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- NYC Neighborhoods
- The History of New York City
- Fun Facts
- The Empire State Building
- Liberty Island
- DUMBO, Brooklyn
- Conservatory Garden
- The New York Stock Exchange
- The Rockefeller Centre
- Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
- The Washington Square Park Arch
- Midtown Manhattan
- The Dakota
- Henry Street Settlement
- Statue of Liberty
- Gramercy Park
- The Chrysler Building
- The Brooklyn Townhouse
- Cobble Hill Brooklyn
- Fire Department of New York
- Ghost Buster’s Movie
- The Flatiron District
- The Bow Bridge
- Wall Street Bull Statue
NYC Neighborhoods
You've heard about it in many movies and songs. New York is one of the most popular places on Earth and it’s filled with lots of the nation’s tallest buildings and historic landmarks. There are lots of opportunities here, and this is why it gets a constant influx of people despite its crowds and costs. It’s also the largest metropolitan area and it homes 21 million people that speak over 200 languages.
It has some of the best restaurants, theatres, museums, cultural and park activities and so much more. It is known for its fast-paced and around the clock lifestyle, and it is called the city that never sleeps.
Best Neighborhoods To Visit in NYC
New York consists of five boroughs and countless neighborhoods. The 5 are Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx. Some of the best neighborhoods in New York City that you can visit are:
Lower Manhattan and the Financial District
This is the oldest part of the city and it is surrounded by many skyscrapers which dwarf the remaining historic sites. Some of the top places that you can visit here are the 1 World Trade Center or the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The area is a tourist hotspot as it is filled with hotels, restaurants, and new shops that you can go to.
Tribeca and SoHo
While their names sound cool and unusual, they are actually acronyms for Triangle Below Canal and South of Houston. They are both former warehouses that have been reborn, and Tribeca is now popular for its film festival, fine dining that attracts the rich and famous, and pricey loft apartments.
Greenwich Village
This area is home to magnificent 19th-century townhouses where popular writers, artists and musicians used to live. It’s also a hotspot for young people and it features one of the liveliest park spaces in the city, cafes, and hotel options.
Upper East Side
You are going to find some of the wealthiest residences in the city in this serene area, and it also homes the Museum Mile which includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The area also borders two green oases which are the Central Park in the west and the Carl Schurz Park along the East River.
The History of New York City
In 1624, the Dutch first settled along the Hudson River and it took them two years to establish the colony of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. The English then took control of the area and renamed it New York in 1664. The new city played an important, strategic and political role during the American Revolution. Millions of immigrants arrived in the New York Harbor between 1892 and 1954 on their journey to become United States citizens. About 40% of Americans can even trace at least one of their ancestors to the port of entry. The economy of New York was based on shipping and the exportation of timber, furs and manufactured products like iron ore which included kettles, plows, nails, and locks. The colony also produced corn and products like pork, beef, textiles like hemp and flax. The port of New York was founded during the Dutch reign, and it was built at the tip of Manhattan which defended the fur operations of the Dutch West India Company. The economy was diverse and was based on fur trade as the Dutch allowed immigrations of many types of people, including Jews.
17th Century New York
In 1624, the first permanent trading post at New York was constructed by the Dutch.
In 1626, The island of Manhattan was bought from the Native Americans by Peter Minuit.
In 1628, the first black slaves arrived in New York.
In 1639, A Swede named Jonas Bronck settled in the Bronx, and the area was named after him.
During 1653, the city of New Amsterdam was incorporated, and a wall of wooden stakes was built. The street close to it was called Wall Street.
In 1657, due to the risk of fire, Thatched roofs were banned.
In 1658, a village called Nieuw Haarlem was built by the Dutch farmers.
New Amsterdam surrendered to the British in 1664.
New York City Geography
New York is characterized by its coastal position at the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson River, in a naturally sheltered harbor. Because the scarce availability of land, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the United States.
18th Century New York
In 1700 the Federal Hall was built and New York had a population of about 5,000 people. The first shipyard was opened in New York in 1720. The first newspaper in New York was established in 1725. The first synagogue was built in 1730, while the first theatre was made in 1732. In 1741, there was a series of fires outbreak which lead to the execution of about 31 slaves as the people believed it was a conspiracy. The population of New York got to about 25,000 in 1776. In 1783, George Washington entered New York and the Bank of New York was founded in 1784
19th Century New York
In 1800 the population of New York got to about 60,000, and a new city hall was built in 1812. The first horse-drawn streetcar appeared in New York in 1832. There was a severe fire in New York in 1835, and Harlem was connected to New York by railway in 1837. The New York Police Force was formed in 1845. Madison Square opened in 1847. In 1849, the Astor Place Riot took place. The New York Times begins publication in 1851, and there were draft riots in 1863. There was a cholera outbreak in 1866 killing 2,000 people, and the Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869. In 1878, the first telephones were installed in New York and the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883. The statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886, and the Bronx Zoo opened in 1899.
20th Century New York
In 1902, the Flatiron Building was built and the first line of the New York subway opened in 1904. The Queensboro Bridge was built in 1909. There was also a Triangle Factory fire outbreak which took the life of about 146 people. In 1913, the Woolworth Building was constructed and the Grand Central Station opened. The Holland Tunnel opened in 1927. The Museum of Modern Art was founded in New York in 1929, the Chrysler Building was built and the Whitney Museum of American Art was founded in 1930. In 1931, the Empire State Building was constructed and the Museum of the Moving Image opened in 1988. In 1990, David Dinkins became the first African American Mayor of New York
21st Century New York
The World Trade Centers were destroyed in a terrorist attack in 2001.
The Bank of America Tower was built in 2009.
