New York is probably one of the most famous cities in the world. There have been movies, songs, and TV shows made about this magical city which is also known as the Big Apple. New York has been called the city that never sleeps and the city of dreams for all the opportunities that abound there.
While the nightlife, the food, and the people are enough reasons to visit New York, did you know that it is also filled with historical sites as well? That’s right, New York City, the pinnacle of modernity, also has places of historical and cultural interest that you shouldn’t miss out on while hopping from one shopping destination to another.
Let’s take a look at where you can go!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most prestigious modern art museums in the world. Also known as ‘the Met,’ it hosts one of the most talked-about fashion events globally – the Met Gala. It contains over 2 million works of art and culture, including paintings, sculptures, ceremonial dresses, and more.
The Met also preserves an extensive collection of Islamic, Asian, Oceanian, African, and Byzantine art if you’re interested in global cultures. For those interested in music, you can browse through the museum’s collections of ancient musical instruments and trace how music developed in different parts of the world.
Grand Central Terminal
If you have kids with you, why not try and make this an educational trip by visiting the Grand Central Terminal and teaching them about the history of the American railroads? Opened in 1871 as the Grand Central Depot, it is an excellent subject for kids to write homework assignments about if they can choose their assignments for summer or winter break. Homeworkmarket is a great choice if you want to get an idea of how they can approach the topic.
The Grand Central Terminal was designed and constructed jointly by the architectural firms of Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore. It was designed to show off the majesty and magnificence of the American railways. If you want to take great photographs of this gorgeous display, you can look up train schedules and go at quieter times.
Central Park
Anyone familiar with the iconic TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S will instantly recognize Central Park, one alphabet away from the coffee shop the protagonists would hang out in. Covering 843 acres, it is also the most filmed location in the world. So if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some celebrities here too! Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready as you take in the sights.
You can enjoy Central Park at any time of the day. So if you’re going for a day packed with sightseeing, this could be an excellent place to grab a bite to eat and relax during the afternoon. You can also walk around and cat the many landscapes in the park or spot how many birds and wildlife you can see during your time here. This is an excellent location for both birding and photography.
Statue of Liberty
If there is one symbol everyone thinks of when you say “America,” the Statue of Liberty would be the most common answer. Gifted to us by the French in 1886, it was declared a National Monument in 1924. A fun fact about the statue is that it is made entirely of copper. As copper ages, it erodes to a green color.
This is what gives the statue its characteristic hue! Many are surprised as they think it is made of stone. However, if you look at older colored pictures of the statue, you will find the change in color to be more stark and unfamiliar. The statue is one of the most visited places in the world, so remember to go early if you want to avoid crowds.
9/11 Memorial
New York cannot be mentioned without talking about the horrific terrorist attack that decimated the Twin Towers. In their place, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum stands as a grim reminder of the events of the past and the need for constant security as we move into the future.
Here, you can find the names of those lost in the attacks and during rescue operations as well. The price of admission is $28, and you can avail of guided tours in different languages to show you around the place. Because it gets very crowded, it is best to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds.