New York has been called “the Italian American capital” because it is home to the largest Italian American population in the U.S. There are Italian communities in all five boroughs of the city, most with deep roots in their area. Italians helped build the modern city and have made a profound impact on NYC’s arts, […]
Tag Archives | history
10 Wacky Facts About the Empire State Building
If we didn’t already love the Empire State Building enough, it turns out that there are a ton of fun (or wacky) facts. Here are some of our favorites! 1. Originally, the 17-story spire was supposed to be a dirigible anchor and passenger gate. The current top observation deck (at 1,250 feet!) is enclosed, but in […]
Chinatown, New York: A Visitor’s Guide
Chinatown, New York is its own destination: Great for bargain shopping, food, history, and the chance to soak in Chinese immigrant culture, it’s a fantastic neighborhood. But it can also be confusing and chaotic to the first-time visitor… which is why we’ve written this handy guide to exploring Chinatown! Note that New York City has several […]
The Great Gatsby: A Tale of New York City
Thanks to the new Great Gatsby movie, all things Gatsby have taken over New York. But The Great Gatsby was a New York Tale long before Baz Luhrmann reworked F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece for the screen. (In fact, Gatz, a minimalist, theatrical 6.5-hour reading of the entire novel, sold out its run of performances… twice). What is it about […]
All About New York’s Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater, located in Harlem, is one of New York’s most historic—and excellent—theaters. Trust us: The Apollo Theater’s world-famous slogan, “Where Stars are Born and Legends are Made,” is no hollow boast! For more than eight decades, the Apollo Theater has showcased an astounding roster of African-American stars—and launched many of their careers. Pioneers of jazz, […]
The Chrysler Building: A History and How-To
The Chrysler building is one of New York’s most famous landmarks. And most stunning: If Manhattan’s skyline is “the city’s crown,” as H.G. Wells called it, then the Chrysler Building is perhaps its finest jewel. The 77-story tower, an Art Deco treasure, is the ultimate symbol of New York’s elegance and energy. Want to know how the […]
Building the Empire State Building: The Daredevil Sky Boys
Building the Empire State Building? Not an easy task. After all, this “Eighth Wonder of the World,” an Art Deco marvel towering over midtown Manhattan, was the world’s tallest building for over 40 years! The only thing as impressive as the Empire State Building… are the men who built it! The Empire State Building was […]