New York City Sightseeing
New York City is one of the largest, most populous cities in the entire world. One should be ashamed if they had never heard of it. With a population of over 8 million people, it can become quite packed. But many of these people come from all parts of the world, and they bring their cultures with them. So one can say it is packed with diversity. Such an eclectic gathering of culture cannot be outmatched anywhere in the world. It adds to the great reputation that New York City holds. It simply makes it a much more exciting and astounding place to live or visit. There are countless buildings, exhibits, sights, venues, and attractions located in New York City. It would be almost impossible to describe them all, let alone visit them. Of course, on a trip to New York City, there are always those must-sees.
First in planning a trip to New York City would be transportation. Getting to the City is fairly simple. There are entrances almost everywhere, even if you do not have or want to drive a car. You can take the bus or a minibus, catch a PATH train, hop on a ferry, call a taxi cab, take a helicopter (for the wealthier folk), and even bike across the George Washington Bridge. Either way you choose, you will end up somewhere within the Big Apple.
Now that you have reached New York City, here comes the hard part: Transportation WITHIN the City. You could take the car, but if you really want to discover the City, it would not be advised. New York City covers approximately 301 square miles and consists of five boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. With attractions located in almost every corner, it is quite difficult to get around seeing all of them. A car might not be the smartest choice, especially since some sights are located on the Hudson River.
As stated before, New York City is packed. There are just too many people and not enough space. If everyone that came to the City brought their own car, it would complete chaos. I can recall a day when I went to New York City for dinner at a restaurant. It took longer to find parking than to actually order, wait for, and eat our food. Sometimes residents cannot even find parking. Traffic is also a big problem. There are delays of up to one or two hours. More cars can only equal more hours.
Lately, gasoline prices have skyrocketed, with increases of up to 60 cents overnight. Considering the size of New York City, one could quickly burn a whole tank in a single day. Pollution is another problem on the rise. With so many cars burning so much gasoline, it would be better to just cover the entire city in clouds of smoke. This continuous pollution of the air is slowly deteriorating the life in the City. So why continue the destruction?
Walking is obviously not an option, but buses can be quite useful. If one has ever been to New York City before, they have seen the large, red double-decker buses with “New York Sightseeing” painted on the body. For a little over $50, you can receive a pass to use those buses. They stop at over fifty locations throughout the city, right beside the most famous and popular sights. You can sit on the top level and pass by some exhibit, but then you can hop on and off to go inside the ones you have been dying to see. Stops beside the Hudson River make it easier to travel to the sights on the riverside and connections to the ferry. Considering the number of places you will be able to go, you will save a lot of money on gasoline. If many more people were to take the bus, the crowding, traffic, and parking trouble could be alleviated. Pollution can be significantly reduced as well. The bus seems to be the savior to the transportation problem that visitors encounter everyday.
It is hard to figure out where to start when sightseeing New York City. The fascinating places you can go are located everywhere you look. If you are a museum buff, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and Ellis Island Museum might be some interesting places to visit. Some general tourist sites include the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Carnegie Hall, Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, Empire State Building, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You can go see a show in the Theatre District or catch a game at Madison Square Garden. The kids can have a great time at the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. You can even enjoy the beach and boardwalk at Coney Island. These are just some of the countless sights to see while visiting New York City.
You can be amazed before you even get into the City. The bridges and tunnels are also great wonders. They traffic millions of workers, residents, and visitors everyday. The George Washington Bridge has a great view. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest large-scale bridges in the world. Everyone should go across on foot at least once. Other bridges include the Verrazano and Triboro Bridges, which also provide pleasant views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “the Met” as many New Yorkers prefer to call it, is located right beside Central Park. One is simply stunned by the building from the outside. Then they step into the palace-like main hall and their jaws drop. Many people waste their time just staring at the walls of the main hall. It uncommon that one would not get lost while exploring art through the ages. The Met has over two million art exhibits spanning from the ancient times to the 20th Century. The building itself is 1.5 million square feet with three floors, a parking garage, and even restaurants and a store inside. And to think it has been up since 1880. The best part is the admission: If you only have a dollar, you can get inside. The Met, however, runs on donations and therefore suggest visitors pay up to $15.
