Manhattan’s Charging Bull statue: A practical guide for first-time visitors

Everything you need to know about visiting New York City‘s famous bronze bull, from subway directions to avoiding the crowds

A guerrilla artwork that became Wall Street’s calling card

The Charging Bull statue appeared on Wall Street without warning on a cold December night in 1989. Italian sculptor Arturo Di Modica, armed with a flatbed truck and a bold vision, installed his 7,100-pound bronze beast outside the New York Stock Exchange as an unauthorized gift to the city.

Di Modica had spent $360,000 of his own money creating the sculpture following the 1987 stock market crash, intending it as a symbol of American resilience and prosperity. The Stock Exchange wasn’t amused. Police confiscated the bull that same day and hauled it to an impound lot in Queens.

How the bull found its permanent home

Public outcry was swift. New Yorkers had fallen for the aggressive, eleven-foot-tall sculpture during its brief appearance, and they demanded its return.

Within days, the city’s Parks Department relocated the bull to Bowling Green, a small plaza at the southern tip of Manhattan, just two blocks from its original location. It’s stood there ever since, drawing thousands of visitors daily who queue to photograph themselves with what’s become one of the city’s most recognized symbols.

Getting to the Charging Bull

The Charging Bull location is straightforward: Broadway at Morris Street, directly north of Bowling Green Park in Manhattan’s Financial District. The sculpture sits on a cobblestone pedestrian plaza, though busy streets flank both sides, so watch for traffic when approaching.

The closest subway station is Bowling Green, served by the 4 and 5 trains. Exit onto Broadway and you’ll spot the bull immediately — hard to miss, given the crowds typically surrounding it.

Alternative subway routes to reach the statue

If the 4 and 5 trains aren’t convenient, you have options. The Wall Street station (2 and 3 trains) sits about a five-minute walk north on Broadway.

The Whitehall Street-South Ferry station serves the 1 train and is roughly two minutes on foot. The R train stops at Whitehall Street as well, though that requires a slightly longer walk of about three minutes.

Opening hours and admission fees

Here’s the good news: the Charging Bull is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there’s no admission charge. Unlike other Manhattan landmarks that require advance tickets or timed entry, you can simply walk up whenever suits your schedule.

That said, the bull’s location on a public plaza means you’re sharing space with everyone else who’s had the same idea, which brings us to timing.

When to visit for the best experience

Timing matters enormously at the Charging Bull. Mid-morning through mid-afternoon, particularly on weekends, the sculpture becomes a scrum of tour groups and individual visitors, all jostling for position.

I’ve watched people wait thirty minutes just for a clear shot at the bull’s head. The rear end — yes, that’s a thing; the polished testicles are considered good luck — attracts its own separate queue.

Early morning visits offer breathing room

Show up between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and you’ll likely find the plaza nearly empty. Early risers can photograph the bull from multiple angles without strangers’ elbows in every frame.

Late evening, after 6:00 p.m., also sees lighter crowds, though in winter months you’ll be shooting in darkness. Winter generally brings fewer tourists, provided you avoid the holiday season when visitor numbers spike again.

Parking near the Financial District

Let’s be direct: parking near the Charging Bull is expensive and inconvenient. The Financial District wasn’t designed for personal vehicles, and street parking is virtually nonexistent.

Commercial garages exist within a few blocks, with rates typically starting around $27-$30 for a few hours. Battery Parking Garage at 70 Greenwich Street sits about 0.1 miles from the bull and represents one of the closer options.

Public transport beats driving every time

The Ocean Parking Garage at 1 West Street offers similar proximity at comparable rates. Beaver Street Parking at 51 Beaver Street, roughly 0.2 miles away, charges around $30 for short-term parking.

Honestly, unless you’re already driving into Manhattan for other reasons, taking the subway makes infinitely more sense. The city’s traffic and parking costs will drain both your patience and your wallet.

What to photograph and where

Most visitors gravitate toward the bull’s head, where the lowered horns and flared nostrils create a dramatic composition. The bronze has been polished to a golden sheen by countless hands, particularly at the horns, snout, and — rather famously — the testicles.

A superstition has developed that touching these particular anatomical features brings financial good fortune. I can’t vouch for the efficacy, but the ritual has created two distinct photo queues: one at the front, one at the back.

Watch for aggressive photo touts

Be prepared for street vendors and photo hawkers who’ve made the Charging Bull their office. Some will offer to take your photo, then demand payment.

Others sell miniature bull replicas and various souvenirs. There’s no need to engage unless you’re genuinely interested — politely declining and moving along works fine.

Nearby attractions worth combining

The **Financial District** rewards exploration beyond the bull. Trinity Church, a gothic revival masterpiece that’s served as Alexander Hamilton’s final resting place since 1804, sits just four blocks north at Broadway and Wall Street.

The National Museum of the American Indian occupies the stunning Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, directly across from Bowling Green Park. Admission is free, and the building’s Beaux-Arts architecture merits attention even if you skip the galleries.

Walking to other downtown landmarks

The 9/11 Memorial lies about half a mile north — a fifteen-minute walk that takes you past the New York Stock Exchange on Broad Street. Battery Park extends south from the bull, offering harbor views and access to ferries serving the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Stone Street, a narrow cobblestone lane lined with restaurants and bars, provides a pleasant detour about five minutes northeast of the statue. The pedestrian-only street preserves some of lower Manhattan’s colonial-era character, though the drinking establishments lean decidedly modern.

Also within easy walking distance in Lower Manhattan are the Skyscraper Museum, Federal Hall, the Fraunces Tavern Museum and Trinity Church.

Fearless Girl moved, but her footprints remain

You might have heard about the Fearless Girl statue that once stood facing the Charging Bull. Artist Kristen Visbal’s sculpture of a defiant young girl appeared in 2017, commissioned by a financial firm to promote workplace diversity.

