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.
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 small but beautiful botanic garden features a Japanese garden, as well as the Cranford Rose Garden, herb garden, the Children's Garden, and the Steinhard Conservatory of indoor flowers and plants. In all, there are 52 acres and 12,000 varieties of botanicals, ranging from the tiny bonsai to the towering oak. Self-guided tours, individual classes and certificate programs are all available. Students come with your valid id cards, if you want to avail of a discount.
Tucked away in Queens is an old-fashioned testament to film and television. The actual studios of the one-time Paramount East Coast production house are closed, but the museum provides tours about film making where you can see makeup, costumes and well-known movie sets. There are several theaters for film screenings and a gift shop for souvenir hunters.
The High Line is an urban oasis filled with beautifully manicured landscapes. It sits above the city on old train tracks that were installed as part of the West Side Improvement Project back in 1929. The line was primarily used to transport goods along the Lower West Side, but with the advent of vehicles in the 1950s and more accessible routes elsewhere, the last train eventually ran in 1980. Thereafter, the elevated tracks fell into disrepair, and the whole structure was nearly demolished. It was instead converted into an innovative public park, delighting locals and visitors alike. Today, the High Line is a cherished sanctuary away from the bustle of city life.
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.
This Manhattan museum is housed in a modern building with a resemblance to that of a Tetris game. All aspects of design, and every medium of art, are represented at this impressive museum. Whether it's architecture, interior design, fashion or folk crafts, the collections here encompass much of American object art. The museum also offers a wide range of workshops, programs and tours, giving anyone a chance to join in, whether you're an art student or a casual visitor.
The Huntington-Hartford Building was designed by Edward Durrell in stone and is regarded as a controversial landmark by all because of its looks. Many want it pulled down, many want it redesigned, others are fighting to hold onto the legacy of the Huntington-Hartford's. It lies very close to the Trump Towers. The building also holds a vast collection of the Huntington-Hardford paintings in a museum. The building was erected in 1964 and has a white marble facade, 'lollipop' columns and portholes that make its design very ugly indeed. It is now home to the Museum of Arts and Design.
Located on the second floor of the legendary Carnegie Hall is the Rose Museum. The museum, opened in 1991, houses exhibits and displays about the history of the legendary Carnegie Hall. Exhibits include memorabilia like old programs, photographs, video, posters and more. If you're interested in the fascinating history of these hallowed halls, take a trip to the second floor and check out the Rose Museum.
6 1/2 Avenue is a pedestrian-only street that is located between West 51st and West 57st Streets. The Avenue is located in the big corporate buildings starting from the AXA Equitable Building and ends at the Metropolitan Tower. The street is well designed with a visible pathway and overhead roofs. This is a faster route for pedestrians as they do not have to face the city's harsh traffic.
One of the most happening areas in the city for festivals and events, the Ninth Avenue hosts numerous events on its long wide stretch. Catering primarily to large scale, open to all, public events, the avenue is more than enough to conduct such exhibitions and festivals here. For that matter, certain international events have also been named after this place like the extremely popular Ninth Avenue International Food Festival and the equally awaited Ninth Avenue Books Exhibition. More so, the place is floored by innumerable eateries, making it a hot spot otherwise too.
Located near the southwestern corner of Central Park, Umpire Rock also known as Rat Rock was named after the rats that used to throng this place at night. It is a 55 feet (17 meters) wide and 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall rock with several crevices caused by glaciation millions of years ago. Visitors at the park come here to climb this massive natural structure and get amazing views of the park around them.