New York City is the world's most diverse and intriguing city! Experience the incredible architecture, including some of the world's best-known buildings such as the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building. Manhattan's fashionable chic Chelsea district is 0.99 mi/1.59 km from center and the heart of New York City, about ten miles from La Guardia Airport. The area is known for its galleries, eclectic nightlife, and outstanding restaurants. This superb Manhattan location is ideal for both the business and leisure traveler. The hotel is easily accessible from Penn Station, Times Square, and the Theatre and Garment Districts. The Toy Building, Hewlett Packard, The Flatiron Building, Sony, and Verizon are all nearby as well. Local attractions all less than ten blocks away include the following: Empire State Building: 
Admission: Tower admission $16; over 61, military with ID and ages 12-17, $14; ages 6-11, $10. Multilingual audiotape $6. Lobby exhibits free. Hours: Observation tower open daily 8 a.m.-midnight. Last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing. Note: Visitors may encounter long lines and can expect to wait up to 3 hours. Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave. at 34th St. (S: 33rd St., 34th St. Herald Sq.), is one of the world's tallest office buildings. The Art Deco building, soaring 1,454 feet, has 2 million square feet of office space. Elevators run to the observatory on the 86th floor (1,050 feet), where visitors can see approximately 50 miles. Another elevator rises to the circular glass-enclosed observation tower on the 102nd floor (1,250 feet). Completed in 1931, the building is made of Indiana limestone and granite trimmed with sparkling stainless steel. The lobby features marble imported from Belgium, France, Germany and Italy as well as eight original art works depicting the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the Eighth Wonder of the Modern World—the Empire State Building. The top 30 floors of the building are lit year-round from dusk to midnight with changing colors throughout the year. It is currently the tallest tower in New York and the 2nd tallest building in the United States. A grandiose lobby galvanized with marble, granite, nickel and limestone is just the start of this amazing building. With 22 miles of telephone wire and enough elevator cable to stretch from Manhattan to Baltimore, one is marveled by the building’s size, height, and history. The history of the building is a wonder in itself. During the great depression, it was decided to build the Empire State Building in an attempt to create jobs and cause a catalyst for the American economy. It turns out they needed 7 million man hours for construction to complete the project. The most amazing fact is the time in which it took to complete Gotham City’s new tallest tower. In just 18 fast-tracked months, the Empire State building was completed. By comparison, the new World Trade Center/Freedom Tower with 110 floors will take 5 years to complete. Construction on The Empire State Building was around the clock 24 hours a day. They opted to fast-track the building’s construction because they really wanted to prove to the world that the American workforce and spirit was strong and citizens should not give up hope on America. After it was completed, critics argued that the building was not structurally sound enough to occupy. Thus, when it was completed in 1931 the occupancy rate was a meager 20%. There is a lot more history about the Empire State Building. The line to go to the popular observatory on the 86th floor can be as long as 2 hours to get in. With this in mind, we have discovered that the best time to go to the observatory is around 8:30pm in the evening, and you should purchase your tickets in advance. 
Madison Square Park: We have a fabulous view of the Empire State Building here. Madison Square Park boasts one of the most impressive collections of historic buildings from the 19th century, a true reflection of New York’s “Gilded Age" | 
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named after President James Madison (1809-1817), this park was officially designed as a public space in 1847. At that time, the area was mostly residential, but from 1859 onwards, the area soon became the hub of New York’s “social scene” with the opening of the nearby Fifth Avenue Hotel.
The park boasts a rather eclectic collection of statues, including Senator Roscoe Conkling, who froze to death during the great blizzard of 1888, the Civil War admiral David Farragut, former President Chester A. Arthur (who succeeded the assassinated President James A. Garfield, and thus became the first president since George Washington to take the oath of office in NYC), and the William H. Seward monument, (former New York Governor and Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of State). Between 1876-1882, the right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty was displayed in the park to raise funds for the construction of the as-yet-unrealized pedestal. And as if that were not enough, many believe that Madison Square Park is the birthplace of baseball since Alexander Cartwright formed what is believed to be the first baseball club, the New York Knickerbockers, in 1845.
