Discover Cool New York City Things To Do

Empire State Building Madison Square Garden Rockefeller Center Theater District Bronx Zoo

Stay at our family–friendly New York City hotel and you’ll never be at a loss for cool things to do. Get a bird’s–eye–view of Manhattan from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. Explore the beauty and grandeur of Central Park, the most visited urban park in the country. Discover first–rate kids’ entertainment and professional sporting events at Madison Square Garden. Obviously, we’re just scratching the surface of interesting things to do and see in this truly amazing city. Below, you’ll find a few more ideas that will give you a feel for our one–of–a–kind neighborhood.

Empire State Building. This attraction is the “height” of tourism. Both a New York City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, the Empire State Building rises more than a quarter of a mile into the air above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the city’s bustling streets, is the Observatory, which offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion and from the surrounding open–air promenade. For more information, visit www.esbnyc.com.

Central Park. A veritable oasis in the middle of Manhattan Island, New York City’s Central Park features 843 acres brimming with classic architecture, gorgeous greenery and modern sports, educational and performance facilities. It’s also home to the Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center, the Children’s Zoo and the world famous Tavern on the Green restaurant. For more information, visit www.centralparknyc.org/.  [Top]

Madison Square Garden. For all types of spectacular indoor entertainment, there’s no place like Madison Square Garden. Catch non–stop sports action at the home of the NBA’s New York Knicks’ and the NHL’s New York Rangers. Thrill to the hard–driving sounds of top–name rock stars such as Tina Turner. Enjoy the finest family shows like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. For more information, visit www.thegarden.com.

Times Square. Given an extreme makeover in the 1990s, the century–old Times Square is the epitome of bright lights, big city living. Large neon signs dot this spectacular intersection of commerce (gargantuan name–brand stores like Toys R Us) and theater (Broadway shows are just a few blocks away). How large? The NASDAQ sign is 37–feet high and the largest LED sign in the world. This is a people watcher’s paradise–an estimated 26 million annual visitors each year. For more information, visit www.timessquarenyc.org/.  [Top]

Rockefeller Center. A complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres between 48th and 51st Streets in New York City, Rockefeller Center is most famous for its skating rink and the sky–high Christmas tree that’s ceremoniously lit every year. It’s also home base for NBC, an awesome observation deck and superb shops and restaurants. For more information, visit www.rockefellercenter.com/home.html.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Located around the corner from Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest decorated gothic–style Catholic Cathedral in the United States and the seat of the Archbishop of New York. It has been recognized throughout its history as the center of Catholic life in this country. Construction began in 1858 on the current Cathedral. It replaced the original St. Patrick’s, which is used today as a Parish Church.  [Top]

Theater District. New York City’s Theater District, also known as the Great White Way, is located between 6th and 8th Avenues and from 53rd to 42nd Streets. Approximately 36 Broadway “houses” reside on this narrow plot of Manhattan real estate. Off–Broadway theater–venues with 100 to 500 seats–offers a wider variety of styles and subjects. Theaters with fewer than 100 seats are classified as Off–Off Broadway and productions are very low budget though they can be very creative. For more information, visit www.ny.com/theater/.

Macy’s. Macy’s in Manhattan inspired the classic Christmas movie, “Miracle On 34th Street,” and continues to inspire all those who enter its store–a beautiful brick building located on a complete city block bounded by Broadway, 34th Street, 7th Avenue and 35th Street. The world’s largest department store, Macy’s features almost every nationally–available retail item on display. And it hosts the annual–and incomparable–Thanksgiving Day Parade.For more information, visit www.macys.com.  [Top]

Bronx Zoo. With award–winning, cutting–edge exhibits featuring more than 4,000 animals, there is no zoo like the Bronx Zoo. Kids and adults will have a field day going nose–to–nose with Western lowland gorillas in the Congo Gorilla Forest, spotting snow leopards in the naturalistic Himalayan Highlands Habitat and experiencing almost an acre of an indoor Asian rain forest. For more information, visit www.bronxzoo.com.

Yankee Stadium. It was born in the Bronx in 1923 shortly after the Yankees acquired Babe Ruth and immediately became known as the House That Ruth Built. A true New York City landmark, Yankee Stadium has hosted a parade of championship teams and larger–than–life all–star players (Ruth, DiMaggio and Mantle, to name but a few). Take in a game or take a tour of this historic site. But hurry–this venerable ballpark will be replaced by a newer, more modern facility in 2009. For more information, visit www.yankees.mlb.com.  [Top]