Looking for dinosaurs, whales, ancient cultures and more? The American Museum of Natural History has you covered for this and so much more on your trip to New York City. While its often overshadowed by the extravagant Metropolitan Museum of Art on the other side …
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With so many places see New York City from above, it can be tough to narrow down where to go to get your skyscraper photos. Personally, I think One World Observatory is the best of the bunch. Located in Lower Manhattan at the site of the World Trade Center (mere steps away from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum), this is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Standing at 104 floors in height, this massive skyscraper was built to replace the Twin Towers that were destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 2001. The tower contains an observatory from which you can take in views of all five of New York boroughs. I really enjoyed heading up the One World Observatory. Hopefully this guide will give you all the details you need to enjoy the experience on your next trip to the Big Apple.
Unlike other famous skyscrapers in New York such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, the One World Trade Center is a relatively recent addition to the Manhattan skyline. Until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers were part of New York’s World Trade Center. In the aftermath of the attacks, plans were made to rebuild the World Trade Center. While numerous plans were submitted, the final project chosen was that of the “Freedom Tower”, designed by architect David Childs. Construction began on the new skyscraper in April 2006, and the 1776 foot tall building (symbolically the year of US independence) was completed on May 10, 2013. A number of offices moved into the premises the following year, however the new World Trade Center was finally opened to the public with the unveiling of the One World Observatory on May 29, 2015.
The tower is often regarded as the spiritual successor to the Twin Towers. Its total footprint is equal to the combined footprint of those towers. Furthermore, the One World Observatory is at the exact same height as the observatories in the old complex (on the tower’s 100th, 101st and 102nd floors). Of course, the One World Trade Center is exceedingly modern and cutting edge in its design. It is estimated to have cost around $3.9 billion to complete. The base of the tower is blast resistant, and all the elevators, stairwells and other key components are encased in thick concrete surroundings. Safety was clearly a priority in the construction of this marvellous structure.
When planning a trip to One World Observatory, there’s two main things to remember. Firstly, check the weather forecast. At 102 floors above the city, you won’t see much on a very overcast or foggy day. I highly recommend planning to go to One World Observatory on the day that is going to have the best weather when you’re in New York. I remember the first time I was supposed to go to the Observatory, you couldn’t even see the top from the ground due to the amount of cloud cover (and snow). Thankfully I was able to reschedule my visit for later in the day when things had cleared up.
Secondly, book your tickets in advance or you’ll be waiting in really long lines before you can even enter the queue to go up the elevator to the Observatory. You can get your tickets on the official website (and take note of the different options). I personally recommend the skip the line ticket, even though it costs a bit more, especially if you’re visiting New York in peak tourist season. You can also choose to visit One World Observatory as part of the New York Sightseeing Pass. I did this and it is is a good option if you plan to see a number of the city’s attractions over the course of your stay. At the time of writing, One World Observatory is not included in the CityPass.
If you have a timed entry ticket, aim to get to One World Observatory at least 15 minutes before your allocated entry slot. Upon arriving at the tower, you’ll need to clear an airport style security check involving metal detector screening. While its definitely the busiest time of day, I highly recommend visiting just before sunset for the most memorable views.
While they’re obviously overshadowed by the views once you get up to the observatory, I was really impressed with the modern exhibits on the ground level that follow the security checkpoint. After passing through the Global Welcome Center (which documents the numbers of people from all over the world that have come to the Observatory), your next stop is the Horizon Grid. This is a 144-screen experience playing a 14 minute short film. Entitled Voices, the mini-documentary includes interviews with people who worked on the One World Trade Center.
From there, you’ll continue into the Foundations Room. This immersive exhibit space recreates the bedrock buried deep below New York City. It actually feels like you’re passing through a cave. While its ultimately a glorified queuing area, at the same time you’ll learn about the geology of the site, along with learning facts about New York through a series of projections.
