Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Located at 33 Liberty Street between Nassau and William Streets in downtown Manhattan, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is a popular tourist attraction that offers free 60-minute tours. For security reasons, tour reservations must be booked five days in advance. Photo identification is required. Cameras and briefcases or other packages are not allowed on the tours. The bank was designed to look like Florentine palaces in Italy with Strozzi Palace in Florence, Italy being the main inspiration for the architects. The original lanterns, made by metalworker Samuel Yellin when the bank was built, can still be seen outside the bank's main entrance. Yellin also made the enormous metal clock mounted on the wall of the first floor of the bank. Visitors can find out about the bank's gold vault that rests in solid bedrock 50 feet below sea level. The vault holds billions of dollars worth of gold. An interactive multimedia exhibit called FedWorks give visitors an understanding about the bank's role in the economy. Visitors also get to participate virtually monetary policy simulations. Various valuable metal coin and medal exhibits from many different currencies are also available for visitors to see.