New York Unveiled
New York: Where Dreams Take Center Stage
Table of Content
General Information About New York City
New York City, often simply called NYC, is the largest city in the United States, situated in the state of New York. Renowned as the “Big Apple,” it is a global hub for finance, culture, and fashion. Home to iconic landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty, NYC attracts millions of visitors annually.
The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures, reflected in its neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Harlem. With a population exceeding 8 million, it’s a bustling metropolis with unparalleled energy. The five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island—contribute to the city’s vibrancy, offering a rich tapestry of experiences.
5 Boroughs
New York City’s five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—form a vibrant mosaic of cultures, each with its unique character and offerings.
- Manhattan, the iconic core, dazzles with its skyscrapers and cultural landmarks
- Brooklyn pulsates with creativity, diverse neighborhoods, and a thriving arts scene.
- Queens boasts unparalleled cultural diversity and a rich culinary tapestry.
- Bronx resonates with a storied history and a resilient spirit.
- Staten Island with its serene landscapes and strong sense of community, provides a tranquil escape within this bustling metropolis.
Manhattan
Manhattan embodies a magnetic energy shaped by its iconic skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks. As the bustling epicenter of finance, art, and entertainment, it exudes a unique charm through its towering skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the historic grandeur of Central Park.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough. If Brooklyn were an independent city, it would be the third most populous in the U.S. after the rest of New York City and Los Angeles, and ahead of Chicago. It is home to major tourist attractions like Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Coney Island, Floyd Bennett Field, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and New York Transit Museum, Prospect Park
Queens
Queens, located to the east of Manhattan, is the largest borough in terms of area and is known for its cultural diversity. It’s home to attractions like Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Citi Field (where the New York Mets play), diverse cuisine, and various ethnic enclaves that represent communities from all over the world.
Bronx
The Bronx, a dynamic borough of New York City, pulsates with cultural richness and historical significance. Home to iconic landmarks like Yankee Stadium, the Bronx celebrates its sports heritage alongside attractions such as the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, offering both a haven for wildlife and a sanctuary of natural beauty.
Staten Island
Connected by the iconic Staten Island Ferry, Staten Island boasts stunning waterfront views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Known for its historic sites like the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and expansive green spaces such as the Staten Island Greenbelt and Conference House Park, this borough captivates with a serene ambiance and a strong sense of community.
Airports
LGA - LaGuardia Airport
JFK - John F. Kennedy Airport
EWR - Newark Liberty Airport
Hotels
TWA Hotel
You can actually look forward to going to JFK International Airport because of this gorgeous, completely renovated TWA Terminal, which serves as a hotel, food and drink, and convention destination. The interior of Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 building exudes 1960s chic with 512 guest rooms that offer views of JFK’s runways, a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, a rooftop pool, and an observation deck.
Presenting a curated list of hotels in NYC for your consideration. Explore the best accommodations the city has to offer!
- 33 Seaport Hotel New York
- InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel
- Kimpton Hotel Eventi, an IHG Hotel
- The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
- Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
- The Times Square EDITION New York
- Thompson Central Park New York, part of Hyatt
- The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
- The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, part of Hyatt
- Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards New York City
- Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
- The Wall Street Hotel New York City
Parks
Bryant Park
Situated behind the New York Public Library lies a a well-cultivated retreat that hosts a dizzying schedule of free entertainment during the summer, including the popular outdoor movies. In the winter, visit the Bank of America Winter Village for the free ice skating rink and pop-up shops for the holidays. Bryant Park is a 9.6-acre public park located is located between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas and between 40th
and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. It is Midtown Manhattan’s town square, with seasonal gardens, eateries, bars, and New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink. With so many events and activities taking place in the park year-round, from winter holiday markets to summertime music festivals, it’s a crucial part of New York City’s culture and arts scene. While Bryant Park is not as famous or large as the stunning Central Park, it has enough to hold its own and be a worthwhile destination.
Central Park
Built between 1858 and 1873, the park is 843 acres in size, 2.5 miles long and a half-mile wide. That equates to six percent of Manhattan’s land area. The most frequented urban park in the nation, the Central Park Conservatory estimates nearly 40 million annual visitors. Twenty-nine sculptures. More than 25,000 trees. The magnificent National Historic Landmark is located squarely in the
middle of Manhattan, and it is home to everything from an ice-skating rink (Wollman Rink) to a swimming pool Lasker Rink (currently under renovation), and hosts events like the New York City Marathon and outdoor SummerStage concerts. Central Park is open year-round with activities for every season. One really cannot appreciate the park’s immensity in one day. On the west side is a 38-acre wilderness area known as the Ramble. That area has a storied history (as a gay cruising spot dating back to the turn of the last century, among other things), and it was even proposed as a recreational area in the mid-’50s. Thankfully not. The winding trails, rocks and streams remain untouched, waiting to be discovered. If you want plenty of sunshine and more of a social vibe, spread out a blanket at Sheep’s Meadow, where groups playing guitar and frisbee and tanning topless are sprawled out as far as the eye can see. Located on the shore of The Lake at 72nd Street, the picturesque Loeb Boathouse is finally reopened with a refreshed café and boat rentals. Spectacular views of the park and Manhattan skyline make this iconic landmark the perfect city oasis. Nearby admire the equally iconic Bethesda Fountain that has been the setting of plenty of NYC movies. Land in a public park is permanently dedicated for public use. If the boundaries of Central Park were redrawn so that portions were available for private purchase, it would arguably be the most valuable real estate in the world.
Shakespeare in the Park
The original Shakespeare in the Park was founded in 1954 by Joseph Papp as the New York Shakespeare Festival, which eventually led to free public performances in Central Park. Since 1961 an outdoor amphitheater, the Delacorte Theatre, the Public Theater produces a beloved NYC democratic tradition and one of the best free things to do in NYC. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Bard’s immortal words performed outside in New York, with a backdrop of natural splendor and the Belvedere Castle looming in the background like the world’s most impressive set decoration. With few exceptions, performances are Monday through Saturday. With its extreme popularity, Shakespeare in the Park’s popularity means that tickets
aren’t easy to come by—but keep trying. Past seasons have featured some of the most talented actors of our day including Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Al Pacino, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George C. Scott and Denzel Washington. Tickets are distributed in front of the Delacorte Theater on a first-come, first-served basis at 12pm on the day of the show, so you’ll have to wait in line—likely for a long time—if you want to get in. But it’s worth it. Before you go, you’ll need to register for a Public Theater Patron ID.
Central Park Zoo
Central Park is home to 130 different species . Among the popular exhibits: Grizzly Bear and Treensa’s Overlook (orphaned Grizzlys relocated from the wild), The Sea Lion Pool, the Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopards ( the rarely seen native from the Asian hills), Tropic Zone: the Rain Forest (exotic tropical birds, lemurs, saki monkeys), Penguins and puffins in the Polar Circle, and the Tisch Children’s Zoo (with sheep, goats and zebu and where
kids can be kids).. The Zoo’s Dancing Crane Café features a wide variety of high-quality healthy cjhoice meals, snacks, beverages, and desserts. The Zootique gift offers unique and wild items, including plush animals and children’s books, as well as toys, games, and more. Admission includes entrance to the Main zoo, Tisch Children’s Zoo, and one visit to the 4-D Theater. You will be prompted to select an entry time window during the ticketing process..All visitors must have a date-specific ticket. Every guest, every day. Adults $19.95, Child (2-12) $14.95, Seniors $16.95.All tickets must be purchased must be made online in advance. If you have difficulty completing your online reservation, please email the zoo at onlinetickets@wcs.org.
The High Line
The High Line, NYC’s elevated park, runs from Hudson Yards to the northern edge of Chelsea. When the weather is pleasant, there’s nothing quite like walking one of the more popular New York attractions. The High Line was once a railway line, in use until 1980 and then later designated for demolition. Luckily, the community rallied together to repurpose it instead, creating the park you
see today. In 2009, the 1.45-mile-long strip was transformed into what is now considered one of the most unique parks in NYC. It features wildflowers, greenery and outdoor art installations in addition to killer views of New York’s skyline. The urbanite playground features wildflowers, greenery and outdoor art installations in addition to killer views of New York’s skyline. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know as well as our recommendations for things to do on the High Line, including where to grab a bite and things to do nearby. The High Line has become a global inspiration for cities to transform unused industrial zones into dynamic public spaces.
Socrates Sculpture Park
In 1986, artists and activists created this 4.5-acre city park over a landfill. Now, it hosts large-scale sculpture exhibits year-round, and is one of the few locations in the city specifically designated for artists to create outdoor works. The splendid Queens space looks out over the Manhattan skyline and is open 365 days a year, with a Greenmarket, free yoga and tai chi classes and more.
Museum
9-11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Memorial is a solemn reminder of all that was lost during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. In the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood are North America’s largest man-made waterfalls at the bottoms of which are twin reflecting pools, The acre sized pools are lined with are bronze panels bearing the names of the
3,000 deceased victims from the attacks. The museum serves as the leading collection of artifacts and documentation of September 11. Inside, visitors can hear first-hand accounts of survivors, see picture and video footage of the attacks and see recovered objects such as wrecked recovery vehicles, large pieces of warped metal foundation and the 30-foot National 9/11 Flag.
