The Beauty of New York City
STR
ely populated borough that's among the world's major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include sky
NT
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ATTR
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EN T
TY A
REST
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rk City
ld. Along the way came civil war, riots and recession, terrorism, triumph, and tr
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New York & New Yor
er what you're after, you'll find it here: great theater, museums, luxurious hotels, history, nightlife, sumptuous dining. The only thing that's difficult t
ont, more than 18,000 restaurants, and 76,000 hotel rooms. But once you get over the crowded streets, the wailing sir
y trans
s have not seen since the 1960s, and the city is generally cleaner and more efficient. The upshot is that both tourists and businesspeople are flocking here in unprec
ea was filled with porn theaters and pickpockets. Today Times Square is still choked, but with new office buildings a
the highest unemployment rates in the US. The disparity between the rich
Apple: a h
k City have a total population of approximately 8 million, with immigrants from all corners of the world. There are more Italians than in Ven
tions in New
the universe, and after a few days here it's hard not t
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ue of L
d. Unveiled in 1886, it was a gift to the US from France – a symbol o
sler Bu
shiny distinctive spire dominates Midtown. Erected in 1930, this was the tallest
ntral
n oasis. Central Park is the playground and the meeting place of the metropolis; th
e State
n Deck you can see fabulous views of Manhattan below, an
MoM
ted after 1880, roughly from the Impressionists on, the collection includes many masterpieces, from Van Gogh's The Sta
mes S
which were here, Times square has a
litan Muse
of the art world has a collection of over 2 million pieces, rang
nwich V
e's a neighborhood feel to the area, with its lovely old brownstones, one-off stores, Italian b
genheim Co
e latter part of the 19th century. Many were associated with movements such as Expressionism, Cubism, and the tren
Museum of Nat
ne of the largest. Choose a subject you're interested in, such as the so
ity history
_____________
e crossroads of the world. Along the way came civil war, r
immig
rk's sky
an wo
k history
IMMIG
nary ferment in Central Europe brought the Irish and Germans, who were soon followed by Italians, Poles, and Hungarians. The first important wave of Jews fleeing the pog
EAST
he crooked ward," or simply "Jew town." The irregular rectangle of tenements and sw
ith 330,000 people per square mile and primitive sanitation, yellow fever and cholera were constant threats, and child labor and exploitation were facts of life. Famil
RST SW
uttered the rooms. Pay was by quantity, hours were long, and the pace was fast and re
fined for damaged material at two or three times its regular value. Wages were minimal – maybe $8 or $10 a week for a family of
ents' worth of sugar, five cents' worth of butter, everything in penny fractions." Compassion for frien
H COM
at, produce, or cheap ¬clothes from pushcarts. The area was nicknamed "the Pig Market," probably, as ca
arly organized, but "strike-busters" were hired by the bosses to intimidate them with threats and violent acts. Organizations like the Educational Alliance
K'S SKY
connect New York City with Brooklyn, a sizeable city in its own right. The invention of the elevator by Elisha Otis made it possible to construct 'skyscrapers' up to the amazing height of eight or ten stories. In 1898, New York
L SK
latiron Building, erected in 1902 and with 22 stories. The Equitable Building, however, which appeared on Lower Broadway in 1916, was a monster on an 'H'-shaped
TAN'S
). Designed by Mies van der Rohe with Philip Johnson, and completed in 1958, the Seagram Building on Park Avenue was a simple tower with a straight façade, following the rules of the International Style. It overcame the zoning law by having a plaza at its base, setting the trend for later developments such as R
N WO
rst mate, Robert Jet, wrote: "We found a land full of great tall
(4,000 hectares) are in more or less their natural state. Peregrine falcons nest on M
tral Park, wrote that "the contemplation of natural s
k's beg
rk Harbor in 1524, but it would be a hundred years before the first settlers came to the area. Tod
Amst
ny, excitement finally began to build over the region's possibilities, and in 1624, the new Dutch West India Company sent the first
popular city creation myth, it was Peter Minuit who in 1626 purchased the entire island of Manhattan from Native Americans for the equivalent of $
tin
o mention black slaves from the Caribbean. In 1643 a priest counted 18 languages spoken in this town of 1
e British, who had settled much of the area around New Amsterdam. But the effort was unnecessary. Unable or unwilling to put up a fight, the Dutch settlers sur
w
briefly known as New Orange, a treaty the following year returned it to British control.
the town went to cheer George Washington as he left to take command of the Continental Army in Boston, while the other half were down at the harbor giving a rousing w
ew Re
lonies. Washington returned triumphantly to New York and bade farewell to his officers at Frances Tavern. He later became the country's first president, when the city was briefly the first capital of the ne
rica's commercial center. In 1800 (the same year Alexander Hamilton built the Grange, which is i
CULTURAL FEATURES
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A TRIP TO N
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entry requi
and consulat
nspor
ng to N
g around
and saf
nd budget
at t
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entry req
s and co
S embassies and
UN Missions i
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NSPOR
NG TO N
BY
nd 8 miles (24 and 13km) from ¬Midtown. Driving time to/from Kennedy is estimated at 90 ¬minutes, but heavy traffic can often double this, so leave lots of
tional flights. It's really in New Jersey, but, although a little bit farther from Manhattan t
Y R
, upstate New York and Connecticut), and Pennsylvania Station at Seventh Ave and 33rd St (for Long Island and most other destinations).
