The holidays are the best ways to celebrate in New York City, from virtual reality latke flipping to caroling in the streets.
Welcome to New York City (NY), one of United States’s most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to New York City (NY) will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating New York City (NY) really can be. For those looking for a glimpse of the real United States, or just a fun night out, New York City (NY) mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life.
New York is the greatest city in the United States, if not the entire world. It is the economic engine and cultural heart of America, and should be the first point of entry for any visitor to the country. And it isn’t called ‘The Big Apple’ for nothing – everything is bigger in New York. Points of interest abound, from Wall Street to Times Square, The Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty there are iconic spots around just about every street corner.
The bright lights of Broadway beckon star struck tourists and theatre fanatics alike, while borough after borough stretch for miles from the island of Manhattan. Each one has its own character, and more importantly, hundreds of awesome restaurants serving some of the best food on the planet. Then of course there are the charming, warm New York residents themselves.
History of New York
The land that is now New York City was one of the first places that the Europeans tried to settle when they arrived in North America. The Dutch arrived first and started six farms on the island of Manhattan, after purchasing the land from the local Native Americans for around $24 worth of trinkets. Thus, a Dutch New Amsterdam was born.
The geographically important location of the city soon pitted the Dutch merchants against the English Puritans and by 1664; British troops had taken over the city. Renamed New York City, the population began to grow, but the wars between the English and the French gave rise to privatising and the city became something of a wild area for both legal and illegal trade.
with its prosperity, came a wave of engineering marvels. The Brooklyn Bridge was once the world’s tallest and longest bridge. Edison lit up the streets of Manhattan with electric lights and palatial mansions sprouted like weeds along Fifth Avenue. This renowned wealth lured thousands of immigrants to come to the city during the early 1900s. They worked long hours and suffered harsh living conditions, but in the end they were the foundations upon which New York City and much of America itself was built.