Finally you’ll come to the elevator that whisks you to the top of the building in a mere 47 seconds. When you step inside the elevator however, you won’t see the urban skyline of modern Manhattan. Instead, you’ll be greeted with views of unsettled forest prior to the city’s development, courtesy of LED technology. As you ascend, you’ll travel through time across 300 years, watching the city grow around you into the concrete jungle we know today. Its really cool! Once your skypod ride ends, you’ll file into the See Forever Theatre. Here, one last short film ends with the screen fading away to reveal your first glimpse of the city from the tower’s 102nd floor.
As you file into the Observatory itself, prepare to be blown away. With glass windows covering every wall in the observatory, you’ll have 360 degree panoramic views of one of the world’s greatest cities from this extremely high vantage point. The main observatory level is on the building’s 100th floor (though its all in one open chamber). On the way down, you’ll pass the restaurants on the 101st floor (there’s one casual cafe and a more formal sit down restaurant and bar where you can enjoy the views over a meal or cocktail).
While you’ll have to deal with glass reflections when taking photos, if you place your phone up against the glass (or as close as possible) you should be able to take pretty good photos from the massive Observatory windows. You can spend as long as you like up here, and I really encourage you to take your time. I actually spent about two hours in the Observatory and it flew by. Visiting at sunset and getting to take in the city both during the day and at night definitely added to the experience.
As you take in the views from the Observatory, make sure you stop by the Sky Portal. This 14 glass floor of the Observatory shows live stream footage of the city directly below. While its obviously a projection (the portal is in the middle of the tower after all), you might forget that as you stand above and look down 100 floors beneath your feet.
You can also learn more about New York during your visit to the Observatory thanks to the excellent City Pulse talks. Conducted regularly by city ambassadors with the assistance a series of flat screen TVs, these short presentations are basically Q&A sessions where you’ll be taught a number of facts about the city that may well enhance your stay. You can check the scheduled times for these talks at the City Pulse stations in the Observatory (or ask a staff member when the next talk is set to begin).
If you want to discover even more about New York on your visit to One World Observatory, you can upgrade your ticket to include the One World Explorer. This is an interactive guide that operates on a tablet and assists in pointing out the various landmarks that you can see across the skyline (including up close helicopter footage). I didn’t personally use the Explorer, but if you’re interested in this, it costs an extra $10.00.
I really enjoyed my visit to One World Observatory. Combining a trip to the top of the tower with the nearby 9/11 Museum is an excellent way to spend an afternoon in Lower Manhattan and I really recommend doing so on a first time visit to New York City. Others will certainly have different opinions, but I think One World offers the best of the best when it comes to observation spaces in New York (though there are a few newer options I haven’t had the chance to visit). The views are outstanding, and there’s nothing like that moment when you first glimpse the panoramic scenes from above. Have you been to One World Observatory? How does it stack up against the famous skyscrapers of Midtown for you? If you haven’t, give it a try on your next trip and let me know what you think!
9/11. The date of September 11, 2001 needs no explanation. Its the date that the world changed. The date that the United States of America saw its worst terrorist attack on domestic soil. Within the space of 24 hours, 2,997 lives were lost in a …
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Madison Square Garden, the “world’s most famous arena”, is the premiere sporting and entertainment arena in New York City. Home to the legendary sports teams: the New York Knicks and Rangers, as well as icons such as Billy Joel, the arena has been renowned as the place to go to show that you’ve really made it. When you visit New York City, you can count on being able to see some kind of event at Madison Square Garden. I’ve been in New York a few times and always try to see a basketball or hockey game in the Garden.
Even if you don’t secure tickets to a game, there’s another way you can get inside the Garden’s hallowed halls. The All Access guided tour takes you throughout the arena and is a must for sports and live entertainment fans. In 60 minutes, you’ll learn tons about the arena’s history and the events that have transpired here and broadcast around the world.