On the other side of Central Park, you can find the American Museum of Natural History. Housing the Barosaurus, the world's tallest freestanding dinosaur exhibit, the Museum has forty-six exhibition halls. They contain artifacts and creatures from all parts of the world and almost every important time period, many of which are so incredibly life-like, you may have to take a second glance. Like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History has a suggested admission.
The Guggenheim Museum was a $2 million project set forth by philanthropist Solomon R. Guggenheim in 1943. Completed 13 years later, the building itself is a representation of the modern styles of art inside. It covers many unique styles including abstract expressionism, cubism and dada to Neo-dada, pop art and symbolism, all in the various forms of sculpture, film, photography, paintings, and paper works. Adults pay $15 with student/senior discounts and free admission for children under 12.
Located right in the middle of bustling Times Square, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum attracts visitors of all ages. Containing over 200 wax figures, the museum has many familiar faces of the movies, music, sports, politics, and history. Some of these include Nicolas Cage, Jennifer Lopez, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Marie Antoinette. Much history can be learned as well as you explore the story behind Madame Tussaud. Though a bit pricey, it is still a wonderful place to visit, especially if you cannot make the trip to the London Museum. Group tickets costs significantly less.
The Ellis Island Museum is housed in the original building that was used to help the immigration of over 17 million people from 1892 to 1954. The museum goes through the history of immigration, the change in population, and the culture that came with these new people. The only way to get there is by ferry, which can also bring you to the next destination in our trip to New York City. The Statue of Liberty was and remains a symbol for our country and for New York City. It represents our freedom, rights, and independence. Given as a gift from France, it has been standing tall since 1886. Lady Liberty will forever be an essential part of this country. After the September 11th tragedy, the Statue of Liberty remained closed. It was finally reopened about a year ago, though full access to the statue is restricted. The view from the pedestal, which is about ten stories high, is still magnificent. On the second floor is the Statue of Liberty Museum, which goes through the famous history of Lady Liberty. The ferry from Ellis Island can take you back to the mainland.
If you are visiting during Christmas time, Rockefeller Center is definitely one place you should see. Here is where they place the gigantic Christmas tree, the tallest one so far reaching 100 feet. The buildings around also decorate during this time, such as the musical snowflakes. Right below the tree is the ice skating rink, which is open from October to April, and an open-air restaurant takes its place during the other half of the year. With the surrounding buildings one can find broadcasting, offices, shops, and restaurants. Right around the corner is New York City’s largest theater, Radio City Music Hall, home of the famous Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Times Square is just about the brightest place on the East coast. There are millions of light everywhere, even for the smallest signs. A business cannot exist without a neon sign. Times Square houses about 230 restaurants, over 600 stores, and many theater houses, such as Planet Hollywood, The Virgin Megastore, and the New Amsterdam Theater, respectively. Street performers and vendors are seen daily performing tricks, dancing, or drawing your cartoon self-portrait. The annual, world-famous New Year’s celebration is also held here. Many people stand on the street to watch the ball drop to bring in the New Year. An estimated 1.5 million people pass through on a daily basis. There are many of theaters located right inside or very near to Times Square. One can enjoy shows such as the Phantom of the Opera, Aida, The Lion King, and Les Miserables. Even if you do not go to any of the venues in Times Square, you can still watch the many lights from the outside.
Named after the famous steel tycoon, Carnegie Hall is the place for musical legends. Opened in 1891, it has housed performances by artists and groups including Diana Ross, Ricky Martin, Madonna, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Today, revivals of greats such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter, along with piano recitals, and choral evenings occur daily. You can also visit the Carnegie Hall Archives and the Rose Museum which contain free exhibits, audio samples, posters, advertisements, paintings, photographs, and even video.
