Top Attractions in New York City
Known as the Big Apple, New York City is home to one of the most iconic and beautiful skylines and some of the world’s most important buildings. New York City is the centre of finance, for fashion, music, art, theatre, literature and architecture. It is certainly difficult to narrow down what to see when visiting New York City when every angle of the city holds important attractions and landmarks.
5 ICONIC BUILDINGS
1. The Chrysler Building
One of the most iconic buildings to see while vising New York City is definitely The Chrysler Building. Designed by William Van Alen, the Chrysler Building is known for its elegant, terraced crown, sunburst pattern and its grand eagles which stand sentry on the 61st floor, as well as its radiator caps on the 31st floor, an homage to the company whose name graces the building.
2. One World Trade Centre
The WTC’s road to completion was a long and rocky as it included several different designs and many delays. The WTC was finally opened in 2014, 13 years after the terrorist attack that destroyed the Twin Towers, which once stood where the WTC is today. The WTC not only holds a historical significance but its incredible height of 1,776 feet makes it the tallest building in the city.
3. Flatiron Building
Once known as one of the tallest structures in New York City, the Flatiron Building’s triangular shape helps it remain one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. Originally named for George A. Fuller, founder of the Fuller Company and “father of the skyscraper”, the Flatiron Building resembles a Greek column with its limestone base and glazed terra cotta shaft.
4. Empire State Building
This is definitely one of New York City’s most beloved buildings. It was once the tallest skyscraper in the world upon completion in 1931 and remained so until the original World Trace Centre was completed in the 1970s. The Empire State Building is a pop-culture icon, having appeared in many movies and TV shows.
5. The New York Public Library
This iconic building was designed by Careere and Hastings and took more than a decade to design and build. Two Tennessee marble lions, known and Patience and Fortitude, flank the Beaux Arts structure’s main entrance along Fifth Avenue and inside, the Rose Reading Room is one of the loveliest and most majestic public spaces in the city. The library’s 51foot high ceilings feature intricate sculpted mouldings and painted clouds worth seeing.
4 ICONIC LANDMARKS
1. Statue or Liberty
Gifted to the United States in 1886 from France, the State of Liberty honours the friendship established between the newly minted United States of America and France during the French Revolution. Today, it has become an American symbol of freedom and welcomes immigrants who come to the US looking for a better life.
2. Rockefeller Centre
This is a great tourist destination anytime of the year but especially during the holiday season as it becomes home to the famous Christmas tree and ice skating rink. Rockefeller Centre was built during the Great Depression and its complex Art Deco architecture make it destination-worthy.
3. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
While this landmark hardly needs an introduction or explanation, tourists flock to view the twin reflecting pools that are a footprint of the World Trace Centre’s Twin Towers attacked on September 11, 2001. Bronze panels line the edges of the two pools and hold the names of all the victims of the attacks on that day at the Twin Towers, in Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, as well as the 6 who dies in the 1993 bombing.
4. Grand Central Station
Not only has it been dubbed the “world’s loveliest station” it is also considered one of the top attractions in New York City. The cavernous Main Concourse is home to the impressive clock made of pearly opal glass and visitors are also treated to the elaborate astronomical ceiling decorations originally conceived in 1912. You will get a up close experience if you opt for a USA coast to coast train journey.
3 ETHNIC NEIGHBOURHOODS
New York City is also known as a melting pot and one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. A few incredible ethnic neighbourhoods to certainly visit are:
1. Koreatown. A highly concentrated strip along Manhattan’s West 32nd street, between Broadway and 5th Avenue featuring dozens of Korean restaurants, karaoke bars and 24 hour spas;
2. Chinatown. One of the oldest in the country as well as outside Asia;
3. Little Italy. Once a Neapolitan Village whose primary language was Italian and today a vibrant and fun neighbourhoods with narrow, European-feeling cobblestone streets full of gelaterias and bakeries.
Offering an incredible skyline, a vibrant atmosphere and incredible landmarks and attractions, even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explore all of New York City’s corners.
