New York City’s Premier Landmarks and Attractions
Rockefeller Center: A Midtown Marvel
Rockefeller Center is a group of impressive buildings constructed in the 1930s. It houses theaters, corporate offices, and fine restaurants, including the 70th-floor GE Building, which holds the main studio for the NBC TV network. During Christmas, special decorations transform the area, featuring an outdoor ice-skating rink and an enormous Christmas tree. This tree is no less than 20 meters high and adorned with 30,000 multi-colored LED lights. At the center of the square, visitors can admire the well-known bronze-gilded sculpture of Prometheus, bringing fire to mankind. Some 200 flagpoles line the square at street level, and during the U.S. Memorial Day weekend, all poles proudly display the American flag.
Statue of Liberty: Symbol of Freedom
The Statue of Liberty was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi, who famously used his mother as a model. It took him 21 years to complete this monumental work. The statue stands 22 stories high and was often the first sight immigrants saw upon arriving in the USA, moving many to tears. It was a gift from the French government to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the USA. Despite an economic recession at the time, which made funding difficult, the statue remained in storage for five years until the decision was made to accept it and build its pedestal.
Empire State Building: Art Deco Icon
The Empire State Building (ESB) held the title of the world’s tallest building from 1931 to 1972. This 102-story skyscraper is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, at 5th Avenue and West 34th Street. Its name derives from New York’s nickname, ‘The Empire State.’ The ESB is an American cultural icon, designed in the distinctive Art Deco style, and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its interiors are designated New York City landmarks.
9/11 Memorial & Museum: A Place of Remembrance
Amidst the new towers of the World Trade Center complex, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum stands as a solemn tribute. It features a green roof of trees for the site’s museums, and two reflective pools of water mark the exact locations of the fallen Twin Towers. The Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) is the tallest building in North America, standing 1,776 feet tall – a height symbolizing the year America declared its independence from Britain. Three more towers, each 300 meters tall, complete this significant complex.
Madison Square Garden: The World’s Most Famous Arena
Madison Square Garden (MSG) is located on 34th Street. The atmosphere outside MSG before a game is incredible. It is an enormous venue, accommodating almost 20,000 people. The introduction of the players is spectacular: all the lights dim, loud music begins to play, and an exciting laser light show illuminates the arena. Once both teams are introduced, the regular lights come on again as the players get ready to begin the game.
Broadway Theaters: The Heart of American Theater
Broadway is the term given to the 40 professional theaters located in New York City’s Theater District. It is also the name of a street in Manhattan that runs through the Theater District, hosting many of these theaters. Broadway theater productions are highly popular attractions, selling approximately $1 billion worth of tickets every season.
Times Square: The Crossroads of the World
Times Square is one of the most important places in New York City. New Year’s Eve is famously celebrated here by millions of people. Although it can be very cold, attendees often don’t notice due to the vibrant energy of the crowd. Located between Broadway and 7th Avenue, Times Square is a major center of the world’s entertainment industry.