Grand Central Terminal is a marvel of craftsmanship and architecture. Though it is a transportation hub, the building from both inside and out can resemble that of a museum. It officially opened on February 2, 1913. It has the Vanderbilt hall, a vast 12,000 square foot waiting room, where special exhibits and promotions occur throughout the year. There are many stores and restaurants located inside as well. It was recently renovated to its original splendor. A small annex of the New York Transit Museum is located right inside the Terminal as well. Opened in 1858, Central Park is the escape of reality in New York City. It covers a vast 843 acres and is full of fields, ponds, playgrounds, statues, and countless benches. Many natives and visitors come to sit, eat, play, run, bike, swim, and row a boat. If one were to go sightseeing, Central Park is the main link to most of the famous sights, such as the Met and the Museum of Natural History.
Madison Square Garden can hold up to 20,000 people. It is home to three teams and can accommodate seven sports. You can go watch a Knicks or Liberty game in basketball or a hockey game with the Rangers. Many musical performances are also held. The famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus also has its home at Madison Square Garden. Almost every kid has visited the Bronx Zoo at least once in his or her childhood. It opened in 1899 as a research and preservation center for wildlife. Though the Bronx Zoo has changed greatly, its purpose to educate the public and help the preservation of wildlife remains the same. You can see the home-bred snow leopards or tease the hyperactive little monkeys.
The New York Aquarium is the oldest running aquarium in the United States. It currently has over 8,000 specimens of 350 different species. You can come face to face with a shark with only a pane of glass between you. It is a fun little place to go with the kids. And it is located right next to the beach. Many have been to the Coney Island Beach. It is famous for its salty water and vast boardwalk. Even if you do not enjoy the beach, you can take a nice, long walk on the boardwalk. Right beside it is Astroland, home of the famous wooden coaster, the Cyclone. It is a small, but fun-filled amusement park. One can roam the streets to find delicious foods, such as the first Nathan’s, and many boardwalk games.
New York City is far too vast and filled with adventure to describe in a few words. Even the small number of attractions here might take over a week to fully explore. So one can only imagine how long it would take to truly discover the ENTIRE City of New York.
First in planning a trip to New York City would be transportation. Getting to the City is fairly simple. There are entrances almost everywhere, even if you do not have or want to drive a car. You can take the bus or a minibus, catch a PATH train, hop on a ferry, call a taxi cab, take a helicopter (for the wealthier folk), and even bike across the George Washington Bridge. Either way you choose, you will end up somewhere within the Big Apple.
Now that you have reached New York City, here comes the hard part: Transportation WITHIN the City. You could take the car, but if you really want to discover the City, it would not be advised. New York City covers approximately 301 square miles and consists of five boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. With attractions located in almost every corner, it is quite difficult to get around seeing all of them. A car might not be the smartest choice, especially since some sights are located on the Hudson River.
As stated before, New York City is packed. There are just too many people and not enough space. If everyone that came to the City brought their own car, it would complete chaos. I can recall a day when I went to New York City for dinner at a restaurant. It took longer to find parking than to actually order, wait for, and eat our food. Sometimes residents cannot even find parking. Traffic is also a big problem. There are delays of up to one or two hours. More cars can only equal more hours.
Lately, gasoline prices have skyrocketed, with increases of up to 60 cents overnight. Considering the size of New York City, one could quickly burn a whole tank in a single day. Pollution is another problem on the rise. With so many cars burning so much gasoline, it would be better to just cover the entire city in clouds of smoke. This continuous pollution of the air is slowly deteriorating the life in the City. So why continue the destruction?