National Museum of the American Indian
The Museum is a branch of the Smithsonian Institution located at the bottom of Broadway in the Customs House, built in 1907 on a site that was originally the end of an Algonquin Indian trail. This vast seven-story building, designed by prominent architect Cass Gilbert in the early 1900s, is considered one of the most splendid Beaux-Arts buildings in New York City.
The building is rich in exquisite architectural details, nautical themes, and historic significance, this landmark building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Museum of the American Indian in New York is a place where art, history, and culture come together in unique and extraordinary ways.
The Tenement Museum
This fascinating museum—actually a series of restored tenement apartments at 97 Orchard Street—is accessible only by guided tour. Costumed “residents” give glimpses into the daily lives of immigrant clans that called the building home over the decades, bringing to life the stories in an engaging and captivating way. Check out its newest walking tour, “Reclaiming Black Spaces,” that stops at the former downtown New York
office of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which fought for Civil Rights in the 1960s, the firehouse desegregated by Wesley Williams in 1919, who became the FDNY’s first Black lieutenant, and the M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden, which was named in memory of the second 18th century African American burial ground that was located on nearby Chrystie Street.
Merchant's House Museum
The Merchant’s House Museum, known formerly as the Old Merchant’s House and as the Seabury Tredwell House, is the only nineteenth-century family home in New York City preserved intact—both inside and out. This is an elegant, late Federal-Greek Revival house stocked with the same furnishings and decorations that filled its rooms when it was inhabited by hardware tycoon Seabury Treadwell and his descendants from 1835 to 1933. There are five floors of period rooms furnished with the family’s original possessions – furniture, decorative objects, household goods, books, even their clothing. See how a wealthy family and their four Irish servants lived in mid-19th century New York. The Merchant’s House offers Self-Guided House Tours ($15), Guided House Tours ($20), and Neighborhood Walking Tours ($20).
SOHO
New Museum of Contemporary Art
The New Museum takes its name from The New School, where it originally opened in 1977. After a move to Soho, where became a fixture throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the New Museum moved into its current location in 2007: A bold, purposed seven-story building, designed by in cutting-edge Japanese-style architectural, it houses three main gallery levels, a theater, a café operated by Hester Street Fair and roof terraces. As it has throughout its history, the New Museum focuses it program on emerging—and important but under-recognized—living artists whose work is is not easily assimilated into the conventional exhibition and collection structure of the traditional art museum. General admission, Tuesday through Sunday, is $22.
Fotografiska New York -Museum of Photography
Fotografiska New York is the new destination for photography and culture, located in a treasured landmarked building in NYC’s Flatiron District. The Museum offers an unexpected mix of world-class art, vibrant cultural programming, exceptional dining, music, nightlife and curated retail. Founded in 2010 in Stockholm, Fotografiska aims to inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography. The Museum produces a broad range of rotating exhibitions featuring the world’s greatest photographers – both world-renowned artists
and rising stars. Genres include conceptual, landscape, portrait, documentary and more. Exhibitions change frequently so there’s always something new to experience. Admission ranges from $21 – $31. Early bird special price $11 – $20 for adults Monday through Friday 10:30am-12pm.
Museum of Sex (MoSex)
Situated in the former Tenderloin district, which bumped-and-grinded with dance halls and brothels in the 1800s, MoSex explores the subject within a cultural context—but that doesn’t mean some content won’t shock the more buttoned-up visitor. On the ground floor, “Action!,” which screens around 220 clips from more than 150 years of sex on film, includes explicit scenes from such (literally) seminal porn flicks as Deep Throat. Upstairs,
highlights of the permanent collection range from the tastefully erotic to the outlandish. Cop a feel of one of the silicone Real Doll torsos. An 1890s anti onanism device could be confused with the S&M gear, which includes a nine-foot steel-framed love pen donated by a local dominatrix. Also of note are the Depression-era Tijuana Bibles—raunchy comic strips showing well-known characters like Donald Duck as you’ve never seen them before—and sex machines created by keen DIYers, such as the “Monkey Rocker,” constructed from a dildo and exercise equipment (it inspired the device in the Coen brothers’ Burn After Reading). The spacious gift shop is stocked with books and arty sex toys, and aphrodisiac elixirs are served in a new café.
Whitney Museum of American Art
The Whitney Museum is the preeminent institution devoted to the art of the United States. It was opened by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a sculptor and art patron, in 1931 and dedicated to living American Artists, The Whitney is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting American art, and its collection—arguably the finest holdings of twentieth-century American art in the world—is the Museum’s key resource. The Museum’s flagship exhibition, the Biennial, is the country’s leading survey of the most recent developments in American
art. Today, the Whitney holds about 19,000 pieces by nearly 2,900 artists, including Alexander Calder, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O’Keeffe and Claes Oldenburg. The 2015 opening of the Renzo Piano-designed edifice located near the High Line drew acclaim for its sleek and simplistic layout. General admission is $24 – $30.
The Rubin Museum of Art
The goal of the Rubin Museum of Art is to create an environment that encourages an understanding of the arts and cultures of the Himalayan regions. The hope is that visitors reflect upon the Buddhist visual culture and appreciate how they handle stress and find tranquility. Shelley and Donald Rubin started their lifetime collection in the mid-1970’s. Fifty years later they opened the museum in 2004 in the site that was once the flagship of
Barney’s of New York. In the museum you will appreciate their vast collection of Himalayan art and artifacts, as well as large-scale temporary exhibitions.
The museum is open Thursday – Sunday. Tickets range from $14 -$19; Free admission for children under 12.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
With over 200,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art in its collection along with more than 300,000 books in the Museum library, the Museum of Modern Art is the largest, most important modern art museum in the world. Founded in 1929 by a group led by the Rockefellers, MoMA has for generations inspired and encouraged young artists. In today’s massive current location one day isn’t enough to soak up everything in the permanent exhibits. which showcases everything including painting and sculpture, artist’s drawings and books, photography,
architecture and design, Attend viewings in the MoMA’s Cinema, visit Museum store, stroll through the sculpture garden with works by Picasso and Rodin, and dine while overlooking the gardens at the Modern, the Michelin-starred French/American restaurant presented by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. MoMA is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM (7:00 PM on Saturdays) . Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee museum entry. Admission is $14 – $25. Children under 16 free
AKC Museum of the Dog
Opened on February 8, 2019 the AKC Museum of the Dog seeks to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the role of dogs in society. The Museum educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs. With more than 180 sculptures and paintings on display, guests are able to view canine-related artifacts on display and interact with a digital “Meet the Breeds” table, which provides info on all 193 AKC recognized dog breeds. The Museum store offers dog-centric gifts and is the AKC is the only Museum “that loves dogs as much as you do.”Out of courtesy to our neighbors, only service dogs and invited demonstration dogs are allowed in the Museum during regular open hours.
There are two dog-friendly Furry Fridays a month where dogs and their people are invited to attend the Museum after-hours. The Museum is open Wednesday – Sunday. Admission: Adults $15, Children (3-12) $5. Children 2 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
The Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum, formerly the Pierpont Morgan Library, is a museum and research library in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The museum contains an extensive lifelong collection gathered by industrialist J. Pierpont Morgan that he and built over his lifetime and donated to New York City. A magnificent space housing impressive works
including drawings by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Picasso; three Gutenberg Bibles; a copy of Frankenstein annotated by Mary Shelley; manuscripts by Dickens, Poe, Twain, Steinbeck and Wilde; sheet music handwritten by Beethoven and Mozart; and an original edition of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol that’s displayed every yuletide. .In 2006, an extensive renovation and expansion brought more natural light into the building and doubled the available exhibition space. Planning for in person tours for groups of 10-20 participants are available but do require reservations required at least 4 weeks in advance. Admission: Adults $20.
Madame Tussaud’s
Visit New York CIty’s edition of the world’d greatest wax museum. When Madame Tussaud first started creating wax figures in Europe in the late 18th century, she immortalized figures from the bloody French Revolution, and later, in her first museum space on Baker Street, London she presented persons involved in sensational crimes. Now, over a 150 years after her death, Tussaud’s
legacy lives on with museums in several major cities around the world. Yet, few can compare in either size or popularity with the five-story Times Square, New York version that opened November 15, 2000. Todays collection has someone for everyone: Actors (Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise), Musicians (Rihanna, Ed Sheeran), Athletes (Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant), Leaders (Ronald Reagan, Mahatma Gandhi), Icons (Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe), Characters (The Terminator, Captain America) and many, many more, Advanced booking is recommended. Standard Admission $38.99; All Inclusive Package $59.99.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid is now anchored in the Hudson River Pier 86 at 46th Street. After being commissioned in 1943, it survived five Kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike during WWII. The aircraft carrier later served in the Cold War, Vietnam War and as a NASA recovery vessel. In its
now permanent home (since 1982) it is referred to as the Intrepid Museum. Look for the first space shuttle Enterprise and other pieces of history including a section of the Berlin Wall. This non-profit institution salutes the history of American aviation and its heroes. The museum displays an unmatched assortment of fighter jets, helicopters,a Blackbird spy plane, a Concorde, the nuclear submarine USS Growler, and a capsule that returned one of the first astro tourists to earth. Rotating programs range from a summer movie series (kicking off with Star Trek, of course) to an annual Space & Science Festival. Visitors will see how naval officers lived on the massive ship and able to get views of the lower living quarters. If you don’t mind tiny closed in places, the Growler, the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. Throughout the ship the photographs, films and artifacts make this an unforgettable experience. Tickets ; Adults $36 ; Seniors & College Students $34 ; Children (5-12). $26 ; Children (4 and under). Free ; Veterans & Military Service Members Free.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
How can you absorb 5000 years of art history in one day? You can’t. Not when the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is the largest art museum in the Americas. In 2022 alone, through its neoclassical facade doors entered 3,208,832 visitors. The Met opened in 1880 occupying
11.5 acres within Central Park along Fifth Avenue. (That’s the same massive acreage as Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.) Inside the Met are“17 curatorial collections covering pre-history to present day. Over 36,000 objects including musical instruments, weapons and armor. More than 2,500 European Old Master, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. An unmatched collection of Egyptian art and artifacts.In addition to the permanent collections, special exhibitions return every year. Make not to miss the Rooftop Garden, which offers spectacular views of the Park and the Midtown skyline, the full-scale Temple of Dendur (a gift from Egypt, awarded to the Met by President Lyndon Johnson) and the featured works of Pablo Picasso. Tickets: Adults $30, Seniors $22, Students $17, Children (under 12) Free.
Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum was originally called the Museum of Non-Objective Painting when it first opened in 1939. But it wasn’t until 1959 that it took off as a hub for new art and new ideas. That year it moved into its current location at 5th Avenue and 89th Street. The building, designed by one of the most
famous architects of all time, Frank Lloyd Wright, isan incredible nautilus-shaped landmark with it’s spiraling ramp inside that purist were afraid would overwhelm the art. Wright didn’t care. The object of his design was to house an innovative collection in an unique environment. It works. Today it still attracts millions of visitors from around the world. There are daring temporary art shows in addition to its impressive collections. The museum owns Peggy Guggenheim’s cache of cubist, surrealist and abstract expressionist works, along with the 1960-1970’s Panza di Biumo Collection of American of minimalist and conceptual art. You’ll find works by Manet, Picasso, Chagall and Bourgeois, and the largest collection of Kandinskys in the U.S. Whether you come to admire the building, or enjoy the museum’s vaunted treasures, a visit to the Guggenheim is always memorable. Admission price varies: Adults $16-$30, Students and Seniors $12-$19, Children under 12 Free.
Frick Madison
The temporary home of The Frick Collection is now open to the public at: 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street – the former home of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Met Breuer. The Henry Clay Frick mansion is undergoing a massive renovation that is scheduled to be complete in 2025-2026. The current location is in the Brutalist style (which emerged in the United Kingdom in the 1950”s and described as highly sculptural blocky
shapes) and is a polar opposite from the gross materialism of the Gilded Age mansion. The art museum, founded by industrialist Henry Clay Frick, opened in 1935. On display are Old Master paintings and European fine arts, including works by Goya, Rembrandt, Titian, Thomas Gainsborough and others. Art critics proclaim this location allows a much different concentration on appreciating individual works without distraction. The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM, prices ranging from $12-22.
The Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment, understanding, and preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Jewish people. The Jewish Museum was the first institution of its kind in the United States and is one of the oldest Jewish museums in the world. The Museum houses a unique collection of nearly 30,000 works of art, ceremonial objects, and media reflecting the global Jewish experience over more than 4,000 years. Located on New York City’s Museum Mile, the home for the collection is in the landmarked (1982) Felix M. Warburg
mansion. Built 1907-1908, the Warburg was one of the numerous opulent Gilded Age mansions, built along Fifth Avenue in the style of Gothic Revival architecture. Although the collection had been amassed by 1904, it was thirty-nine years after its completion that the private home for a German-born banker was donated by his widow and opened as the Jewish Museum. It is todaya welcoming home to an ever-changing and dynamic range of opportunities for exploring multiple facets of the global Jewish experience. It hosts rotating temporary exhibitions and has a permanent collection exhibition that features contemporary and modern art and Judaica. Admission: Aults $18, Children 18 and under Free. Saturdays Free.
New-York Historical Society
Built in 1804 along Central Park West, the New-York Historical Society is the oldest museum in New York City. In a gesture to the city’s 400 year heritage, the museum kept the hyphen in its name, which is how New York was known in the early 1800s. Experience innovative exhibitions, superb collections, captivating films, and riveting
conversations between historians and public figures. The collection features more than 1.6 million works that explore the history of the city and the country, including exhibits, art and historical artifacts. Visit the center for Women’s History and a gallery of 100 alluring Tiffany lamps. The Patricia D. Klingenstein Library has more than three million books, newspapers, maps, photographs and more from our nation’s founding through slavery and Reconstruction and beyond. The Gilder Lehrman Collection is also housed in the New-York Historical Society, where you can view signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment and the Constitution. Enjoy lunch or dinner at Storico, an Italian Starr restaurant, or a “cup of joe” at Parliament Espresso and Coffee Bar. Book tickets online (recommended) with walk-up tickets also available. Admission $12-22, Tuesdays-Sunday.
American Museum of Natural History
Founded April 6, 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is a behemoth unto itself. Get a map. There are four floors and it’s not possible to soak in the entire experience in just one visit. See the Hall of Human Origins that presents the evolution of man (starting with the neanderthals) and the Cultural Halls
depicting Asia, Africa, North and South America and the Pacific. In the several Mammal Halls are the world renowned dioramas covering North America (with the grizzly bear in full majesty and the 94-foot long blue whale), Africa, Asia, New York State, Primates and Small Mammals. Not to be missed are the series of fossil halls: Two halls of dinosaurs In the David H. Kock Dinosaur Wing (with the prehistoric Barosaurus skeleton rearing up as if to scare the adjacent Allosaurus skeleton); and the Lila Acheson Wing of Mammals and Their Extinct Relatives. Not to be overshadowed are the Halls dedicated to Biodiversity and the Environment, Birds and Reptiles and Amphibians, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Ross Center for Earth and Space and more.Admission: Reservations for timed-entry admission are required. Get tickets at the Official Ticketing site, www.amnh.org. Adults $28, Children (3-12) $16, Seniors $22. Open everyday 10 AM to 5:30 PM. If unable to order online call (212) 769-5100.
El Museo del Barrio
El Museo del Barrio, often known simply as El Museo, is a museum at 1230 Fifth Avenue in Spanish Harlem (Ia.k.a. El Barrio). The mission of El Museo is to present, preserve and celebrate the art and culture of Puerto Ricans and all Latin Americans in the United States. It is located near the northern end of Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile, immediately north of the Museum of the City of New York.
The museum was founded in 1969 by artist Raphael Montañez Ortiz and a group of Puerto Rican educators, artists, and activists who noted that mainstream museums largely ignored Latino artists. It has become a cornerstone of El Barrio, and a valuable resource for New York City. El Museo’s varied permanent collection of over 8,500 objects, spans more than 800 years of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino art. From pre-Columbian Taíno to modern and contemporary there are varied collections of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, as well as textiles, prints, photography, documentary films, and video. All public programs, educational activities, festivals and special events are bilingual. By introducing young people to this cultural heritage, El Museo is creating the next generation of museum-goers, while satisfying the growing interest in Caribbean and Latin American art of a broad national and international audience. While you’re there fuel up at the Pan-Latino cafe that serves tacos, chili, and rice and beans. Open everyday. Admission: $9.00.
The Cloisters
The Cloisters is a museum located in Fort Tryon Park in the Washington Heights. Also referred to as the Met Cloisters, the museum governed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, may have opened in 1938 but it feels much older than that. Set in an aidyllic park overlooking the Hudson River, the structure
re-creates architectural details from 15th-century French monasteries and houses items from the Met’s medieval art and architecture collections. Its buildings are centered around four cloisters—the Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem, Bonnefont and Trie—that were acquired by American sculptor and art dealer George Grey Barnard in France before 1913, and moved to New York. Barnard’s collection was bought for the museum by financier and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., who not only donated the land to the museum but also a purchased a parcel of land across the river to preserve the untouched view. Other major sources of objects were the collections of J. P. Morgan and Joseph Brummer. Make sure to inspect the tapestries, including the famous 16th-century Hunt of the Unicorn. Admission: Thursday-Tuesday 10 AM – 5 PM.Adults $30.00, Children (11 and under) Free, Seniors $22.
The National Lighthouse Museum
The National Lighthouse Museum in St. George, S.I. is dedicated to preserving the navigational history of lighthouses and their keepers. It officially opened in 2015. The museum is located within the former Foundry Building of the U.S. Lighthouse Service General Depot, later the S.I. Coast Guard Station. Lighthouses are being lost due to modern technology such as GPS, Solar panels, etc Their locations became highly desired targets of land developers sites. In
the 1940s, the Shinnecock Light, on Long Island, became unstable and U.S. Coast Guard initiated the process of having it removed. Despite local opposition It was demolished and replaced by a golf course. A similar fate seemed inevitable for the famous Fire Island Light in the 1990s, when it too was targeted for destruction and development. The local community came to the rescue and the Fire Island Light Preservation Society saved the structure. The threat of destruction of many of these fabled landmarks created a groundswell of public support for the preservation of lighthouses. The American Lighthouse Coordinating Committee, was established to find a site for a prestigious national museum that would be entrusted to preserve such history for generations to come. To book a tour Wednesday through Sunday, please call 718-390-0040 ext. 1003.
