Top Attractions in New York City, New York
Grand Central Terminal
A renowned hub of transportation, Grand Central Station (as it is often called) was built in the Beaux-arts style in midtown Manhattan in 1913 and also includes dining, shops, and many notable features. Millions of commuters travel through the terminal each week, and various works of art are often exhibited in the structure.
The Empire State Building
Officially opened by President Hoover in 1931, the Empire State Building is 1,453 feet tall from its base to the tip of the lightning rod atop the roof. The view from the top spans for about 80 miles in every direction, and up to 20,000 people visit the building each day. If you want to walk to the top you will be going up 1,860 steps to reach the 102nd floor.
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The Statue of Liberty
The quintessential symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France in honor of a friendship that was forged between the two countries during the American Revolution resulting in America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Statue was shipped to the U.S. in 350 pieces, assembled over a four month period, and finished on October 28, 1886. The statue was designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The engineering work for the statue was assisted by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower.
American Museum of Natural History
Opening in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History features many continuing exhibits on history, culture, and scientific topics. The building’s cornerstone was laid by United States President Ulysses S. Grant in 1874 and today the site remains as one of New York’s most popular attractions. Some of the most popular permanent exhibits include the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs, the Hall of Ortnithischian Dinosaurs, the Hall of Ocean Life (featuring a 94-foot blue whale), the Hall of Biodiversity, the Guggenheim Hall of Minerals, the Akeley Hall of African Mammals (featuring a herd of elephants), and the Eastern Woodlands and Plains Indians exhibit.
Rockefeller Center
Located in midtown Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center is best known for its Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the annual Christmas tree, ice skating, and Radio City Music Hall. The structure, which is one of the most interesting places in New York City, also features many dining and shopping opportunities. Constructed during the Great Depression, the Rockefeller Center was built in the Art Deco style and is a commercial complex of 19 buildings including Radio City Music Hall.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor and served as the site where more than 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers were processed during the time period from 1892 to 1954. Immigrants to the United States were inspected both legally and medically before being allowed entry into the country. The museum opened in 1990 and features interactive exhibits about the immigrant experience. The best way to see the Statue of Liberty is by taking a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry
Central Park
Featuring 843 acres of open space, paths, and lakes, Central Park provides a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The park opened in 1859 and today remains as a great place to have a picnic and attend one of the many events held there from music to theater to carousel rides, boat rides, or just birdwatching in one of the most enjoyable places in New York City.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMa)
Established in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art is the first museum that was dedicated completely to contemporary art from the late nineteenth century up to the present day. Featuring sculptures, paintings, and photographs as well as architecture and film exhibits, the museum also has programs specifically geared for children.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The repository of more than two million artworks from around the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of New York’s most popular visitor attractions hosting more than 5 million annual visitors. This is one of the most interesting places in New York City.
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Facts About New York City
New York City Land Area: 304.8 square miles of land and 164.1 square miles of water.
Highest Point in New York City: 409.8 feet atop Todt Hill on Staten Island.
Average Sunshine in New York City: 2,680 hours per year (234 days with some sunshine).
Average Temperature of New York City in January: 32.1 degrees Fahrenheit (ranges from 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit).
Average High Temperature in New York City in July: 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
New York City Average Precipitation: 49.7 inches.
Average Winter Snowfall in New York City: 28.1 inches.
New York City population in 2008: 8.3 million
New York is the most densely populated major United States city. Set along a huge natural harbor in the northeast region of the United States along the Atlantic Ocean coastline, New York City is one of the world’s most exciting locations.
New York City is a center of global commerce as well as one of the world’s media and entertainment centers, fashion trend setting, finance center, and a place rich in culture and educational opportunities.
Also located in New York City is the United Nations Headquarters.
About 19.1 million people live in the greater New York metropolitan area, which is the United States’ largest covering nearly 7,000 square miles. The five boroughs within this area include Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.
New York City Nicknames: The Big Apple; The City That Never Sleeps; The Greatest City in The World; The Empire City
History of New York City
The Dutch were the first to establish the area we now know as New York City when they opened a trading post in the area in 1624. They called it New Amsterdam.
In 1644 the area came under English control, and served as the United States’s capital from 1785 to 1790. Since that time it has remained as the largest city in the United States.
From the late 1800’s well into the 1900s millions of immigrants were greeted by the Statue of Liberty as they arrived in America.
New York Today
Wall Street in Manhattan is the financial hub of the world including the New York Stock Exchange, while Times Squares is nicknamed “The Crossroads of the World.” The heart of acting is along the Broadway theater district, and academia excels at New York University and Columbia University. These are just some of the great places in New York City.
The Stamp Act Congress in New York City
It was in New York City where the Sons of Liberty organized in October of 1765 as the Stamp Act Congress also met in New York and there were skirmishes with British troops in the region for the next decade.
This area became an important battle location during the Revolutionary War, and was the site of the New York Campaign.