Walking is obviously not an option, but buses can be quite useful. If one has ever been to New York City before, they have seen the large, red double-decker buses with “New York Sightseeing” painted on the body. For a little over $50, you can receive a pass to use those buses. They stop at over fifty locations throughout the city, right beside the most famous and popular sights. You can sit on the top level and pass by some exhibit, but then you can hop on and off to go inside the ones you have been dying to see. Stops beside the Hudson River make it easier to travel to the sights on the riverside and connections to the ferry. Considering the number of places you will be able to go, you will save a lot of money on gasoline. If many more people were to take the bus, the crowding, traffic, and parking trouble could be alleviated. Pollution can be significantly reduced as well. The bus seems to be the savior to the transportation problem that visitors encounter everyday.
It is hard to figure out where to start when sightseeing New York City. The fascinating places you can go are located everywhere you look. If you are a museum buff, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and Ellis Island Museum might be some interesting places to visit. Some general tourist sites include the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Carnegie Hall, Grand Central Terminal, Central Park, Empire State Building, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You can go see a show in the Theatre District or catch a game at Madison Square Garden. The kids can have a great time at the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. You can even enjoy the beach and boardwalk at Coney Island. These are just some of the countless sights to see while visiting New York City.
You can be amazed before you even get into the City. The bridges and tunnels are also great wonders. They traffic millions of workers, residents, and visitors everyday. The George Washington Bridge has a great view. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest large-scale bridges in the world. Everyone should go across on foot at least once. Other bridges include the Verrazano and Triboro Bridges, which also provide pleasant views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “the Met” as many New Yorkers prefer to call it, is located right beside Central Park. One is simply stunned by the building from the outside. Then they step into the palace-like main hall and their jaws drop. Many people waste their time just staring at the walls of the main hall. It uncommon that one would not get lost while exploring art through the ages. The Met has over two million art exhibits spanning from the ancient times to the 20th Century. The building itself is 1.5 million square feet with three floors, a parking garage, and even restaurants and a store inside. And to think it has been up since 1880. The best part is the admission: If you only have a dollar, you can get inside. The Met, however, runs on donations and therefore suggest visitors pay up to $15.
On the other side of Central Park, you can find the American Museum of Natural History. Housing the Barosaurus, the world's tallest freestanding dinosaur exhibit, the Museum has forty-six exhibition halls. They contain artifacts and creatures from all parts of the world and almost every important time period, many of which are so incredibly life-like, you may have to take a second glance. Like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History has a suggested admission.
The Guggenheim Museum was a $2 million project set forth by philanthropist Solomon R. Guggenheim in 1943. Completed 13 years later, the building itself is a representation of the modern styles of art inside. It covers many unique styles including abstract expressionism, cubism and dada to Neo-dada, pop art and symbolism, all in the various forms of sculpture, film, photography, paintings, and paper works. Adults pay $15 with student/senior discounts and free admission for children under 12.
Located right in the middle of bustling Times Square, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum attracts visitors of all ages. Containing over 200 wax figures, the museum has many familiar faces of the movies, music, sports, politics, and history. Some of these include Nicolas Cage, Jennifer Lopez, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Marie Antoinette. Much history can be learned as well as you explore the story behind Madame Tussaud. Though a bit pricey, it is still a wonderful place to visit, especially if you cannot make the trip to the London Museum. Group tickets costs significantly less.
The Ellis Island Museum is housed in the original building that was used to help the immigration of over 17 million people from 1892 to 1954. The museum goes through the history of immigration, the change in population, and the culture that came with these new people. The only way to get there is by ferry, which can also bring you to the next destination in our trip to New York City. The Statue of Liberty was and remains a symbol for our country and for New York City. It represents our freedom, rights, and independence. Given as a gift from France, it has been standing tall since 1886. Lady Liberty will forever be an essential part of this country. After the September 11th tragedy, the Statue of Liberty remained closed. It was finally reopened about a year ago, though full access to the statue is restricted. The view from the pedestal, which is about ten stories high, is still magnificent. On the second floor is the Statue of Liberty Museum, which goes through the famous history of Lady Liberty. The ferry from Ellis Island can take you back to the mainland.
