PSA: It’s Cold Out There. Here’s How to Stay Warm Downtown

It’s in the teens in New York City today, with a bitter cold spell expected to extend further into the week. Consider this your reminder to bundle up (layers are your friend!), and to check on your neighbors to make sure they’re keeping warm. If you’re navigating our gorgeous ice planet neighborhood this morning, we’ve got some hacks to help you get around while mitigating your outdoor time:
- There are a number of underground areas and passageways in Lower Manhattan that’ll connect you to office buildings, subway stations, shopping centers and more. For instance, did you know that you can walk underground from Fulton Center, to the Oculus, to Brookfield Place for the price of one MetroCard swipe? We’ve got more tips and tricks to navigating Lower Manhattan underground.
- This is your periodic reminder that the Downtown Alliance offers a free circulator bus service in the district. Our five state-of-the-art (and heated!) Downtown Connection buses operate daily, making 36 stops around the perimeter of Lower Manhattan and connecting riders with subway lines, ferries and other modes of transportation as well as various neighborhood landmarks. You can find more information and a bus route map here.
- There are so many toasty things to do on a cold day in Lower Manhattan! We recently rounded up some winter weather ideas on Instagram if you’re looking for inspiration.
Note that very cold weather can be dangerous for unhoused people, and that when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, the city will issue a Code Blue, in which additional resources will be deployed by the Department of Homeless Services overnight to ensure people on the street get the help they need. If you see someone in need of shelter, warmth and/or assistance during this cold spell, please call 911. There are also three warming centers in the district if you are in need: the New Amsterdam Public Library at 9 Murray St., the Battery City Public Library at 175 North End Ave. and the NY Presbyterian Downtown Hospital at 170 William St., which is open 24/7.