Staten Island Museum
It is the mission of the Staten Island Museum to spark curiosity and generate meaningful shared experiences through natural science, art, and history to deepen understanding of our environment, ourselves, and each other. Founded in 1881, the Staten Island Museum engages visitors with interdisciplinary exhibitions, public programs, and educational activities for all ages. With works by Andy Warhol and Marc Chagall,, it includes a large natural history collection and an unusual art collection. Daily tickets can be purchased Wednesday – Sunday at its flagship location on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden,
Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art (JMMTA)
The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art’s mission is to present the art, culture, and history of Tibet to foster better cultural understanding. Jacques Marchais, (1887-1948), designed a Museum and garden that replicated the small mountaintop monasteries of Tibet in particular, the Potala at Lhasa – the historic seat of the Dalai Lamas. There’s a meditation garden, as well as lessons in Tai Chi which are all part of the museum program. It’s a magical place and
will bring peace in an often very stressful city. The collection consists of several thousand pieces of art primarily from Tibet, Mongolia and northern China dating from the fifteenth century. The collection at JMMTA has been widely acknowledged to be one of the most important collections of its kind in the west. The buildings are the oldest examples of Himalayan-style architecture in the United States and the site is listed on the New York State Register and National Register of Historic Places. Thursday through Sunday, General admission is $6.00.
RICHMONDTOWN
Historic Richmond Town is Staten Island’s largest and oldest cultural institution with more than 130,000 artifacts dating back to the 17th century. It is also known as the largest and most comprehensive historic village in the New York City. On the site of the Historic Richmond Town you can also find the oldest known surviving schoolhouse in America; owned by the Staten Island historical society, known as The Voorlezer’s
House. “Voorlezer” is a Dutch word that can be translated as “fore-reader” or as “one who reads (to others)”.
- Beso – Check out this restaurant which features dishes from Cuba, Mexico, and Spain. It’s located near the Ferry Terminal and close to the Empire Outlets. (Address: 11 Schuyler Street, TOMPKINSVILLE).
- Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn – Oktoberfest in NYC, serving 200 different beers, Sauerbraten, Goulash and all the German favorites. (Address: 4254 Arthur Kill Road, ROSSVILLE).
- Blue - Waterfront spot serving American & Mediterranean lunch & dinner menus, plus beer, wine & cocktails. (Address: 1115 Richmond Terrace, RANDALL MANOR).
- Hokkaido Sushi Bar – Easygoing place serving classic & signature sushi rolls, plus other Japanese entrees. Some of the best sushi in Staten Island. (Address: 3295 Amboy Road, GREAT KILLS).
- South Fin Grill – An upscale steak & seafood waterfront restaurant, on the boardwalk, offers a view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the cruise ships sailing in and out of New York. (Address: 300 Father Capodanno Boulevard, SOUTH BEACH).
- Pho 60 - Exceptionally well prepared authentic Vietnamese food classics including Beef Pho, Vietnamese spring rolls and Banh Mi. (Address:2602 Hylan Blvd,, NEW DORP).
- Cielo Restaurant - The menu is upper level, Italian food dishes. try the Pappardelle Marinara. Plus have a popular price fix menu that includes salad and dessert. (1435 Hylan Blvd., DONGAN HILLS).
- Bayou - Bayou is a cozy restaurant that specializes in New Orleans-style Cajun cooking. It’s popular for its extensive range of strong drinks. (Address: 1072 BAy ST., CLIFTON).
- Marina Cafe Restaurant & Tiki Bar- Rated “Best on S.I.’, the iconic Marina Cafe is a harbor-side restaurant featuring beautiful views of the Great Kills Harbor with in seafood and Italian-American cuisine. (Address: 154 Mansion Ave., GREAT KILLS).
Neue Galerie New York
The Neue Galerie New York Museum for German and Austrian art from the early twentieth century at Fifth Avenue and 86th Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side . This elegant museum was founded on November 16, 2001 by Ronald Lauder, the American philanthropist, art collector, political activist, and son of the founders of the Estee Lauder Company. It is devoted entirely to late-19th- and early-20th-century German and Austrian
fine and decorative arts. Located in a renovated brick-and-limestone mansion that was built by the architects of the New York Public Library, the Neue Galerie has the largest concentration of works by Gustav Klimt outside Vienna , including his iconic Adele Bloch-Bauer I. This portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, also known as The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold, is valued at $135 million. His second most famous work, Adele Bloch-Bauer II, was owned by Oprah Winfrey for ten years and then sold anonymously in 2006. There are significant works by Paul KLee and Ernst Ludwig Kirschner plus a magnificent collection by Egon Schiele (only to be outdone by the Leopold Museum outside Vienna). You’ll also find a bookstore, a very chic design shop and the Old World–inspired Café Sabarsky, serving updated Austrian cuisine and ravishing Viennese pastries. General admission is $25
Bars & Clubs
Blue Note
The Blue Note prides itself on being “the jazz capital of the world.” Since the 1980’s, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Bona fide musical titans (Eddie Palmieri, Ron Carter) rub against hot young talents, while the close-set tables in the club get patrons rubbing up against each other. It offers music every night at 8 p.m. and 10:30, and on Friday and Saturday nights has a late night series at 12:30 a.m., which showcases emerging talent. If you’re looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Arrive early to secure a good spot—and we recommend shelling out for a table seat.
Village Vanguard
The Village Vanguard is a jazz club at Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon and originally the club presented folk music and beat poetry. By 1957 it transformed into primarily a jazz music venue. It has hosted many highly renowned jazz musicians since then, and today is the oldest operating jazz club in New York City. From iconic 1960s gigs by John
Coltrane, Miles Davis and Bill Evans right up to to today, this club has always lived up to its name hosting the crème de la crème of mainstream jazz talent. Groove with the 16-piece Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, a Monday-night regular since 1966. Thanks to the venue’s strict no cell phone policy, seeing a show here feels like stepping back and time. It’s just you and the music.
Shopping
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market, located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, is a food and retail marketplace with a global perspective. It lies within the “Gansevoort Market Historic District”, which is recognized by New York State and National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in the 1890s, the Market was originally the site of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) factory complex where the Oreo cookie was invented and produced. Today it a hot spot for foodies and shopping addicts with a retail concourse at ground level and office space above.
Primarily known for its wide-range of eateries, Chelsea Market boasts more than 35 vendors. Whether you’ve got a hankering for a steaming-hot cup of lobster bisque, perfectly aged cheese or a strong and smooth shot of espresso, Chelsea Market has you covered. Aside from finger-lickin’ fare and sweet merchandise, the attraction offers historical charms such as the market’s iconic fountain, which was crafted using discarded drill bits and exposed pipe from the former The market and the shops are open seven days a week and from 7.00 am to 2.00 am Monday to Saturday (Sundays from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm).
Empire Outlets Staten Island
Empire Outlets is New York City’s Only Outlet Shopping destination. Reportedly shopping on Staten Island was never really worth it and the island was tagged the “forgotten” borough. That changed after its opening on May 15, 2019 as Empire Outlets has effectively brought in more foot traffic and put Staten Island “back on the radar”. In the 1st week it opened Empire Outlets has over
165,000 visitors. The 350,000-square-foot retail complex, in the St. George neighborhood, is located steps from the Staten Island Ferry. It hosts approximately 100 shops of the finest brands, an extensive array of waterfront food and beverage concepts. Also getting there on the Staten Island Ferry is a “breeze.”
City Attractions
Westfield World Trade Center Oculus
The Oculus Center is a must see as it is architecturally stunning plus it’s the world’s most expensive train station. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the exterior resembles the skeleton of a whale, has white metal-clad steel ribs that reach up and out, which symbolize a hand releasing a dove. The structure is a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is in alignment with
the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light. The name comes from the strip of windows, or skylights, along the spine of the roof. Oculus is the Latin word for “eye,” which, in architecture, refers to a round or eye-like opening with a view of the sky. The Oculus is home to the PATH train and 12 subway lines serving over a million people every week. There are 2 shopping levels with over 60 retailers like the Apple Store, Aesop, Kate Spade, John Varvatos and others. Dining options include Eataly, Gansevoort Market, Wasabi Sushi & Bento and more. Oculus store hours are Monday – Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. In the hall’s center weekly programs are scheduled, from farmers’ markets and art exhibits to musical performances and retail events.
NYSE
The New York Stock Exchange in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan is the largest equities-based exchange in the world, based on the total market capitalization of its listed securities. The NYSE offers icons and entrepreneurs the opportunity to raise capital and change the world. The listed companies form a powerful community committed to good governance and societal impact. Industry-leading trading technology, combined with the guidance of experienced traders creates higher market quality for NYSE-market participants. Formerly run as a private organization, the NYSE became a public entity on March 8, 2006, following the acquisition of electronic trading exchange Archipelago. In 2007, a merger with Euronext—the largest stock exchange in Europe—led to the creation of NYSE Euronext, which was
later acquired by Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE), the current parent of the New York Stock Exchange. The NYSE is open to the public M-F 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There are 9 trading holidays when markets are closed plus several scheduled half-days. On half-days markets closed at 1:00 p.m.
