A visit to America's largest city on the Atlantic coast is the dream of most of the inhabitants of the Earth. Many sights of New York are known to everyone, but they will not become a part of life without visiting the multi-million dollar metropolitan area. The Big Apple is known for the intertwining of different cultures and the high level of technology embodied in the realization of the American Dream. It is a city of unlimited possibilities and excellent perspectives for every person.
The multinational intercultural city with the Statue of Liberty at the mouth of the Hudson is the largest commercial and financial center in the Western Hemisphere. Traditions are carefully preserved here, but every day they bring something new to the image of the city. Tourists get the impression that the city never sleeps. During the day, life is in full swing in the business part, the night attracts millions of advertising lights and many variations it is interesting to have fun and take a break from the hustle and bustle. Although not the capital, New York is one of the 20 most beautiful cities in the world.
Freedom tower
Among the many skyscrapers, the Freedom Tower is the city's record holder. Its height, including the spire, is 541 meters. Such an ambitious project, designed to show the whole world the power and greatness of America, was not conceived by accident. After all, the skyscraper was installed not anywhere, but on the site of the twin towers destroyed by terrorists in September 2001. Today, the Freedom Tower is a huge shopping and office center, which also has a place for tourists.
Tours are held here daily, except September 11th. This day is considered a mourning day. An exciting adventure begins with an elevator ride to the 102nd floor. During the trip, a short video is shown with the best New York panoramas. Guests are watching its continuation upon arrival, at the See Forever theater.
After the end of the film, the screen is effectively lowered and an impressive, mesmerizing view appears in front of the guests. True, through the glass. There are no open observation decks on the Freedom Tower, and there are also 101 and 100 floors at the disposal of tourists. On one of them there are souvenir shops, on the other - cafes and restaurants. True, the prices are somewhat overpriced here, but the opportunity to drink a cocktail, rising over New York, is worth it.
The security service inspects each visitor. Finding the Tower is easy. It is enough to get to the World Trade Center metro station on line E and it is simply impossible to get lost further. An unusual futuristic glass and concrete skyscraper is visible from afar.
Woolworth Building
Woolworth Building is one of the oldest and most amazing skyscrapers. Usually they are associated with glass and concrete, but here is a Gothic structure, the top of which rushes into the clouds. It is because of its unusual architecture that the skyscraper received a second, unofficial, name - the Cathedral of Commerce. The skyscraper was built in 1913 by the American entrepreneur Frank Woolworth. It’s hard to believe, but he started his dizzying financial rise from the position of an ordinary salesman.
Moreover, being by nature shy and shy, he always concealed himself by naming the price, and in the end decided to write it on a piece of paper. And he put all sorts of little things in a box and sold for 5 cents. In fact, it was he who became the ancestor of Fix Prace stores and amassed an almost fantastic fortune on them. After all, building the tallest skyscraper at that time not just anywhere, but on Broadway - it's not just that!
Not surprisingly, being a wealthy citizen, Woolworth was able to take care of not only the exterior, but also the interior decoration of the building. Until 2001, when the terrorist attack happened, guests could visit almost any room and appreciate their charm. Today this cannot be done, access is closed for security reasons. Woolworth Building is located near City Hall and Park Place tube stations. You can enjoy its architecture at any time of the day or night. But take a look at the few premises available for inspection inside - according to the opening hours of the shopping center.
Recommended hotels:
- Hotel Pennsylvania 2 * - is located across the street from the sports complex "Madison Square Garden", to the subway 300 meters.
- Days Hotel by Wyndham on Broadway NYC 2 * - located in the Lower East Side. Central Park and metro station within walking distance.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott New York Manhattan / Times Square 4 * - stunning city views from the rooftop bar. Times Square is less than 1 km away.
- The Watson Hotel 3 * - 600 meters to Lincoln Center, private parking is provided. The metro is 500 meters away.
Metropolitan Museum
It houses the largest art collection not only of the United States, but of the entire world. It is interesting that for the most part these are not state, but private collections, and the museum itself "lives" mainly at the expense of sponsors, and not the treasury of the United States.
All exhibits are divided into several sections. Traditionally, the most popular is devoted to American art, but others also deserve attention. Fans of painting will surely be surprised by the collection of paintings by Renoir, as well as other world-famous impressionists. We are especially proud of the work of the portrait painter Jan Vermeer. Of the 40 surviving paintings of him, 5 are in the halls of the Metropolitan Museum.
Those who are more attracted to contemporary art will certainly be interested in the halls dedicated to photography. Most of the works on display here are by renowned American photographers. You can get to the museum by metro or taxi. The first method is cheaper, the second is more convenient. As for the entrance tickets, this moment will surely be a pleasant surprise for tourists.
Not only are they interesting badges that can be taken away as a keepsake, but also the cost is not regulated - everyone can pay as much as he sees fit and possible, even one cent. True, the queues at the checkout are always impressive - there are enough people who want to get acquainted with American and other art.
