Center site, breaks for a civic-park pause, goes up for the view, then walks down to the water. About 2.5 km of flat walking, suited to anyone who wants history and a high vantage point in one loop.
The route, in order
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Opens 09:00
Start here at opening, while the reflecting pools are quiet and the museum galleries are not yet crowded.
2 min walk — Head northwest
One World Trade Center
Step outside and look up: the tower stands directly over the memorial plaza, so this is a two-minute shift, not a walk.
11 min walk — Head southeast on Fulton St toward Greenwich St
City Hall Park
Opens 06:00
A short walk north through the plaza to greenery and benches — a deliberate break between the museum and going up the tower.
9 min walk — Head southwest
One World Observatory
Opens 09:00
Back south to the tower base for the observatory, timed for after the mid-morning entry rush has thinned.
19 min walk — Head southwest
The Battery
Opens 06:00
From the tower, walk south down to the harbour, where the day opens out to water, gardens and open sky.
3 min walk — Head northwest
Castle Clinton National Monument
Opens 08:00
End inside the old fort at the park's edge, the last stop before the water and the point where Liberty ferries are ticketed.