Things to Do in New York City

Located at 36 Battery Place in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, the Museum of Jewish Heritage is a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Opened in 1997, the mission of the museum is “to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about the broad tapestry of Jewish life in the 20th and 21st centuries—before, during, and after the Holocaust.” In their collection, the Museum of Jewish Heritage showcases over 25,000 items that are used to tell the story of Jewish history. The permanent Core Exhibition features multiple perspectives on Jewish history, life and culture through artifacts, audio testimonials, photographs and films that are separated into three sections: “Jewish Life A Century Ago,” “The War Against the Jews” and “Jewish Renewal.” Not only is the exhibition itself impressive, but also the six-sided building it resides in, which is symbolic of the Star of David as well as the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. As there is much to see in the museum, it is recommended to allow an average of two hours to explore the Core Exhibition.

Other permanent exhibits include the Keeping History Center, which showcases the museum’s collection as well as awards panoramic views of the New York Harbor and Statue of Liberty, the Garden of Stones, a memorial garden for those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and Reflection Passage, an architectural experience that uses outdoor nature to manipulate indoor aesthetics. There are also always rotating exhibitions, usually multiple ones at a time, giving insight into different Jewish-related themes. 

Set in a decommissioned subway station in Brooklyn, the Transit Museum was opened in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial celebration. The original intention was for the museum to be temporary, but its displays of New York City transport memorabilia, subway dioramas, vintage streetcars and more proved so popular that the museum was made a permanent attraction.

In addition to a large archive of vintage photos, artifacts and documents (available to the public by appointment only) and rotating contemporary art exhibits, the museum presents three permanent exhibitions. Steel, Stone & Backbone: Building New York's Subways 1900-1925 is a thorough exploration of how the New York City subway was planned and implemented; the interactive Fare Collection features vintage turnstiles and modern-day MetroCard kiosks; and On the Streets: New York's Trolleys and Buses presents a simulated traffic intersection replete with a 12-seat bus, street signs, parking meters and fire hydrants, as well as histories of the men who electrified buses and streetcars.

Like its neighbor Chinatown, Little Italy is a vibrant remnant of Manhattan’s legendary multicultural makeup. A great area for city walks, the focus is Mulberry Street and Old St Patrick’s Cathedral.

It’s a historic neighborhood of cobblestone streets, tenements, pizza bars, and Italian restaurants. The most authentic remnant of Little Italy is the section of Mulberry Street between Broome and Canal streets.

In September Mulberry Street hosts the 11-day San Gennaro street festival, with parades, street vendors, and outdoor food stalls.

The world's premier modern art gallery, MoMA provides visitors with a master class in modernist and contemporary art. The collection numbers more than 150,000 works of art, along with a sizable film and photography collection. Familiar standouts include Monet's water lilies and works by van Gogh, Rousseau, Picasso, Dali, Warhol, Pollock, Andrew Wyeth, and Frida Kahlo.

Exhibitions are held from time to time, along with performance art and exhibits of architecture, prints, and illustrated books. The building was recently renovated to vastly expand the museum's exhibition space.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is the world’s largest stock exchange, a symbol of capitalism and commerce in the United States. This iconic NYC building is both a landmark of the world financial industry and the epicenter of American finance.

The Basics
Although the stock exchange trading floor is closed to the public due to security regulations, guided tours of New York City frequently combine an exterior photo stop at the stock exchange with tours of Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, Lower Manhattan, the Federal Reserve, and the greater Financial District. The building’s Roman design and impressive columns bearing fluttering US flags make for picture-perfect photo ops.

• History buffs will benefit from the narrative that comes with guided tours of the stock exchanges exterior.
• Most guided walking tours of the area last about two hours.
• Tours that also visit sights such as Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty generally depart from nearby Battery Park.

How to Get to the New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is in Lower Manhattan on Wall Street, between Broad and New streets. New York City isn’t the easiest to navigate by car, so arriving by cab, on foot, or via public transit is the way to go. The closest subway stations are at Wall Street, Broad Street, and Rector Street.

When to Get There
The external facade is equally impressive in the daylight and when lit up at night. Visit by day with a guided tour to see the goings-on around the active building, or at night for a quieter experience.

Expand Your Knowledge
In lieu of witnessing the action on the trading floor, visit the nearby Museum of American Finance to get your financial history fix.

The largest city in the United States, New York boasts one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. A major center for food, music, culture, fashion and business, the city known as the “Big Apple” truly is a city that never sleeps. With a plethora of world-class museums, cultural institutions, quirky neighborhoods and shopping and dining opportunities to suit any budget, New York has something for everyone!

How to Get Into New York City
The New York City Cruise Terminal is located on the west side of Manhattan, between West 48th and West 52nd Streets. It should take you just 15-20 minutes to walk into Midtown from there. If you prefer not to walk or you are heading to another area of the city, taxis are readily available. The subway doesn’t extend to the port, but buses can be found at 42nd, 49th and 50th Streets.

Some ships may dock at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, south of Brooklyn Heights, or at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, on the New Jersey side of New York Harbor.

One Day in New York City
One could easily spend a week or more in New York without running out of things to see and do – with so many options, it is nearly impossible to see the city in just one day. Many of the most popular attractions also come with long lines, so keep that in mind as you are planning your visit.

Start by heading to the heart of Manhattan, Times Square. Grab a cup of coffee and a New York bagel and enjoy some people watching before moving on to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Empire State Building. Located at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street, the building’s 86th floor observation deck offers sweeping views of the city – but be prepared to stand in line for a ride up!

From there, walk up Fifth Avenue, home to many of New York’s most prestigious shops and one of the most expensive streets in the world. Eventually you’ll find yourself at the southern end of Central Park. The park, covering over 800 acres in the center of the city, offers a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowded Manhattan sidewalks. You could easily spend much of the afternoon there.

Not far from Central Park, you can find two of New York’s best known museums, the Guggenheim Museum (Fifth Avenue & 89th Street) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Avenue & 82nd Street). The latter boasts over two million works of art displayed throughout more than 50 galleries. Other museums of interest include the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (the world’s largest naval museum), the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of the City of New York.

If museums aren’t your thing, instead take a ride on one of the oldest subway systems in the world down to the Financial District. There, pay a visit to the 9/11 Memorial commemorating those who were killed in the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. Then, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy an incredible view of both the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

Finally, make your way back towards Times Square to grab a slice of New York style pizza and do a little souvenir shopping before it’s time to set sail again.

Port Information
English is the official language and the currency is the US dollar. ATMs are widely available, but to change currency, you will likely need to head to a major bank or to the Times Square Visitors Center on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets. Telephones and bathrooms can be found at the cruise terminal.

The New York Public Library is actually comprised of four major research libraries and about 100 branches spread throughout Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, but the Beaux Arts-style Stephen A. Schwarzman Building generally takes the title for itself. Home to a non-circulating collection of volumes on the humanities and social sciences, as well as a circulating children's collection, this landmark library is renowned both for its signature stone lions out front and for its free access to some of the most fascinating research materials in the world.