Y R
a the George Washington Bridge. From the northwest, the New York State Thruway connects with Henry Hudson Parkway into northern Manhattan. Driving
Greyhound, tel: 1-800-231 2222) and local commuter lines. City buses stop outside. A modern terminal with stores and other facilities, nevertheless
around
ent
g oneself very easy. Even-numbered streets tend to have one-way eastbound traffic; odd-numbered streets, westbound. There are very few exceptio
ston, 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, 66th, 86th, 116th, 125th, and a few others. Subway trains cross town at 14th an
THE A
train) and Sutphin Boulevard (E, J, and Z train) subways and at Jamaica Long Island Railroad station for JFK, and at a special
akes about one hour; traveling from Newark (by Air Train and then Amt
ion: http://jfkairport
: https://www.newarkairport.
irports and Manhattan. Pick-up and drop-off points include: Port Authority Bus Terminal, Penn Station, and Grand
es 5am–1am, while Triboro Coach bus Q-33 runs to 74th St subway stop
press buses daily between Newark airport and Manhattan, stopping at the Port Au
hotels or private addresses, but this can be slow, with many stops. Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com, tel: 212-258 3826) offe
are by Air Train, or by Green Bus Lines t
airports if traveling by road; the traffic can be very bad, e
C TRANS
AYS AN
midnight. There are many subway routes, identified by letters or numbers; some share the same trac
a Metro Card, which you charge up with a minimum amount and swipe through the entry gates each time you use the subway, or in machines on city buses. If you charge it with over $10, you get a discount
.mta.info or tel: 718-330 1234; for details about
the river between Manhattan and New Jersey. For mor
TA
rand Central and Penn Station. Be sure to flag down an official, yellow cab, not an unlicensed gypsy cab. Flat fares
rger cabs). Between the hours of 4 and 8pm, there is a small surch
telephone 212-nyc
E TRANSP
NG IN N
ll to leave their vehicle parked in a garage and use public transportation,
cated; the use of seat belts is mandatory; the speed limit on most highways in New York is 55mph (90kmh) and is
ark
If you happen to find a parking spot on the street, obey posted parking regulations, which may include parking only on one side of the street on alte
YING
2th avenues on the West Side are good hunting ground
EAKD
the American Automobile Association (AAA), will help members and foreign visitors affiliated with other recognized automobile associations. In case
R RE
y a few times. If you do need a car, you'll find it's generally cheaper to rent at the airport than in Manhattan, and cheaper still to rent a
more expensive than weekday rates, since most New Yorker
e. The minimum age for renting a car is 21, but some companies will not re
th and
t health and sa
and bu
t money and bud
nspor
ng to N
By
nd 8 miles (24 and 13km) from ¬Midtown. Driving time to/from Kennedy is estimated at 90 ¬minutes, but heavy traffic can often double this, so leave lots of
tional flights. It's really in New Jersey, but, although a little bit farther from Manhattan t
r
, upstate New York and Connecticut), and Pennsylvania Station at Seventh Ave and 33rd St (for Long Island and most other destinations). C
r
via the George Washington Bridge. From the northwest, the New York State Thruway connects with Henry Hudson Parkway into northern Manhattan. Drivin
ng Greyhound, tel: 1-800-231 2222) and local commuter lines. City buses stop outside. A modern terminal with stores and other facilities, neverthele
around
ent
ing oneself very easy. Even-numbered streets tend to have one-way eastbound traffic; odd-numbered streets, westbound. There are very few except
ston, 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, 66th, 86th, 116th, 125th, and a few others. Subway trains cross town at 14th an
the a
A train) and Stephan Boulevard (E, J, and Z train) subways and at Jamaica Long Island Railroad station for JFK, and at a special
akes about one hour; traveling from Newark (by Air Train and then Amt
ion :http://jfkairport
: https://www.newarkairport.
