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The Chrysler Building is located at 405 Lexington Avenue and is best seen
from adjacent streets. Although you can enter the lobby to view its
marvelous decor, there are no tours of the interior of the building. The
lobby is open weekdays during normal working hours, but we regard the
Chrysler Building as a walk-by.
During its construction, the Chrysler Building was in a competition with
the Manhattan Trust Company Building (now the Trump Building - 40 Wall
Street) for the title of the world's tallest building. It looked like
Manhattan Trust was going to win the battle, when the spire, which had been
hidden inside the Chrysler Building, was popped through the top and finished
in less than a day, gaining, at least for a few months, Chrysler's right to
be called the tallest building in the world.
The iconic Brooklyn Bridge and its celebrated 6016 feet of engineering
prowess
crosses the East River and connects Manhattan with Brooklyn. It was the
longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1883 and is now a
National Historic Landmark.
The view of Manhattan from the bridge is spectacular and you
might want to cross the bridge by foot using the pedestrian walkway called
the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, which starts quite near City Hall.
Others prefer the view from the Brooklyn end of the bridge and advise taking
the subway to Brooklyn and then walking back to the city. Take either the A (Eighth Avenue
Express) or the C (Eighth Avenue Local) to High Street and walk back to and
across the bridge to Manhattan. See the MTA's
official
subway map for details on transportation.
Note that construction and maintenance programs to keep the bridge in good shape
are ongoing, so pedestrian access may be restricted at times.
The Grand
Central Terminal (1913) has a storied
past. Once tied intimately the Grand Central Railroad, the building is
now a registered historic landmark that is known for its fine
restaurants and shopping, as well as a range of food emporiums. The
Grand Central
Oyster Bar is a New York landmark and bills itself as providing,
“The Freshest Seafood in Manhattan.”
 The
interior and exterior of the Terminal are grand and the building was completely renovated before
the turn of the century. The exterior is known for its fine
statues, while the interior has a number of treasures. Covering the concourse is the original “Sky Ceiling” by the French painter Paul Helleu.
A minor controversy about the ceiling is that the zodiac appears
backwards. It was represented by the artist as the view of the
zodiac from Heaven, while it was derided by others as an unforgiveable
mistake. The Grand Staircases and chandeliers also deserve a
quick look, but it is the overall ambiance that will impress you. See the official website of the
Grand Central Station for more details on visiting. The Grand
Central Terminal is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan at 42nd
and Park Avenue.
 Today,
Saint Patrick's Cathedral is surrounded by skyscrapers. When its
cornerstone was laid in1858 the location of Saint Patrick's was considered
too far outside of the “City” to attract a congregation
large enough to justify its expense.
Now considered one of the great cathedrals of the Catholic faith in the
United States, the Cathedral's architecture and interior design, have
been continuously augmented since it was dedicated in 1879. Saint
Patrick's is known for its fine chapels (particularly the Lady Chapel)
and elegant Gothic design.
Saint Patrick's is open daily
from 6:30 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. Tours are available for groups of ten or
more by appointment and are usually timed around the schedule for Mass.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is located on Fifth Avenue between 50th and
51st Street. See the Cathedral's
official website for details on the building, visiting and services
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Saint John's is the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and one the world’s largest cathedrals.
The construction of Saint
John the Divine began in 1892 and is still unfinished, as its
construction is based on the traditional methods of stone carving and masonry used
in the construction of Gothic-style churches. Be sure to see the Rose Window,
the seven chapels and the impressive nave, as well as the Cathedral’s
beautiful garden.
Saint John's suffered a devastating fire in 2001. Although the
damage was repaired by 2008, restoration efforts to maintain the Cathedral are an ongoing effort.
Located at 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (1057 Amsterdam Avenue) the
Cathedral is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Tours are offered to
individuals and groups. See the
official website for more details on the cathedral and visiting.
If you need information about another travel destination, try
our
Destination Guide Index
or Googling ThereArePlaces.
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