Walking Tours and New York City



	New York City is one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in the world. It is a world center for finance, fashion, art, media, culture, and fine dining. With out question, New York City has one of the most recognized and famous skylines on earth. Visiting New York City is always an exciting adventure (even for someone from Chicago). No matter how many times we visit, it seems that there is always more to explore and experience. New York is home to fabulous examples of modern American architecture but it also has a historic side with landmarks and buildings reaching back into New York’s colonial period.
The heart of New York City is in its famous Manhattan borough, and one of the very best ways to experience Manhattan and its many dazzling sights and marvelously unique neighborhoods is on the side walk. Manhattan is fairly easy to navigate because most of the city is laid out in a logical grid, with "streets" running east and west and "avenues" running north to south. The exceptions to this rule are in Greenwich Village where streets meander and intersect a little inexplicably and in Lower Manhattan where the street layout reflects the city planning concepts of a colonial time period. It’s a very good idea to have a map in your pocket for Lower Manhattan. As a general rule of thumb, city blocks that run north to south are roughly 20 blocks per mile, the east to west blocks are a bit longer, and inconsistent in length. While much of the city is in a grid layout, just keep in mind that it is a huge grid, so it’s likely a very good idea to take the subway or a taxi between the various neighborhoods you wish to explore (although we didn’t always do so).

Midtown Points of Interest:
Times Square / Theater District New York Public Library Rockefeller Center Empire State Building Chrysler Building Grand Central Terminal Carnegie Hall Madison Square Garden United Nations Headquarters St. Patrick's Cathedral Museum of Modern Art World Famous Fifth Ave Retailers The Diamond District Numerous Famous Restaurants	Times Square One thing that you must do, at least once, is explore Times Square and the Theater District at night. Yes, it's crowded most nights but it is an experience you certainly won't forget. Times Square is probably one of the most vibrant and exciting cityscapes you will ever experience. The light show alone is mind boggling, with the latest, largest, and highest displays of brilliant digital sign technology in the world. It is incredible to see the entire side of a building as one massive, high definition digital sign. People watching is at its height here as well! You are likely to see some rather interesting and perplexing behaviors and some very wild wardrobes!
Greenwich Village
Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, is one of New York's most recognized public parks. Greenwich Village has a well-known tradition of artistic non-conformity which is certainly alive and well-expressed in the park. A leisurely stroll through this park will treat you to various forms of (sometimes exceptional) entertainment. In our hour or so in the park we were treated to some 'most' excellent jazz, performed by very accomplished professional musicians. A high-energy urban dance troop, a very, very strange mime, and a group of talented guys jamming on acoustic guitars. We were even treated to a few movie segments being shot by an independent film crew.
Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal Street)
Tribeca is a favorite neighborhood of New Yorkers. It's relatively calm, very trendy, and known for its big lofts, quiet streets, and cozy cafes. Tribeca was once an industrial area filled with warehouses and textile factories which have since been transformed into wonderful residential buildings. Tribeca is a great neighborhood for walking around and enjoying the architecture and a nice lunch. Be sure to have a map handy, the streets ramble a bit. This 'trendy' neighborhood is home of the film-famous . . . Ghostbuster's Firehouse (actually a working firehouse "Tribeca Ladder Eight"). And as you might guess, the International Tribeca Film Festival is held right here! When you visit one of the local eateries or watering holes you just might rub elbows with one of Tribeca's celebrity residents. A few notables include, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Sarah Michelle Gellar, or Kate Winslet.
SoHo (South of Huston St)
SoHo is a very trendy New York neighborhood associated with the arts and shopping! This neighborhood offers a wonderful assortment of galleries, boutiques, and cafes. A number of artists residents display (and sell) their art on the streets, so a leisurely stroll is a must in SoHo. Make sure to also allow plenty of time to check out the shops and galleries . . . you'll be amazed and delighted. SoHo has a rich historical aspect to it as well, and was once an industrial area. The area is noted for its numerous examples of elaborate cast-iron architecture from the late 19th century. In the 1960's and 70's artists moved into the old warehouses and ex- sweatshops (sometimes illegally) due to the very large rooms and high ceilings which made for perfect studios. Now of course, the continuous 'gentrification' and restoration has made the neighborhood quite desirable and also quite expensive. One of our favorite spots in SoHo is Felix, a very popular tavern where you just may see a celebrity or two. We also greatly enjoy Broome St. Bar, a relaxed and friendly neighborhood spot at Broadway and Broome St. with simple burgers and beer fare.


by: Dr. Von Zuko 2008©