Battery Park
At the edge of Manhattan sits Battery Park. From here you can see the Statue of Liberty and board the ferries to Ellis Island or Liberty Island, and the park itself offers many sights. The park is framed by two substantial memorials. The first is the Castle Clinton National Monument, New York's only fort, which offers exhibits about the building's history. The other end of the park is home to the Garden of Remembrance, which displays a wide array of perennials, with a new flower being introduced every year, in memory of those lost on 9/11 and as a testament to the survivors. The park is one of the oldest public areas in New York, and was once home to Dutch settlers. It is now a 25-acre space crisscrossed with trails that welcome walkers, cyclists, and skaters. It is dotted with various memorials, including the New York Korean War Veterans Memorial, a Coast Guard memorial, and a statue dedicated to the many immigrants that came through Castle Clinton.
The Battery Conservancy
1 New York Plaza, NY, NY 10004
(212) 344-3491
www.thebattery.org
Grand Central Station
Featured in numerous television shows and movies about Manhattan, Grand Central Station is still the beating heart of this huge city, as commuters come in from out of town, visitors head out to the boroughs, and residents go about their business. Finished in 1913, the building was extensively renovated in the 1990s and is as glorious as it ever was. The ceiling of the main terminal is decorated with an astronomical mural painted by Paul Helleu. The station itself is not only a busy transit station, but also a popular New York shopping destination, featuring many stores and restaurants.
Grand Central Station
110 E. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10017
Grand Central Tour Line
(212) 340-2345
grandcentralterminal.com
St. Patrick's Cathedral
The largest neo-gothic-style cathedral in the United States, St. Patrick's Cathedral is a New York City icon. The centerpiece of New York's massive annual St. Patrick's Day parade, as well as the heart of Catholic New York, this church is not only an amazing accomplishment in architecture and design, but a place of quiet and tranquility in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world. Even for those who are not religious, the cathedral features excellent examples of stained glass, statuary and sculpture. Throughout the year the cathedral offers services and concerts including choir and organ recitals. Small groups may schedule a tour of the cathedral, which is led by a knowledgeable member of the church's staff and includes areas not accessible to the general public.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
460 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022-6863
(212) 753-2261
www.saintpatrickscathedral.org
Big Onion Walking Tours
There's no better way to get to know a city than by foot, but with a city as big as New York, that can be a little intimidating. Get familiar with New York by taking one, or even a few, guided walking tours. Big Onion tours specialize in historic New York, and they offer a wide selection of tours that address many historic areas, including the immigrant experience, the gangs of early New York, Gay and Lesbian history, and New York during the Revolutionary war. Your well-informed guide brings New York's extensive past to life through historical sites and anecdotes as you get to know this amazing city.
Big Onion Walking Tours
476 13th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(212) 439-1090
bigonion.com