By the turn of the 19th century, the shift had swung to office locations and many insurance companies decided to settle here and have remained to this day.
The Metropolitan Life Tower was completed in 1909. It was added to the original 1893 headquarters and its design was based on the campanile at St. Mark’s Square in Venice. Topping out at 51 stories, it held the title of world’s tallest until the completion of the Woolworth Building in 1913.
In a bid to regain the title, another Metropolitan Life Building was planned. Known as the North Tower, this massive Art Deco tower, which resembles a fortress, was originally intended to soar to a height of 100 stories, Unfortunately, work came to a halt in 1932 when the Great Depression intervened and the building reached a height of only 29 stories before the work was halted, never to be completed. The fact that this building has 30 elevator banks serves as a constant reminder of those grandiose plans.
At the corner of Madison Avenue and 26th Street stands yet another imposing structure, the New York Life Insurance Company. Built on the site of the first two Madison Square Gardens (yes, two versions were built on this site). New York Life is easily recognizable by its octagonal gilded spire, which has become the very symbol of the company. Erected in 1928, this building was designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert.
And probably the most famous building of this grouping would undoubtedly be the Flattiron Building (originally The Fuller Building), New York’s oldest skyscraper. Due to its distinctive shape, it remains one of the most photographed buildings in New York. Times Square: Times Square is about 17 blocks from the hotel. Most people assume that the heart of the city -- Times Square is actually a square, but it's not. It's more of a triangle or a mere intersection of major streets. Broadway and 7th Avenue cross at 42nd street, creating the busiest area in New York City.
Times Square got its name because the New York Times building was built there, long before it became a showcase for neon lights and digital big-screen technology. The New York Times moved away, but the name stuck. The tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square was also started by the New York Times, when it began putting on an annual fireworks display in the area. Now, more than one million people gather every year on New Year's Eve to celebrate the beginning of a new year in New York City.
Just west of Times Square on 42nd Street are the major Broadway theaters. We can purchase Broadway show tickets at the TKTS booth at South Street Seaport without having to wait in the lengthy Times Square line. 
New York City at Night in Time Square Broadway Theater District: Broadway Theater District is along Broadway and Seventh Ave. between 41st and 53rd sts. Oscar Hammerstein shaped the future of The Great White Way in 1895 with a first-class entertainment palace featuring three theaters and a rooftop garden. By 1915 there were some 40 theaters lighting up Broadway. During the Great Depression the number declined to less than 10, and although Broadway never went completely dark, the glitzy Times Square neighborhood faded as adult movie houses, seedy entertainment and crime took hold. Reclamation efforts begun in the late 1970s brought Times Square and The Great White Way full circle. Theater restoration and commercial development have contributed to Broadway's resurgence, and once again there are nearly 40 venues offering Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Among the restored historical theaters are the New Victory, built in 1900; the 1902 New Amsterdam, now owned by the Disney organization; the 1907 Belasco; and the Booth, Palace and Schubert, all built in 1913. Walk off Broadway onto Wall Street and see the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. |

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where George Washington was inaugurated. This brisk walk down to Wall Street takes only 10 minutes. After walking down the now "pedestrian only" street that Wall Street has become since 9/11, we come upon Federal Hall National Memorial at It is at Wall and Nassau sts. (S: Wall St., Rector St.), built in 1842 and is on the site of the first U.S. Capitol. The museum contains material pertaining to George Washington's inauguration as first President on April 30, 1789, the Bill of Rights and old Federal Hall. Special events and programs also are available. Note: The building is closed for renovations through June; phone ahead to verify opening. The exact location is marked by Washington's statue. From here we get an excellent view of the New York Stock Exchange. Located on Broad Street. However we get a splendid view of the magnificent Corinthian columns and sculpted figures on the pediment symbolizing Commerce. The New York Stock Exchange was founded in 1792 when 24 New York City stockbrokers and merchants signed the Buttonwood Agreement under a buttonwood tree. Since then, the NYSE has grown to become the global marketplace it is today.