Metropolitan Opera
One of the most famous opera venues in the world.Over the years, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and many other famous personalities performed on its stage. It is interesting that the building in which the theater is located today and with which tourists associate it, was built not so long ago, in 1966. And the troupe itself, from 1880 to that time, “lived” on Broadway.
Tourists who are lucky enough to get inside will surely be amazed at the luxury of the decoration. The frescoes on the walls are painted by Marc Chagall himself, and the curtain of the main stage is decorated with real silk embroidery. In total, the opera hall can accommodate 3900 spectators. Despite its enormous size, it boasts excellent acoustics, which have already been repeatedly appreciated by world opera stars.
Those wishing not only to look at the opera building inside or outside, but also to attend the performance, will have to take care of tickets in advance. Although they take place almost every day, from September to April, they almost always get sold out. The cost of a ticket can vary from several tens of dollars to several thousand, depending on the chosen place and the “prescription” of the performance.
You can get there by subway, it is located in the area of Lincoln Street Station. Coming out of the subway and not seeing the famous building, you should not be upset, it is located somewhat “in-depth” and you can only notice it when you come closer.
MoMA
Today, there are museums of contemporary art in many cities, but MoMA is the first and, perhaps, one of the most interesting in the world. It owes its creation to the wife of the famous millionaire Rockefeller; this also explains the location next to the business center of the same name.
It's hard to believe, but the modern futuristic building, which in itself can be considered the main architectural exhibit of the museum, appeared only in 2004 thanks to the Japanese architect Yoshi Taniguchi. For a long time, the exposition itself was located in completely different halls, although today it seems absolutely inseparable from its “home”.
Each of the floors is dedicated to a specific period of contemporary art. In order not to break the chronological chain, it is best to start your acquaintance from the sixth floor, where temporary exhibitions of famous and not so famous artists, sculptors, architects are held. Below, on the fifth, is the period covering the years 1880-1940 in art. Here you can enjoy the creations of Picasso, Van Gogh, Malevich and many other brilliant artists.
The fourth floor is dedicated to painting of a later period - 1940-70s are represented by such masters as Rothko, Andy Warhol and their other associates. The third floor houses architectural masterpieces, including the works of the famous Spaniard Antoni Gaudi.
And finally, on the second floor, the works of our contemporaries are presented. The first floor deserves special attention. The beautiful open-air sculpture garden can rightfully be considered the most visited exhibition. Also, the entrance ticket price includes visits to the cinema located underground. As a rule, historical and popular science films are shown on its screen.
The museum is located near the Fifth Avenue metro station. You can visit any day from 10-30 to 17-30, on Fridays until 20-00.
Fifth Avenue
Main street and city symbol. Tourists, having arrived in the city, go here first of all, as in Paris to the Champs Elysees, and in Moscow to the Arbat. Fifth Avenue is located in central Manhattan and is famous for its boutiques and shopping centers. Signboards with brands known all over the world are dazzling here at every step. The street becomes especially busy during the sales period.
However, it would be completely unfair to say that only shoppers tend to Fifth Avenue. It also attracts connoisseurs of art - there are more than ten world-famous museums, including the Metropolitan and New York City.
Fifth Avenue is also interesting for its architectural masterpieces. First of all, the attention of tourists is attracted by the building of the Guggenheim Museum - futuristic, bright and unusual. You cannot pass by one of the symbols - the Empire State Building skyscraper, included in the list of the modern seven wonders of the world.
Surprising as it may seem, there is a place for Gothic cathedrals and churches among the buildings of glass and concrete rushing to heaven. One of the most popular is St. Patrick's Cathedral. It's very easy to get to Fifth Avenue - just get off at the metro station of the same name. The main street welcomes guests at any time of the day or night.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is considered the main symbol of the United States of America. Many factors contribute to the strengthening of such fame, including cinematography - in many films, fragments about the country begin with it. Today it is hard to believe, but the author of the statue is not an American, but a Frenchman. And the monument itself is a gift from a European country, symbolizing the independence and independence of America. It is even more difficult to believe that the sculpture could have been installed between the Red and Mediterranean Seas, on the Suez Canal. Fortunately, the latest project was not destined to come true.
Today, the Statue of Liberty attracts thousands of tourists every day. Inside there is a small museum that tells about the history of America and the period of the country's independence. However, the most popular among guests is the observation deck, which offers stunning views. True, you will have to climb on foot - there are no lifts.
Visiting the Statue of Liberty itself is completely free, but in order to get to it you will have to buy a ferry ticket. Treasured ships depart from the city's marinas - Battery Park, in the Manhattan area, or Liberty Park. By the way, it is worth looking at the statue not only during the day, but also at night.
Times Square
Times Square deservedly bears the status of the main square of the city. Indeed, the centers of financial and cultural life are concentrated here. For more than a dozen years, it is on this patch, like in no other place, that the mood of residents is reflected, social movements are formed, demonstrations are held. Among all this diversity, there is a place for tourists.
