Federal Hall National Memorial, NYC: Visitor guide with times, prices & accessibility

This guide explains how to visit Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It includes opening hours, what to see inside this Greek Revival building, and its significance as the site where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. You’ll find practical details on access, facilities, and nearby attractions you can combine into a walking tour of historic Financial District landmarks.

Quick visitor summary

What is Federal Hall National Memorial?

Federal Hall National Memorial is a museum and historic site operated by the National Park Service, commemorating the location where George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States on 30 April 1789. The original Federal Hall building, which served as the first capitol of the United States and housed the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices, was demolished in 1812.

The current Greek Revival structure was built between 1834 and 1842 as the United States Custom House for the Port of New York, later serving as a Sub-Treasury building before becoming a national memorial in 1955.

People visit to see exhibits about Washington’s inauguration, view a section of the original balcony where he stood to take the oath, and explore the restored bank vaults that once held millions of dollars in gold and silver when the building functioned as a Sub-Treasury.

How to get to Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall is located at 26 Wall Street. That’s on the corner of Wall Street and Nassau Street in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. The Wall Street station, serving the 2, 3, 4, and 5 subway lines, is directly adjacent to the building. The Broad Street station on the J, M, and Z lines is one block south.

From midtown Manhattan, the journey takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes by subway. The M1 and M6 bus routes run along nearby streets. Walking from Battery Park takes around 15 minutes heading north. The building is visible from several blocks away due to its prominent colonnade of Doric columns facing Wall Street.

It can also be visited as part of an Alexander Hamilton-themed walking tour.

Parking near Federal Hall National Memorial

There is no parking at Federal Hall itself. Commercial parking garages operate within several blocks, including facilities on Pearl Street, Water Street, and near the South Street Seaport. Parking rates in the Financial District typically start around $30 for two hours and increase for longer periods. Street parking is extremely limited, metered, and primarily reserved for commercial vehicles during business hours.

Public transport is the most practical option for reaching Federal Hall given parking constraints and weekday traffic congestion in Lower Manhattan.

Opening hours at Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The building may also close or restrict access during federal government shutdowns.

These Federal Hall opening hours were checked and confirmed in February 2026.

Best time to visit Federal Hall National Memorial

Weekday mornings between 10am and noon offer the quietest visiting conditions. Particularly Wednesday and Thursday when tourist groups are less common. I found arriving shortly after opening gave me space to walk through the rotunda and examine exhibits without crowding. Lunch hours between noon and 2pm can be busy with office workers and school groups.

Summer months see higher visitor numbers, while winter visits are typically quieter.

What to expect when you arrive

The main entrance for visitors is on Pine Street at the rear of the building, not through the front doors facing Wall Street. All visitors pass through security screening including bag checks before entering. Once inside, you find yourself in the rotunda, a circular domed space with a patterned marble floor and tall columns supporting the upper galleries.

The most significant artifact on display in the rotunda is a stone slab from the balcony of the original Federal Hall, where Washington stood when taking the oath of office. This piece was preserved when the original building was demolished in 1812. Exhibition galleries branch off from the rotunda. They contain displays about Washington’s inauguration, the first Congress, the Bill of Rights, and the John Peter Zenger free press trial that took place in the original building in 1735.

The Washington statue

The bronze statue of George Washington on the front steps was created by sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward and erected in 1883. The statue stands at approximately the same height as the balcony of the original Federal Hall, marking where Washington stood during his inauguration. The statue has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the Financial District. Visitors are free to photograph it from the steps or street level.

The rotunda and interior

Federal Hall’s rotunda rises through three floors under a coffered dome designed by sculptor John Frazee. The space is lit by natural light from the dome and by reproduction gas lamps mounted on the walls. Two restored bank vaults open off the rotunda, furnished to show how the building functioned when it served as the Sub-Treasury from 1862 to 1920. One vault displays period banking equipment. The other contains examples of imported goods that would have passed through customs when the building served as the Custom House.

A grand marble staircase leads to upper floors where additional exhibition space and ranger offices are located. The staircase underwent restoration work funded by the American Express Foundation and completed in the mid-2010s.

Facilities at Federal Hall National Memorial

Public toilets are located inside the building. A small gift shop near the entrance sells books, postcards, and items related to George Washington and early American history. There is no café on site, though numerous coffee shops and restaurants operate within a few blocks throughout the Financial District.

The building is wheelchair accessible via a ramp at the rear entrance on 15 Pine Street. An interior lift provides access to upper floors. Wheelchairs are available to borrow at no charge from staff at the entrance. Visitors requiring sign language interpretation or other specific accommodations should contact the memorial in advance by email or telephone.

Ranger programmes and tours

National Park Service rangers offer guided tours lasting approximately 30 minutes. These tours are available by reservation or on a walk-in basis depending on staffing levels. Rangers are stationed in the rotunda throughout operating hours and can answer questions about the building, Washington’s inauguration, and the site’s historical significance. The memorial also hosts occasional special programmes and living history events, particularly around significant dates such as Presidents’ Day and Independence Day.

The Washington Inaugural Bible

The bible used by George Washington during his inauguration ceremony is sometimes on display at Federal Hall, though it is not always present. The bible is owned by St John’s Lodge No. 1 of the Free and Accepted Masons and is on loan to the memorial. During periods when the bible is returned to the Masons or when restoration work is taking place, it may not be available for viewing.

Historical context

The original Federal Hall was built between 1699 and 1703 as New York’s second City Hall. When New York served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790, the building was remodeled by architect Pierre L’Enfant and renamed Federal Hall. It was here that the First Congress met, the Bill of Rights was ratified, and the executive departments of State, War, and Treasury were established.

The current building represents a different chapter in American financial history. As the Custom House, it processed import duties that provided the main source of federal revenue before income taxes were introduced in 1913. As the Sub-Treasury, it stored up to 70 per cent of the federal government’s money at its peak, with massive vaults in the basement holding gold and silver bullion. The building served as a Sub-Treasury until 1920, when its functions were transferred to the newly established Federal Reserve Bank a few blocks away.

Nearby attractions you can visit on the same day

Trinity Church is directly opposite Federal Hall on Broadway at Wall Street, and its churchyard contains the grave of Alexander Hamilton. The New York Stock Exchange is one block east on Broad Street, though public access to the trading floor is not permitted. The Charging Bull sculpture is a 10-minute walk south down Broadway near Bowling Green.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum is approximately 10 minutes’ walk west on Liberty Street. The South Street Seaport Historic District, with its restored 19th-century buildings, shops, and waterfront views, is five blocks east. Stone Street, a pedestrianised cobbled street lined with restaurants and bars, is two blocks south and provides lunch options. All these sites can be combined into a half-day or full-day walking tour of Lower Manhattan.

It’s also a short walk from the Fraunces Tavern, where the Sons of Liberty met, and the Skyscraper Museum in Battery Park City.

Practical questions about visiting Federal Hall National Memorial

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