You’re standing on Wall Street, looking up at the towering columns of the New York Stock Exchange, and you’re wondering: Where is the bull? It’s the ultimate New York photo op. You’ve seen it in movies, on the news, and definitely on your Instagram feed. But here’s the thing—if you’re actually standing on the street named "Wall Street," you’re in the wrong place.
Honestly, it’s one of the most common mistakes tourists make.
The Wall Street Bull statue, officially known as Charging Bull, isn’t actually on Wall Street. It’s nearby, sure, but if you spend your afternoon wandering back and forth between Broadway and South Street looking for a three-and-a-half-ton bronze beast, you’re going to end up with sore feet and zero photos.
Where is the Wall Street Bull statue located exactly?
The bull lives at the northern tip of Bowling Green, a small public park in Manhattan’s Financial District. If you want a specific address to punch into your phone, use 26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.
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It sits in a cobblestone traffic median where Broadway splits. It’s basically the gateway to the "Canyon of Heroes." To find it, you just head south from the Stock Exchange for about two or three blocks. You’ll know you’re close when you see a massive huddle of people holding selfie sticks.
The statue is impossible to miss once you’re in the right zip code. It stands 11 feet tall and stretches 16 feet long. It’s huge. It’s aggressive. It’s 7,100 pounds of Sicilian bronze that looks like it’s about to flatten a taxi.
Getting there without losing your mind
Lower Manhattan is a labyrinth. The streets aren't a grid down there; they’re a messy leftover of Dutch colonial paths. Your best bet is the subway.
- Green Line (4 or 5 trains): Get off at the Bowling Green station. You will literally walk out of the station and see the bull’s backside.
- Red Line (1 train): Get off at South Ferry. It’s a short walk north.
- Yellow Line (R or W trains): Exit at Whitehall Street.
Avoid driving. Just don't. Parking in the Financial District is a nightmare that costs more than a steak dinner, and the traffic is basically a standstill most of the day.
The "Guerrilla Art" story you haven't heard
Most people think the city commissioned this statue. They didn't.
Back in December 1989, an artist named Arturo Di Modica decided New York needed a pick-me-up after the 1987 stock market crash. He spent $360,000 of his own money—basically his life savings—to cast the bull. He didn't ask for permission. He didn't get a permit.
In the middle of the night on December 14, he and a crew of friends drove a flatbed truck to Broad Street. They dropped the bull right under a 60-foot Christmas tree in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
It was a "gift" to the city.
The NYSE was not amused. They called the police, and by the end of the day, the bull was hauled off to an impound lot in Queens. But New Yorkers loved it. The public outcry was so loud that the Parks Department stepped in and gave it a "temporary" home at Bowling Green.
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That "temporary" stay has lasted over 35 years.
Why is everyone touching the back of the bull?
If you visit, you’ll notice two distinct lines of people. One line is at the front, waiting to grab the horns. The other line is at the back, waiting to... well, grab the bull’s testicles.
It’s a thing.
Somehow, an urban legend started that rubbing the bull’s anatomy brings good luck and financial prosperity. If you look closely, those specific "parts" of the statue are polished to a bright, shiny gold from millions of hands touching them over the decades. It's a bit weird, kinda gross if you think about the germs, but hey, it’s a tradition.
The Fearless Girl drama
For a few years, the bull had a roommate. In 2017, a statue of a young girl with her hands on her hips—the Fearless Girl—was placed directly in front of the bull.
It was a powerful image. The small girl standing her ground against the charging beast.
But Di Modica hated it. He argued that it changed the meaning of his work from a symbol of "prosperity and strength" into a "villain." He felt the girl turned his bull into a symbol of corporate oppression. After a long legal and public relations battle, the Fearless Girl was moved.
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She now stands in front of the New York Stock Exchange, which is actually where people expect the bull to be.
Pro tips for your visit in 2026
If you’re planning a trip today, things are a little different than they were a decade ago. The area is much more crowded, and security is tighter.
- Go early. I mean really early. If you get there at 7:00 AM, you might actually get a photo without twenty strangers in the background. By 10:00 AM, it’s a mosh pit.
- Watch for scammers. You’ll see guys offering to take your photo for "free" or trying to sell you "official" tickets to see the statue. The bull is in a public park. It’s free. You don’t need a ticket. Tell them to kick rocks.
- The "Good Luck" sequence. If you want the full experience, the "correct" order is: nose, horns, then the back. Don't ask me why; I don't make the rules.
- Explore the surroundings. You’re two minutes away from the Battery, where you can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. The National Museum of the American Indian is also right there in the old Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. It’s a stunning building and—bonus—it’s free and has clean bathrooms.
What to do next
Now that you know exactly where to find the Wall Street Bull statue, you can plan the rest of your Lower Manhattan loop.
Start at Bowling Green for the bull photos, then walk north up Broadway to see Trinity Church (where Alexander Hamilton is buried). From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the 9/11 Memorial. It’s a heavy afternoon, but it’s the most authentic way to see the history of New York.
Just remember: start at Bowling Green, not Wall Street. Your feet will thank you.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking for the best light for a photo, hit the bull during the "Golden Hour"—about 60 minutes before sunset. The bronze glows, and the shadows of the skyscrapers create a dramatic backdrop that looks incredible on camera.