Two momentous events happened at Federal Hall when New York was the nation's first capital: the First Congress met here and George Washington was inaugurated as America's first president in 1789. The noble statue of Washington that stands in front is by J.Q.A. Ward.

The present building dates to 1835. Initially it was the nation's first Custom House, then the United States Sub-Treasury. Its Parthenon-like presence with its massive Doric columns perhaps was meant as homage to Greek democracy. Inside, however, the dome evoked the economic prowess of Rome. In the mid-19th century Federal Hall was flanked by many American banks, all wearing their own Greek temple trappings.

Today, as Federal Hall National Monument, the National Park Service operates the site as a museum. It is also a center for visitor information and for guided walking tours.

Turn left onto Wall Street and walk uphill to Trinity Church, framed by the canyons of Wall Street.

The street was named for the wooden wall the Dutch built in 1653 to prevent a feared attack by New England. But the attack came by sea and the wall came down in 1699 at the hands of the then-ruling British.