Ground
Zero
Where the World Trade Center stood before 9/11/01 is now
ground zero. The Rescue and clean up operations are now
over. And the Viewing Platform now located at Liberty Street
is freely accessible.
Debate is still on about what will be built on this land.
Whatever the outcome of this debate Ground Zero will always
evoke new perspectives for coming to terms with our world.
Empire
State Building
The empire state building located in the heart of Manhattan,
at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street is by far the biggest
attraction in NY. Admission charges are $10 for adults.
Hour of admittance are 10 am to midnight on weekdays and
9:30am to midnight on weekends. In either case the last
elevators going to the top is at 11:15pm, after that you
can only hang around in the galleries or head back down
and out.
This
premier office building is 1,453 feet, 8 9/16 inches from
the base to the top of the lightning rod, that’s
more than a quarter of a mile up in the atmosphere! It
has 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor!
The Viewing Gallery on the 86th floor was opened in 1931
and has attracted over 110 million people to date, that
translates to 3.6 million people a year, which means almost
10000 people every day. The observatory is handicap accessible.
Apart
from the great views from the 86th floor the Empire State
building offers two restaurants, a sushi bar, three coffee
shops, a drug store, a Hallmark card shop, a post office
and two banks.
Another
side attractions here include the ‘New York Skyride’
a simulated helicopter ride and virtual-reality movie
theater, concerts and art exhibits in the lobby, seasonal
shows, and special annual events such as ‘The Valentine's
Day Weddings’ and ‘The ESB Run-up’ and
the ‘Boys and Girls Scout Camp-outs’. 
Statue
of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is located in New York Harbor. Ferry
charges are $10 for adults, and payment is by cash only.
Hours of admission are 8:30am to 4:00pm.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship
from the people of France to the people of the United
States. She has stood there in the harbor bearing the
Torch of knowledge ever since the statue was dedicated
on October 28, 1886. The Statue was extensively restored
before the centennial celebrations on July 4, 1986. The
Official title of the statue is ‘Liberty Enlightening
the World’. The Sculptor was Auguste Bartholdi a
Quartermaster to a force to 5000 soldiers. The Structural
engineer of this gigantic sculpture was none other than
Gustave Eiffel. She stands 151 feet above New York Harbor.
To get an idea of the humongous proportions, check out
her shoe size – 879 US Women's Shoe Size.
Ellis
Island Ferry leaves every 30 minutes to the foot of Liberty
Island. From her feet 354 steps of the narrow winding
staircase lead to the observation galleries on top. For
those who cannot climb to the top, the view of Madame
Liberty from Ferry itself is well worth the time &
money spent.
Intrepid
Sea-Air-Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum is located at Pier 86
- Hudson River at 46th Street. Admission rates are $13
for adults, and hours of admission are 10am to 5pm, Mon-Fri
and 10am to 7pm Sat-Sun & Holidays from Apr 1 - Sept
30. From Oct 1 - Mar 31 the timing change to 10am to 5pm
Tue-Sun.
The
USS Intrepid started its life as an aircraft carrier,
while its brethren were laid to rest at various places
undersea or were otherwise indisposed, this one reincarnated
as the largest museum devoted to the armed forces and
the space program. U.S.S. Edson, a destroyer and the U.S.S.
Growler, a submarine capable of launching guided nuclear
cruise missiles, accompany USS Intrepid in the new avatar.
The
Museum’s collection includes many exhibits ranging
from actual artifacts of historical significance to installations
about current events. Also on offer for the visitor are
Navy Flight Simulators and the A-6 Cockpit Simulator.
And an “Acoustiguide Audio Tour” comes free
with the admission fees. The audio tour covers the history
of the Intrepid and the many of the permanent exhibits,
including the military aircraft displayed on the flight
deck.
South
Street Seaport
The South Street Seaport Museum is located at 12-14 Fulton
Street between Water street & South Street. This is
a historic district that houses a “festival marketplace”,
with many restaurants among other things. The area is
walking distance from most of Manhattans attractions,
including the Liberty / Ellis Island Ferry disembarking
point.
Museum Admission is $6 for adults and it is open from
daily from 10 am to 6 pm from April 1- Sept. 30, and from
10 am to 5 pm from Oct.1- Mar. 31.
The
Museum has the nation’s largest fleet of privately
maintained historic vessels, representing the 19th and
early 20th century. The museum vessels are of three types:
“Stationary Vessels” that are permanently moored
at the museum pier and are open for public visitation;
“Training Vessels” that are used for sail training,
public sails and charter; and “Workhorses” used
by Museum staff and crew to maintain piers and move equipment.
In early 2003 the museum plans to open a new permanent
exhibit at historical buildings on Fulton Street - Schermerhorn
Row and A. A. Low Building, which are currently being
carefully renovated. Once completed the museum’s
core exhibit will be in this 30,000-square-foot space
comprising some 24 separate galleries.
Founded
in 1967, the stated objective if South Street Seaport
Museum is to interpret the history of New York as a world
port, highlighting the South Street area and the contribution
of maritime enterprise to the economic, social and cultural
heritage of New York City, New York State and the United
States. The Museum get about 12 million visitors annually,
making it the third largest attraction in New York City.
