Let’s go to New York

Without a doubt my favourite city. Heaps to do so where to start. (Just a few as basically to many to mention so hope it gives you some ideas) No more to be said except let’s go.

Statue of Liberty

The statue was a gift from the people of France and dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue appropriately represents the Roman goddess of freedom Libertas. The statue is 93 meters tall. The tablet held in the second hand is inscribed with the date of American independence. A visit to the island is by ferry operated by Statue Ferries CLICK HERE for the schedule and more details. The Manhattan ferry operates from Battery Park terminal in Manhattan.

Ellis Island

Ellis Island tells the story of US immigration and if you are already visiting the statue of Liberty then this is often included in the ticket. Millions of immigrants passed through here from 1892 to 1954.There is a massive amount of material collated here and you should allow at least 2 hours, Some of the most interesting exhibits was how they dealt with diseases and deportees. For instance they were especially strict on Eye diseases like trachoma which can lead to blindness

Guggenheim Museum

It is situated at 1071 Fifth Avenue on the corner of 89th. Founded by Solomon Guggenheim who had been collecting works of old masters since the 1890’s. Its cylindrical design which is wider at the top than the bottom represents “the temple of the spirit”. Set on several floors the interior is as striking as the exterior, with its skylight set in the center It has a fine collection including works by the impressionists, post impressionists and even some modern and contemporary works

MOMA – Museum of Modern Art

i absolutely loved this museum. It has something for everyone and especially well represented are the impressionists with works by Van Gogh and Monet. The museum was the first in the US devoted to modern art. In 1939 the museum moved into its current building at 53rd street in Manhattan between 5th and 6th. Today the museum is one of the most influential museums of modern art in the world and houses one of the largest collections totally an amazing 150,000 pieces

Times Square

If you want to find the pulse of New York then look no further than Times Square.This neon lighted plaza at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue stretches from West 42nd to West 47th street. Known as the “Crossroads of the World” 330,000 people pass through Times Square on a daily basis and with 39 million visitors per year it is one of the world’s most visited tourist spots…

Central Park

The original park was opened on 778 acres which was later expanded to 843 acres. Popular with sports enthusiasts who enjoy a morning run or lovers who just want to take a sunset stroll. The park borders many city blocks in Manhattan from 110th to 59th street and most of Eighth Avenue.If you enjoy nature there  is plenty to see including 25,000 trees including 1,700 American elms. During the spring and fall  the park hosts many migratory birds. There are plenty of attractions in the park, for more details on the parks official website CLICK HERE

Empire State Building

Another iconic NY landmark the Empire State Building on Fifth avenue at the intersection of 34th street, At 443 meters and 102 floors it is still one of the tallest buildings in NY. The building was officially opened on May 1, 1931 by President Herbert Hoover who pressed a button from Washington D.C. to turn on the lights. (pretty impressive technology for the day). Don’t miss the 86th floor observation deck, with the option of paying extra to visit the must smaller deck on the 102nd floor. Lines are horrendous so if you don’t care to wait there are 1860 steps to the top. Good luck!

United Nations

The United Nations building is situated in the heart of Manhattan on 1st Avenue between 42nd and 48th Street. it covers an area of 18 acres. Strangely enough even though it is in the United States it is considered United Nations territory by the 193 member.states. The building houses ambassadors and delegates, translators and administrative staff needed for the day to day running of the organization.. If you don’t want to miss a tour then check the UN website so you can coordinate your visit by CLICKING HERE

Katz Deli

There is no doubt that Katz kosher style Deli in Manhattans lower east side is a New York landmark when it comes to Pastrami on rye, with a helping of coleslaw on the side. In fact Katz deli serves somewhere in the region of a staggering 20,000 lbs of meat and 12,000 hot dogs each week. The Deli is situated on the corner of Houston and Ludlow on the Lower east side of Manhattan. Incidentally despite serving kosher/Jewish style food it is not Kosher. For more information check out the Delis website by clicking here.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

Every major city is going to have some well known religious institutions and it doesn’t get much better than St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.  Situated on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st street this illustrious building, which in the spring of 2014 when I was in NY  was undergoing a major renovation,

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller is yet another well known Manhattan landmark named as is abundantly clear afterD. Rockefeller who in 1926 leased the space from Columbia University and started developing it in 1930. This was only a short time after the 1929 crash which basically left him with very few options, which was either to abandon the project or go ahead. The result is what you see today

The Met

Whatever your interest the Met, or the Metropolitan to give it its full title really is going to have something you will like, being as it is the largest art gallery in the US and in the top 10 when it comes to round the world rankings. Its not just art there are halls with artifacts from just about every corner of the earth like their Egyptian exhibition. The permanent exhibition has an amazing two million pieces taking up an area of 190,000 m². You will find it at 1000 Fitth Avenue.

One World Trade Center

This stunning building in Lower Manhattan reminds me of a beautiful piece of quartz rising shiny and new from bottom to tip to a height of 546.2 meters. The building, which has 104 floors is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere and the forth tallest in the world. The building of course has a sad connotation as it replaced the twin towers which of course as everyone knows were destroyed on what will always be known as 9/11.

Central Synagogue

The synagogue is one of the oldest in the USA and has been continuously in service since it was designed by Henry Fernbach and constructed in 1872. Built in the rather exotic Moorish Revival style, the building caused plenty of controversy as people felt it would evoke jealousy and stand in the way of assimilation. Today the synagogue serves the reform Jewish community offering services on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. There is a guided tour of the synagogue on Wednesdays at 12.45. For more information about services at the synagogue click here.