It's no secret that the square is named after the most popular American newspaper - The New York Times. Her office is located here today. But it's better to start getting to know the heart of the city not from it, but from the Information Center, where you can find out about the schedule of events, buy tickets for concerts, exhibitions, performances or museums, and also take part in the local ritual - drink a cup of coffee while watching on the big screen behind the hosts of Good Morning America! which is broadcast on the BBC.
Where to go after visiting the country's main information office depends solely on your personal preference. Someone spends several hours in Madame Tussauds, someone in shopping centers, and someone goes to the Theater District to become a participant in an open-air performance. One thing is certain: Times Square is attractive at any time of the day or night.
Flatiron Building
This is one of the oldest skyscrapers. Although today in this category it can already be attributed with difficulty. These days, 21-storey buildings are not a surprise. But in 1902, the building was rightfully considered grandiose. But, despite the fact that Flatiron has lost the title of the highest in height, he still remains one of the architectural symbols. Outwardly it resembles an iron, for which it got its name.
Although more romantic-minded guests often compare it to a ship. By the way, the skyscraper acquired its modern name not so long ago. Before that, it was called the Fuller Building, after the owner who erected the building to house his construction company. Obviously, its scale should have indicated the seriousness of the enterprise.
Not only the shape of the building is interesting, but also its architectural design. There are not so many skyscrapers, albeit not too high, in the neo-Renaissance style. The walls are decorated with bizarre sculptures and, if you look at the complex from different angles, each time it will appear in a completely different, unexpected form.
It's all about the play of light and shadow, which is created by convex reliefs with bizarre patterns. The Flatiron Building is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Therefore, getting to it is not difficult - there are enough metro stations in this area.
Central park
One of the most favorite vacation spots for residents and guests. Many are surprised how the island of nature with relict trees, ponds and green lawns was preserved in the very center of the metropolis. In fact, these days this land is worth more than one hundred million dollars, but not everything in the world is measured by money.
On the territory of the park, you can do everything or almost everything - run, ride bicycles, wallow on the lawns and even have picnics - there are no catering establishments here, so guests often bring thermoses and sandwiches with them. But at the same time, the management monitors the cleanliness. There is a strict ban on making fires.
But even if the opportunity to admire nature and feed squirrels in the center of a modern metropolis does not appeal to you, you will hardly be able to walk past Central Park. Children will surely be attracted by the zoo located on the territory, which was “lit up” in the cartoon Madagascar. But art lovers traditionally line up in line for tickets to the Metropolitan Museum, located on the territory of the complex.
In addition, concerts and performances in the open air are regularly held here, and both unknown and already popular artists perform here. The park is not empty even in winter. Two large skating rinks are flooded here, and the area becomes like a fairy forest. The park doors are open daily from 6-00 to 01-00, admission is free. Naturally, this does not apply to objects located on the territory, including the zoo. You can get there by metro, the nearest station is Central Park.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Just as Great Britain is inextricably associated with the Tower Bridge, the United States of America with Brooklyn. The ferry connecting the two largest districts, Brooklyn and Manhattan, has long become one of the symbols of not only the city, but the entire country. The author of an unusual, and as it turned out to be an innovative project, was the architect John Roebling. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the end of the work, as did his son, who continued his father's work. Both of them put their lives to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Completed the family business of John's wife, Emily. Today, a memorial plaque reminds of the Rebling tragedy.
That was the end of the misery of the Brooklyn Bridge. As a result, it turned out to be so strong that it is currently the oldest suspended structure in the world - all the others managed to collapse under the influence of time and external forces. Architects are still wondering how, in those distant times, and even unconsciously, it was possible to develop such a strong and reliable crossing. By the way, additional cables, which seem impressive and powerful to tourists, have an exclusively aesthetic function - they do not bear a power load.
Nowadays, anyone can make a two-kilometer journey across the bridge - on foot or by public transport. You can also look at it from the water - under the Brooklyn Bridge there are routes for almost all water walks.
Brooklyn museum
Traditionally attracts art lovers from all over the world. Indeed, this is one of the richest collections in the world, in the collection of which there are more than 1.5 million of various exhibits - from paintings to Egyptian statues.
The story began back in 1823. True, at this time not the museum itself was founded, but the library of the same name. It was she who became the repository for the first exhibits. But the palace, with which the museum is inextricably associated today, appeared much later, in 1897. At that time, America was experiencing a financial boom, so it is not surprising that the project was ambitious, large-scale and expensive.
We can only guess what they planned to fill the halls of the huge complex, because the collection at that time consisted of only 17 paintings. However, by the will of fate, it began to expand rapidly, replenishing with private collections.Nowadays, the complex is divided into several thematic zones, the most interesting of which, according to the staff, is dedicated to Egypt and the Middle East. Also in the halls you can get acquainted with African and European cultures. What can we say about the American one, which is represented here in all its diversity.