The Madison Square Garden that stands in Pennsylvania Plaza today is actually the fourth building to take that name. The original Garden opened in 1879 at Madison Square (the junction of East 26th Street and Madison Avenue). The second followed suit at the same site in 1890. The third incarnation of the arena opened in 1925 and was located further uptown at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue. Finally, today’s Madison Square Garden opened on February 11, 1968. Its opening was inaugurated by a USO military salute and was presided over by the legendary duo of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
Madison Square Garden was instantly recognisable in the land of entertainment complexes. Even back then, you couldn’t picture the Garden without its iconic circular shape and cable supported ceiling coming to mind. Since its opening, the Garden has seen many a performance. The New York Knicks (basketball) and Rangers (ice hockey) each won their respective championship in the Garden in 1970 and 1994 respectively. Major entertainment phenomena took place, such as the “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, and the very first WrestleMania in 1985. Numerous concerts have also been hosted here, with Billy Joel now playing once a month, becoming the Garden’s record number of performances at 65 in 2015. Even the Pope has made an appearance! The Garden underwent a further renovation in 2013, modernising the historic venue. The venue can hold over 20,000 fans today.
There’s limited availability each day for All Access Tours of Madison Square Garden. You definitely don’t want to just show up at the box office hoping for the best. Book your ticket well in advance to avoid disappointment. You can do this via Ticketmaster, or the links on the official website.
You can also take the tour as part of your New York Sightseeing Pass. This multi-attraction pass will save you money overall if you’re doing a heap of tourist sights in New York, and I highly recommend it. With that said, my understanding is that you can’t prebook a tour slot with the pass and instead have to present it at the MSG Box Office. Obviously you’ll be out of luck if the day’s tours have all sold out, or those that remain don’t fit in with your plans. Personally, I’d just prebook the tour even if you get the Pass – you’ll put your Sightseeing Pass to use elsewhere anyway.
Aim to arrive at the Garden about 15 minutes before your designated tour time. You’ll have to pass security as you enter the venue, but its a quick metal detector process. Once inside, you can browse the merchandise in the MSG Store and check out the “Walk of Fame” tiles paying tribute to Garden legends while you wait for your group to be called. Once the tour begins, you’ll take some photos before following your guide for the next hour. Use the bathroom before the tour starts, as you’ll only be able to go at a designated stop once on the tour.
Tours of Madison Square Garden differ slightly in the order of stops and what you’ll actually see (particularly on game days), but for the most part you’ll the following highlights. You’ll learn about the Garden’s history through exhibits in the concourse, step out into the empty arena at numerous levels, stop by the luxury suites and hopefully even see the locker rooms of the local sports teams. I’ve actually done the tour twice – once when the Garden was set up for a Knicks game, and the other when ice hockey was being played that night. I was surprised to learn that the ice rink always covers the arena floor during hockey season, and can be covered easily by insulated material that sits underneath the basketball court or performance stage. I learnt all this while sitting in the penalty box!
While getting right down on the arena floor was great, it was even cooler to head up to the Chase Bridge. Unlike any arena in the United States, Madison Square Garden has two bridges suspended from its ceiling which provide standing room views from the rafters. The building is designed in such a way that the bridges don’t obstruct any views from the other seats further back – there’s not a bad seat in this house! From the Bridge, you also have the best view of the banners that hang from the rafters celebrating the championship wins and record number of performances at the Mecca of entertainment.
You’ll spend a decent amount of the tour learning about the historic events that have taken place in Madison Square Garden. The redesigned arena concourse showcases this history through the “Garden 366” exhibit. Spanning all the way around the circumference of the atrium, there are decorative plaques commemorating an event that took place in MSG for every single day of the year (dating all the way back to 1879!). Breaking up the timeline are a few larger plaques that focus on major events, and there’s even some interactive panels that play footage from certain events.
The upper concourse featured another historical exhibit, this one loaded with memorabilia from throughout the Garden’s history. You’ll see Elton John’s guitar, seats from the old Garden, and the locker of the legendary Wayne Gretsky, amongst so much more. There’s also interactive mini-games here where you can take virtual shots at goals or defend against legendary hockey players. This all culminates in a virtual reality experience, where you’ll adorn a headset to take a stage side seat for an MSG performance by the legendary Billy Joel!
