At 33 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York pairs an Italian palazzo-inspired exterior with a working gold depository beneath the city. Its rusticated stone base and arched windows stand out along the narrow streets. Book an online tour to see the museum exhibits on the Federal Reserve and security, then visit the underground vault, the largest gold repository in the world. The gold is held mainly for foreign governments and central banks, and the tour is free.
The building on Liberty Street
The bank’s exterior takes its cues from Italian palazzos, including the Medici Riccardi palace in Florence. Look for the rusticated stonework on the lower facade and the arched windows. Its slightly skewed rectangular shape gives the building a distinctive outline among the narrower streets around it.
Museum exhibits and the gold vault
Online tours cover the history of the Federal Reserve and the bank’s security measures. The museum also has exhibits on counterfeit currency and a coin collection from the American Numismatic Society. The tour’s main draw is the underground vault, where gold is held on behalf of governments and central banks. The vault is the world’s largest gold repository.
FAQ
Are tours of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York free?
Yes. The tour and bank exhibits are free.
How do I book a tour?
Reserve online in advance. Tours are first come, first served, and demand for the vault visit is high.
Can children visit the gold vault?
The tour information states that visitors must be over 16.
What can you see on the tour?
Tours cover the Federal Reserve and the bank’s security measures, with a visit to the underground gold vault. The museum also has exhibits on counterfeit currency and a coin collection.