In 2013, the population of New York reached 8.3 million and the One World Trade Center was opened in 2014.
Fun Facts
- There are over 800 languages spoken here and this makes it the most linguistically
diverse city in the world. 4 in 10 households speak a different language than US.
- Oysters were abundant in New York during the 19th century, and the shells were
used for paving the Pearl Street and also for liming the masonry of
the Trinity Church.
- The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States by France in 1886 for its
centennial celebration.
- There are more than 50 million books and other items in the New York Public Library, and it is the second largest library system in
the United States after the Library of Congress. It’s also the third largest in the
world.
- In 1789, it became the first capital of the United States
- Times Square was once called the Longacre Square before it was renamed after
the New York Times in 1904.
Things to do in NYC
New York City is filled with iconic history and mind-blowing attractions that you can visit. Due to its plethora of amazing places, you could spend a lifetime just exploring the city and you will still have new spots to visit. Some of the top things to do in NYC include:
Go on a Sightseeing Tour - this is a perfect and stress-free way to explore the city without any hassle. You can get a hop-on-hop-off tour where you will get to see all the major attractions
Experience a Broadway Show - There is a wide variety of Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays that you can enjoy. You can check what is playing online before going there, and choose your favorite kind of show
Go sightseeing at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum – this place is located in a spacious wide-open plaza in Lower Manhattan, and it is a memorial to the lost lives of the 9/11 incident
Wander around Central Park – This amazing park is the perfect place to go if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. It is filled with sculptures, open spaces, exciting rides, zoos, ponds, and lakes that you can visit. Plus, you can also try out various sporting activities here.
This place is a tourist hotspot because of its amazing skyline views, including that of the Empire State Building. You can stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoy a show at the Apollo theatre, visit the Bronx Zoo or admire the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.
Visit the Central Park Zoo – it features four zoos plus the New York Aquarium, and they all include about 130 species of animals. The habitats are specially designed to make the animals feel like in their natural environments. You will find some really amazing creatures around here, and it’s definitely worth a visit.
Go to the Belvedere Castle Central Park – this is one of the five visitor centers in Central Park, and it was built in 1869 by Calvert Vaux (who made miniature castles). The wonderful castle offers the highest and most scenic views of the park and the adjacent cityscape. Since 1919 it is also the home of the National Weather Service, and this is the place where the weather data is being collected and forwarded to the forecast office. The years put their toll on the castle, and it was renovated and reopened in 1983.
Try Some Central Park Activities – the park offers activities for anyone, no matter the time of the year. Here you will find guided horse rides, carriages, walking, running and fitness tours, bicycle rides, yoga, playgrounds for the kids and more. During the summer there are various concerts you can attend, a pool that offers swimming lessons, movies, theatre shows and more. In the winter you can ice skate, sledge or attend the annual winter jam.
There are so many more other things to do in New York, that we would need an entire book just on this topic.
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102 stories skyscraper made in the Art Deco style and located in Midtown Manhattan. It was completed in 1931. It has a total height of 443.2 m (including the antenna) and of 380 m without the antenna. After its completion in 1931, it stood as the tallest building in the world for 41 years when it eventually lost the title to the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Today it is the 5 th tallest skyscraper in the United States and the 28 th tallest building in the world. After the September 11 attacks, it was again the tallest building in New York before the One World Trade Center was completed in April 2012.
The Empire State Building Observation Deck - The famous observation decks can be found on the 86 th and the 102 nd floors, and they offer some mind-blowing views of New York City and beyond. If you are lucky to be here on a clear day, you will get to see New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Empire State Building’s Construction - The construction began in 1930 and was a model of efficiency based on assembly lines, industrialism and division of labor. They basically built the tallest building in the world in just one year. In order to save time, many pieces were built off-site and then delivered ready to just be inserted by workers. Since it was hard to get the workers down from this site and back again very fast, there were food concessions placed on every few floors where they can take their lunch break.
Empire State Building Fun Facts
Its lightning rod is struck about 23 times each year.
It has 103 floors and a total height of 443.2 m (1,454 ft.)
It took 410 days for it to be completed, which was sooner than they anticipated
It was officially opened on May 1, 1931, when the president Herbert Hoover turned the lights on with the push of a button from Washington DC
It stood as the tallest building in the world between 1931 and 1972
It has 6,514 windows
From the bottom to the top, it has 1,872 steps and a race up the stairs is held annually. The participants must climb a total of 1,576 steps, up to the 86 th floor.
The building has 73 elevators and iIt even has its own ZIP code (10118)
The observation decks are visited by 4 million people each year.
Liberty Island
Liberty Island is a federally owned island located in the Upper New York Bay and it is the popular location of the Statue of Liberty. It was formerly known as the Bedloe’s Island before it was renamed, and also became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1937.
Statue of Liberty Meaning
This amazing and unique statue is a symbol of freedom. It was mainly соnсеіvеd аѕ an еmblеm tо ѕhоw the frіеndѕhір between thе people of thе U.S аnd Frаnсе, and a ѕіgn оf thеіr mutual dеѕіrе fоr liberty. It’s also known as the Mother of Exiles because it greets millions of immigrants and shows hope and opportunity for those that are seeking a better life in America.
Statue of Liberty Ferry
The only provider of Ferry service to Liberty and Ellis Islands is Statue Cruises. You are going to need a ticket to visit both islands and it includes the audio tour as well. The Statue of Liberty Ferry schedule does change seasonally and also during the periods of high tourism. For tickets and more info visit Statue Cruises or Castle Clinton in Battery Park.
The History of The Statue of Liberty
In 1865, after the American Civil War stopped, the French historian Edouard de Laboulaye proposed that France should build a statue to give the United States in order to celebrate the nation’s success in building a viable democracy.
