An emerald expanse in the thriving, concrete jungle that is New York City, Central Park lies in the heartland of the Manhattan borough. It commences its labyrinthine stretch from Midtown, all the way to Harlem. It was created in 1857 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who envisioned a sprawling green space in the center of the island. The park spans 843 acres (341.15 hectares) and bustles with life throughout the day, even as the layered, multi-hued fold of the city's skyline unfolds at its hem. The park's 21 playgrounds are speckled with ornate fountains, sculptures, myriad bridges and arches, together forming an urbane respite where several come to find peace from the city's chaotic pace. Attractions within the park include the Bethesda Fountain, the Conservatory Garden, Belvedere Castle and Central Park Zoo.
The Lincoln Center for Performing Arts is a massive venue when it comes to live entertainment. The Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors has something for everyone: internationally recognized dances, high-level performances, special events and jazz. Watch out for Live From Lincoln Center, a program that has famous orchestras and artistes performing. Lincoln Center holds about 400 live performances a year, ranging from classical to modern productions. And as if that wasn't enough, the Center also hosts many events put on by the Film Society at Lincoln Center. There are guided tours on a daily basis that explore the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, the New York State Theater (home of the New York City Opera) and the Vivian Beaumont Theater. During the tour, your guides will entertain you with fascinating stories and give you a glimpse of a rehearsal in progress.
With a permanent collection numbering over two million individual works of art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is not only a New York City landmark, it is the United States' largest art museum and the fifth-most visited museum of any kind in the world. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the museum encompasses more than 1.5 million square feet (139,355 square meters) of exhibition space. European paintings on display include those by world-renown masters like Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Titian, and Vermeer. The vast collection has been split between several galleries, arranged by geographic origin and other thematic schemes. The Egyptian art gallery is especially enticing, as are the Met's repositories of Asian, African and Medieval art. Others include Islamic, Roman, and Greek art, the Arms and Armory section, the Costume Institute, and European Decorative arts. When weather permits, contemporary sculptures are displayed at the open-air roof garden. Apart from being a treasure trove for art lovers, The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a fun-filled and educational experience for all ages.
This massive cathedral, situated across from Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue is regarded as one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the United States. With its soaring 140-foot (43 meters) spires, St. Patrick's Cathedral is also one of the city's most spectacular architectural sights. Construction on the neo-gothic structure had started in 1850 and completed in 1878. Inside, it boasts of numerous altars and stained glass windows, and a giant organ with over 7,300 pipes. Services are held throughout the day, and many New Yorkers stop in for a moment of serenity in their otherwise hectic lives.
Home to the legendary dance company The Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall is one of the most spectacular and famous performance venues in the United States. Its locale in the heart of the Big Apple has made it a cultural center, particularly during the Christmas season. Originally opened in 1932 and nicknamed "The Palace for the People," Radio City was renovated in 1980. Anybody who is anybody has performed here - New York legends Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis, Jr. are just a few that spring to mind, and to this day, the stage remains a showcase for entertainment royalty.
Soaring to a height of 1,454 feet (443.2 meters), this 102-story skyscraper held the title of the world's tallest for close to four decades after its completion in 1931. Despite being surpassed in height, the Empire State Building remains one of the United States' best-known and most iconic modern wonders. The building's Art Deco design is the work of the architect William F. Lamb, who drew up the plans over a mere two weeks using the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem as a template. Replete with stunning architectural details best showcased by the lavish lobby, the Empire State Building is a splendid jewel of the Art Deco variety. The highlights of the Empire State Building are its two observation decks, perched on the 86th and 102nd floors of the building. From here, awe-inspiring views of New York City await, the vista transforming from a sun-dappled, urban landscape by day to a glittering sea of lights by night. Often, the tower's lofty pinnacle is lit up in myriad colors to celebrate various special occasions and anniversaries throughout the year, accompanied by spectacular light shows that are visible for miles around.
St. John's Lutheran Church is a local church with a community-centric approach. Located in the neighborhood of Greenwich Village, it has been a spiritual abode for the local patrons since 1858. Prayer services and choir concerts are regularly held here in a welcoming atmosphere and the church embraces one and all irrespective of their race and religion. It also hosts a plethora of cultural activities such as concerts and plays in order to foster a communal vibe in the fraternity.
Leland Castle was built as a home to Mr. Simeon Leland in 1855. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This castle boasts stunning Gothic Revival architecture on sweeping grounds of 2.6 acres (1.05 hectares). Guests will find plenty to marvel at, from the architecture to the contemporary art inside the Castle Art Gallery.
The Old Broadway Synagogue was established in the year 1923 by a Polish immigrant. Harlem had a major concentration of Jews during those times and the Broadway Synagogue became a place where the community could come together. It is a vernacular style building that also features on the National Register of Historic Places. The synagogue's late rabbi, Jacob Kret, who was a witness to the partition of Poland, served the synagogue from 1950 till 1997, today it is run by veteran as well as young custodians of the Jewish faith.
The New Utrecht Reformed Church is a historic church which dates back to the 17th century. Established in 1677, the church is considered to be one of the oldest existing churches in the neighborhood of Brooklyn. However, the present church building was constructed in 1828, with a mix the Shingle, Richardsonian Romanesque and Georgian styles of architectura. The building is made of stone and stands firm on its ground even today. Regular services and ceremonies are conducted by the church till date.
The Chester A. Arthur House was the former residence of former US President Chester A. Arthur, where he lived most of his adult life. This is also the place where he took the oath as President following the death of President Garfield. The structure is of importance as it is a surviving structure that served as a venue for a presidential inauguration. Today, the building serves as home to the Mediterranean grocery store called Kalustyan's.
The First Reformed Church in the Jamaica region of the New York City is a renowned and celebrated monumental church. The historic reformed church is a stellar model of the Romanesque and the Early Romanesque Revival style of architecture. It was constructed in 1858 and occupies great historic significance.