irports and Manhattan. Pick-up and drop-off points include: Port Authority Bus Terminal, Penn Station, and Grand
es 5am–1am, while Triboro Coach bus Q-33 runs to 74th St subway stop
press buses daily between Newark airport and Manhattan, stopping at the Port Au
hotels or private addresses, but this can be slow, with many stops. Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com, tel: 212-258 3826) offe
are by Air Train, or by Green Bus Lines t
airports if traveling by road; the traffic can be very bad, e
c Trans
ays an
midnight. There are many subway routes, identified by letters or numbers; some share the same trac
a Metro Card, which you charge up with a minimum amount and swipe through the entry gates each time you use the subway, or in machines on city buses. If you charge it with over $10, you get a discount
.mta.info or tel: 718-330 1234; for details about
the river between Manhattan and New Jersey. For mor
a
nd Central and Penn Station. Be sure to flag down an official, yellow cab, not an unlicensed gypsy cab. Flat fares to
rger cabs). Between the hours of 4 and 8pm, there is a small surch
telephone 212-nyc
e Transp
ng in N
l to leave their vehicle parked in a garage and use public transportation,
cated; the use of seat belts is mandatory; the speed limit on most highways in New York is 55mph (90kmh) and is
rk
If you happen to find a parking spot on the street, obey posted parking regulations, which may include parking only on one side of the street on alte
ing
12th avenues on the West Side are good hunting ground
akd
f the American Automobile Association (AAA), will help members and foreign visitors affiliated with other recognized automobile associations. In ca
Re
ty a few times. If you do need a car, you'll find it's generally cheaper to rent at the airport than in Manhattan, and cheaper still to rent a
more expensive than weekday rates, since most New Yorker
e. The minimum age for renting a car is 21, but some companies will not re
ND BARS IN N
A
In New York, 'café' refers to a wide variety of places. Some are full-fledged restaurants; others are little more than a take-out counter and a table or two. Some have European flair; others are
A
find a workingman's tavern in just about every neighborhood. On the high end is an endless parade of ultra-hip watering holes where the thin and fabulous gather beh
AND BARS IN
ia Str
eet/Blacker and
-98
urant holds regular poetry readings and mu
lla
Avenue/
-23
tic java prepared by people who know what th
afé and
12th Street/W
-46
il spot in the Meatpacking District is a
é L
d Street/Ams
-49
menu, but they're little more than an afterth
le
enue/West 81st
-87
s best. Soft multicolored lights create an alluring, grotto-like atmosphere in
Sab
Avenue/East
-28
cellent desserts of an old Viennese-style restaurant. Replicas of period banquettes and bentwood furniture, plus a Josef Hoffmann chand
ng Ro
roadway/Br
-92
essed tin ceilings, and the work of local artists on the walls. Burg
ch R
way/West 8
-79
collegial spot for coffee, drinks, or a full meal
ets Café (insi
t 41st
-77
te cake is equally enticing. There are better choices if you're fuss
Bar a
venue/West
707
th bags of atmosphere where drink
pbell A
Avenue, Grand
-95
cret lair in Grand Central Terminal, onc
Ea
t/Greenwich and
-43
ecor is dark, the atmosphere welcoming and relaxed. The clientele, an unholy mix of dockers and artists, has c
ck
th Street/S
-64
key yet sophisticated neighborhood bar. You can enjoy
y En
et/Forsyth and
-33
e his departure to an upstate prison. Rumor has it that this Lower East Side basement was
è Re
reet/Becker and
-47
is is the best of the Vill
Bar and R
treet/Broadway
-52
od hangout. After-work crowds toss down drin
Horse
Street/West
512
historic tavern, where Welsh poet Dylan Thomas knocked back one too
i Le Sp
st 42n
-55
t shop than a traditional café, but the espresso is excel
Rob
ue/East 10th a
-67
o, De Roberts remains an old-fashi
lk
ore Street/
-94
fiscal crises, blackouts and, most recently, the World Trade Center disaster, when folks gathered to hear t
rc
Street/Pr
-96
bar and antlers on the wall. Though supermodels don't hang out here much anymore, the crowd still tends to be sha
Ging
reet/Madison an
-53
lgian beer, plus Irish whiskeys and 20 or so single malt scot
r
et/Elizabeth a
-33
g from pesto chicken, avocado, and goat cheese to shiitakes, fresh sardines, and tomatoes, as well as the more tradi
lli
Street/Mer
-22
ter in this handsome pub, which has been serving food continuously since 1874 (it was a speakeasy during Prohibition). The kitchen knoc
Daily
venue/East
-30
and expertly brewed. There are eight more Oren's café-stores around Manhattan, inclu
o visit
d: New York State,
. Along with New York City, you'll find Niagara Falls, stunning autumn foliage and real wilderness up in Maine. Heading south, the Mid-Atlantic reg
ntic and
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Art deco architecture in Miami, stunning vistas in the Great Smoky Mountai
tland an
ebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. The bustling centers of Chicago and Minneapolis-St Paul await you, while South Dakota epitomizes the tough beauty of the wilderness in its Badlands. In the West you'll find the "cowboy" states of Montana and
st, California
d south and you'll hit California, with vineyards at Napa and Sonoma, urban cool in San Francisco, celebrity in Los Angeles, and abundant beauty at Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. The southern end of California leads
VISIT IN U
York
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tional Park
arle
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ch Co
d At
ilad
irg
hingt
Bo
ape
nnec
Ma
Hamp
ode
Berk
erm
iron
gara
LUSI
sely populated borough that's among the world's major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include s