World Financial Center

The self-proclaimed "premier business address in New York City," the World Financial Center is a complex of buildings that houses the offices of major companies, including Merrill Lynch, The Wall Street Journal, American Express and Dow Jones, as well as 40 restaurants and retail venues. It's also the largest year-round presenter of free arts events on the East Coast -- so not a bad place to while away a few hours with the fam.

Situated on the Hudson River across the street from Ground Zero, the complex was designed by Cesar Pelli and built between 1985 and 1988. Fun Fact: Like Battery Park City, the World Financial Center was built on landfill comprised of dirt and debris excavated during the building of the World Trade Center.

Though portions of the complex -- especially the mammoth 45,000-square-foot Winter Garden atrium -- were seriously damaged during the Sept. 11 attacks, all areas have since been repaired.

By Tom