Located in Brooklyn, at 200 Eastern Parkway. You can get there by metro. The doors are open from Wednesday to Sunday, on weekdays from 10-00 to 17-00, on weekends from 11-00 to 18-00.
Manhattan area
There is a legend about this island, which has become a historical area, that it was bought from a tribe of Manahata Indians who lived at the mouth of the river for several dollars. Hence the name of one of the smallest in area, but the richest and most prestigious district (bureau) of the city. Who was not only amazed at the majestic respectability of Manhattan, including our poets Mayakovsky and Yesenin.
Perhaps, in no other place in the world there are as many skyscrapers as there are. It is in them that the financial and economic policy of the United States is carried out. In fact, Manhattan is a big city within a city when you consider that it consists of 5 administrative districts, divided into quarters reflecting the ethnicity or occupation of the residents.
Chinese, Jews, Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians - this is not a complete list of nationalities living here, preserving their everyday and cultural traditions. No matter how much you are in Manhattan, it is impossible to see everything in it - this unique international district is so many-sided and diverse. Famous skyscrapers, historical and architectural monuments, parks and squares, Catholic and Buddhist temples, Orthodox churches and synagogues - it seems that the whole world has settled here!
Central station
The magnificent building of the railway station with a basement, arched windows, bas-reliefs and a sculptural composition on the roof looks like a theatrical solemn, which differs from other stations. The architectural style of the Bose Art building gives it a truly beautiful, graceful look, delighting tourists.
Opened in 1871, the largest railway station in the world has undergone several modernizations since that time, captivating everyone with its irresistible appearance. The largest railway junction includes 67 railway tracks and 44 platforms on an area of 19 hectares. Further expansion of these facilities is planned in the future.
Broadway street
The main pedestrian avenue crosses Manhattan along a long (21 km) diagonal, breaking the strict symmetry of straight streets, which created a lot of inconvenience while Broadway was passable. Now it is a superbly landscaped pedestrian zone, on both sides of which there is a riot of multi-colored advertisements, attributes of various leisure activities.
The human anthill of a wide national and social spectrum is teeming here almost round the clock. And each of its individuals feels comfortable, confident and free on Broadway as a citizen of the world.
Each block of Broadway has its own flavor and a corresponding name. For example, Teatralny, with many different genres of theaters, with street performances, world-famous musicals, with incredible luxury and splendor of everything that happens in it.
On Broadway, there is the famous Flatiron Builsing skyscraper (Iron), Macys shopping center, 1st Baptist Church, Fort Trion Park, Metropolitan Opera, Columbia University, the grandiose Gothic Church of the Intercession and other unique attractions. Not every tourist can walk all over Broadway - it stretches another 34 km through Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Brighton Beach
In "Little Odessa", as they call street. Brighton Beach, is home to a mainly Russian-speaking population, significantly replenished due to the active emigration of citizens of the USSR after its collapse. A special friendly atmosphere reigns here, where unfamiliar people greet each other, where Russian chanson is heard from numerous shops, and many places resemble either Moscow or Odessa.
Half of Brighton Beach, occupied by various shops, markets, pharmacies, is "covered" by the metro line, there is a lot of transport on the street, so there is never silence here. Advertising signs, densely adorning the buildings, are written in Russian and English. The word "scourge" in the name of the street means a beach, indicating the proximity of the latter - the Atlantic Ocean is 200 m away, which is an important factor in choosing a place of residence for visitors.
Here you can see street musicians, ladies in luxurious coats and fur coats, simple to primitive inhabitants, respectable owners of clinics, banks and pharmacies. Despite the difference in financial security of local residents, there is no concept of social injustice. Anyone seeking to make a living has this opportunity.
High Line Park
This amazing symbiosis of architectural and landscape solutions - the High Line Park vividly demonstrates how brilliantly you can transform an old industrial district into a wonderful quarter (1.6 km) of comfortable recreation for citizens. An unusual overground park was created (after a long public controversy) on the site of the former, served its own railway overpass with rusting rails, raised to a height of 10 m above the street.
Now the former flyover is a cozy pedestrian lane with a wooden or stone flooring, with original benches and loungers for relaxation, with green lawns, with beautifully trimmed tree crowns, with original fencing gratings.
In small side branches, there are platforms with tables and chairs, where you can have a snack, drink coffee, admiring the facades of the surrounding buildings. A kind of oasis of greenery, peace and tranquility among the stone jungle of a big city attracts many tourists and townspeople.
Battery park
The southern tip of Manhattan Island is a charming corner of the land of Battery Park, "fenced off" by a close system of fashionable high-rises. Here, in a kind of "haven of tranquility, work and inspiration" next to the lush crowns of trees, historical buildings and monuments coexist.
