New York City, Attractions

• Empire State Building.  One of New York City's traditional architectural landmarks.  It has never outgrown its charm or elegance.  "New York's famous Empire State Building, a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, soars more than a quarter of a mile into the atmosphere above the heart of Manhattan.
  
  Located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the city's bustling streets, the Observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open-air promenade.
  
  Since the Observatory opened to the public in 1931, almost 110 million visitors have thrilled to the awe-inspiring vision of the city beneath them.
  
  Each year over 3.5 million people are whisked to the 86th floor to be where Cary Grant waited in vain for Deborah Kerr in an "Affair to Remember", while Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had their fateful meeting in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle." The observatory is handicap accessible."
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  "See the world's largest accumulation of gold at our main office in the heart of New York City's financial district. Through an interactive exhibit, visitors can also learn about the Federal Reserve System's central banking functions."
• Lincoln Center.  "'Lincoln Center presents' more than 350 live performances each year through six distinguished performance programs which bring music, opera, theater, dance, puppetry, circus, and cultural expression from around the globe to Lincoln Center stages. Lincoln Center is a national leader in television programming, family programs, and service for people with disabilities. We are proud to share the Lincoln Center complex with some of America's most famous artistic companies and organizations."
• Madison Square Garden.  "Madison Square Garden is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns a majority interest in MSG L.P., which includes the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the MSG Network�, FOX Sports New York, Radio City Entertainment, including the Radio City Music Hall, and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area. Madison Square Garden is located in Manhattan on Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets."
• Metropolitan Opera.  One of the world's leading opera companies since 1883.
• National Tennis Center.  "Home to the US Open, the National Tennis Center is open to the public for most of the year."
• New York Aquarium.  "...As the only aquarium in New York City and part of the largest network of metropolitan wildlife parks in the country, the New York Aquarium holds a special place in the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society - To save wildlife and wild places around the globe."
• New York Stock Exchange.  "The New York Stock Exchange traces its origins back more than 200 years, to the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement by 24 New York City stockbrokers and merchants in 1792. Centuries of growth and innovation later, the NYSE remains the world's foremost securities marketplace. Over the years, its commitment to issuers and investors has been unwavering, and its persistent application of the latest technology has allowed it to maintain a level of market quality and service that is unparalleled."
• Radio City Music Hall.  "America's most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences at Radio City Music Hall since its doors opened December 27, 1932. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett to mention only a few of the celebrities and luminaries to grace the Great Stage.
  
  "Radio City was to be a palace of the people. A place of beauty offering high quality entertainment� It was intended to entertain and amuse, but also to elevate and inspire." - Gail Greet Hannah, Radio City Music Hall, A Legend is Reborn.
  
  Radio City Music Hall completed a seven month $70 million restoration in 1999. From the famed marquee to the seats and the ceilings to the carpets, the restoration returned Radio City Music Hall to its famed glory."
• Shopping and Dining at South Street Seaport.  "Dating back to the 1600s, this historic seaport
  district today serves as a modern international gateway, but still features cobblestone streets and a
  distinct flavor of the past. Pier 17, part of South Street Seaport�s shopping establishment, stands on
  the site of the fish market�s old piers and offers sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge to the north and New York harbor to the south. South Street Seaport also offers visitors a great variety of fine dining and casual caf�s. Special events include spectacular music series, blockbuster concerts, outdoor festivals, star-studded private parties and multicultural and ethnic celebrations."
• Show Tapings.  "TV Show Tapings.  Be Part of the Studio Audience.  Attending free tapings of popular television shows is fun and free but the wait for tickets is often long; many shows have stand-by options if you're willing to stand in line."
• Socrates Sculpture Park.  "Socrates Sculpture Park was an abandoned riverside landfill and illegal dumpsite until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members, under the leadership of artist Mark di Suvero, transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. Today it is an internationally renowned outdoor museum and artist residency program that also serves as a vital New York City park offering a wide variety of public services."   
• Staten Island Ferry.  "The Staten Island Ferry has been a municipal service since 1905, and currently carries over 19 million passengers annually on a 5.2-mile run between the St. George Terminal in Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in lower Manhattan. Service is provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Staten Island Ferry is the most reliable form of mass transit, with an on-time performance of over 96 percent.
  
  A typical weekday schedule involves the use of five boats to transport approximately 65,000 passengers daily (104 daily trips). A four-boat (15 minute headway) rush hour schedule is maintained. During the day, between rush hours, boats are regularly fueled and maintenance work is performed. Terminals are cleaned around the clock and routine terminal maintenance is performed on the day shift. On weekends, three boats are used (64 trips each weekend day). Over 33,000 trips are made annually. Ferry terminal supervisors, assigned around the clock at both Whitehall and St. George, are responsible for ensuring that the ferry operates according to its published schedule."
• Statue of Liberty.  "Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. 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 spectacular centennial on July 4, 1986."
• Times Square.  "Get maps, special event and entertainment resources, and more from the Times Square Business Improvement District."
• Trinity Church.  ""Founded in 1697, Trinity Church is a vibrant Episcopal parish, where 18 weekly worship services form the heart of its Christian identity. Beyond that, Trinity�s identity is as complex as the world it serves."
• United Nations.  "The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 191 countries."

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