Your tour of the Garden will also take you into the arena’s version of Celebrity Row – an assortment of luxury suites. Serving premium food, staffed by full service attendants and offering excellent views of the action, up to 24 people can watch a game from these intimate booths – for a hefty price tag of course! You’ll only visit one suite on your tour, but no two are identical, each with their own unique furnishings.
I think the highlight of the tour has to be the Knicks and Rangers dressing rooms. Make sure you’re taking the tour on a day that neither is playing so that you’ll stand the best chance of getting to stop by. They’re right next to each other and are emboldened by the teams logos on the floor (although in the case of the Rangers, their logo was actually covered up – apparently so that nobody stands on it – a major NHL faux pas).
I really enjoyed taking an All-Access Tour of Madison Square Garden. While it probably isn’t for everyone, as a huge fan of sports entertainment, the venue has always held a special place in my heart. Visiting was a must for me when I was in New York, and I was very satisfied with the tour. Both times I’ve taken the tour, the guides were excellent, brimming with knowledge and trivia. If you want to learn more about MSG, I recommend this tour. If you’ve taken it, let me know the most interesting thing you learned about the Garden.
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Like so many of New York’s landmark attractions, Central Park is known across the world. Invariably, its the public park to which those in cities all over the globe are compared. While its not even the largest park in New York City, the central location of this over 300 hectare space makes this picturesque destination the official lung of greenery in the Big Apple. You can easily spend a whole day in Central Park. If you’ve only got a few hours to spare, that’s enough time to see the highlights as well. Visiting the Park is always one of my personal favourite things to do in New York. In this post, I’ll take you on a tour its southern half (its where most of the notable sights are located) so that you can plan your own route through this verdant urban escape.
By the way, did you know that Central Park is bigger than Monaco? Get those walking shoes on!
Central Park may provide an escape into nature within Manhattan’s concrete jungle, but make no mistake about it, the creation of the park involved a huge amount of urban planning and labour. Back in the 19th century, Central Park’s land was filled with pig farms and a garbage dump – a far cry from the incredibly scenic outdoor space that fills its many hectares today. As Manhattan grew rapidly in this time, the population was is desperate need of a recreational space for outdoor activities. New York had been planned out to a tee on the grid system, but there had been no consideration of park space in those plans.
With the site of today’s Central Park chosen by the local authorities to meet the demand, nearly 34,000 lots were cleared out. Approximately 1,600 residents were evicted and communities such as Pigtown and Seneca Village were demolished. The mass transformation campaign commenced in 1858, and lasted some 20 years. Over 20,000 labourers worked on the project as the terrain was converted into the Central Park we know today.
Central Park’s layout was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It included the large fields, wooded areas, water bodies and roads traversing underneath that the iconic Park is now known for. Nowadays, Central Park sees over 42 million visitors annually – I’d say the project was a success!
So, Central Park is big. Like REALLY big! I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never made it all the way to park’s north end. To get the most out of the park, you don’t really need to either. The southern edge of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir basically cleaves the park into two, at 86th Street. Considering the park begins at 59th Street, that’s a solid distance of over 25 Manhattan blocks you’ll cover just getting halfway into Central Park from Midtown.
Needless to say, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Its definitely the best way to see the park. You can take your time, relax on benches and take in the surroundings while exploring. While you should plan out a route that covers the main sights (don’t worry, I’ve got you covered), you don’t have to stick rigidly to it, wandering about as you desire. Another way to see the park is to book a Horse & Carriage Ride, though you will obviously be sticking to the main paved areas. Its also very costly, with 30 minutes setting you back $120.00 USD per carriage. You can also rent bicycles, though you won’t be allowed to ride along pedestrian pathways.
For a first time visitor to New York, I suggest allowing around 2 to 3 hours for Central Park. You’ll be able to cover all the places mentioned in this post within that time without feeling rushed. Bear in mind however that some of New York’s best Museums (such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History) are located within or just beyond the park’s boundaries. I haven’t covered them in this post, but if you want to one of them, you’ll need to set at least a few more hours aside. Personally I like to combine a visit the Met around lunchtime after a morning in Central Park, and the path I propose below will leave you in a perfect spot to do just that.