The goal was to build the sculpture in time for the centennial of the Declaration of Independence in 1876 and it was given to Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, known for making large-scale sculptures. The project was meant to be a joint effort between the two countries and the French made the statue and its assembly, while the Americans built the pedestal that it stands on.
On the tablet it is written July 4 1776 (in Roman symbols), which was the adoption date of the Declaration of Independence. In the building process they also got the help of none other than the designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The French only completed the statue in 1885, and then it was disassembled and packed in over 200 crates before it was shipped to New York. It then took the workers 4 months to reassemble everything back and mount it on the pedestal. It was officially inaugurated on the 28th of October, 1886, in front of thousands of spectators.
DUMBO, Brooklyn
DUMBO is a small neighborhood in Brooklyn, and no, its name is not inspired by the famous Disney character. It actually means Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and this is because of its location between Brooklyn and Manhattan. It is a great spot to enjoy a splendid view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River, and it also has mouth-watering cuisines, vibrant art scenes, galleries and shopping boutiques.
Top Things To Do in DUMBO
Brooklyn Bridge Park - This park is a great place to relax, and it features many piers where you can overlook the water and the beautiful views. During the summer, the park hosts an outdoor food market where you can try out delicious foods. It also features movie shows, unique art installations and some of the top attractions include the Jane’s Carousel, riverside esplanades, sporting leagues, roller skating, picnics, and so on.
The A.I.R. Gallery - DUMBO is popular for its fascinating art scene and one of the best places to go if you are an art lover is the A.I.R. Gallery. It was founded in 1972 and it was the first all-female cooperative gallery in the US.
The Powerhouse Arena - This is a gallery, bookshop, boutique, and space for events that attracts creative people from across the globe. It was founded in the fall of 2006 by a world-renowned art book publisher, PowerHouse Books. Make sure you also visit the Arena Sky Lounge which is a multifunctional gallery, green room, and VIP lounge filled with lots of books.
St. Ann's Warehouse - This is a perfect place to go if you are a theatre lover as the warehouse offers an exciting theatre and plenty of music shows.
Visit the most Popular Instagram Spot in Brooklyn - Lots of tourists visit the Washington Street just to get Instagram-worthy pictures of the Manhattan Bridge, Dumbo’s cobblestone streets, and also the Empire State Building.
Dumbo Brooklyn Restaurants - The two best pizzerias in NYC are Grimaldi and Juliana, and the best part is that they are just right next to each other. If you want to eat family-pleasing fast food, you can head to ShakeShack which is located at 1 Old Fulton Street. These chains of shops are popularly known to have the best burgers in NYC. You can also try out Luke’s Lobster Rolls which is found close to Jane’s Carousel. Other notable restaurants not to miss are The Osprey, The River Café, Atrium DUMBO, AlMar and the Ice Cream Factory.
Conservatory Garden
This is the only formal garden in Central Park, and it got the name from a conservatory that was located here between 1898 and 1934. The glasshouses were used to harden the hardwood cuttings from the park’s plantings by the park’s head gardener. After the conservatory was torn
down, the garden was designed by a landscape architect and opened to the public in 1937. It is divided into three smaller gardens, each one with a unique style.
Central Park Boat Race
The Lake is the second largest body of water in Central Park and it’s a great place to go for a boat race. You can come to the park from April to November and you can rent a boat alone or rent one that can hold 4 passengers. If you just want to relax on the water without having to row, then you can just try out a gondola ride. Along the journey you will be able to see birds like waterfowls, herons, loons and egrets.
Central Park Conservancy
This is a private, non-profit organization which manages the Central Park under a contract with the NYC Parks and the City of New York. It was founded in 1980 by a group of dedicated civic and philanthropic leaders and it has invested over $800 million towards the improvement of the Central Park. Through the contributions from the Park-area residents, foundations, and corporations, the organization is able to provide 75% of the Park’s 65 million dollars annual budget.
Central Park Zoo
This is a small zoo in Central Park that includes four zoos and an aquarium. It was opened in 1860 and it was actually the first official zoo in New York. Here you can see animals like antelopes, monkeys, birds, wolves, lions and more. If you are visiting the zoo with your kids, you should make sure you do not miss the Tisch Children’s zoo where you will get hands-on interactions with domestic animals like sheep, goats, cows and others.
Central Park Zoo Fun Facts
- The place is opened for 365 days a year.
- Between 1860 and 1890 it received animal donations, including some from
important Politicians, inventors and generals.
- One of the oldest sculptures in the Central Park can be found at the zoo, it is named,
The Tigress and Her Cubs.
The New York Stock Exchange
As the name obviously states, the New York Stock Exchange (or simply NYSE) is a stock exchange found in the city of New York. When it comes to the transaction of equities, it is the largest exchange in the world and it became public in 2005. NYSE Euronext was born in 2007, when it merged with the largest stock exchange in Europe called Euronext. This entity was later on bought by Intercontinental Exchange.
NY Stock Market History
In case you are wondering how it all began, it was way back in 1792 when 24 stockbrokers from New York signed the Buttonwood Agreement. Initially, the Stock Market included only five securities. Three of them were government bonds, while the other two were bank stocks.
The NYSE is among the major stock exchanges of the United States, and over the years it included some major old companies. The longest listed NYSE stock is the Con Edison, with roots that trace back to 1824 as New York Gas Light Company.
It continued to grow, and in 1886 it reached the first milestone of 1 million shares traded. 101 years later in 1987, it had 500 million shares traded DAILY, and in 1997 there were around 1 billion traded shares per day. Due to a series of mergers, the NYSE gained a massive size and global presence.
