SIGHTSEEING: NEW YORK

SIGHTSEEING: NEW YORK CITY

Central Park spans two and a half miles from 59th Street to 110th Street and a half a mile from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue and was the first urban landscaped park in the United States. Originally conceived in the salons of wealthy New Yorkers in the early 1850’s, the park project spanned more than a decade and cost the city ten million dollars. Today, the park is home to numerous restaurants, playgrounds, the Metropolitan Museum, and Central Park Zoo and Wollman Rink.

Empire State Building

It’s no longer the world’s tallest skyscraper, but the classic Art Deco architecture and rich history make the 102-story Empire State Building a popular stop for visitors to the City. Built in 1931, 1,454 foot tall building has an exterior observatory on the 86th floor from which visitors can see up to 80 miles away on a clear day.

Ellis Island

Over 40% of the U.S. population descend from the 17 million immigrants that have passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954. The three story Ellis Island Museum is housed in the same building that the immigrants came through in those 64 years. Ferry boats leave from Battery Park for the 27 acre island, including an option to visit the Statue of Liberty, located on an island nearby.

New York Botanical Garden

This is one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in the United States. There are 12 outdoor display gardens, horticultural displays in the crystal pavilions of the Enid. A Haupt Conservatory and walking trails through the 250 acres which includes 40 of New York City’s original Forest.

New York Stock Exchange

World’s largest securities marketplace exhibit hall has panoramic displays which dramatize the Wall Street story, and a gallery overlooks the bustling exchange floor.

Rockefeller Center

Tour this famous mid-town complex by picking up the well written, easy-to-follow self guided tour map in the lobby of the GE building. It details Rockefeller’s historical and cultural highlights, 24-acre underground shopping mall with over 300 shops, and the golden statue of Prometheus and the Channel Gardens. There are 35 restaurants in the complex, including the famous Rainbow Room.

The Statue of Liberty

This grand lady has welcomed millions of foreigners coming to seek freedom and opportunity in America. She was an extravagant gift from France to a young new America. The trip to Liberty Island where lady liberty stands takes 15 minutes.

Times Square

Known as the Crossroads of the World, Times Square is the heart of New York City, where commerce meets the performing arts, a magnet for both business and tourism.