Battle of Upper Manhattan, New York City
The Battle of Fort Washington took place in the Upper Manhattan area of New York City in 1776. The city served as a British military base and Loyalist refugees until 1783 when the military occupation came to an end.
About one-fourth of New York City was destroyed during this time due to a huge fire. Soon after the American Revolutionary War ended, New York City was declared as the capital of the nation. George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 as the nation’s first president.
U.S. Congress and Supreme Court Meets In New York City
New York was also the location of the meeting of the first United States Supreme Court and also the first United States Congress. In Wall Street’s Federal Hall was the drafting of the U.S. Bill of Rights. New York City became the largest city in the United States in 1790 when it grew larger than Philadelphia.
New York City Becomes World’s Biggest City
By the early 1920s New York City surpassed London as the planet’s most populated urban area, and then topped 10 million people in the 1930s.
Most Romantic Places In New York City
Looking to impress your significant other, cultivate a little romance, and have an enjoyable couples experience. Then check out these most romantic places in New York City. The Big Apple is the greatest city in the world, and now you can enjoy New York’s most romantic places with your loved one.
Sneak A Kiss Atop the Empire State Building
The world is your oyster as you look out over the East Side, the West Side, Wall Street, Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, the East River, the Hudson, the fabulous bridges, and all of the high-rise building and historic structures of New York City.
The view from the Empire State Building on a clear day extends for more than 75 miles in the distance to the surrounding states. It is also quite romantic at night when you can enjoy the skyline aglow with the New York City lights.
Peruse the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Gaze at a Rembrandt for a fine art experience your mate will cherish while also being quite impressed with your sophistication and culture.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art you can also see ancient artifacts, statures, and Tiffany stained glass works. Afterwards have drinks at the Balcony Bar that has an outstanding view of the Great Hall area. During the summer you can also enjoy the rooftop bar.
Enjoy River Views along the Hudson River Park
This five-mile-long park extends from West 59th Street all the way to Battery Park and provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will enjoy sights including New Jersey in the distance and the flowing waters of the Hudson River.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
On the scenic Brooklyn Promenade you get a wonderful perspective on the lower Manhattan area.
Take a relaxing stroll along the pedestrian walkway near flowerbeds and green spaces as you gaze over the places in New York City from the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River to the phenomenon that is known as downtown Manhattan.
The historic mansions of the area and the grand townhouses provide a sense of history. This whole area has been designated as a Historic Preservation District - drop that trivia fact as you walk to impress your lover!
Then visit the Jacque Torres chocolate shop to sweeten up your sweetie, and stop in at the popular River Cafe to gaze into her eyes over a some delectable treats.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Enjoy an elegant pastry as you take your mate for an early visit to Tiffany’s where you can enjoy the upscale shopping and fantasize about reliving a scene from the classic move Breakfast at Tiffany’s in which Audrey Hepburn played the adorable Holly Golightly. The world famous Tiffany’s store is located on Fifth Avenue.
Tiffany’s sells the finest in china, crystal, and jewelry, and they even give workshops in how to choose the perfect engagement ring - how is that for romantic?
Go Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center
Glide over the ice as you hold hands and catch your partner when she/he almost falls. Then you end up in an impromptu hug, so you might as well add in a little kiss!
The Rockefeller ice skating rink is right in the middle of the complex of buildings that make up the Rockefeller Center. Ice skating is one of the funnest winter experiences in New York City, and also one of the most romantic places in New York City.
Visit the Lincoln Center Fountain
The Lincoln Center Fountain is a landmark and your mate will be impressed when you bring her here at night when the lights illuminate the whole scene in a very romantic way. Recently the plaza fountain has been choreographed to move to music including Broadway tunes.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Bundle up in your warm clothes in April and enjoy the cherry blossoms in this beautiful setting. This is also a great place to visit on Valentine’s day with your partner.
The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens also sponsors programs to cultivate native flora so you can learn about the plants that are indigenous to the region.
Enjoy the Staten Island Ferry
This free ferry departs from Battery Park and provides you with wonderful, and very romantic, views of the Statue of Liberty as well as New York City. Midway along the adventure walk toward the front and perhaps you will have a Leonardo de Caprio Titanic moment.
Central Park
Take a boat ride or a carriage ride in Central Park. The boat rides are pleasant as they go under Bow Bridge and visit Belvedere Castle as well as the Conservatory Garden. This is clearly one of the most romantic things to do in New York City.
Some other places to visit with your sweetheart are the Central Park Zoo, the Angel in the Water Fountain, the Mall (located between 66th and 77nd streets), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Strawberry Fields which is located between 71st and 72nd street on the West Side.
If you plan it right you can also attend a Central Park concert as there are many held throughout the year along with other events, especially during the summer months. New York City Central Park events include
Metropolitan Opera in the Park, Central Park Summer Stage, Namburg Orchestral Concerts, Philharmonic in the Parks, and Shakespeare in the Park. There is also a Central Park Film Festival.
And those are the most Romantic Places in New York City!