NASDAQ
The Nasdaq Stock Market is based in Manhattan . It is the most active stock trading venue in the US by volume, and ranked second on the list of stock exchanges by market capitalization of shares traded, behind the NYSE. The NASDAQ was founded in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), the self-regulatory organization for the securities industry. The
NASD would later become the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
The Nasdaq exchange is a dealers’ market. This means that the exchange designates market makers to facilitate trades and provide liquidity. They have an inventory of certain securities that they can transact with customers or other dealers. A dealer will specify a bid-and-ask for their securities and the spread is the profit they make on a trade. The NASDAQ is open to visitors M-F 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Brookfield Place
There’s something for everyone at Brookfield Place, from label-loving fashionistas and discerning foodies, at this waterfront shopping and dining mecca in Battery Park City. This downtown luxury complex, originally called the World Financial Center, is now home to a number of offices including Merrill Lynch and American Express. On the ground level, however, find a myriad of luxury stores
ranging from fashion ( Burberry, DVF, Gucci, Hermes Saks Fifth Avenue, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tory Burch) to dining (Seamore’s, Le District French market & food hall). Meat eaters have plenty to chew on, including steakhouse staples Del Frisco’s and P.J. Clarke’s, mouthwatering BBQ from Mighty Quinn’s or a juicy burger at Umami Burger. Beyond shopping, stroll around the space to enjoy installations of art in the glass-encased winter garden, or head outdoors for ice skating during cold-weather months. There’s also a Rite Aid Pharmacy and an Equinox Fitness Center Dos Toros Taqueria, Chop’t Salads and Black Seed Bagel offer less expensive options you can nosh on between your window shopping. Got a sweet tooth? Swing by Sprinkles for a cupcake, and don’t leave without catching the sunset over the Hudson River.
South Street Seaport
Not only does the South Street Seaport have its history, but it also offers so much more for visitors. Whether it is restaurants, museums, cobble stoned streets, or some of the best river & bridge views in NYC, the Seaport has it all. The Seaport is a historic area in Manhattan, centered where Fulton Street meets the East River, and adjacent to the Financial District. The Seaport is a designated historic district. Hurricane Sandy
may have temporarily wounded the famed Lower Manhattan sightseeing draw in 2012, but with recent developments by the Howard Hughes Corporation—including a pop-up-friendly Culture District and a fancy dine-in movie theater iPic— prove that the iconic port is back and better than ever. This historic harbor is home to the former Fulton Fish Market, the Seaport Museum, the country’s largest privately owned fleet of historic ships and a shopping mall with retail stores and restaurants. It hosts outdoor concerts during the summer, as well as a range of lectures and public programs.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry originated in 1817 when the Richmond Turnpike Company started a steamboat service from Manhattan to Staten Island. Cornelius Vanderbilt bought the Richmond Turnpike Company in 1838, and it was merged with two competitors in 1853.
Since then the worst day in the Staten Island Ferry’s history never happened. Called the
city’s secret tragedy, a giant-octopus attack on the Cornelius G. Kolff, a Staten Island Ferry boat, dragged the ship to a watery grave with 400 souls aboard on Nov. 22, 1963. Few recall the harbor horror because news coverage was eclipsed by the shocking assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas that very day. Also because it never actually happened. It was just a hoax. Today the Staten Island Ferry is a fare-free passenger ferry route operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The Ferry provides service every day, year-round in both directions between the St. George Terminal (1 Bay St., Staten Island) and the Whitehall Terminal (4 SOuth St., Manhattan). The ferry’s single route runs 5.2 miles through New York Harbor with ferry boats making the trip in about 25 minutes. The Ferry does not carry any cars or electric mopeds.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is our universal symbol of freedom that welcomed over 10 million immigrants sailing past to Ellis Island during the turn of the 20th century. Lady Liberty—or Liberty Enlightening the World, as she’s officially known—was a gift from France on America’s 100th birthday. Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has held her torch high in New York Harbor as the quintessential
symbol of American liberty, and no trip to NYC (perhaps no trip the United States), is complete without a visit to the Mother of Exiles at Liberty Island. The statue’s massive pedestal houses an observation deck as well as exhibits detailing the fascinating history of the 305-foot copper statue designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and gifted to the U.S. from France to celebrate the friendship of the two nations. Check out the original torch and read the bronze plaque with Emma Lazarus’s poem “A New Colossus” (you know, the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to be free). The National Park Service offers daily tours of Liberty Island as well as neighboring Ellis Island, which served as the first stop for immigrants coming to our shores between 1852 and 1954. While admission to both parks is technically free, visitors must buy ferry tickets to get there. Be sure to book online well in advance, as day-of tickets tend to sell out quickly—especially in the summer months.
Reserve well in advance—three weeks or more—to see New York’s skyline from Liberty Island with access to the statue’s crown, and go earlier in the day if you want to also take the ferry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Chinatown
Vibrant Chinatown is a densely populated neighborhood that draws foodies and tourists to its many Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants for dumplings, pork buns and hand-pulled noodles. Mott Street is the heart of Chinatown. It’s lined with Chinese restaurants and shops and adorned with lantern lighting overhead (like several other streets in Chinatown) that comes to life once the sky is dark.The busy sidewalks are packed
with souvenir stores, bubble tea shops, and markets selling everything from fresh and dried fish to herbs and spices. Locals hang out in leafy Columbus Park for Tai Chi, chess and mahjong. This original NYC Chinatown and NYC’s largest Asian community is located in the area south of Broome Street and east of Lafayette. Merging with neighboring Little Italy and the Lower East Side, you’ve entered what seems to be a far away continent. Here you’ll find some of the best restaurants in NYC representing the cuisine of virtually every province of mainland China and Hong Kong, plus Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese.
Get a Taste of the Lower East Side
You know, the only real way to the heart of a city it’s through its belly. So what better way to dive into the history of this cultural melting pot one mouthful at a time than by sampling the best food spots on the Lower East Side – all the while discovering the rich immigrant history that gives this concrete jungle its unique cosmopolitan flavor. The tour consists of four main food stops with several sites along the way like the African Burial Ground Monument and St Patrick’s Old Cathedral – a significant landmark for the Irish Catholic community. You’ll cut through Chinatown as well as Little Italy and taste the beloved knish – originating from the Ashkenazi Jewish community – for the first time. Perfect if you’ve got three hours to kill, and are looking for something fun for under 100 bucks. Steal.
Katz’s Deli
Katz’s no-frills deli, with its cranky waiters and counter men who can continue slicing pastrami while looking out the window without slicing off a finger, has been serving mile-high sandwiches since 1888. In the early part of the twentieth century, the Lower East Side was home to millions of newly immigrated families. This, along with the lack of public and private transportation, forged a solid community such that Katz’s became a focal point for congregating. On Fridays, the neighborhood turned out for franks and beans, a long time Katz tradition. During World War II, Katz’s encouraged parents to “Send a salami to your boy in the army” which became one of the deli’s noted catchphrases.
Katz’s was the site of Meg Ryan’s fake orgasm scene in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally…, followed by Estelle Reiner’s line “I’ll have what she’s having”; the table at which Ryan and Billy Crystal sat is marked with a sign that says, “Where Harry met Sally… hope you have what she had! Enjoy!”
Washington Square Park arch
The Washington Square Arch, officially the Washington Arch, is a marble memorial arch in Washington Square Park, in the Greenwich Village at the southern end of Fifth Avenue. Designed by architect Stanford White in 1891, the Washington Arch, a modest replica of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, commemorates the centennial of George Washington’s 1789 inauguration as President of the United States .From 2007–2014, the park underwent a controversial, multimillion-dollar renovation, which has yielded more benches, paths, lawn space and vegetation. Over the years multiple sculptures were added to the arch including George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, Accompanied by Fame
and Valor (1914–1916) and George Washington as President, Accompanied by Wisdom and Justice (1917–18). In the latter sculpture, a hand holds a book bearing the Latin phrase Exitus Acta Probat (“the end justifies the deed”). These sculptures are commonly referred to as Washington at War and Washington at Peace, respectively. The beatniks, folkies and hippies who famously flocked to this public space are still there, though sporting slightly different facial hair than their boundary-breaking predecessors. During warmer months, the park with its musicians and street artists is one of the best people-watching spots in the city.
Union Square
This park is named after neither the Union of the Civil War nor the labor rallies that once took place here, but simply for the union of Broadway and Bowery Lane (now Fourth Avenue).
The pedestrian plaza at Union Square Park attracts a bustling mix of professionals, street artists, students and protesters. The surrounding streets are lined with high-rise
apartments and big-name chain stores, as well as casual eateries and cafes. The stalls of the long-running Union Square Greenmarket draw crowds for local produce and artisanal food.
Union Square Park has served as home base for countless community events and festivals-from the first Labor Day parade in 1882 to workers’ rallies in the 1930s to the first Earth Day in 1970 to the current, wildly popular Greenmarket. This former burial ground has seamlessly transitioned into the deserved home of statues depicting distinguished men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, and Marquis de Lafayette.
Following 9/11, the park became a focal point for the city’s outpouring of grief. These days you’ll find the lively Greenmarket in warmer months, holiday shops in the winter and a summer concert series for kids. Come see this designated a National Historic Landmark and absorb the energy of past and present Union Square park goers.