From the NYSE, we walk back to Broadway and stroll down to the famous Wall Street Bull, one of the best photo opportunities in the area. Created by then-unknown sculptor Arturo Di Modica, this Wall Street fixture since 1989 features a 7,000 pound bronze rendition of a charging bull with flaring nostrils that are rubbed for good luck by many traders each morning. The sculpture was inspired by the 1987 stock market crash, when Di Modica sold his farm in Sicily to help fund his project. "Charging Bull" arrived in front of the Stock Exchange in the dead of night on December 15, 1989 when there were no authorities nearby. Since there was no permit, it was removed by the police. So great was public support for this endeavor that on December 20, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation arranged for the piece to have a new stomping ground at its current location at Bowling Green, the city's oldest park. Statue of Liberty: 
Aboard the Staten Island Ferry to see remarkable close up views of the Statue of Liberty. Currently, it is not recommended going to the Statue of Liberty until the crown is reopened for passenger access and viewing. The current airport-like security line is very long and can take up to 90 minutes before you board the ferry to go to Liberty Island. The Staten Island ferry takes only one hour to complete and there is always plenty of room. With the crown closed, the only attraction at the Statue of Liberty is the museum which takes about 15 minutes to complete. Here is some history of the Statue of Liberty: Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of freedom in the world. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924. The Statue was extensively restored in time for her one-hundred year anniversary on July 4, 1986. The Statue of Liberty is the most visited tourist attraction in New York City. It is also the 2nd most photographed landmark in the United States behind the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Many people ask if they can go up the Statue. Unfortunately, both the crown and the torch are closed off to the public. In fact, the torch was closed in 1916 due to structural issues that arose after a bomb went off at nearby Black Tom Wharf during World War I. Until September 11, 2001, visitors could climb to the observatory in the statue's crown. Since the statue was reopened in December of 2001, the crown has remained closed due to security concerns. Tourists may climb to the top of the pedestal (approximately 10 stories) and enjoy the view from there. With this in mind, it makes one wonder why go to Liberty Island at all? You can go inside the base of the Statue of Liberty, but there is nothing more to do or see other than a close-up picture with the family. 
Ground Zero: 
Truly replacing the World Trade Center would be impossible, but New York City is working on plans to build a single tower on the site the twin towers occupied until September 11, 2001. The original Freedom Tower and Memory Foundations complex plan has been abandoned, and new plans are in the works. It is expected that a single tower will be built at the site, and that it will be the tallest building in the world when it is completed. The tower and mast are expected to reach an astonishing 1776 feet (541 meters) into the sky. The height of 1776 feet was chosen as a reference to the year of American independence. The decision of how to rebuild the World Trade Center has been a difficult one in light of political and security concerns. Visitors to New York City can tour the World Trade Center site and see the early preparations being made for this monumental project. Your New York Party Shuttle tour guide will walk you over to the site and will show you artist renderings of the proposed tower. Each of the original WTC towers had 110 stories. The heights of the towers were 1368 feet (417 meters) (tower one, the North Tower with a broadcast antenna on top) and 1362 feet (415 meters) (tower two, the South Tower with the observation deck). When the towers were completed in 1972 (tower one) and 1973 (tower two) they were the tallest buildings on earth, 100 feet (30 meters) taller than the Empire State Building. The World Trade Center was the tallest building in the world for only a brief time, however. Before the second tower was completed in 1973, work had already begun on the Sears Tower in Chicago, which would ultimately climb to 1,450 feet (442 meters). Now that the World Trade Center is gone, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York. Before September 11, the World Trade Center towers were the fourth and fifth tallest buildings on Earth, and they remain the sixth tallest buildings ever built by man. Broadway: Broadway is a symbol of American Theatre and World Class Entertainment. This famous street which stretches from W. 41st to W. 53rd street, is home to a variety of Theatres and Playhouses including: the Marquis, the Palace, Winter Garden, and of course, the Broadway theatre itself. NP will experience the sights and sounds of the seasons brightest plays and musicals. Enjoy old time classics such as Andrew Llyod Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as new hits and revivals such as Wicked or The Producers (with Matthew Broderick & Nathan Lane). 