New York Stock Fun Facts
- In the 19 th century, the American Stock Exchange got the nickname of The Curb. This was because businesses were conducted in the streets of New York and the traders were known as curbstone brokers - Investors and brokers are usually nervous during the month of October because the worst stock market crashes occurred during this time of the year - Since 1903, the NYSE has an interesting tradition of ringing a bell at 09:30 AM, which starts the trading sessions. The closing bell is rung at 4 PM, and trading for the day stops. There were lots of high-profile people that have been invited to participate in this tradition like Usher, former US president Ronald Reagan, Robert Downey, and many more - Blue Chips is the prestigious nickname reserved for companies that are well known and can trade high on the stock market. Some of the Blue Chips companies are the Kellogg Company, General Mills, Johnson and Johnson, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, General Electric, Walmart, IBM and more
New York Stock Exchange Tours.
You can also learn more about the financial institutions in New York by visiting the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where you can get free tours to explore the vaults and see the gold. Another interesting sight is the Museum of American Finance. Here you will get an insight into the inner workings of Wall Street, because both buildings are located in the Financial District.
The Rockefeller Centre
The Rockefeller Centre is one of the most popular New York tourist attractions. It is a large complex consisting of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres in New York City. Back in 1930, Philanthropist John D Rockefeller conceived the idea of building a ‘city within a city’-The Rockefeller stadium. An estimated 125 million people walk through the Rockefeller centre every year. After his death in 1960, Rockefeller centre still continued with long waiting lists to rent. Developers were also expanding the complex to midtown Manhattan. In the 90s, Frank Sinatra was selling out shows at Radio City Music Hall and despite a little bump on the way, the centre was able to survive and make even better enhancements.
In the 2010’s Rockefeller Centre introduced the first ever solar powered Christmas tree using energy efficient LED lights. With the return of The Tonight Show and The Tony awards, Rockefeller centre looks to have a bright future ahead.
What to do at Rockefeller centre
The Rockefeller centre plaza, commonly known as ’30 Rock’ is 872ft (266m).Your New York City tour isn’t complete without a Rockefeller Centre Tour. So many tour companies offer affordable charges for tours on foot and on the bus. The Concourse at Rockefeller Centre is a large network of stores and retailers. The buildings are connected through underground passageways. This makes it very convenient for tourists as they can shop, eat and enjoy themselves without too much hassle.
The Rockefeller Centre Tree has become a symbol for the holidays. The tree is located at Rockefeller Centre Plaza and measures between 18 to 30 metres tall from year to year and is covered with 50000 LED lights.Everyone always stops and stare, waiting for the tree to light up in the night for the first time during a ceremony. To get to the Rockefeller Christmas tree, get a ride on the B/D/F/M train to 47th-50th Sts-Rockefeller Centre. Don’t forget to skate at Rockefeller Centre rink. It has been immortalized in numerous movies and TV shows. It is one the most famous ice skating rinks in the world. The rink is open from October through April. It’s advisable to make reservations early, so that you’re not inconvenienced by the rush during the holidays. When it gets too warm to skate, the rink is transformed into a Garden & Bar at Rock Centre Café serving cocktails and nibbles.
There are many Rockefeller events such as the opening of the Ice skating rink, where skaters come, lace up and swirl away under the sparkling lights in the huge crowds. The Rockefeller centre presents a series of art interventions at unexpected locations. These paintings are usually inspired by the New York City Landscape and contemporary life.
Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
This hotel can be found among the prewar buildings that line the 13th Street. It features an artistic and delicate Georgian façade which makes it stand out in the area. This lovely place offers a magnificent oasis for tourists that are searching for a boutique hotel with a bohemian flair to stay at. Once you step inside you will find a comfortable and intimate lobby, and you will feel like you entered into another world. The Walker Hotel Greenwich Village is filled with lots of facilities that will make your stay comfortable and fun.
Society Cafe Walker Hotel
This café is found right in the above mentioned hotel, and is a new market-to-table American restaurant founded by rising-star chef, Manuel Gonzalez. The food is amazing and the reviews of those who’ve been there are outstanding. Definitely worth the visit!
Greenwich Village History
Greenwich Village is a neighborhood located in the lower Manhattan and it is known as the center of arts in New York City since the early 1900s. It grew rapidly throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and it narrowly escaped the grid pattern that can be found on the island. In the 20th century its ethnic diversity grew thanks to the lower cost of living, which lead to a strong culture and creative atmosphere.
It officially became a village in 1712, and it was initially named Grin’wich. After the yellow fever epidemic in 1822, many New York residents migrated to the healthier air of Greenwich. The village is popularly known as the epicentre for the American and Bohemia movement during the early and mid-20th century. It was the home of numerous social and political movements of the time, and it featured alternative theatres, small art galleries, and controversial publications.
Another Greenwich Village icon is Hotel Albert, which used to be a meeting place for artists and writers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Here you can also find the Cherry Lane Theater, which is the oldest running off-Broadway theatre in New York. It was and still is a place where the up and coming playwrights exhibit their work.
Greenwich Village Fun Facts
The Washington Square Park that is in the Greenwich Village used to be a Cemetery
There is a buried river that runs under the village
The Gaslight Lamp Post found here is among the last 19th-century gaslight lamp posts in the world
There are many reports that show that the Greenwich Village “House of Death” is haunted.
Here you will also find one of the oldest surviving bars and the smallest plot of land in New York
The Washington Square Park Arch
This popular wooden triumphal arc found in the New York's Washington Square Park was made by the architect Stanford White in 1889. It was designed to celebrate the centenary of George Washington’s inauguration in New York. The temporary arch was topped with a wooden sculpture of the first president and was designed in classical motifs.
