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10 Things to do in New York
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6 (10) The Empire State
Building
The
Empire State
The
world's tallest buildings on completion in 1931 the Empire State
still rates quite highly. Best attempted at night for great views
and fewer crowds. For the better part of a
century, visitors to the New York have headed directly for
the Empire State Building to journey aloft to its fabled Observatory
nearly a quarter of a mile above Fifth Avenue. Here you are treated
to breathtaking panoramas across the rooftops, avenues and byways
of the New York Metropolitan areas, to as far away as four neighboring
countries...oh ok states of America but almost had you.
The
Empire State has had many famous visitors including King Kong and
a B52 bomber. In 1945 a B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor.
It caused little structural damage other than to the people in the
plane.
The Empire State could have been a "balloonport" for blimps
but the idea was ultimately felt to full of hot air. Evidence of
this scheme can be found on the observatory of the 86th floor but
unfortunately not a single balloon. The observation deck on the
102nd story was to be the mooring site. It is now the 102nd Floor
Observatory tickets to which are only sold upon arrival in addition
to regular admission price
In
bad weather, the lights on the top floors are turned off at certain
timers of the year to avoid attracting migrating birds like moths
to a flame.
Expect
long queues for tickets in the concourse level and long lines for
the elevators. Go late or early.
7
(-) Chrysler Building
The
Chrysler Building - a building to look up to
The
Chrysler Building is an important and impressive New York landmark.
The tower culminates in a beautiful, tapered stainless steel crown
that supports the famous spire at its peak. The Chrysler Building
is considered by many to be the world's quintessential skyscraper.
Taller than the Eiffel Tower and briefly the tallest building in
the world in 1930 (until the Empire State Building beat it into
second place) The Chrysler Building remains the tallest brick building
in the world and is as gorgeous as ever.
"Art
Deco in France found its American equivalent in the design of the
New York skyscrapers of the 1920s. The Chrysler Building ... was
one of the most accomplished essays in the style."
–John Julius Norwich, in The World Atlas of Architecture.
So there!
8
(-) Grand Central Terminal (Station)
If
you intend going to Grand Central Terminal to catch a train I suggest
you get there early. Both a good looker, inside and out, the restored
Grand Central Terminal has become much more than just a train station.
Grand Central has become a midtown destination for fine restaurants,
cocktail bars and specialty shops throughout. There is much to catch
the eye on the giant main concourse. From the celestial ceiling
mural above to the staircase modeled on the staircase at the Paris
Opera. At every turn it seems there is something to admire.
Make
your way downstairs towards the Oyster Bar and try the seafood.
The Whispering Gallery at the either end of the Oyster Bar ramp
will leave you talking to a wall quietly. Be careful not to belch
if you have had too much seafood as it could be embarrassing. Discover
the "secret" elevated passageways for fabulous views of
the concourse.
Grand Central
also host public events at Vanderbilt Hall ranging from free promotions
and entertainment. The annual Holiday Fair brings 72 craftsmen,
artisans and international importers to the Terminal selling an
outstanding array of merchandise for holiday gifts.
9 (-) Guggenheim
Museum

The internationally
renown Guggenheim museum, Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece of modern
architecture, is bursting at its rounded seams with the world's
finest collections of 20th century art. A walk down the grand ramp
gets the experience off on the right foot. Exhibits are arranged
along the spiral ramp effecting a synergy between the architecture
and the art. Be prepared for pieces by such masters as Chagall,
Kandinsky, Picasso and van Gogh. Guggenheim courts and attracts
exhibitions from all over the world.
10
(6) Staten Island Ferry
Great
value, as at the time of writing this, the ferry ride is FREE. Perfect
if you are on a tight budget. More than that your 60 minutes return
trip gives you wonderful views of Manhattan.
What
you can expect to see in passing / from a distance:
- Ellis Island
- Statue of
Liberty
- City Sky
Line
- People
You
can walk from Ground Zero to Wall St and then on to Battery Park.
The huge ferry runs every 30 minutes from Staten Island Ferry terminal
close by. You may get a better view from the top level of the ferry.
You
can avoid sharing your ferry with millions (it will seem like it)
of commuters by traveling outside of peak hours. New York commuters
will also appreciate it.
Staten
Island Children's Museum
Staten
Island Learning is fun Museum
The
Staten Island Children's Museum is a place to exercise minds, bodies
and imaginations at New York's only indoor-outdoor interactive museum
set in an 84-acre park. Families will relish six exciting hands-on
exhibitions on topics including bugs, blocks, water, theater, and
world exploration. Creative workshops for children and performances
are regular occurrences at the museum and the Walk-In Workshop is
open most afternoons.
Travel
Tip - Get on TV
Get
yourself on TV. If you can make it here ..score a free ticket to
a national show. If you do become famous give us plug :) Visit www.nycvisit.com
and navigate your way to "things to do" [what else!]
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