400 years ago, an artillery battery was based on this place, protecting the nascent city from enemies (hence the name of the park). The former military fort Castle Clinton (1808), which served as a checkpoint for arriving emigrants, after the loss of its purpose, became a historical monument.Now, the ticket offices organized here sell tickets for the ferry that takes tourists to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Tourists are also interested in the branch of the National Museum of the American Indian, located in the former building of the Customs Service. A sculpture of a bronze bull Chargling Bull is installed in Bowling Green Mini Park. The longest street, Broadway, starts from here. A lot of interesting sculptures, cozy grounds, a magnificent pedestrian zone attract cyclists, roller skaters, hikers, dog owners, artists.
Empire State Building
Among the skyscrapers there are celebrities, for example, the Empire State Building, which is 381 m high (with an antenna - 443 m). Today it is the tallest building in the city (102 floors), accommodating offices of 670 companies and more than 50 thousand employees. The gigantic skyscraper is built on a 2-storey foundation, which makes it super stable. The 2nd floor is occupied by an attraction simulating an air travel over the city. From the observation deck of the 86th floor, a grandiose panorama of the huge city, the Atlantic and the Hudson opens.
Many times the skyscraper became the object of Hollywood films, including the famous "King Kong". It is on the stairs of the Empire State Building that annual marathons are held on speeding 1,576 steps upward. For 87 years of its existence, the skyscraper has gone through many shocks, but it has withstood and continues to amaze and delight tourists with its majestic appearance.
Chrysler Building
The most beautiful skyscraper in Manhattan was sold to the owner of the eponymous company Chrysler during the project and was being built as the company's headquarters at a rapid pace. The 319-meter skyscraper is crowned with a 38-meter-long steel spire, which has become a decoration and a distinctive feature of the grand skyscraper.
The external facades of the building (art deco style) are decorated with the symbols of the company: figures of eagles, ornaments with designs similar to the design of car rims, gargoyles. Now all the floors of the Chrysler Building are occupied by service offices, where tourists are not allowed to enter, except for the 1st floor. But even an external examination is enough to appreciate the beauty, scope and power of the structure.
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center architectural complex, consisting of 19 high-rise buildings in downtown Manhattan, is an example of patriotism and love for their homeland of one of the richest clans in the United States - the Rockefellers. It was founded on the initiative of John D. Rockefeller (founder of the dynasty) in 1930, and in 1987 all the architectural splendor officially became a Historic National Monument. It houses a huge number of offices, shops, boutiques, restaurants, TV studios and other entertainment establishments. The Radio City Musical Hall is the venue for premieres of Broadway films and musicals.
Rockefeller Center hosts massive New Year and Christmas celebrations with the city's main Christmas tree, and a huge ice rink is arranged. Tourists climb the Top of the Rocks observation deck to admire the fantastically beautiful panoramic view of the city, inspect the most famous buildings of the center, visit the NBC Studio.
Wall Street Bronze Bull
An expressive statue of a bronze bull, installed next to Wall Street, where the stock exchange is located, is a symbol of the financial strength of the United States in the 1987 crisis.Italian-born sculptor Di Modica put so much fierce, aggressive expression into a 3200-kg bull that even before lifeless bronze you feel thrill of ecstatic horror. "Burning" eyes, swollen nostrils, a gigantic torso on powerful legs, an attacking pose - everything in the bull expresses an unbending desire to stand and win.
When on March 7, 2017, a sculpture of a fragile girl was placed in front of the "attacking bull", standing in a fearless pose in front of him, the author of the bull protested. But feminist organizations have defended the whereabouts of the "girl" as a sign of gender equality. The statue is extremely popular with tourists who crowd around almost around the clock and actively take pictures from different angles relative to the bull.
Memorial 9/11
The explosions of the Twin Towers in September 2001, which shook the whole world with ridiculous cruelty, claimed the lives of 3 thousand people. Now, on the site of the famous skyscrapers Memorial 9/11, there are 2 huge pools in which water symbolizes tears of sorrow, and bronze names of the victims are engraved on the steel sides. The memorial is also dedicated to the victims of the 1993 explosion at the World Trade Center.
The Museum is also open here, located at a depth of 20 m in dark galleries. Its expositions tell about the events of the tragic catastrophe of September 11th. One of the museum objects is a 1 m thick wall preserved during the explosion of the towers, which protects the galleries from the waters of the river. Hudson. Many portraits of the victims "look" at the visitors in the gloomy, sad lighting. On the territory of the Memorial, there is only one building of the entrance pavilion on top, from where the excursion begins.
Opening hours: every day, 07.30-21.00.
Solomon Guggenheim Museum
It's hard not to notice the elliptical avant-garde building of the Solomon Guggenheim Museum of Contemporary Art - it stands out among other buildings with its unusual futuristic architecture. The famous industrialist Guggenheim, retiring from business, became a passionate collector of works of art of the 19th - early 20th centuries, which became the basis of the museum, which opened in 1937. Thanks to the advice of a professional art critic, Guggenheim collected true masterpieces of painting, sculpture, icon painting by masters from all over the world (6 thousand people). copies).