If you’re wanting to see the highlights of Central Park in a reasonably efficient manner, I’ve put together a recommended path to tackle Central Park. Most visitors will be coming up from Midtown, so you’ll be starting at the park’s southern edge. While there’s quite a few entry points, I recommend starting your tour in the park’s south-eastern corner. Known as Grand Army Plaza, its marked by a bronze sculpture called the Sherman Memorial. The monument depicts Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman on horseback, alongside an allegorical figure of Victory. In the finer details, Sherman’s horse is trampling a Georgia Pine Branch, making it clear that this statue is all about the victory of the Union over the Confederated States in the American Civil War.
Central Park Zoo is relatively small, but I think its worth checking out on your first visit to Central Park. Sure, if you go in expecting the massive zoos you’ll find in many major cities around the world you’ll be disappointed (if thats what you’re after, the Bronx Zoo is your best option in New York), but go in with tempered expectations and I think you’ll enjoy it. For a small zoo, there’s a surprising amount of diversity in species here – ranging from penguins, snow leopards, red pandas and grizzly bears. I particularly enjoyed seeing the incredibly active sea lions in the tank in the centre of the zoo.
You can book your entry tickets on the zoo’s website to avoid having to line up separately on arrival. Once inside, you’ll be able to see the whole of the zoo in about an hour. Considering how much there is to see in New York, I feel thats a decent way to get your fix of animal watching on a trip to the Big Apple. As you leave the zoo, don’t miss the Delacorte Clock outside, which features various animal pieces that circle the clock to familiar tunes on the half hour.
Backtracking slightly from the Zoo’s entrance, if you head slightly west you’ll come to Gapstow Bridge. Standing above the Pond, this is one of the most picturesque bridges in all of the park. Its also one of Central Park’s original 27 bridges (of which 24 still stand today), and was designed by Calvert Vaux. I’m sure you’ll take plenty of photos while hanging around the Pond before continuing deeper into Central Park. Its a really scenic area.
When you’re ready to continue, you’ll want to head north (follow the crowds) to the next destination. Along the way you’ll pass the Wollman Ice Skating Rink (or the Victoria Gardens Amusement Park in the summer months).
The Mall is Central Park’s main thoroughfare. Lined on both sides by massive American Elm Trees, this wide pathway is often filled with artists, souvenir vendors and street buskers. Its an iconic spot that you’ll definitely recognise from films, and is probably one of the most photographed spots in all of New York City. Believe it or not, its also the only straight path in all of Central Park!
One of the coolest parts of the Mall is the Literary Walk. Along the southern stretch of the promenade, you’ll find a collection of six statues, depicting some of the greatest authors in literary history. Think names like Fitz Green-Helleck and Robert Burns. The Literary Walk dates back to 1872, when a committee of actors and theatre managers erected its first statue, that of William Shakespeare himself.
Follow the Mall all the way to its northern end, and you’ll reach Bethesda Terrace. This is the site of the Bethesda Fountain, known for being one of largest fountains in New York. With the Angel of the Waters perched above, the fountain was created by sculptor Emma Stebbins in 1868 and today is a favourite gathering spot for New Yorkers and visitors from abroad.
The tunnel you’ll pass through to reach the fountain has also appeared on many a TV or film screen, often as a site for shady deals between shady figures and the like in crime dramas. You’re much more likely to encounter a choir of street buskers on your visit though. Enjoy their performances to their songs before sitting by the fountain and looking out across the lake. Across the water, the Loeb Boathouse is where you can rent row boats to take out onto the water – well worth considering on a nice, sunny day! The food at its restaurant is pretty great too – crab cakes and cocktails anyone?
Assuming you’ve decided to stick to dry land, you’ll want to follow the path a few minutes west to Cherry Hill. There’s another fountain up here. According to urban legend its THE fountain from the opening of the hit TV show Friends. Its even advertised as such by many tour guides. Spoiler alert: its not the same fountain! But still, stop by and get your photos anyway.