5th Avenue Shopping: Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous streets of New York . It is also the most expensive shopping experience. Fifth Avenue is where you can find the most famous designers such as: Gucci, Chanel, Ferragamo, Coach, Luis Vuitton, Fendi, Armani, Vera Wang. and the list goes on. It is one of the places where you can observe the richest and the chicest people and celebrities go about their daily routine. In the late 19th century and early 20 th century, Fifth Avenue was the most desirable place to live. The invasion of retail has changed it. Waldorf-Astoria first moved in followed by many different service buildings and shopping centers. It used to be all upscale stores but now parts of the avenue have lost its glamour by electronic stores that invaded the areas. Other than some of its areas, Fifth Avenue is still home to the chicest boutiques and several luxurious apartments. Fifth Avenue is also a prime route for annual ethnic parades, and the famous St. Patrick's Day Parade. The best time to visit NYC is on the holidays. Stores compete for the best window displays during the Christmas season. It's the best time to take a stroll down Fifth Avenue and watch the window displays with a cup of hot cocoa along with your loved ones. Rockefeller Center: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10020 USA | Phone: (212) 632-3975 Rockefeller Center, Fifth Ave. to Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Ave.) and 48th to 51st sts. (S: 47th St./50th St., 49th St., 50th St., 51st St.), is a model of urban planning and design, housing 24 acres of underground shops and restaurants. A self-guiding tour brochure is available at the information desk. |
Central Park:
Admission: Park and visitor center free. Zoo and wildlife conservation center $6; over 64, $1.25; ages 3-12, $1 Hours: Park open daily 6 a.m.-1 a.m. Visitor center Tues.-Sun. 10-5. Zoo and wildlife conservation center Mon.-Fri. 10-5, Sat.-Sun. 10-5:30. Guided park walking tours are generally given Wed. and Fri.-Sun.; schedule varies. Note: Visit the park during daylight hours only
Nestled in the heart of “The City That Never Sleeps”, is one of the largest Urban Parks in the World: Central Park, extending from 59th to 110th sts. and from Fifth Ave. to Central Park W., was designed as a refuge for New York City residents by architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The park contains 843 acres of wooded and landscaped grounds with gardens, lakes, ice-skating rinks, a swimming pool and a carousel.The Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Center, a World Class Zoo, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, displays wildlife in naturalistic surroundings. The formal, 6-acre Conservatory Garden, 105th Street and Fifth Avenue, contains English, French and Italian landscape styles. The Conservatory Water, near 74th Street and Fifth Avenue, is a model boat pond. Belvedere Castle, a Victorian folly constructed in 1872, now houses the Henry Luce Nature Observatory, which features exhibits about the park's ecosystems and wildlife. A park visitor center at 65th Street is in a restored dairy building that served as a 19th-century refreshment center; it contains an interactive information kiosk and has maps, brochures and guides for sale. Cleopatra's Needle, an Egyptian obelisk at E. 81st Street, was presented to the United States by the Khedive of Egypt in 1881. Among the park's other attractions are free Shakespearean plays presented at the Delacorte Theater during the summer. Narrated buggy rides offering an overview of the park and the surrounding area are available year-round. Horse-drawn hansom cabs are for hire at the Plaza entrance on Central Park South. The 2.5-acre Strawberry Fields honors John Lennon. Recreational opportunities exist for skating, bicycling, boating, tennis, horseback riding and catch-and-release fishing. Picnicking is permitted. Food is available. Metroprolitan Museum of Art: 1000 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10028 USA | | Phone: (212) 535-7710 |
Admission: Admission $15; over 64, $10; students with ID $7, under 12 free. Admission includes The Cloisters in Upper Manhattan. Hours: Tues.-Sun. and Mon. holidays 9:30-5:30 (also Fri.-Sat. 5:30-9), closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25 Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd St. (S: 86th St./Lexington Ave.), is one of the great museums of the world. Among the collections are Egyptian, Greek and Roman art; Near Eastern art and antiquities; European and Oriental paintings and sculpture; arms and armor; musical instruments; arts from Africa, Oceania and the Americas; modern art; ancient glass; and European and American decorative arts.The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden provides a vantage point overlooking Central Park and features modern sculpture such as “The Burghers of Calais” by Auguste Rodin. Allow 3 hours minimum. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: 