The current building, completed after the collector's death, is also a masterpiece (by architect Wright). Everything here is unusual, non-standard and interesting. Visitors to the museum first take the elevator to the top floor, then, after examining its exhibits, go down the spiral ramp, getting to know other expositions along the way.
A visit to the Guggenheim Museum is an incredibly interesting immersion in the world of magnificent examples of art from the past and present.
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The Cathedral of the American Episcopal Church is one of the largest Christian churches. Its leadership split from the Church of England during the colonial struggle for independence from the British crown. It was built at the suggestion of the bishop in 1887.The Protestant cloister was supposed to surpass the most famous Catholic temple - St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.
Donations for the construction of New York's largest Cathedral were organized by Franklin Roosevelt, then a successful lawyer. The cornerstone was laid in 1892. Thanks to donations from patrons, the construction of the Byzantine-Romanesque temple with Gothic elements did not stop even during the Great Depression. The project has been supplemented many times.
The cathedral on Amsterdam Avenue occupies the area of 2 football fields and can accommodate up to 5 thousand people. Bronze embossing on the front doors reflects Biblical stories. The temple is known for the largest stained glass window in America and two large menorahs, which is not typical for Protestants. The altar and the "Fountain of Peace" with an allegory of the struggle between good and evil are impressive.
Public library
One of the most luxurious premises for the largest second-hand book collection in the United States is located in Manhattan. A monument of New York architecture, whose foundation was laid in 1895, is located on Fifth Avenue - between 40th and 42nd streets. This is a $ 9 million competition project, which won the architectural firm Carrere & Hastings (still active).
The splendor of the large hall with a 15-meter ceiling, sculptures of lions and the design of a public “reading room” is impressive. It is a repository of over 15 million printed and handwritten primary sources, plus more than 30 million media (photos, manuscripts, papyri, videos). All this is free of charge. The most dilapidated copies have been resubmitted for access in electronic format.
One of the most impressive buildings of the 20th century. located on the site of an abandoned reservoir. Today it is a whole library association, which includes the Lenox Libraries, the Tilden Trust and the Astor Reference Library. The facade of the main building is remembered for the luxurious front entrance under the arches with double Corinthian columns, 6 statues and fountains. The halls are decorated with allegorical images and huge lighting fixtures.
American Museum of Natural History
This place is known to everyone who has watched the phantasmagoric film "Night at the Museum". The American Museum of Natural History is known as the largest collection of natural history, an educational place where families can go. It was founded back in 1869, since then no museum in the world has surpassed it in terms of content. There is also a thematic library on anthropology, paleontology, mineralogy, oceanography and other branches of science. We also visit his official website.
Here you can find a schedule of thematic exhibitions that change frequently. The most popular historical materials dedicated to different periods of life on the planet are in the public domain. For a 1 day walk through the Museum, you can learn a lot - from the lifestyle of rare insects to the results of the latest studies of the movement of the earth's crust.
Initially, most of the rare exhibits were housed in the Arsenal building (Central Park). The modern building of the museum, where all the exhibits moved in 1877, is stuffed with the latest equipment. All equipment is aimed at a detailed study of the most interesting exhibits. The "pearls" of the collection are skeletons of dinosaurs and relic animals, fossils from the Paleolithic times and the remains of ancient people.
St patrick's cathedral
Across from Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue, it is easy to find a neo-Gothic temple with a bronze gate weighing 18 tons. St. Patrick's Cathedral is recognized as the largest and most beautiful religious building in the New World. Its uniqueness enhances the backdrop of modern skyscrapers and fashionable city malls. Once this land was outside the city limits, the building was considered hopeless, but today it is literally the very center.
The Cathedral was built at the request of Catholic immigrants. But instead of accommodating those who wish in the days of Easter and Christmas, it has become a Christian "long-term construction". The first stone of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral was founded in 1858. Today it impresses with the beauty and grace of the altar with a sculptural image of the Mother of God in bronze.
During the construction of the temple, there was a real war between Catholics and Protestants, who were in the majority. Soon these lands were filled with immigrants from Europe, mostly Irish, they were zealous fighters for religious freedom. The cathedral became a refuge for those who took refuge from the pogroms. So the need arose for the construction of a stone fence, massive gates and 3 chapels.
Vessel Observation Deck
A unique structure of stairs is the Vessel observation deck. One of the newest attractions, which is unlike anything previously proposed by city architects. It practically does not fit into the general concept of "stone jungle", but this is its appeal.
This strange building in the green area of the High Line is also known as New York's Staircase. The roofless oval, which at the same time resembles a basket, an egg and a wild bee hive, is difficult to confuse with other structures. The genius of architectural thought is impressive - a real work of modern art. It is the brainchild of the British design bureau Heatherwick Studio, which consists of 154 flights of 2,500 steps and 80 observation decks.
Climbing the staircase labyrinth is free, but there are so many people interested that you have to book a visit time. This building is located in one of the actively developing areas of the metropolis - Hudson Yards, west of Manhattan. Hudson Yards is currently undergoing active development of commercial real estate, popular tourist destinations.