The arch was mind-blowing and White was then commissioned to make a permanent monument in the park. The permanent Washington Square Arch is made with marble and it stands at 73 feet and 6 inches high. White’s arch was beautified with allegorical figures and classical motifs, and it was sculpted by various artists. It also includes two huge American eagle sculptures that seem to be guarding the area from the north and the south.
Washington Square Park Events
There is a diversity of performance that you can enjoy at this park, including musicals, performance events and theatres. They are organized by various groups and some of the cool events that you can enjoy are the Annual Spring Benefit, Springtime Arts and Crafts, If Trees Could Talk, Dachshund Spring Fiesta and many more.
Washington Square Park Chess
On the southwest area of the park you can also find chess tables where you can play this awesome game. There are plenty of onlookers which makes the game even more exciting. It costs just 5 dollars for 2 games, and you will always find plenty of opponents to play against, with varied skill levels. The tables were even featured in the 1994 movie “Searching for Bobby Fisher”.
Washington Square Park History
Washington Square Park was initially a six-and-a-half-acre plot that was designated as a potter’s field between 1797 and 1826. The east part was the church’s cemetery, but it was not a regular one. This is where the poor, the brothel women, the sick and the rest of the city’s undesirable people were buried. In the center of the square stood the gallows which is where the fountain stands now.
Washington Square Park Movies
The park is quite popular, and it has been featured in numerous movies like Glee, Person of Interest, Imposters, Ghostbusters II, I Am Legend, The Mysteries of Laura, Elementary and more.
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan is the central portion of the Manhattan borough and it homes some of the most iconic buildings in the city like the Empire State Building, the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, and so on.
High Line New York - Thе Hіgh Lіnе New Yоrk іѕ a рublіс park that was соnѕtruсtеd оn a hіѕtоrіс frеіght rаіl lіnе thаt іѕ еlеvаtеd аbоvе the ѕtrееtѕ оn Mаnhаttаn’ѕ Wеѕt Sіdе. The park was saved from demolition by neighborhood residents and the City of New York, the park was opened in 2009 and it is a hybrid public space where visitors can experience art, nature, and design.
Madison Square Garden - Madison Sԛuаrе Garden іѕ a multі-рurроѕе іndооr аrеnа іn Nеw Yоrk Cіtу аnd саn bе found in Midtown Manhattan between 7th and 8th Avеnuеѕ frоm 31ѕt аnd 33rd Streets. The Garden is used for numerous sports like professional basketball, ice hockey, professional wrestling, boxing, concerts, and also some other forms of sports and entertainment. Madison Square Garden is also close to midtown Manhattan landmarks like the Koreatown, Empire State Building, and so on. The Garden was opened on February 11, 1968, and it was the oldest major sporting facility in New York metropolitan area, it іѕ also thе oldest аrеnа in thе National Hосkеу Lеаguе and thе ѕесоnd-оldеѕt arena іn thе Nаtіоnаl Bаѕkеtbаll Aѕѕосіаtіоn. The Garden is also the second-busiest music arena in the world based on the ticket sales just behind the O2 Arena in London.
Bryant Park - Brуаnt Park соvеrѕ 9.603 асrеѕ оf lаnd; іt іѕ a рrіvаtеlу mаnаgеd public раrk located in the bоrоugh of Manhattan. It can be found between the fifth and the sixth Avenues and also between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. The Main Branch of the New York Public Library can be found within the park technically; this is because Bryant Park is located over an underground structure that houses the library’s stacks that were built in the ‘80s when the park was closed to the public. The Park is also managed by a private not-for-profit organization known as Bryant Park Corporation and it is also a part of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Grand Central Terminal
This is a major commuter rail terminal that is located Midtown Manhattan and it serves the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem, New Haven Lines, and Hudson. It is also the most recent of the three functionally similar buildings on the same site. Grand Central Terminal was built so as to serve all the three terminals in the present day Midtown Manhattan.
The Dakota
This is a historic building found on the West 72nd Street which is also one of the most magnificent buildings in Manhattan. It was made in 1884 and it is considered the first luxury apartment place in New York City. It offers mind-blowing architecture, mesmerizing Central Park views, and it is among the world’s most stunning and well known residential buildings.
It has amenities like a full-time doorman, storage spaces, a Fitness center, a laundry area, a courtyard and more. It has a special spot in the cultural history of the city, as it was featured in many films and has been occupied by many big celebrities.
Dakota Building & John Lennon
Among the famous residents that stayed here we can find Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Judy Garlend, Rosemary Clooney and more. Outѕіdе оf thе араrtmеnt gаtеѕ wаѕ whеrе Lennon wаѕ murdеrеd іn December 1980. You might think that being accepted here is easy, and all you need to have is money and fame. But actually the board of the building is very selective, and some of the celebrities that were rejected are Madonna, Cher, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith.
Strawberry Fields Memorial
This is a small area of the Central Park that pays tribute to the late Beatle singer, musician, peace activist and songwriter John Lennon. It was fashioned similarly to the original flowing design of the park, and it is lined with shrubs, tall elm trees, rocks, and flowers.
Strawberry Fields was officially dedicated on October 9, 1985, which was the 45th anniversary of Lennon’s birth. The beautiful place was designed by Lennon’s widow (Yoko Ono), together with architect Bruce Kelly. Italian craftsmen built this mosaic and were given as a gift by the city of Naples.
It featured a Greco-Roman design and it bears the famous word of Lennon’s songs, “Imagine”. On October 9 each year, lots of visitors and fans from all over the world visit the Strawberry Fields to pay homage to John Lennon.