1071 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10029 USA | Phone: (212) 423-3500 Admission: Admission $18, over 64 and students with ID $15, under 12 free with an adult, by donations Fri. 6-8
| Hours: Sat.-Wed. 10-5:45, Fri. 10-8; closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St. (S: 86th St./Lexington Ave.), was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The domed circular section of the building creates an interesting visual effect; paintings are hung along the spiraled walkway. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum exhibits late 19th- and early 20th-century and contemporary paintings and sculpture. Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum. United Nations Headquarters: United Nations Headquarters, on First Ave. between 42nd and 48th sts. (S: Grand Central/42nd St.), is along the East River. The visitors entrance is at First Ave. and 46th St. The complex consists of the majestic Secretariat Building, the domed General Assembly Building, the Conference Building and the Hammarskjold Library. Each building was designed and decorated by celebrated architects and artisans. |
Admission: Tour $11.50; over 61, $8.50; students with ID $7.50; ages 5-14, $6.50. Under 5 are not permitted on tour
| | Hours: Tours lasting 1 hour depart from the public lobby every 30 minutes Mon.-Fri. 9:30-4:45, Sat.-Sun. 10-4:30, Mar.-Dec.; Mon.-Fri. 9:30-4:45, rest of year. Closed major holidays and the last week in Dec. |
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China Town: near Chatham Sq., w. of the Bowery (S: Canal St.) New York, NY 10003 Chinatown includes Mott, Pell and Doyers streets. Chinese restaurants and shops line these streets, and vendors crowd the busy sidewalks. Mott Street is home to Church of the Transfiguration, one of the oldest churches in Lower Manhattan. Fish and vegetable markets near Mott and Grand streets sell the freshest ingredients available, while Asian grocery stores stock imported cooking condiments. Chinese tea houses and the area's first dim sum restaurant can be found along Doyers Street. Locals congregate daily for conversation, relaxation and recreational activities in Columbus Park, which borders legendary Five Points. Memorials in Chatham Square honor Chinese-Americans who participated in World War II as well as Chinese notable Lin Ze Xu. New York's Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese-American communities in the United States. Museum of Modern Art: 11 W. 53rd St. New York, NY 10019 USA | Phone: (212) 708-9400 Admission: Admission $20; over 64, $16; students with ID $12; under 17 free with an adult; free to all Fri. 4-8 Hours: Wed.-Mon. 10:30-5:30 (also Fri. 5:30-8); closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. Film schedule varies The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 11 W. 53rd St. (S: Fifth Ave./53rd St.), offers a survey of 20th-century paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and plans, design objects, films and videotapes. Classic, artistic or documentary movies are shown. Food is available. Allow 2 hours, 30 minutes minimum. Columbia University: Columbia University is in Morningside Heights, between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. and 114th and 120th sts. (S: 116th St.). Founded in 1754 as King's College, it includes Columbia College, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and several graduate and professional schools. The university is affiliated with Teachers College and Barnard College for women. Admission is free. Hours: Guided tours are given Mon.-Fri. at 11 and 2 |
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 62nd to 66th sts. between Columbus and Amsterdam aves. (S: 66th St./Broadway), is a 14-acre complex of educational and artistic institutions. The buildings were designed by some of the nation's finest architects. Admission: Tour fee $12.50; over 64 and students with ID $9; ages 6-12, $6. Guided 1-hour tours are limited to 19 persons per tour. Reservations are recommended
| Hours: Tours leave the center concourse daily at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30; closed Jan. 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25 Dahesh Museum of Art: Admission: Admission $10; over 61, $8; students with ID $6, under 12 free Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11-6; closed holidays Dahesh Museum of Art, 580 Madison Ave. between 56th and 57th sts., exhibits and interprets 19th- and early 20th-century works by academically trained European artists whose art embraced classical ideals of beauty, humanism and skill. The collection includes paintings, drawings, watercolors, sculptures and prints representing the main academic categories: history paintings, landscapes, portraiture, still lifes, genre scenes, animal depictions and orientalism
| Does Nice_Partner miss any important places of New York? Any suggestions for NP to better enjoy and tour New York? Please advise and thank you!
 Reference: New York Party Shuttle Tours and AAA |