Madame Tussauds museum
It is difficult to find a person who has not heard of wax museums, where the exhibits look very believable. One of the largest collections of celebrities is located in New York. All details of famous people on their wax copies are recreated with amazing accuracy. Tourists go to the museum building in Times Square, mainly for selfies with rock stars, favorite actors and politicians.
Better than a film festival carpet, an Oscar, or an emperor's coronation. Here you can see everyone at once, moreover, from different eras. Presidents and singers, scientists, queens and actresses, they all look like they are alive.At the same time, some people have long been resting under gravestones, others are our contemporaries and the rising stars of the screen.
Lady Gaga and Salvador Dali, Elvis Presley and George Washington "willingly pose" with visitors for a photo. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is one of the most visited places where the whole family comes. Admission is paid, but the ticket price includes a 4D movie about popular superheroes.
Bryant park
The largest metropolis in the Western Hemisphere has few green spaces. The most famous is Central Park, and Bryant Park looks more like a huge lawn between the skyscrapers of Manhattan. It is named after Willem Cullem Bryant, a writer and major publisher. He was also a public figure, a supporter of the creation of Central Park and a ban on the development of this land (once he was taken under a cemetery for the poor). This territory has now been ennobled and cannot be built up.
Bryant's name was also immortalized with a monument at the wall of the library in the eastern part of the park. In the evenings, in warm weather, films and matches are shown on the wall of one skyscraper. The Christmas market has been open since November. Sculptures and fountains create a cultural atmosphere.
During the winter holidays, the Bryant Park site is converted into a large ice rink, if the weather is right. In summer it is also a huge open-air library where you can borrow books and read on the lawn. Bryant Park is never empty, even in rainy weather guests and townspeople walk here. On Christmas Day, the park turns into a winter wonderland.
UN headquarters
The city of Green Apple does not have many symbols or peculiar business cards, among them is the UN Headquarters. This is a complex of buildings, but the main building is located in the east of Midtown (Manhattan), this is the coast of the East River. Surprisingly, the land with 4 buildings, known throughout the world as the UN office, does not belong to either the United States or New York. It has the status of an international organization, like the territory of an embassy.
The largest rear is the 39-storey secretariat building, the administrative building of an international organization. The construction of the imposing skyscraper began in 1949. Several European countries opposed the construction of a representative building in this place. It was proposed to be erected on the Navi Island near Niagara Falls, but in the end they bought this land from John Rockefeller.
UN Secretariat, General Assembly Hall, Art Gallery, Library. D. Hammerskjöld and the Visitor Center - an incomplete list of places where daily excursions are organized. Also noteworthy are the sculpture of a pistol with a muzzle tied into a knot "Nonviolence" in the park at the entrance and "Let's beat swords into plowshares". The beginning of the next session is announced by the Japanese gong, called "The Bells of Peace".
Radio City Music Hall
The most famous American cinema and concert hall is Radio City Music Hall. The premise was built according to J. Rockefeller's idea, before it acquired its status of "the center of economics and business." Large theaters and entertainment venues are common in the central districts of any metropolis.
In the business world, everything is decided by business, and projects are abandoned in the next crisis from the collapse of the securities market. The project was shelved during the Great Depression, but the name remained. When the idea was realized, its scene was improved, functionality expanded. Traditionally, the Grammy ceremony and many other public events take place here. Visitors to the concert hall admire the noble interiors in the classical tradition.
Many have heard about Broadway musicals, spectacular shows and popular movies - this is an entire era of American mass art. Some of the productions were performed in this place, where up to 6,000 spectators can be present at the same time. Bulky decorations, a large German organ for 5 manuals, a choir, an orchestra and a mass dance group are placed on the stage.
Clinton Castle
Fort or Castle Clinton is a unique building in Battery Park that bears the imprint of the era. It has been declared a Historic Monument, although it was built not so long ago, in 1810, by architects Jonathan Williams and John McComb. Once upon a time, fortifications were built in the form of a fortress house. After the army left these walls, from 1820 the castle became a public place, often changing its purpose.
At various times there was an entertainment establishment with a brasserie, an exhibition hall and a public aquarium. The art gallery later became a concert venue, and the city's immigration center was reorganized to reduce the quota. Among the settlers who passed this center were Harry Houdini, Joseph Pulitzer, Nikola Tesla, William Morris and others.
They wanted to demolish the castle for multi-storey buildings, but the public insisted on leaving it in its original form. Fort Clinton (sometimes called South West Battery) attracts numerous tourists who willingly take pictures against the backdrop of stone walls. As befits such structures, in 1966 it was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.
Federal Hall
The Federal Hall building is a kind of architectural masterpiece, a former "long-term construction", which has been erected for more than 8 years. A kind of mix in antique and Romanesque styles with massive columns, like the Pantheon in Athens. The domed roof gives it a similarity to the Roman Pantheon, but this is a typical American style of the 1st half of the 19th century, reminiscent of the times of the struggle for independence.
