Categories: Local & Entertainment; Travel & Events

Stunning Architecture of New York: Part 1

By aliciak
updated 3 months ago

There's a lot to be overwhelmed by in the Big Apple--the smell of hot garbage, the endless sound of car horns, the sheer number of people--and hopefully one of them is also the architecture. The buildings! The landmarks! The sights (and sites) that make New York what it is. Even though I have lived here for 5+ years, I still find myself looking up and all around constantly, just like a kid in awe. Won't you do the same?

The Iconic Buildings

What single structure in the city screams “New York!” to you? I’m guessing either the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. Maybe the World Trade Center, or even the Chrysler Building?

No wrong answers here! Buildings, especially skyscrapers are often associated with particular cities and New York has got quite a few of them. There’s a reason all those tourists are looking up and bumping in to you, maps in hand, cameras slung around necks!

Empire State Building

350 5th Ave, Manhattan, NY 10118

Maybe it’s just me, but I think a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is quite worth the lines and money. It sits in the middle of town, and thus, you get a good view of compact Manhattan in all directions, with all those annoying people only showing up as ants and taxis appearing noiseless.

The ESB is included in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ “Seven Wonders of the Modern World” list and is also a National Historic Landmark. See, others are impressed too!

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004

Did you know this popular icon is actually named “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World”? It’s true! I guess we couldn’t handle all those big words?

Since 9/11, certain parts of the Statue have been closed off to the public. Which makes me feel SO lucky that I got to climb up all the way to the top as a kid. The downside? The crown is incredibly small; as a short person, even I had to duck down as I walked through. It also felt like being in the subway in July: HOT!

Did you know this popular icon is actually named “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World”? It’s true! I guess we couldn’t handle all those big words?

Chrysler Building

405 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017

My favorite NYC building!!!!! Oh, hi there, have I mentioned that I go ga-ga for stunning architecture? The Chrysler Building has got that Art Deco thing going on, which makes it one of the prettier objects in the NYC skyline.

It was the world’s tallest building for about a day…okay, a year, before the ESB passed it up, literally! Nonetheless, it has the most pimped-out lobby and wins in that category.

The Freedom Tower

We’re all familiar with the World Trade Center and the unfortunate events that took place there; even though the Twin Towers are gone, maybe they more than any other building still represent this city? (For better or worse).

The Freedom Tower will replace the destroyed structures and is slated to be completed by 2009. There has been a lot of hoopla over the architectural decisions for the former WTC site, but construction continues despite bumps in the roads (and, you know, rediscovered slave cemeteries).

Brooklyn Bridge

1 Main Street Brooklyn, NY 10044

This puppy dates back to 1883! The Brooklyn Bridge is quintessential New York for you, always looking immaculate, especially when bathed in sunset light.

Entire books have been written about its construction and architectural highlights, but the Brooklyn Bridge can be appreciated by making the one-mile trek across its broad promenade. (Fantastic date idea too!)

Manhattan Bridge

Canal Street and Bowery New York, NY 10002

It must be hard to be the ugly stepsister next to Cinderella aka the Brooklyn Bridge over there, but the Manhattan Bridge is still a decent-looking suspension bridge. It connects the two boroughs and gives access to cars, bikes, pedestrians and several subway lines.

The walking and biking paths are sub-par, however. It’s pretty clear these additions weren’t so well-thought out!

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

460 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022

I still drag most visitors here if they haven’t been already. Maybe that’s 10 years of Catholic School education drawing me back, or maybe it’s because Saint Patrick’s is stunning and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Most likely the latter!

Keepin’ it local, the Cathedral is made up of marble native to this area and a couple of altars were designed by none other than Tiffany & Co. Might as well use the best…for GOD!

Cathedral Church of St John the Divine Amsterdam AV 112

New York, NY 10001

I still remember rumbling on down Amsterdam Avenue on a Greyhound bus from Massachusetts and seeing this massive church for the first time. WOW. It’s the largest Cathedral in the world, and you’ll believe it upon first sight! It feels even grander in scale walking around inside.

There are various events held here annually, and by far my favorite is the “Ghosts and Ghouls Parade.” Around Halloween time, costumed humans parade around the church to the sound of creepy music. Beforehand a black and white film from yesteryear is shown, accompanied by live organ-playing. $10 well-spent!

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

1071 5th Ave, Manhattan, NY 10128

Rarely does the outside of a museum strike you as much, or more than what’s actually inside, but Frank Lloyd Wright’s cultural masterpiece most definitely does. Its “cylindrical stack” design is a far cry from the the common boxy museum found everywhere.

The design is really conducive to the museum experience in that, you aren’t climbing steps each time you get to another floor, but rather following the winding shape around and around till you get to the top.

Flushing Meadows

New York, NY

Culled from a dump referred to as “a valley of ashes” in The Great Gatsby, Flushing Meadows is now the 2nd largest park in NYC, but it being the site of the World’s Fair is what makes it of architectural interest.

Those observation towers in Men in Black? The Unisphere date on Flight of the Conchords? The new Grand Theft Auto? All feature some part of the World’s Fair futuristic leftovers.