Di Modica, the bull’s creator, objected strenuously, arguing that placing another sculpture in front of his work altered its meaning. Fearless Girl was relocated to the New York Stock Exchange in 2018, though bronze footprints marking her original position remain embedded in the plaza.

Food and facilities nearby

The Financial District doesn’t cater heavily to tourists in terms of dining. You’ll find the usual Manhattan coffee chains — Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Joe Coffee — within a few blocks, serving the office worker crowd.

Food trucks congregate along nearby streets during weekday lunch hours, offering everything from halal carts to taco trucks at prices far more reasonable than sit-down restaurants. Public restrooms are scarce; your best bet is ducking into a coffee shop and buying something.

Accessibility considerations

The Bowling Green subway station includes elevator access, making it fully ADA-compliant. The plaza surrounding the Charging Bull is paved and level, though the persistent crowds can make navigation challenging for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility limitations.

Early morning visits offer not just better photo opportunities but also easier physical access to the statue itself. The surrounding streets have standard curb cuts, and the Financial District’s sidewalks are generally wide and well-maintained.

How much time to budget

Most people spend fifteen to thirty minutes at the Charging Bull, depending on crowd size and how particular you are about photos. If you’re planning to explore the broader Financial District — Trinity Church, the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park — budget three to four hours for a comprehensive walking tour.

The area is compact enough that you can cover multiple landmarks without needing additional transportation. Comfortable walking shoes matter; those cobblestone streets look charming in photos but feel less romantic after an hour of exploring.

Practical tips for your visit

Skip the weekends if possible. Weekday mornings bring office workers rather than tour buses, creating a fundamentally different atmosphere — still busy, but with a purposeful energy rather than pure tourism.

Bring your own water and snacks. Vendors near tourist attractions charge Manhattan prices, which is to say, exorbitant ones. A bodega a few blocks away will sell you the same items for a fraction of the cost.

Watch your belongings. The Financial District is generally safe, but crowded tourist areas attract pickpockets everywhere in the world. Keep phones, wallets, and cameras secured.

Don’t climb on the bull. Security guards patrol the area, and while touching the statue is tolerated, climbing it is not. People have been injured sliding off the bronze surface, which becomes slippery when polished by thousands of hands.

Photography without the crowds in frame

If you’re determined to photograph the bull without strangers in every shot, that 7:00 a.m. arrival becomes essential. Winter weekday mornings offer your best odds, though you’ll sacrifice the warm golden light that makes the bronze glow.

Late evening in summer can work, with enough ambient light remaining after most tourists have moved along to dinner. Consider shooting from different angles — standing behind the bull looking north toward the Financial District’s towers creates a different composition than the standard head-on approach.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Charging Bull wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Bowling Green subway station has elevator access, and the plaza around the statue is paved and level. However, dense crowds during peak hours can make physical access challenging. Early morning or late evening visits provide easier navigation for wheelchair users or anyone with mobility concerns.

When is the quietest time to visit the Charging Bull?

Between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. on weekday mornings, the area is notably quiet. Late evening after 6:00 p.m. also sees fewer visitors, though lighting becomes an issue in winter months. Winter weekdays (excluding the holiday season) generally bring lighter crowds than summer or weekends.

Are there cafés or restaurants within walking distance?

Yes, though the Financial District caters primarily to office workers rather than tourists. Coffee chains (Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Joe Coffee) operate within a few blocks. Food trucks appear during weekday lunch hours on nearby streets. Stone Street, about five minutes northeast, offers multiple restaurants and bars in a pedestrian-only setting.

Can you bring your own food to Bowling Green?

Yes. Bowling Green Park allows visitors to eat in the public space. Many people bring coffee or snacks to enjoy in the park, particularly during warmer months. No specific restrictions apply to outside food or beverages in this public plaza.

Are photos allowed everywhere around the statue?

Photography is permitted throughout the plaza and park area. The Charging Bull is public art in a public space, so there are no restrictions on personal photography. However, commercial photo shoots may require permits from the city’s Parks Department.

What’s the best time for photos?

Early morning (7:00-8:00 a.m.) offers the clearest shots without crowds. For lighting, mid-morning provides good natural light that makes the bronze glow without harsh shadows. Late afternoon can work in summer when daylight extends longer. Overcast days produce even lighting that avoids reflections on the polished bronze.

Is parking available near the Charging Bull?

Commercial parking garages exist within 0.1-0.2 miles, with rates typically starting at $27-30 for a few hours. Battery Parking Garage (70 Greenwich Street) and Ocean Parking Garage (1 West Street) are closest. However, public transportation is strongly recommended—parking in the Financial District is expensive and inconvenient compared to taking the subway.

Which subway lines stop at Bowling Green station?

The 4 and 5 trains serve Bowling Green station directly. Alternative nearby stations include Wall Street (2 and 3 trains, five-minute walk), and Whitehall Street-South Ferry (1 and R trains, two-to-three-minute walk). All options provide easy access to the statue.

Is the Charging Bull suitable for families with children?

Yes. Children typically enjoy the statue’s sheer size and the opportunity to touch it. However, be prepared for crowds that can feel overwhelming for small children during peak hours. Early visits work better for families. Bowling Green Park nearby provides green space where children can move around after visiting the statue.

More New York City travel

Other New York City travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

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• Stories of Nolita on the Catacombs by Candlelight tour.
• A first time visitor’s guide to Manhattan’s Upper East Side – including the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Frick Collection and the Museum of the City of New York.
• How to pay less for Empire State Building tickets and get cheaper tickets for Summit One Vanderbilt.
• Plan your visit to the Top of the Rock observation deck and the Whitney Museum of American Art.