Initially, the right to build the facility was won by one of the first architectural and construction companies, Town & Davis. Once it was customs and treasury, now a museum. Federal Hall National is a true Wall Street historic relic, contrasting with modern skyscrapers.
Federal Hall National Memorial is the history of the United States embodied in architecture, where the inauguration of the 1st President of the United States, George Washington, was held. In this place, a historic document was approved - the American Bill of Rights. For some time the Congress of the Confederations sat in the hall, but it was moved to Washington. The old building was demolished, the new one serves as the premises for the Museum of American History, where you can buy souvenirs.
Belvedere Castle
From this place, a beautiful view of the lake opens up, so the Belvedere Castle in Central Park serves as an observation deck. Belvedere means "beautiful view" from Italian. At different times this place was called by different names, for example, the Great Lawn. In the 70s of the XX century, the park was in some desolation, the Belvedere castle was in disrepair. The reconstruction was undertaken in 1983, after which it is again open to visitors.
The three-story building is a typical example of Victorian architecture (features of the Neo-Gothic, Romanesque and Neo-Moorish styles). Today, Belvedere Castle hosts various entertainment and educational programs. Since 1919, the National Weather Service (NWS) exhibit has been based here. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the instruments for the study of weather and climatic phenomena.
The Natural Observatory at Belvedere Castle is open for tourists on weekdays. Stuffed animals and wooden models of birds inhabiting Central Park are exhibited here. The observation deck offers a magnificent view of the Turtle Pond. On Halloween, the "Belvedere Ghost" costume shows are held indoors.
Riverside Park
Manhattan Scenic Park is located on the Upper West Side along the Hudson River. This is a green area of about 6.5 km, stretching from 72nd to 125th avenues, continued from 135 to 158 avenues. In total, it covers 131 hectares, it is the third largest city park. It used to be adjacent to a railway line, and in 1865 the city authorities bought this land between the road and the coastal cliffs of the park.
Landscaping in the English style was done by the best specialists - Samuel Parsons and Calvert Vox. Riverside Park has ennobled this part of the metropolis. Later, it was significantly widened and the Henry Hudson highway was laid. Soon, several memorials, a pier and a rotunda were completed, and mansions were allowed to be built close to it. Also basketball courts and a football field have been prepared for those who love a healthy lifestyle.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the largest collection of fauna in the United States, founded in 1898. Initially, it was a collection of animals from all over the world, consisting of more than 800 individuals of different species - mainly birds, bears and artiodactyls. A picturesque botanical garden adjoins the 102-hectare zoo. For the convenience of young visitors, a small train runs through the territory of the zoo, delivering to remote objects. Along the way, you can see models of dinosaurs equipped with mechanical devices.
Today, over 6,000 representatives of wildlife are kept in exemplary order. You can even see endangered species that have survived only due to being kept in captivity. About 40 species represented in this zoo are on the verge of extinction. They are quite comfortable here, the indicator is that many species breed, "Zoo-Bronx" mimics the conditions of the wild as much as possible.
It is noteworthy that it was at the initiative of veterinarians that for the first time in the United States animals were transferred from cages to keeping in an open area. They have an entrance to an enclosed aviary, where animals can take a break from the intrusive attention of millions of visitors. Many of them are not afraid of people, especially those behind the glass. At the entrance there is a mute reminder, carved in stone, of a “reasonable man” of a careful attitude towards all living things.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Dedicated to 20th century American art. This is a prominent building at the intersection of 75th Street and Madison Avenue, near Central Park. The building from 1699 looks like an inverted stepped pyramid - an ingenious project by Marcel Breuer. The collection of masterpieces began in 1930 by Gertrude W. Whitney (1875-1942), a famous American sculptor. This is the most complete collection of the best examples of contemporary art. The building hosts thematic exhibitions, including the Biennale.
The administration helps not only those who have already taken their niche in art, but also young talents in an active search. The staff of the Museum of American Art is engaged in collecting, organizing and exhibiting only the works of artists from the United States. The collection is recognized as the best in the world. Everything that is innovative, unique and non-standard is appreciated. There is a library, a restaurant and a cafe, a training center and a conference room.
Lincoln Center
The true epicenter of cultural life is Lincoln Center. It includes several structures equipped for concert activities of different styles. These are the famous Metropolitan Opera, the Chamber Music Hall and the Juilliard High School of Music, which popularizes classical music.
Lincoln Center publishes Film Comment and Opera News. The site has a schedule of cultural events, theater and opera performances, but tickets for the world's best performers are rare. The famous School of American Ballet works here, which trains the best shots for the New York stage. The Public Library has any digital sheet music for printing.
This place hosts jazz festivals and concerts of the best bands from all over the world. The Metropolitan Opera is the most prestigious stage for virtuosos and owners of a magnificent operatic voice. The entire territory of the musical complex has an impressive scale, so you can have a great time here before the event.
