Sights and Sounds of New York City

There is undoubtedly no other city as iconic as New York City, whose five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island are rich in history, character, and culture; forever immortalized in numerous movies, TV shows, stories, and songs.

Originally a Dutch colony settled in 1624 named New Amsterdam, New York City has grown to become what is is now: the most populous and visited city in the US, home to the United Nations and the Statue of Liberty, the fashion, media, and financial capital of the world, the very symbol itself of the great United States of America.

And it is said that in New York City, even buildings, squares, and streets are world famous.
Here are some of NYC's most famous tourist locations: Part Two

For Part One, you may go here.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza

The Top of the Rock Observation Deck offers unobstructed views of the entirety of New York City including the Empire State Building; making this the best place to view NYC's legendary skyline.

A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

The entire observation deck spans three levels at 850 feet high and is inspired by the decks of an ocean liner.

Several floors down on the building's 65th floor is the celebrated Rainbow Room. Opened in 1934, it was one of the first rooftop dining venues in the U.S.

The building itself is also the home of NBC Studios, where shows like SNL, The Tonight Show, and Late Night, have been broadcasting for nearly a century.

Radio City Music Hall

Opened in 1932, Radio City was dubbed the "Showplace of the Nation", boasts the largest indoor theater auditorium in the world, and remains home to the Rockettes and their iconic high-kicks.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

In our lifetime, no event had as much impact to the trajectory of human civilization as the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Over two decades later, its ramifications are still very much felt; contributing to continuing challenges to world stability and peace.

To commemorate the memory of the Twin Towers, two reflecting pools were built on the original footprints of the buildings and feature the names of all 2,977 victims of the 2001 attacks.

The 9/11 Museum includes artifacts such as a mangled FDNY fire truck, twisted steel beams, and the “Last Column” covered in tributes.

The museum extends 70 feet below ground, tracing the foundations of the original towers.

One World Trade Center (previously known as the Freedom Tower) now stands proudly; the tallest building in the US and entire western hemisphere.

St. Paul's Chapel

Built in 1766, St. Paul's is the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan; so revered that George Washington himself worshipped here after his presidential inauguration in 1789.

The churchyard includes historic graves dating back to the 18th century.

Miraculously, it survived the collapse of the Twin Towers just across the street in 2001, becoming a sanctuary for first responders and volunteers. Today, memorials and tributes to the heroes of 9/11 adorn the chapel.

Wall Street and the Charging Bull Sculpture

Arguably the heart of the global financial world, Wall Street gets its name from a 17th-century wall built by Dutch settlers to keep out British forces and pirates. Several titans of capitalism such as JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York call the street home.

While one cannot enter the shrines to commerce situated in the area, one can take photos with the Charging Bull sculpture, symbol of American resilience after the infamous stock market crash of 1987.

Trinity Church

Trinity once had the tallest building in New York, its spire visible from ships approaching the harbor.

Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton, his wife Eliza, and son Philip are buried here.

It's an iconic symbol of faith, finance, and colonial-era history, standing at the base of Wall Street.

New York Public Library

The main branch is officially named the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building and opened in 1911. Its lion statues, Patience and Fortitude, are NYC icons; named by Mayor LaGuardia during the Great Depression.

Inside, the Rose Main Reading Room spans almost the length of a football field and is topped with massive chandeliers and murals of the sky.

Gotta love Manhattan's grid system! Finding a spot is as easy as counting up or down.

For some interesting trivia, Bryant Park, one of New York's most vibrant public parks, actually sits atop the library’s underground stacks, where over 3 million books are stored!

Saint Thomas Church on 5th Avenue

A relatively hidden gem along 5th Avenue, is the stunning Gothic Revival church of Saint Thomas.

Apart from the magnificent "Reredos", the detailed sculpture wall behind the altar, the church is known for its world-class school choir.

Madison Square Garden

Often called “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden is home to the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and countless historic concerts and events.

Fans of the WWE (myself included) also revere the arena for being the mecca of professional wrestling.

New York Subway

Opened in 1904, the NYC subway is one of the largest and oldest systems in the world. It runs 24/7, making it one of the few subways on Earth that never stops.

The system has over 470 stations; more than any other city in the world.

Times Square at Night

It's not enough to see Times Square in the day, one HAS to see it at night! Times Square’s glow is so bright it’s actually visible from space.

The world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop tradition began here in 1907 and continues to draw crowds and global TV audiences.