Flatiron Building
This 21-story Beaux Arts edifice once dominated midtown. Although it’s now dwarfed by other structures, when it debuted in 1902, the triangle-shaped monolith represented the threat and the thrill of modernity: Naysayers claimed it would never withstand the high winds plaguing 23rd Street, while revered photographer Alfred Stieglitz—who captured it in an iconic shot in 1903—wrote that it was “a picture of a new America still in the making.” Today, it’s possibly the least tourist-friendly New York landmark. The space above the ground-floor shops, occupied by publishing house Macmillan, is inaccessible to the public, but during office hours you can admire black-and-white photos and read a few panels on the history of the tower in its lobby. If you want to see the “point” offices (just over six feet wide at their narrowest), we suggest getting to work on the Great American Novel.
The Vessel at Hudson Yards
New York’s ever-changing skyline has acquired another sky-high attraction for Gothamites to climb: Vessel. The 60-ton sculpture, located at sleek cultural destination Hudson Yards, resembles a honeycomb, although some New Yorkers joke it looks like a waste can. Others say the larger-than-life art installation designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York’s version of the Eiffel Tour. We say it
looks like a good excuse to exercise and Instagram. Visitors will climb the spiral staircase made up of 154 interconnecting staircases, almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings, and while the current sight of construction is less than ideal (the attraction just opened to the public on March 15), the various outlook points offer sweeping views of the Hudson River that will appear mighty dreamy at sunset. Know before you go visiting and climbing Hudson Yards’ new jungle gym is free, but you must reserve a time slot and get tickets in advance. Every morning at 8am same-day tickets are up for grabs, if you cant get a reservation in advance.
Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards
Seeing the view from the Edge at 30 Hudson Yards is one of the best things do do at night in New York. The Edge is the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. With a one-of-a-kind design, it’s suspended in mid-air giving you the feeling of floating in the sky with 360-degree views that you can’t get anywhere else. Look 100 stories down from the thrilling glass floor, lean out over the city on angled glass walls and sip champagne in the sky. The building’s outdoor terrace takes you 65-feet into the sky making it the highest public balcony in NYC. The deck not only features panoramic views of our city’s skyline but a killer vantage point below. Brave souls can stand on a large, see-through glass floor and wave to passerby 1,100 feet beneath. Opened to the public in 2020 and priced at $48 per person, the Edge Is well worth the visit—that is, if you’re not afraid of heights. Open daily from 8 AM to midnight.
Little Island
New York City’s hottest new attraction, Little Island, opened to the public in May 2021 and has since brought in plenty of visitors who flocked to see Manhattan’s newest “floating” greenspace. Open from 6am to 1am, the park is filled with open lawns, colorful shrubs and trees, a secret garden and food and beverage offerings. Entry is free all day but entering between noon and close requires a reservation. The park’s amphitheaters, The
Glade and The Amph, offer a spectacular view of the Hudson River, many free summer events and every Monday night the theater hosts Savory Talks & Performances, a free dialogue around food sustainability and industry trends. Opened in 1902, this Herald Square location on 34th Street is Macy’s flagship. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and was made a National Historic Landmark in 1978. MAcy’s has become entwined in the fabric that is New York. With over a million square feet of display space on 10 floors, this colossal department store is a year-round destination attracting more than 20 million shoppers annually. In addition to the major events for which Macy’s is famous, almost daily in store there’s something scheduled and a lot is for the kids. Springtime starts with the annual Macy’s Flower Show, whose theme changes yearly and where for 2 weeks from late March into April, the store is transformed into a floral wonderland. Celebrating our country’s independence, the skies are lit up by the magnificent Annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. This tradition started in 1976 to celebrate the country’s bicentennial and is changed every year. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade leads us into the holidays. The windows are transformed into magical winter displays, rated best in NYC, drawing crowds regardless of the weather. Inside visit Santaland, where the store goes full throttle with toy trains, elves and everything for the holidays.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, also known as “America’s Parish Church,” is the largest cathedral in the United States. Construction started in 1858, completed in 1879. Sometimes confused with The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral (on Mulberry street in NoLita), St. Patrick’s is located in Midtown and takes up an entire city block from 5th to Madison Avenues between 50th and 51st Streets. St. Patricks is the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York as well as a parish church. The Cathedral is famous for its Neo-Gothic architecture with intricate marble towers, pointed arches and buttresses. Enter through the gigantic bronze doors and marvel at the expansive ribbed vault, breathtaking high altar, and thousands of stained glass windows. Since in 2015,
following a $175 million restoration project there are more than 200 represented in the bronzed and polished new interior. .Every year, over five and a half million people (visitors and worshippers) are drawn to St. Patrick’s. The church is free to enter, though there is a suggested donation of $5. A self-guided audio tour is every day daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; Cost approximately $20 per person.
Grand Central Terminal
This is more than just a train terminal for over 700,000 commuters a day. Grand Central Terminal is itself a popular destination for both visitors and New Yorkers. Spread over 49 acres, Grand Central is the largest train station in the world with 44 platforms and 67 tracks on 2 levels. The Terminal was constructed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture that was taught at the École des
Beaux-Arts in Paris, from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. The building is both spectacular and functional. In the Grand Concourse try to count the stars in its vaulted ceiling and see the four-faced opal clock, a familiar backdrop is so many movies, topping the main information booth. Use the directory to track the many shops and eateries located on the various levels. Like a self-contained little city there are a myriad of vendors including the Apple Store, Banana Republic, Inaya, Zabars and even a Rite-Aid. And when it is time to indulge your dining choices include everything from grab-and-go (Starbucks, Dirty Taco, Juice Press, etc) to reservations recommended (The Campbell Bar and Cipriani Dolci) and everything in between.
Chrysler Building
The Chrysler Building is considered one the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world. Construction headed by Walter Chrysler, head of the Chrysler Corporation started in 1928, a year before the start of the Great Depression. At that time there was a construction frenzy in Manhattan with a three-way competition between developers of the Empire State Building, 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Builders to build the world’s tallest building. When it was completed in 1930 the Chrysler Building won albeit until the Empire State Building was completed 11 months later. Today the Chrysler Building is still the world’s tallest structure with a steel framework. The Chrysler Building is a “stunning architectural masterpiece” that represented the enlightened upper class of old New York. As a tribute to the Chrysler family the gargoyles, carved figures widely used to draw water away from edifices, were replaced by giant eagles replicating the radiator caps on Chrysler automobiles of the 1920s. The building’s unique shape with its apex of lighted triangle-shaped still sparkles at night in the midst of the traditional New York skyline. In 2020 approval was issued to allow building an observation deck on the 61st Floor but no timeline was established. Currently the building does allow visitors to come and see its gorgeous Art Deco designed hall on the ground floor.
Madison Square Garden
Opened at its fourth and current location on February 11, 1968, MSG is known as” The World’s Most Famous Arena” in the world” and holds 320 events a year on average. Built atop Penn Station, the 20,000 seat Madison Square Garden is home to professional sports teams (NBA, Knicks; NHL, Rangers), a
popular site for college basketball tournaments (Big East), boxing, WWE wrestling and MMA matches. The Garden is by far the premium site for NYC concert goers. Billy Joel has an always sold-out permanent residency. The location, a must stop for every major tour (Andrea Bocelli, Marieh Carey, Beyonce, Madonna, Adele) offers scheduled events almost daily. Check the schedule for all-access tours exhibiting 130 years of Garden history plus a walk through of the arena and locker rooms : Adults $26.95; Seniors and students $19.95; With Show ticket $16.00
Empire State Building
A famed piece of Art Deco architecture that took over 400 days to structurally complete, the skyscraper reaches an astonishing height of 1,454-feet—and while it’s still the center of the city’s skyline it is no longer the tallest building in New York, a title held for several decades following its 1931 completion date. On March 2, 1933 “King Kong” debuted in New York City on March 2nd, putting the Empire State Building front-and-center for one of cinema’s most famous films. It’s the first of many iconic roles the building will play on the silver screen and among its most important pop culture moments. Enjoy visions of the topper’s three tiers of lights, which illuminate up to nine colors at a time and don’t miss the rod at the top of the building, which is frequently hit by lightning. Visit the observation deck. There may be a line but trust us, it’s totally worth the wait.
Rockefeller Center
One visit to this unique 19 building compound will validate its National Landmark validation. Construction started in 1930 by John D. Rockefeller, oilman, philanthropist and the world’s wealthiest man at the time. The project employed an estimated 40,000 construction workers and helped NYC get through the Great Depression. In one of the 14 original Art Deco buildings is the Radio City Music Hall, home to the Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular. Facing 6th Avenue, Radio City was built for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) enterprises including NBC Television. The building butts up to Rockefeller Plaza, where next to the tourist-favorite ice skating rink is the site for the yearly Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree,
On the other side of the ring toward Fifth Avenue are 5 additional edifices intendended for foreign-based occupants. The bronze Atlas statue holding the heavens on his shoulder (from Greek mythology) faces St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The ‘Today Show’ plaza is diagonally across from the skating rink. These days, while thousands are employed within the buildings, millions of tourists come from all over to admire the original Art Deco structures and shops surrounding Rockefeller Plaza. 30 Rockefeller Plaza is by far the most famous of the buildings—and that’s by design. As the tallest, 30 Rock was always meant to be the centerpiece, from the murals in the lobby to the 70th-floor observation deck offering views of Central Park and the Empire State Building. One for those who enjoy a cocktail in swanky restaurant, the Rainbow Room with its panoramic views and gorgeous decor on the 65th floor.
Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center
This spectacular three leveled open air observation deck is located on the 70th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Center. It offers a full 360-degree view of New York City with unobstructed views of the city skyline including a complete view of Central Park. You can all the way up, past the Upper East and West Sides and Harlem, to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and beyond. In Top of the Rock experience is being reimagined. Starting in 2024 a new exhibit and theater experience will include the Sky Lift, taking visitors 30- feet delivering the city’s only 360 degree totally unobstructed, and the Beam Ride, recreating the famous lunch atop a Skyscraper photo.. Tickets for the observation deck: VIP $75; Adults $38; seniors $36; children 6-12 $32. If you’re willing to splurge, don’t forget to dress up and stop by the Rainbow Room–the historic lounge on the 65th floor–for exceptional cocktails, fine dining, live music and spectacular sightlines that rival the deck’s, albeit a few stories lower.
Radio City Music Hall
This is the home of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with performances from mid-November through New Year’s Day. Early ordering is recommended. No other venue matches the elegance, history or architecture of Radio City. The Art Deco concert hall, opened on December 27, 1932, features opulent chandeliers and lush carpets, while the stage and proscenium are meant to resemble a setting sun. Although Radio City is today probably best known as the home of the Rockettes, the venue has over the years hosted stage shows, special attractions and
for decades America’s most popular entertainers: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, John Denver, Jose Casseras and many others. Still today the stage is graced by pop stars (Lady Gaga, the Jonas Brothers) and indie faves (Pulp, Grizzly Bear). Along with stage shows, Radio City has hosted premieres of over 650 movies among which were King Kong (1933), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Mary Poppins (1964) and the Lion King (1994). Radio City is a must for every vacation.
Broadway Theater District
Come to the Great White Way. That’s a nickname for the Theater District coined in 1902 up by a newspaper columnist, Shep Friedman, who didn’t receive his due credit until 1927. The nickname stuck. The Theater District Is the area between 41st and 53rd Streets surrounding Times Square. The nickname “Broadway” comes from the District’s many lit-up billboards, posters and marquees that promote its plays and musicals. Broadway itself refers to a cluster of 40 theaters in the area that have 500 seats or more. Every year about 13 million locals and tourists come to the Theater
District and Theatre Row next to this on 42nd Street from Ninth to Eleventh Avenue. Paraphrasing a poem by Alexander Pope, every year “Hope Springs Eternal” with a new round of musical extravaganzas, comedies, dramas and star-driven revivals. At the height of the fall and spring seasons, check critics’ picks, reviews, current Tony Award winners and cheap broadway tickets. The savvy consumer can find discount tickets at most Broadway shows. Some are for only limited runs, but others stick around for years. But without too much effort you can still find the kind of artistically ambitious offerings that are more common to the smaller venues of Off Broadway.
Time Square
Times Square forms the very center of the Big Apple. Originally named Longacre Square, it was renamed in 1904 honoring the relation of the New York Times to the site it still resides on West 43rd St. Attracting thousands year round and loved in December, with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and the ball dropping New Year’s
Eve on the “Crossroads of the World”, this is a must see for any visitor to N.Y. Famously used as a backdrop for countless films and TV series, Times Square with its flashing neon lights and recognizable billboards as a main attraction, located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue,Times Square is New York’s most well-known landmark. And if people watching isn’t enough there are endless bars, restaurants, theaters, museums, souvenir shops and a great atmosphere. And when night falls the enchantment grows as the famous lights of Times Square illuminate the city.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library’s monumental flagship location, the Stephen Schwarzman Building, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. In the system are nearly 53 million items and 92 locations. The library is “renowned for its extraordinary historical collections and its commitment to providing free and equal access to its resources.” The NYPL is described as one of the 5 most important libraries in the United States; the
others are the Library of Congress, the Boston Public LIbrary, and the university libraries of Harvard and Yale. Opened in 1911, the NYPL main branch building is known for its stunning Beaux-Arts architectural style. Two massive Tennessee-marble lions, dubbed Patience and Fortitude, flank the main portal and have become the institution’s mascots. Once inside, check out the cavernous Rose Main Reading Room, spanning almost 300 feet and outfitted with chandeliers and stunning ceiling murals. White being an inspiration to learning on the inside for a century, the outside of the NYPL flagship has also been referenced to or seen mentioned numerous times in popular culture including: 42nd Street (1933), Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961), Ghostbusters (1984), Sex and the City (2008), John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019).
RISENY
Located in the Theater District on Broadway at 45th Street, this is a New York first. RISENY places thrill-seekers inside a 180-degree, 40-foot projection dome that plays 8K aerial footage to create the sensation of flight. (Similar to Disneyland’s “Soarin’ Over California” experience.) It begins with a Ric Burns/James Aunders documentary on NYC’s history, focusing on Times Square and its worldwide impact. Next you enter the city’s first subway station at City Hall circa 1904 and eventually onto a present-day subway car that virtually transports visitors to NYC’s vibrant pop-cultural evolution through seven themed galleries— “Finance,” “Skyline,” “TV/Radio,” “Fashion,” “Music,” “Broadway” and “Film” Once through the galleries, visitors find themselves airbound, ll “soaring” around NYC’s landmarks to a soundtrack with songs like Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York” and Frank Sinatra’s “Theme From New York.” The full-motion seats will dip, turn and soar while wind, mist and scents are blown at riders’ faces. Ticket: Adults $35; Child, Seniors, Military $32; VIP $49. animal16
Lincoln Center
One of the world’s largest campuses for the performing and visual arts, Lincoln Center began its construction in 1959 thanks in part to funding from John D. Rockefeller III. Today, the center houses 30 world-class venues—including the Metropolitan Opera House, the David H. Koch Theater and the
Julliard School—as well as 11 resident organizations that collectively host thousands of events every year. At the heart of the complex is the well-recognized Josie Robertson Plaza whose fountain can be seen spouting white-lit jets of water with the golden glow of the Met lobby serving as an elegant backdrop.
The Apollo Theater
The theater was first opened in 1913 as the Hurtig & Seamen’s New Theatre (being named after its developers) as a burlesque venue serving only white patrons. That ended when “The Apollo” opened its doors by Sidney Cohen on January 26, 1934 and became a venue for black performers. That continues both live at the Apollo through today and on TV as the home of the popular Showtime at the Apollo. On Wednesday night one of its longtime favorite events, Amateur Night at the Apollo, involves the audience judging the novice performers. Please no
tomatoes. The theater now has 1500 seats on 3 levels designed in a neoclassical architectural style. The facade and interior are designated NYC landmarks and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Over the years the Apollo has survived an auction (purchased by former Manhattan borough President Percy Sutton in 1981), refurbishment, reconstruction and expansion. This Harlem institution has been the site of more than a few historic moments: Ella Fitzgerald’s first performance happened here in 1934; Live at the Apollo, recorded in 1962, practically launched James Brown into the mainstream; and a young Jimi Hendrix won an Amateur Night contest in 1964. Over the decades, there were performers for every one including all time greats like Stevie Wonder, Arethra Franklin, Bruce Springstein, Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Bob Marley, Diana Ross and many more both past and present. Despite its storied history and grand decor, this living link to the Harlem Renaissance feels rather cozy inside. The Apollo is open Monday through Saturday. Check ticket prices online at Ticketmaster.com, by telephone at (212) 531-5305 or in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office.
Kaufman Astoria Studios
The Kaufman Astoria Studios is a film studio located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City. The studio was constructed for Famous Players–Lasky in 1920, since it was close to Manhattan’s Theater District.
The property was taken over by real estate developer George S. Kaufman in 1982 and renamed Kaufman Astoria Studios.
The studio is home to New York City’s only
backlot, which opened in December 2013.[2] The property was designated a national historic district and added to the National Register of Historic Places in Many features and short subjects were filmed there between 1920 and 1933. The first Sherlock Holmes sound film, The Return of Sherlock Holmes (also 1929), was made at the studio by the British producer Basil Dean. The first two films featuring the Marx Brothers, The Cocoanuts (1929) and Animal Crackers (1930), were shot at the Astoria Studio. It was also known as the Paramount Studio.1978.
The property was designated a national historic district and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Gum Studios (Long Island City)
GUM Studios is a one-of-a-kind soundstage facility for film and photography located in Queens and is proud to be one of the few female-owned soundstages in the nation. Their flagship Stage A facility opened in Long Island City in 2015 and immediately began to receive bookings for major TV shows, Significant expansion led to the addition of seven additional locations in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, totaling 66,000 sq ft on top of their original 21,000 sq ft stage in Long Island City. In 2020, GUM Studios, seeing Virtual Production playing a major role in the film industry, unveiled their XR Stage dubbed “The Volume.” Ms. Carrie White, GUM’s founder, made them the first Soundstage in NYC to offer webinars and schedule tours for top industry clients.
CitiField
While they haven’t been as successful as their Bronx rivals in recent years, the Mets can certainly be happy about their stadium, which opened in 2009. With great sightlines, fun activities for kids and a prodigious selection of food and booze (including Shake Shack and Blue Smoke outposts), even those
with the barest interest in the game will enjoy themselves at the park, which in recent years has also doubled as a concert venue with appearances by mega-stars like Paul McCartney and Nas.