To the north from Cherry Hill is another of Central Park’s beautiful bridges, and this one arguably tops the bunch. Bow Bridge connects across to the northern side of the Lake. It was constructed in 1862 and definitely has something of a classical Victorian design. Don’t cross just yet – otherwise you’ll be doubling back on the way to the next destination. It actually is rather photogenic from a distance anyway! You’ll be able to see its ever so slight slope, which you’ll barely notice when you actually cross.
Heading further west from Cherry Hill is one of my favourite spots in all of Central Park. Strawberry Fields is a tear shaped space of quiet reflection, commemorating and paying tribute to the life of John Lennon of The Beatles. Most people will know that Lennon was murdered near his New York home. The “Imagine” mosaic in Strawberry Fields lies just across the street from where that murder took place. Strawberry Fields was funded by Yoko Ono and takes its name from the Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”.
The Lennon mural in Strawberry Fields is an obvious reference to his famous song “Imagine”. There’s a very high likelihood you’ll witness a busker performing a stirring rendition of the song while you wait to take your photo at the memorial. Strawberry Fields has a different atmosphere to the rest of Central Park. Despite the tragic events that led to Lennon’s death, a sense of positivity and melancholic tranquility can be found by spending some time here before continuing on through the Park.
Heading north to the next stop, you can either walk around the outer perimeter of the Lake, or double back to Cherry Hill and cross Bow Bridge. Doing the latter, you’ll end up in the Ramble, a section of the park filled with narrow, winding paths among forestry, rocks and streams. Its the best place in Central Park to really get the sense of escaping into the wilderness, so I highly recommend passing through here. After getting lost along the way, you’ll reach Belvedere Castle. That’s right – Central Park even has its own little castle. Built in 1869 for decorative purposes, the castle provides views across the park from one of its highest points.
Built in Gothic style, the castle was renovated in the 1980s and today contains a small interpretive centre, providing details on Central Park’s local flora and fauna. If bird-watching is your thing, Belvedere Castle is the place to be, as you can rent Discovery Kits here that provide a guide to all the birdlife you’ll find in the surrounding area.
Not too far from Belvedere Castle, you’ll come across the Shakespeare Garden and Delacorte Theatre. Shakespeare in the Park shows are a New York tradition in the summertime. Famous actors are even known to take the stage. Similar to the Literary Walk, there’s also a number of sculptures in this section of the Park, this time representing iconic Shakespeare plays.
Going further north, you’ll pass the Great Lawn. Situated right at the centre of the park, this sprawling lawn contains baseball fields and grass to relax on.
Further still, your adventure through Central Park will be interrupted by 86th Street. You can cross it over various bridges to reach the southern boundary of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. By far the largest body of water in Central Park (covering almost an eighth of the entire park, its surrounded by a 2.5 kilometre jogging track. The Reservoir was originally designed to supply New York with clean water in the 19th century. Nowadays, it offers a chance to take in the scenery as skyscraper reflections mirror in the vast waterbody.
When you realise how far you’ve walked through Central Park upon reaching the Reservoir, you might be shocked that you’re only halfway through the park. To be honest, I think the Reservoir makes a good point to end your adventure. If you head east you’ll come across the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you’re enjoying the outdoors and have more time to spend in New York, don’t let that stop you from going further though. As I’ve said, I haven’t been any further north than the Reservoir, but if you do want to venture deeper, points of interest might include the Conservatory Garden (a 2.5 hectare quiet retreat filled with apple trees and flowering gardens) and the Blockhouse (a military fortification dating back to 1812). The northern half of Central Park is less touristy, so you’ll find less people around.
Alternatively, you might decide to double back, heading south along the Park’s eastern edge. Going this way you’ll pass the Conservatory Water (where you can watch people sail model boats) as well as popular statues like Alice in Wonderland and everyone’s favourite dog, Balto.
With so much to see, hopefully this guide has given you an idea of where to spend your time in Central Park. While I feel I’ve covered the main destinations, I’m sure there’s areas of the park that I’ve missed (or haven’t even heard of). If you know of any hidden gems, definitely let me know!
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