BlogIt’s a wonderful town! And there’s no better time to visit than in November. You can catch the end of the gorgeous New England fall, with the leaves changing color, you can catch the start of winter as the season changes, and if you’re there over Thanksgiving, you can even watch the amazing spectacle that is the Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Or, you can just shop til you drop in the thousands of stores the city has to offer.
No matter what, your time in NYC will be well-spent!
Statue of Liberty
A gift from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of freedom, acceptance and the open arms of the United States. She stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, welcoming all who come into the city. Visitors can climb the 300 foot statue, take in her beauty from the base on the island, or get a great view from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan.
Times Square
Times Square is one of the most vibrant places on Earth, especially at night. It has been a center of theater activity for over a hundred years, and after a span where the area struggled with crime and adult themed shops, it has cleaned up its image and become the heart of the city. In addition to fun shops and shows, it’s the center of the world on New Year’s Eve, when the ball drops in Times Square.
Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is a complex of nearly two dozen buildings in downtown New York that houses much of NBC’s New York operations, as well as many other businesses and corporations. Tourists love to gather outside in the early morning to watch live tapings of the Today Show, and enjoy the Christmas decorations and go ice skating at the Lower Plaza in the winter.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn was completed in 1883, and is an architectural masterpiece in the New York City skyline. It was constructed largely by manual labor, where men risked their health and lives to build the bridge. The bridge is open to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and people love to stroll across the bridge, especially on a sunny day.
Woolworth Building
When the Woolworth Building was built in 1913, it was the tallest building in the world. When it opened, President Wilson flipped a switch and lit up the building with over 8,000 light bulbs, an engineering marvel at the time. Avant-garde in architecture and design, the building has an elevator decorated with Tiffany glass and cast iron. Visitors can enjoy the unique building from outside and the lobby, but because the building is now owned by private corporations, guests cannot tour the other floors.
Irish Hunger Memorial
In the 1840s, Ireland suffered from a dramatic and extended famine where nearly two million people died or left the country in search of better lives. A large portion moved to New York City, and it had a significant impact on the city’s culture and demographics. In the north end of Battery Park is a half acre memorial that includes an authentic 19th century cottage donated from a village in Ireland. It honors both the Irish who came to the city and those who died in the home country.
High Bridge Aqueduct
Aqueducts have been used for thousands of years to efficiently move water. The Croton Aqueduct system brought water to New York City, and where it crossed the Harlem River, the city constructed the High Bridge Aqueduct. It was used for about 100 years before being closed. In 2015, it was reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, connecting High Bridge Parks in the Bronx and Manhattan and providing a wonderful outdoor resource for the city.
White Horse Tavern
New York is not short on great places to eat and sites full of cultural importance, but the White Horse Tavern combines the two. Operating since the 1800s, the West Village establishment became famous as a gathering place for writers, poets and bohemians in the 1950s. Famous artists including Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Norman Mailer, Hunter S. Thompson and even Jack Kerouac (though he was kicked out multiple times) met, drank and mused here. Come raise a glass in their memory, but bring cash since they don’t take credit cards.
What makes New York City great is that there is something for everyone, from the classic attractions to the out of the way memorials, from the big skyline to the small eateries. No matter your style, interests, or budget, you’ll find something to take your breath away and somewhere to spend an amazing day in New York City.
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