Alpinia Travel

Welcome to this new blog post! And welcome to „The Big Apple“. This city has so much to offer. It is almost impossible to see everything in one visit. In this blog post you can read about some of the most spectacular sights in New York City.

The capital of the world

Because of its prominent role in global finance, diplomacy, media and culture, New York City is often referred to as the „capital of the world“. A visit is something very special. New York simply manages to take your breath away and surprise you in so many ways.

Information and interesting facts

New York City is located in the state of the same name on the east coast of the United States. It is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

The city was formerly a Dutch colony called New Amsterdam. In fact, New York City is similar to the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, in many ways.
NYC is the richest city in the world, with the highest number of billionaires, and was even the capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790.

And some other notable figures: NYC is home to over 18,000 restaurants, hundreds of galleries, a three-digit number of museums, and 41 Broadway theaters.

Walk through New York City

It is not for nothing that New York City is called „the city that never sleeps“. Thousands of people stroll through the streets day and night.

For longer distances, you can simply take a taxi or, for a more cost-effective option, the subway. However, you can go shorter distances can easily on foot – and experience the unique atmosphere.

It is worth booking accommodation near the city center, as it is centrally located and easy to get around. Earplugs are a good idea, though, as mentioned above, the city never sleeps and you can hear traffic even in the middle of the night.

Besides bagels, one thing you should try in New York is pizza. At some pizzerias a huge slice costs just a dollar – and they taste delicious.

The One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial

Almost everyone probably knows about the events of 9/11. Since 2014, a new skyscraper, the One World Trade Center, has stood on the site of the former Twin Towers, which were destroyed in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

The view from the top of the skyscraper is impressive. You can see whole Manhattan and many other parts of the city. A lot of other landmarks can also be seen, including the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building.

At the foot of the building is a small park with two large fountains where the former twin towers stood. All the names of the deceased are engraved on the fountains. Occasionally, small flowers are placed on the names.

Little Italy

A small trip around the world, yet just a few blocks from the OWTC. Little Italy is the former Italian neighborhood in Manhattan. When most immigrants from Italy came to this part of NYC at the end of the 19th century, Italian communities emerged, and even an Italian-language newspaper was established.

Today, fewer Italians live in the neighborhood, but the atmosphere and the many restaurants remain.

The Central Park

Central Park is the green heart of the city. Even better than simply strolling around is renting bikes and taking a tour through the large park. You will quickly forget that you are still in the middle of a booming metropolis.

In addition to monuments and statues, you can even discover a miniature castle, tennis courts, and a zoo in the park.

American Museum of Natural History

Numerous museums are located around Central Park, including the American Museum of Natural History – one of the most famous museums in New York.

Experience a little journey through time, and discover various animal species that lived around the world. Among other things, you will find giant dinosaur skeletons. You can get up close and see just how big these animals were.

The Municipal Building

In NYC you can discover many architectural masterpieces, including the Municipal Building. It is a 40-story skyscraper from the early 20th century with a classical facade and a gilded statue on the central tower.

Around Foley Square you can see a variety of other buildings with the same design.

Times Square

One of the most visited attractions in New York is Times Square. Large crowds gather there all the time. The huge billboards on the surrounding buildings are impressive. You will hardly know where to look first. Incidentally, you can rent advertising space online for your own short video clip, which will be displayed in Times Square.

Countless shops, restaurants, and bars are located in the immediate vicinity. There is even a Disney Store on Times Square, with plenty of New York souvenirs.

Library

If you want some peace and quiet after all the excitement, you can visit the New York Public Library. A guided tour of the interesting exhibitions is definitely worth taking, and a visit to the breathtaking Rose Main Reading Room is also a must.

The building leaves you speechless not only from the outside, but from the inside as well. Among other things, the library contains the Gutenberg Bible from 1455 and original Winnie-the-Pooh toys.

Central Station

We continue with spectacular buildings – this time the train station. Grand Central Station is a beautiful building and you should go there, even if you do not plan on taking the train.

The famous station is the setting for numerous movies and a true landmark of the city. The historic site has a timeless design and is home to some restaurants and shops.

Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building is an optical illusion. The building has a triangular floor plan. When viewed from the top corner, it appears unrealistically narrow. You can photograph it from a different angle from the Madison Square park next door. It is certainly an interesting photo opportunity.

Rockefeller Center

Another skyscraper from which you can admire Manhattan from above is the Rockefeller Center. From there, you can clearly see the Empire State Building, which is just a few blocks away.

On the other side, Central Park stretches out before you. In addition, skyscrapers rise up on all sides, one higher than the other. It is recommended to take binoculars with you to be able to observe the surroundings in even more detail.

Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty

Near Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan is the Staten Island Ferry. As the name suggests, this ferry takes you to the borough of Staten Island. It passes the Statue of Liberty, offering some great photo opportunities. Additionally, you will have a nice view of the Manhattan skyline.

Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn

From Manhattan you can reach the eastern borough of Brooklyn via the famous Brooklyn Bridge. Some great photo opportunities are along the way. In Brooklyn, the DUMBO Manhattan Bridge View point is a great photo spot.

From Brooklyn Bridge Park, you can see the Manhattan skyline. It is especially beautiful in the evening when the city lights are on. Therefore, it is recommended to go to Brooklyn at dusk to witness this spectacular view of the mesmerizing lights.

The El Dorado building

Back to another photo spot in Central Park. From the east side of the large lake in Central Park, the El Dorado building is perfectly captured. The apartment building’s architecture stands out among the row of buildings.

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Thank you for reading this blog post! I wish you a nice day and see you soon!

Zsofia