New York City is the most populous city in the United States, its metropolitan area being one of the largest urban areas in the world. It is located in New York State, abbreviated NY and has the status of the largest city in the United States since 1790, being also the first capital city of the state and the place of appointment of George Washington as the first president of the United States. Find about the things you can do in New York.
For more than a century it has been one of the world’s major centres of trade and finance. New York is also considered one of the most important cities in the world due to its global influence in the media, education, entertainment, art, and fashion. The city is also an important centre of foreign affairs, hosting the United Nations headquarters.
We have chosen the most important and most sought after areas/monuments to visit in New York that we will present to you in the following lines.
Central Park
This partial parking lot, museum, concert hall swallows downtown Manhattan, and many of the city’s most notable attractions are located near it or within its boundaries. But travellers insist you don’t just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favourite of New Yorkers and tourists alike; you can come here to exercise, eat, go to the zoo and much more.
“Central Park is fantastic all year round, and it’s a must-see for anyone coming to New York,” says Josephine Danielson, concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel New York. Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has the same experience or recommends doing the same. There is an almost impossible amount to see here, including 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures and 36 bridges. Here is a short list:
Alice in Wonderland: This 11-meter high statue is located on a magic mushroom on 75th Street, in the eastern part of the park. She is surrounded by her crazy hat, Cheshire cat and lots of fascinated little kids.
Bethesda Fountain: The name of this romantic fountain refers to a pool in Jerusalem with healing powers. While you’re there, be sure to take a few photos of the Angel of the Waters sculpture above this view of the park.
Conservatory Garden: The only formal garden found in Central Park, Conservatory Garden is a quiet place to relax and enjoy the views. It comprises 6 acres of flora and seasonal greenery, arranged in three distinct styles: English, French and Italian. You will find the main gates on Fifth Avenue and 105th Street.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir: New Yorkers love to jog through this beautiful 106-acre body of water in the middle of the park. It is especially picturesque in autumn when the surrounding trees are full of seasonal colours.
Loeb Boathouse: In the warmer months, you can rent a boat, bicycle or gondola from this Victorian-style house and restaurant, located around East Park Drive, near Bethesda Fountain.
Strawberry Fields: Named after John Lennon’s song, this area at the bottom of the park is across the street from where the singer was assassinated in 1980. Visitors like to come here to dine, admire the scenery or pay homage to the Beatles.
Wollman Memorial Rink: This place on the East Side is especially popular with young families. In winter it is an ice rink; come summer, this is where you will find the Victorian amusement park.
You’ll find Central Park in the heart of Manhattan, just north of downtown; it stretches from 59th to 110th Street and is bordered by the Eighth and Fifth Streets. Central Park is free to visit and welcomes visitors daily. As with any outdoor site in a major city, it is best to visit during the day or early evening. There are toilets available on site and there are five visitor centres located within the park. Many of the city’s most popular guided tours also make stops in the park, including the best walking tours in New York. Check out the park’s official website for maps, information on all available activities and special events.
Resorts World Casino New York City
Resorts World New York City is part of the Aqueduct racing complex. It was proposed in the late 2000s and opened in late 2011. In addition to being the first legal casino in New York, it is the only casino located in the five cities and the only casino apart from Empire City Casino and Jake’s 58 in New York City Region.
The casino has four automatic table games: Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps and Roulette, in addition to a wide range of video slots. Baccarat is played with real playing cards, but they are distributed inside a machine without any human dealers. A large part of the games found in this resort can also be found on the online casino, with a wide range of identical games found in the physical casino.
American Museum of Natural History
Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History in Central Park West. Whether you are exploring interactive exhibits on land, sea or outdoor space; user reviews take a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafe and gift shop are worth noting.
There are about 32 million artefacts inside, spread over four city blocks, 25 buildings and 45 exhibition halls, so you don’t even intend to see everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a huge favourite, but you should plan and visit the dinosaurs, the Universe Hall, and the Butterfly Conservatory. Local experts also say that this museum is one of the best things to do as a family visiting New York. “It’s an imaginary place, good for anyone of any age … and it’s educational and interactive,” says Richard Tucker, chief concierge at The Refinery Hotel. Local experts say the institution is one of the museums that cannot be missed. The American Museum of Natural History is constantly crowded, but you will be able to cope with fewer people if you visit during a week in late winter or spring.
There are many sights to visit or wonderful places in New York, but we have limited ourselves to just a few of New York’s many masterpieces.