Dakota Building Tour
There are many people that visit the Dakota along their trip to Central Park. You can explore the building by taking a peek outside of the entrance way on the 72nd street, because non-residents are not permitted to go beyond that point. The entrance way is also suitable to take Instagram worthy pictures of the building.
Henry Street Settlement
Located in the Lower East Side Neighborhood of Manhattan, this is a non-profit social service agency that provides arts programs, social and health care services to New Yorkers of all ages. It was founded in 1893 by Lilian Wald and was initially called Nurses’ Settlement. It serves around 50,000 people each year, focusing on low-income individuals and families, youngsters ages 2 to 21, survivors of domestic violence and more. The administrative offices can be found in various row houses on the street, and some of them were designated as New York City landmarks in 1966. Also, the Neighborhood Playhouse building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Lilian D. Wald
Born on March 10, 1867, she was a humanitarian, an author and a nurse. She contributed to human rights, and was the founder of American community nursing. And besides that, she was also the one to create the Henry Street Settlement. She grew up in Ohio and New York, and then became a nurse. She attended the medical school briefly, but then started to
teach community health classes. After founding the above mentioned settlement, she became an activist for women and minorities rights. She campaigned for suffrage and supported racial integration, and was also involved in the founding of the National
Association for the Advancement of the Colored People (NAACP). She worked relentlessly to help garment workers and also lobbying for workplace safety laws and more stringent fire regulations. The Henry Street Settlement started small, but then expanded to several nearby buildings under Wald’s leadership. The building did not only provide direct services,
but it also functioned as a political base for women with its staff and volunteers helping female workers to form a union.
Henry Street Settlement Playhouse
This settlement uses a national landmark, the Harry De Jur Playhouse. This is a modest red brick structure of 3 storeys completed in 1915. Harry De Jur also attended the Settlement when he was a young boy, and later on served in its Board. The theatre is located in the heart of the Lower East Side and it was an attempt by Henry Street to enrich the lives of the local residents. The playhouse has a Georgian Revival style and it has only changed slightly since it was completed in 1915. Its design was made to accommodate showings of both live performances and silent film.
Henry Street Settlement Volunteers
There is a constant need of volunteers, so that the settlement can give resources, time, and expertise to the people it serves. The organization welcomes more than 1,500 individuals to Henry Street’s 17 locations in the Lower East Side. Volunteers can make a long-term or one-time commitment to Henry Street while using their skills and expertise to support the
Settlement’s mission. They also have the chance to learn new skills and fulfil community service requirements.
Statue of Liberty
Fun Facts
· There are 354 stairs that lead to Lady Liberty’s crown
· The crown features 25 windows
· The statue was declared a National Monument on October 15, 1924
· It was strategically placed facing South-East so as to act as a welcoming symbol for
the ships that enter the harbor
· The Statue of Liberty was actually a nickname as Bartholdi called it :
“Liberty Enlightening the World”
· There are meanings to the different symbols on the statue:
the torch symbolizes
light showing the path to liberty,
the crown is the symbol of divinity,
the robe is the
symbol of liberty,
the spikes on the crown symbolize the seven continents,
and broken shackles mean freedom from oppression.
The tablet is the law-establishment,
and the windows in the crown mean gemstones on earth.
Gramercy Park
Living in Gramercy Park - Gramercy Park is among the nicest residential areas in New York City, due to its small size and magnificent architectural surroundings. Its real estate includes some of the most desirable and expensive properties in the city. The best part is that the Gramercy Park apartments are within walking distance of midtown offices, SoHo shopping, Union Square, and the nightlife of the West and East Villages.
Gramercy Park Hotel New York - This is an iconic hotel in New York and can be found in the heart of the city. It has been home to many creative minds and distinguished guests for up to a century now. It has a modern vibe to it and features custom-designed, handcrafted furnishings and collections of 20th-century artworks. All the rooms in the hotel feature luxury amenities that you will enjoy.
Gramercy park Movie - A documentary of Hotel Gramercy Park was made by the filmmaker Douglas Keeve. It talks about the glossy world of high fashion for the seedier realm of the fabled rock & roll hotel. The documentary talks about how the hotel was built in 1925 and how iconic names like the Kennedys, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, and lots of other celebrities were housed here during its heyday.
Gramercy Park Fun Facts
- it arose out of a swamp and a lot of money were spent to drain the marsh and
landscape the grounds.
- to enter the private park you need a numbered and coded key. Only around 400 of
them are in circulation, and they are very hard to copy. They are only given to
residents of the area or guests at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
- in the past, the park was opened to the public one day each year (in May), but that
Turned into a street fair and was eventually stopped. Today it is only accessible to
the public on Christmas Eve.
- you can access the park virtually via Google Maps.
- it includes the statue of the actor Edwin Booth, the brother of the assassinator of
President Lincoln.
- the park has a lot of very strict rules.
The Chrysler Building
Completed in 1930, the Chrysler building was the first skyscraper in the area and it competed with 40 Wall Street for the tallest building in the world. The competition was fierce, but the Chrysler Building eventually won, because of a 125-foot spire that was constructed in secret.
But 11 months later it lost the title against the Empire State Building. It, however, enjoyed commercial success because its location is not far from the Grand Central Terminal. It’s made in an Art deco style and can be found on the East Side of Midtown Manhattan in New York.
The Chrysler Building’s History
The race for building the tallest building in New York began in September 1928. The Chrysler Building was designed by William van Allen, while the competitor (the 40 Wall Street also known as the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building or the Trump Building) was designed by a former ally and colleague of his. They were both completed in 1930, and Van Allen eventually had to sue the owner of the building for payment. It was made by Walter Chrysler for his company to use and for his children to inherit.
