The best camping near Federal Hall National Memorial

Washington D.C. was not America's first capital. Wall Street was. Or at least the Federal Hall in New York City served as America's first meeting place for the national government.

Federal Hall was the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches all in one. This is where George Washington took the oath of office in 1789. Congress met here for eight years. The Supreme Court held their trials here.

The original structure that housed the machinations of government no longer stands. The building there now was once a customs house, then a Treasury building. This place looks presidential, even though it's not the original building. Massive Greek columns adorn the facade. A statue of Washington overlooks Wall Street.

Inside, there are artifacts, exhibits, and displays about the government when the nation was young. Ranger-led tours tell you the history of the place. Self-guided tours are also available. If you're lucky, you might see George Washington. (Or at least someone dressed like him.) He may recite the Oath of Office, just like all American presidents must do before ascending to the highest office in the land.

Evacuation Day brings re-enactors to Federal Hall. A commemoration of the event occurs every late November. It marks the day when, in 1783, the last British troops peacefully left America. They departed Manhattan and didn't come back. Well, at least not until 1812.

There are plenty of sites to see in New York after Federal Hall. Right down the street is Castle Clinton. It's an old fort and the place where you catch the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.