If you are visiting during Christmas time, Rockefeller Center is definitely one place you should see. Here is where they place the gigantic Christmas tree, the tallest one so far reaching 100 feet. The buildings around also decorate during this time, such as the musical snowflakes. Right below the tree is the ice skating rink, which is open from October to April, and an open-air restaurant takes its place during the other half of the year. With the surrounding buildings one can find broadcasting, offices, shops, and restaurants. Right around the corner is New York City’s largest theater, Radio City Music Hall, home of the famous Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Times Square is just about the brightest place on the East coast. There are millions of light everywhere, even for the smallest signs. A business cannot exist without a neon sign. Times Square houses about 230 restaurants, over 600 stores, and many theater houses, such as Planet Hollywood, The Virgin Megastore, and the New Amsterdam Theater, respectively. Street performers and vendors are seen daily performing tricks, dancing, or drawing your cartoon self-portrait. The annual, world-famous New Year’s celebration is also held here. Many people stand on the street to watch the ball drop to bring in the New Year. An estimated 1.5 million people pass through on a daily basis. There are many of theaters located right inside or very near to Times Square. One can enjoy shows such as the Phantom of the Opera, Aida, The Lion King, and Les Miserables. Even if you do not go to any of the venues in Times Square, you can still watch the many lights from the outside.
Named after the famous steel tycoon, Carnegie Hall is the place for musical legends. Opened in 1891, it has housed performances by artists and groups including Diana Ross, Ricky Martin, Madonna, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Today, revivals of greats such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter, along with piano recitals, and choral evenings occur daily. You can also visit the Carnegie Hall Archives and the Rose Museum which contain free exhibits, audio samples, posters, advertisements, paintings, photographs, and even video.
Grand Central Terminal is a marvel of craftsmanship and architecture. Though it is a transportation hub, the building from both inside and out can resemble that of a museum. It officially opened on February 2, 1913. It has the Vanderbilt hall, a vast 12,000 square foot waiting room, where special exhibits and promotions occur throughout the year. There are many stores and restaurants located inside as well. It was recently renovated to its original splendor. A small annex of the New York Transit Museum is located right inside the Terminal as well. Opened in 1858, Central Park is the escape of reality in New York City. It covers a vast 843 acres and is full of fields, ponds, playgrounds, statues, and countless benches. Many natives and visitors come to sit, eat, play, run, bike, swim, and row a boat. If one were to go sightseeing, Central Park is the main link to most of the famous sights, such as the Met and the Museum of Natural History.
Madison Square Garden can hold up to 20,000 people. It is home to three teams and can accommodate seven sports. You can go watch a Knicks or Liberty game in basketball or a hockey game with the Rangers. Many musical performances are also held. The famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus also has its home at Madison Square Garden. Almost every kid has visited the Bronx Zoo at least once in his or her childhood. It opened in 1899 as a research and preservation center for wildlife. Though the Bronx Zoo has changed greatly, its purpose to educate the public and help the preservation of wildlife remains the same. You can see the home-bred snow leopards or tease the hyperactive little monkeys.
The New York Aquarium is the oldest running aquarium in the United States. It currently has over 8,000 specimens of 350 different species. You can come face to face with a shark with only a pane of glass between you. It is a fun little place to go with the kids. And it is located right next to the beach. Many have been to the Coney Island Beach. It is famous for its salty water and vast boardwalk. Even if you do not enjoy the beach, you can take a nice, long walk on the boardwalk. Right beside it is Astroland, home of the famous wooden coaster, the Cyclone. It is a small, but fun-filled amusement park. One can roam the streets to find delicious foods, such as the first Nathan’s, and many boardwalk games.
New York City is far too vast and filled with adventure to describe in a few words. Even the small number of attractions here might take over a week to fully explore. So one can only imagine how long it would take to truly discover the ENTIRE City of New York.