The Chrysler Building’s Height
Wondering how tall this impressive building is? It stands at 319 m tall (1,046 ft.) including the antenna spire. It has 77 floors and 32 elevators. At the time it was built, it became the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in Paris (300 m) and others in America.
Chrysler Building Fun Facts:
- It was built at a cost of $20 million
- It has about 3,862 windows
- It was constructed at an average rate of four floors per week.
- The top floors feature very narrow and low ceilings which are used only for
radio-broadcasting.
- At the time it was constructed, the Chrysler Building was the first man-made
structure to stand taller than 1,000 feet.
- It was the world’s tallest building for 11 months
- It still is the tallest brick building in the world
- It includes many decorative elements that subtly reference the Chrysler
automobile empire
The Brooklyn Townhouse
Brownstone Brooklyn
The brownstone was a popular building material in the late 19th century and it lead to the growth of the area since it was in high demand. Today, Brownstone Brooklyn refers to a row of houses that are covered in a reddish brownstone. They are very similar to one another, and you won’t be able to distinguish the houses from each other apart the single stylistic features of each one.
Brooklyn Brownstone’s History
Brownstone houses can be found in Manhattan, Brooklyn and most parts of New York City and also in Boston, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. Popular areas for their brownstones include Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene and Bedford Stuyvesant. The material gives them a distinctive character and identity, and makes them look appealing to tourists. Many of them were built during the social stratification of the city. The rich were building their own decorated mansions, the poor stayed in tenement houses, while the middle class were building row houses and brownstone buildings. Since they offer a good space at a decent price, they are famous among families.
The Brownstone Restaurant Brooklyn
This restaurant was located in Brooklyn and was serving all-American cuisine with a full-service bar. It had a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after work or on the weekend. But unfortunately, the Brownstone Bar and Restaurant got closed because of the lawsuits between the building owner and the owner of the bar.
NYC Brownstone Fun Facts
- A true brownstone is actually made of brick, with only the façade made of
brownstone.
- It was used because it was easily available and easily transported to NYC through
the Portland quarries. But today the transport process is more difficult, which
makes for expensive tough renovations that take a long time.
- Most of the craftsmen who made the work of the NYC brownstones were German
immigrants
- Some of the facades are memorializing their owners, having carved faces
Cobble Hill Brooklyn
The Cobble Hill is a magnificent historic neighborhood filled with some of the most expensive real estate in the area with a small-town vibe. You can stroll down the sunny commercial strip where you will pass a local butcher, a fishmonger, and a baker which are all family-fun businesses loved by the locals and the visitors.
Cobble Hill Park
This is a park located among the residential brownstone-lined streets of this historic neighborhood. It is a half-block oasis of bucolic broad trees and wrought iron enclosures. You can find this small park just a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle area of the Court and Smith streets, and it attracts young families, rose garden lovers, chess players, and newspaper readers. Be aware that dogs are not allowed on the lawn.
Cobble Hill Brooklyn Restaurants
Some decades ago, Cobble Hill was not exactly the best dining destination. But today there are lots of places in the area that you can choose from, and some of the best Cobble Hill Brooklyn restaurants are Court Street Grocers, Grand Army, Lucali, Sottocasa Pizzeria, Mile End Delicatessen, Bedouin Tent, Fast and Fresh Burrito Deli.
Cobble Hill Neighborhood Guide Accessibility
One of the best things about living here is that you can easily get to Manhattan. There is a plethora of public transportation to get you around, like the F and G trains that run from Bergen Street, and the M and R trains that run from Union Street. It is also easy to get a bus in the area.
Cobble Hill Fun Facts
- The rents were much cheaper in 1879. The prices back then were between $7 and
$14, which in today’s money equals to $168 - $325
- The Towers had storefronts
- A factory that made chewing tobacco was found in the area - The streets were
nearly treeless in the past.
- Cobble-stoned streets were very common. Today there is just one more left -
(Tiffany Place)
- A mansion here is believed to have had one of the first private elevators in Brooklyn
- The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel was granted the Guinness world record for the oldest
subway tunnel
Fire Department of New York
The city of New York has about 8.6 million people and only 14,140 firefighters that are taking care of its safety. But the population has risen dramatically, and there is a need for adjustment in the size of the fire department so as to meet the demands.
FDNY History
When there was no fire department, it was the communal obligation of able-bodied men to contribute to the extinction of fires. They would hurry to the nearby water source to fill buckets with water to use it for quenching the fire. This method lacked accuracy and effectiveness and when New York grew in size, it was no longer working.
In November 1731, the New York City received a shipment of its first two fire engines from London. John Roosevelt was designated to oversee the engines and he was paid 12 pounds a year for his service. The first official fire department was created on a volunteer basis in 1737. The modern-day FDNY was created in 1865 and was then named the Metropolitan Fire Department (MFD). The first professional unit known as Engine Company Number 1 went into effect that year and it was located at four Centre Street in Manhattan. The first ladder trucks of the department were pulled by two horses and they were carrying wooden portable ladders that were about 73 feet long.
FDNY Fun Facts
- The first woman Firefighter in NYC and also in the US was at the Oceanus Engine
Company 11 in 1818
- The first firefighting apparatus comprised of a horse-drawn steam-powered pumper
- The gear of firefighters can weigh over 50 pounds without the addition of the tools
- The most common causes of fires in NYC are smoking, electrical fires and cooking
- Firefighting became a paid career in 1865
- The FDNY became the largest department-based EMS system in the country after
the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s EMS Division merged with the
FDNY
The FDNY Academy
Also known as the Probationary Firefighter School, the FDNY Fire Academy is a challenging 18-week program that prepares future firefighters. The training is fast-paced and rigorous and the academy homes state of the art burned buildings where new firefighters can do training. It was opened after the 9/11 incident, and this training is essential for probationary firefighters’ preparation before they can graduate.
