Chinatown

One of the North America's largest chinatowns, New York City's unique ethnic neighborhood was founded in the 1870s by the Chinese immigrants who decided to call the burgeoning city their new home.

About Chinatown

Located in the lower portion of Manhattan, not far from other famous neighborhoods like Tribeca, Soho, and the Lower East Side,

Chinatown is both quirky and charming, boasting all sorts of ethnic delights from authentic Chinese restaurants to unique art and handicrafts to peddlers selling ancient Chinese herbs.

Exploring the area on foot is a must as many of the wonderful places that deserve a visit are merely holes-in-the-wall and easily missed when driving through.

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue houses an important collection of modern art, but even if you're not into art, the building housing the art is worth a visit on its own. It was the last completed project by Frank Lloyd Wright before he died in 1959.

Art & Architecture

Some see the museum as one of the less successful architectural realizations of Frank Lloyd Wright. The main criticism was that the shape of the building did not suit its purpose. Due to its organic shape, visitors walk through a part of the museum in an upward spiral, 

Guggenheim Museum

which means the artwork is always viewed from an angle. The walls are also relatively low for a museum, which prevents some paintings from being properly displayed. FLW's own comment on this was that the paintings had to be cut in half (!).
Still, the Guggenheim Museum is an intriguing building with a good balance between aesthetics and practicality. Built as a spiral, in a soft white color, it is even in New York a building that attracts the attention of the passersby.

Museum of Natural History

One of New York City's most-visited family attractions, the American Museum of Natural History has been enthralling guests since its opening in 1871.

In the Museum

Since it first began presenting exhibits to the general public in the Central Park Arsenal building more than 30 years ago, the 

Dinosaur Skeletons

American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has been devoted to bringing the public cutting-edge anthropological and natural history information and displays - profiling both the past and present.

Bryant Park

Bryant park, an 8 acre (3ha) large green oasis at the intersection of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue is one of the most pleasant parks in Manhattan. Even though the park is bordered by heavily trafficked streets, it is a very relaxing park. It has a simple but effective design, with a large, central lawn surrounded by trees.

From the park you have a great view on some great architectural landmarks, including the former American Radiator Building. Similar to some Parisian parks like 

the Jardin du Luxembourg, you can take one of the 2,000 available chairs and sit wherever you prefer.
Reservoir Square

The history of the Bryant Park starts in the 19th century, when it was known as Reservoir square. It was named after the Croton reservoir that was constructed adjacent to the square in 1842. In 1853 the first American World Exposition was held here in Crystal Palace, a magnificent glass construction. Five years later, the palace was destroyed by fire.

Wall Street

Historically known as the center of New York's financial district, Wall Street is often associated with wealth and ambition in America.

How It Got Its Name

After the Dutch purchased "New Amsterdam" from the Native Americans, a wall was erected that formed the northern boundary of the new colony. That's how Wall Street got its unusual name. The first "walls" along the street were basic plank fences, but as time passed and tensions with the mother country grew, a stronger, taller wall was built in order to defend the colony against both the British and the American Indians tribes that still dominated the area. The British removed the wall around the turn of the 18th century.

Ellis Island

New York's Ellis Island is one of the most popular attractions for those visiting Manhattan and its surrounding areas, second only to landmarks like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.

That's probably because millions of Americans have a connection to the island, through which their ancestors passed on the way from their 

Ellis Island

homeland to their brand new home in America. Records indicate that more than half of all Americans had a relative who passed through Ellis Island.