| People don't perceive things the same way, so you'll | | | | Empire State Building The lean, perpendicular design |
| have to come and experience New York City for | | | | of the Empire State Building makes a strong |
| yourself! Don't limit yourself to just pictures and | | | | statement among the smaller Manhattan buildings and |
| stories. Use this guide to help you get the most out | | | | eclipses the ground below. This 103 floor building can |
| of New York in the least out of time! Making the | | | | be seen from almost anywhere in New York and |
| most of New York City will require you to be ready | | | | parts of the tri-state area and appears heavenly |
| to take on an action filled time and wear good | | | | behind a larger-than-life bill-board. It emerges like a |
| walking shoes and warm and comfortable clothing. A | | | | silhouette even on the stormiest of days. |
| great way to start off your visit is by going with | | | | History: The 1931 landmark was the result of a |
| family or friends. That way, you'll be able to share | | | | competition between the head of the Chrysler |
| the experience with someone and your different | | | | Corporation and General Motors to see who could |
| aspects of it. Maybe argue on which attraction was | | | | build the tallest building. GM won. The construction |
| better just for laughs? Where do you want to go? | | | | began on January 22, 1930 by Shreve, Lamb & |
| Read about the following landmarks to learn more | | | | Harmon Associates. |
| about the most popular attractions in New York City. | | | | The Empire State Building is the tallest building in New |
| It's breath-taking architectural exterior will sweep you | | | | York, situated at 350 Fifth Ave. It is both a New |
| in for a great surprise! | | | | York City and National Historic Landmark. There are |
| St. Patrick's Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral is the | | | | 1,860 from street level to 102nd floor, but you can |
| largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in | | | | take an elevator up to the top. This is such a great |
| the United States, seating about 2,200 people. It is | | | | place to bring the family - and an especially amazing |
| located on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st | | | | place to witness the wonder in a child's eyes when |
| Streets. It has been recognized throughout its history | | | | he gazes 360 degrees from horizon to horizon above |
| as a center of Catholic life, and each year over 3 | | | | the city. Get a bird's eye view with the scopes. The |
| million people visit the cathedral. | | | | beautiful lights that grace the top of The Empire |
| History: Archbishop John Hughes began the Cathedral | | | | State building are energy efficient as well as awe |
| in 1858 to replace the original St. Patrick's Cathedral. | | | | inspiring. The lights change colors and are colorfully |
| The cornerstone was laid in August of that year, | | | | planned for special occasions. In fact, as a Tourism |
| and, after suspending work during the years of Civil | | | | attraction, the view from afar can be as exciting as |
| War (1861-1865), John Cardinal McCloskey, the first | | | | the view from the top! Just make sure to go when |
| American Cardinal, continued in 1865, opening the | | | | the sky is clear. Make sure you catch the last |
| doors in May, 1879. Today, it is used as a parish | | | | elevator at 11:15 PM or else you're stuck racing down |
| church in New York. | | | | the stairs! |
| Facts about St. Patrick's Cathedral: The Windows | | | | Facts about the Empire State Building: • |
| were made by renowned artists in Chartres, France; | | | | Metro Networks monitor the busy traffic in the |
| Birmingham, England and Boston Massachusetts. The | | | | metro area from high atop the Empire State Building |
| great rose window is acknowledged to be the finest | | | | Tower. • The lightning rod on the Tower is |
| work crafted by Charles Connick, the 20th century | | | | struck more than 100 times per year. • It |
| genius in stained glass window design. • The | | | | only took only one year and 45 days to build. |
| exterior length is about 405 feet; the width is 274 | | | | • Fantasizing about getting married at the |
| feet. • The towers rise 330 feet from | | | | top of the Empire State Building? You can do it. |
| street level. • The architect was James | | | | Every Valentine's Day, a select group of couples get |
| Renwick, an American. The Lady Chapel was | | | | hitched here. You might become hungry after all the |
| designed by another American, Charles Mathews. | | | | stair climbing (and that's why you have on your best |
| • The St. Michael and St. Louis altar was | | | | walking shoes). So on the way up or down, there are |
| designed by Tiffany and Company. The St. Elizabeth | | | | restaurants and pizzerias and ice cream parlous on |
| altar was designed by Paolo Medici of Rome. | | | | the floor in the 5th Avenue Lobby. ATM machines |
| • The Archbishops of New York are buried | | | | are located in the Lobby, Newsstands, Walgreen's, |
| in a crypt under the high altar. Their honorary hats, | | | | and near the elevator. |
| called galeros, hang from the ceiling above their | | | | Times Square Times Square is a known for visual |
| tombs. • The Stations of the Cross are | | | | performing arts, long chains of star restaurants, great |
| works of art which won first prize at the Chicago | | | | shopping centers, technological advances, annual |
| World's Fair in 1893. • The Pieta is three | | | | outdoor festivities and New Year celebrations! This is |