** We pay our respect to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Ghost Buster’s Movie
Filmed at Hook and Ladder 8
The Hook and Ladder 8 is the building that was used for the exterior shots of the Ghostbusters’ HQ, and it is a working firehouse that has been around for over a century. During a tour of the building, you are going to see a subtle tribute to the movie as you will find a rendition of the Ghostbusters logo painted on the ground close to the station house.
The Flatiron District
This is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan and it was named after the Flatiron Building located here. It was the birthplace of Silicon Valley, which is now the New York’s high technology sector which has spread beyond the area. Flatiron District is also a dynamic hub of food, culture, and shopping.
Flatiron Building’s History
The Flatiron Building has a wedge shape and it is a popular symbol of the city. It was unveiled in 1902, and at that time it got a lot of derision, being called a monstrosity by the New York Times. Many people have also worried that because of its structure it will easily be knocked down by strong winds. Sculptor Wіllіаm Ordwау Pаrtrіdgе said that the building is a disgrace to the city, an outrage to our sense of artistic and a menace to life. It was initially called the Fuller Building, and it was meant to be the headquarters of the Fuller Company which is a construction firm. It was the first skyscraper of New York and also the first steel skeleton structure visible to the public.
Its façade is inspired by the Renaissance Beaux-Arts, and it includes columns, balustrades, friezes, medallions, and gargoyles. Initially there were no bathrooms designated for women, so they had to designate those on odd-numbered floors for women and those on the even-numbered floors for men.
Spiderman and the Flatiron Building
The unusual building was featured in many shows and movies, including the famous Spiderman. There it was used as the headquarters of the Daily Bugle. It also appeared in the movie Godzilla, where it’s destroyed by the US Army in pursuit of the creature.
Flatiron Building’s Symbolism
It was the first skyscraper to capture the romantic imagination of the world. It was designed in a New York manner and it includes plenty of brick and terracotta ornaments like classical wreathes, Medusa heads and so on. Many people became interested in the photography and paintings of this lovely building and in the early 20th century men used to hang out on the corner of the 23rt street. They were watching as the wind blew women’s dresses up so they could catch a glimpse of their ankle.
Flatiron Building Fun Facts
- it was the first skyscraper in the city, being completed in 1902, while the Empire
State Building was only made in 1931.
- even though it is technically a skyscraper, it’s much smaller than others. It has
22 stories, while the Empire State Building has 108.
- it is really “skinny”, and the offices at the narrow end are just six feet wide
The Bow Bridge
There are 22 arches and 8 bridges through the entire park, and the Bow
Bridge is the largest and one of the most beautiful of them all. It crosses
over The Lake and it is used as a pedestrian walkway. It features plenty of
beautiful decorative bas-relief panels, arabesque elements and volutes.
It was completed in 1862 and it measures a total of 87 feet (26.5 m). While
the other bridges are subtle and inconspicuous, the Bow Bridge was made to
stand out. And it really does. Have fun coloring it!
There are many different constructions with different materials for these bridges in Central Park with amazing history. Some bridges are still standing even though they were built in the 19th century. There are 31 arches and bridges in Central Park. Among these,14 Bridges are provided for park traffic and 4 crossways for city traffic driving in the park.
Each one of these provide interesting history information, such as what kind of material was used to build them. There are a few rustic ones too that surprisingly still stand.
A surprisong fact is that Central Park is bigger than the Vatican city and 6 times larger than Monaco!
For more information, you can see the list below which provides all the details on these amazing arches and bridges. You can find out their exact location too! You can visit www.centralpark.com and search for bridges and arches.
Wall Street Bull Statue
If you ever visited Downtown Manhattan, you probably seen a lot of tourists taking photos of the famous Wall Street Bull Statue. This 7,100 lbs. bull is a symbol of the Financial District and one of the most popular tourist attraction in New York. It was created by the artist Arturo di Modica and it’s an allegory of market optimism.
Wall Street Bull Meaning
Financial markets are constantly rising and falling, having both periods of irrational exuberance and despair. Financial crises are normal and they take place every 15-20 years. A major crash happened in 1987, and it was caused by a combination of programming errors and international factors. But it was also caused by the privilege, greed and excess of those who were running the markets. Arturo di Modica funded the project himself (for $360,000) and offered the statue as a gift to New York and as an antidote to the causes of the 1987 crash. The charging bull represents the courage and the can-do spirit of the Americans and the New Yorkers in particular. The creator spent two years to sculpt the work of art at his studio in Soho district. The statue was officially displayed in 1989.
The Fearless Girl Statue
The fеаrlеѕѕ gіrl іѕ a brоnzе ѕсulрturе that wаѕ mаdе bу Kristen Vіѕbаl аnd іt wаѕ соmmіѕѕіоnеd bу the Stаtе Strееt Glоbаl Advіѕоrѕ. It was installed on March 2017 in the Financial District of Manhattan, and it depicts a girl facing the Charging Bull statue. The fearless girl measures 50 inches tall and weighs just about 250 pounds, which makes it tiny compared to the 11 feet tall and 7,100 pounds bull.
Wall Street New York
If you ever visited New York, watched a Hollywood movie or read a financial newspaper, you definitely heard about the popular Wall Street. It runs from Broadway to the South Street and it has become a metonym for the financial markets in the United States.
Having the Wall Street, New York is known as the most economically powerful city and the leading financial center of the world. Two of the world’s largest stock exchanges (the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ) have their home here, and so do other major exchanges of the country.