Brooklyn Bridge
No better example of New York’s history of architectural innovation. A true feat of engineering when it opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was was the first structure to cross the East River and, at the time, the longest suspension bridge in the world. A great example of using steel-wire cables in its construction, the Brooklyn Bridge now attracts thousands of tourists and locals, who
enjoy spectacular views of lower Manhattan and other city landmarks (including the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island) who cross its more-than-mile-long expanse.
Staten Island Ferry
The highlight of any trip to Staten Island should be the Staten Island Ferry. It takes you there in the first place and provides amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. And the NYC DOT which operates the Staten Island Ferry, provides free service every day of the week, year-round. The Staten Island Ferry leaves
from Terminal 4 at White Hall Ferry in lower Manhattan and takes you to St. George Staten Island. Travel time in either direction between St. George and Whitehall is approximately 25 minutes. Please note: All schedules are subject to change without notice.
Staten Island Ferry Hawks
The Staten Island FerryHawks are in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball playing their home games at SIUH Community Park, the former home of the Staten Island Yankees (2001-2020). The ballpark, located at the NE tip of the island overlooks the Manhattan skyline across the New York Harbor and is the largest stadium in the league by capacity at 7,171. When the New York Yankees folded their local minor league affiliate in 2020, Staten Island became the only NYC borough without a professional sports team. Fortunately, that quickly changed when a committed ownership group—including John Catsimatidis (a one-time mayoral candidate and owner of Red Apple Media) — ensured that not only baseball was back by 2022 but the ballpark would transition to a year round event destination.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Originally a home built in 1883 for retired ship captains, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & is the Staten Island gem. Snug Harbor in Staten Island is a beautiful large outdoor museum diving deep into the history of Staten Island. A ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan it is just as easily accessible by Black Car service. Spread across 83 acres, the park includes 23 historical buildings, nine botanical gardens and 10 acres of wetlands. The cultural center is surrounded by cobblestone streets and tiny paths of Victorian and Tudor homes. One of the most popular attractions here is the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, fitted with magnificent rocks meant to resemble mountains inspired by the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist monks, as well as a bamboo forest path and Koi-filled pond.
Staten Island Zoo
It is open all seasons and is perfect for families. The Staten Island Zoo, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1988,.is a small 8-acre urban zoo with an emphasis on reptiles. They do not have big animals like elephants and giraffes but nevertheless the Staten Island zoo is a wonderful hidden NYC gem with over 1500 animals of over 350 species. Initially, the focus of the zoo was reptiles, in particular
including the collection of snakes housed in the zoo’s Serpentarium. Although the focus of the zoo has broadened, the zoo’s collection of rattlesnakes is still regarded as among the largest and most complete in North America. The zoo is also the home of Staten Island Chuck, referred to more formally as Charles G. Hogg, the official groundhog meteorologist of New York City, who predicts the duration of winter each February 2 on Groundhog Day. The Staten Island Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
South Beach Staten Island
Rated in the top 5 borough attractions, this beautiful beach in Staten Island invites you to relax, enjoy the sun and take a stroll. It’s not a busy beach as other beaches near the city. South Beach actually goes forgotten which makes it even better because on a hot day in the summer you don’t want to feel overcrowded at a beach. The South Beach neighborhood on the East Shore of Staten
Island is situated directly south of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The 1.5-mile-long beach section, providing a beautiful view of the bridge, is the fourth-longest wooden beach promenade in the world. On the beach promenade, picnic areas and other sports facilities are available for use. At the north end is the most popular meeting place for the locals: a dolphin fountain. South Beach hosts annual events, free concerts, and spectacular fireworks nights. At the southernmost point, called Ocean Breeze, the most popular fishing village in New York City.
Casa Belvedere Italian Cultural Foundation
Casa Belvedere’s cultural programs are the heart of the Italian Cultural Foundation, which strives to preserve and educate the public at large on all things authentically Italian. For more than a decade, the Foundation has presented a vast array of exceptional, mission-driven public programs for all ages, establishing its place as a
beacon of arts and culture. Located on Grymes Hill, the 2nd highest point in S.I., the mansion was constructed in 1908, and is an Italian Renaissance style building with Arts and Crafts detailing. Over the years it housed a number of different families, including for several years being the official residence of the President of Wagner College. It was declared a New York City Landmark in 2006 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 as the Louis A. and Laura Stirn House. In 2008 it was purchased by Gina Biancardi and Luciano Rammairone, and turned into a cultural center. In this role it hosts Italian language classes for both adults and children, wine tastings, lectures, films, cooking lessons, book signings, displays of Italian-made motor vehicles (e.g. Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini, and Vespa), and art exhibits, all with an Italian orientation.
Fort Wadsworth
Fort Wadsworth is a former United States military installation on Staten Island, situated on The Narrows which divide New York Bay into Upper and Lower halves, a natural point for defense of the Upper Bay and Manhattan beyond. Prior to closing in 1994 Fort Wadsworth claimed to be the longest continually garrisoned military installation in the United States.In 1865 it was renamed to honor Brigadier General James Wadsworth,
who had been killed in the Battle of the Wilderness during the Civil War. Now, Fort Wadsworth is a Gateway National Recreation Area open for visitors to explore. It is also the perfect picture taking location with its beautiful views of the Verrazano Bridge and Brooklyn.Today it has a special meaning for many runners across the world traveling to NYC for the New York Marathon because right here is where runners line up at the start line for the famous marathon to run across the Verrazano Bridge. The Park Rangers offer guided tours that take you into hidden catacombs and provide background information on the National Monument.
Casa Corleone
Staten Island played a major role in the production of the Godfather, the iconic 1972 Academy Award-winning gangster epic. In the wedding scene that opens the movie, the two large Tudor-style
houses on Longfellow Avenue, today known as Casa Corleone. Transformed into a mansion this
was used as the exterior for the Corleone family home. During filming, director Francis Ford
Coppola built an artificial wall around the property so it seemed like an even larger, more imposing
compound. The interior scenes were shot at Filmways Studios in Harlem, Manhattan.
The Conference House
Conference House is a stone house in the Tottenville neighborhood of Staten Island and is the only surviving pre-Revolutionary War manor house in New York City. Built by Captain Christopher Billopp some time before 1680 and originally a wheat farm, it is located in Conference House Park near Ward’s Point, the southernmost tip of New York state, which became known as “Billop’s Point” in the 18th century. On September 11, 1776, this
house was the unsuccessful site of a peace conference between British Lord Admiral Richard Howe and Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge attempting to end the Revolutionary War . The talks occurred just two months after the Declaration of Independence had been signed. The Conference House Association acknowledges that the land of this historic house was first inhabited by indigenous peoples and we honor their culture, traditions, history and great contributions. November is National Native American Heritage Month.
The Alice Austen House
The Alice Austen House and its surrounding waterfront park are a nationally designated site of LGBTQ+ history, centering on the 56 year relationship between Alice Austen (1866-1952), photographer and feminist, and her life partner Gertrude Tate The museum provides an important window into pre-Stonewall LGBTQ+. The Alice Austen House, also known as Clear Comfort, fosters creative expression, explores personal identity, and educates and
inspires the public through the interpretation of the photographs, life and historic home of American photographer, Alice Austen. Guided Tours are available Tuesday-Saturday for $12 per person. Register in advance via email at tickets@aliceausten.org.
Best Restaurants In Staten Island
Staten Island offers many culinary options and visiting great places to eat is one of the best things to do on Staten Island. You’ll find a lot of very traditional Italian restaurants on Staten Island. Here are some restaurants that I’ve visited before and really enjoyed:
- Beso – Check out this restaurant which features dishes from Cuba, Mexico, and Spain. It’s located near the Ferry Terminal and close to the Empire Outlets. (Address: 11 Schuyler Street, TOMPKINSVILLE)
- Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn – Oktoberfest in NYC, serving 200 different beers, Sauerbraten, Goulash and all the German favorites. (Address: 4254 Arthur Kill Road, ROSSVILLE).
- Blue - Waterfront spot serving American & Mediterranean lunch & dinner menus, plus beer, wine & cocktails. (Address: 1115 Richmond Terrace, RANDALL MANOR)
- Hokkaido Sushi Bar – Easygoing place serving classic & signature sushi rolls, plus other Japanese entrees. Some of the best sushi in Staten Island. (Address: 3295 Amboy Road, GREAT KILLS)
- South Fin Grill – An upscale steak & seafood waterfront restaurant, on the boardwalk, offers a view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the cruise ships sailing in and out of New York. (Address: 300 Father Capodanno Boulevard, SOUTH BEACH)
- Pho 60 - Exceptionally well prepared authentic Vietnamese food classics including Beef Pho, Vietnamese spring rolls and Banh Mi. (Address:2602 Hylan Blvd,, NEW DORP)
- Cielo Restaurant - The menu is upper level, Italian food dishes. try the Pappardelle Marinara. Plus have a popular price fix menu that includes salad and dessert. (1435 Hylan Blvd., DONGAN HILLS)
- Bayou - Bayou is a cozy restaurant that specializes in New Orleans-style Cajun cooking. It’s popular for its extensive range of strong drinks. (Address: 1072 BAy ST., CLIFTON)
- Marina Cafe Restaurant & Tiki Bar- Rated “Best on S.I.’, the iconic Marina Cafe is a harbor-side restaurant featuring beautiful views of the Great Kills Harbor with in seafood and Italian-American cuisine. (Address: 154 Mansion Ave., GREAT KILLS)
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