| times larger than the Pieta in St. Peter's, Rome. | | | | a popular attraction to people all around the world. |
| • The Cathedral has three organs. • | | | | The Times Square Alliance works constantly to |
| The baldachin over the main altar is solid bronze. | | | | improve the quality of public space in Times Square. |
| Grand Central Terminal As you approach 42nd Street | | | | The Alliance strives to reinforce the area's authentic |
| and Park Avenue from downtown, you'll be facing | | | | and historic character and creatively express Times |
| this triumphant facade featuring a fifty foot | | | | Square's unique qualities to your best satisfaction. |
| pediment with statues of Hercules, Minerva and | | | | "Nowhere else can you find such a diversity of chefs |
| Mercury surrounding a thirteen foot clock. This was | | | | and cuisine from all around the world as you can in |
| designed by architect Whitney Warren in 1913. This | | | | Times Square, and it is this that makes dining out in |
| terminal is also the setting to several popular movies | | | | Times Square such an adventure." - Times Square |
| like Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest, in | | | | Alliance President Tim Tompkins |
| which a man is mistaken for a government agent and | | | | One of New York City's most popular annual outdoor |
| pursued across the country by a gang of spies; The | | | | food festivals, A Taste of Times Square, presented |
| Fisher King, where the terminal was spectacularly | | | | by the Times Square Alliance, is your opportunity to |
| done into a ballroom; and 1978's Superman features | | | | sample "tastes" delicious signature dishes from Times |
| some very cool scenes set in villain Lex Luthor's | | | | Square's top restaurants. You will be able to enjoy |
| fantastic subterranean lair under Grand Central | | | | classic New York street performers, catch top-notch |
| Terminal. | | | | local entertainment on three stages, and show off |
| Central Park Central Park is one of those places that | | | | your hottest dance moves all evening. |
| make New York such a great place to live or visit. | | | | How will you get there? So, you have just completed |
| The huge park, 843 acres large, is located in the | | | | reading all about these great places, but how will you |
| center of Manhattan, between 5th & 8th Av. and | | | | get there? The best way to travel is in comfort and |
| 59th and 110th St. Its design is an example for city | | | | style. There's no need to go on an hour's search for |
| parks around the world. The park boasts several | | | | a parking space. You'll probably forget where you |
| lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, | | | | parked at the end of the day. Rent a limo bus for as |
| baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. | | | | many people, 14 people at most, for maximum |
| It is also home to the Central Park Zoo and the | | | | enjoyment. The advantages are you will save money |
| Metropolitan museum of Art. Central Park is a | | | | on both parking and gas and time, one of the most |
| welcome oasis in the urban madness. It is beautiful | | | | valuable things when traveling. Time is your key to |
| and mysterious in its own unique way, like us. It has | | | | having for chances to spend with the family or |
| life and personality, built upon the imagination of its | | | | friends. Taking a bus is also recommended. Buy a |
| architects, neighboring residents, and visitors. Frederic | | | | Metro Card for a one day unlimited bus fare. Just |
| Law Olmstead, one of the many architects in the | | | | take a seat aboard an air-conditioned bus, your |
| competition of 1857 to organize a design for Central | | | | escape from the heat, and they'll do the moving for |
| Park, goal was to create a place where people could | | | | you! It's much cheaper than paying $4 for 9/10 of a |
| relax and meditate. He saw the park as a kind of | | | | gallon. You would contributing to the city by reducing |
| social experiment where people from both upper and | | | | traffic and you'll be able to get to where you want |
| lower classes would meet, which was a radical idea at | | | | to get and not worry about getting lost because the |
| the time, and now people from around the world. | | | | driver will take you back to your original destination. |
| Winding pedestrian roads and bicycle trails are | | | | You're in safe hands and company. Since you're |
| separated from main roads and the numerous of | | | | saving money, what can you do with extra cash? |
| trees ensures the city's buildings are hidden from | | | | Hey, stop by a gift shop. Gift shops are everywhere! |
| within the park. The park environment changes colors | | | | You can't miss them! You've got the ups on what's |
| during the seasons and weather and are still full of life | | | | new and cheaper, but equal in quality. You know |
| year-round. Some of the most exciting art exhibitions | | | | where to go to find an ATM, in case you're low on |
| take place this park, like the most recent, Gates | | | | cash. Put on your happy face and make sure you |
| project (February 12-28, 2005), by famous artist | | | | don't forget your best walking shoes because you're |
| Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude. He created a trail | | | | all set to sight-see! No more "I read about this place..." |
| of sculptures, weighing up to more than a ton each, | | | | because you've seen them all. |
| which stretched 23 miles. | | | | |