Traveling to NYC? Check Out These Sites!
New York City is one of the most beloved cities in the world, but there’s a lot about the Big Apple that you probably don’t know. In this article, we'll explore a few facts about NYC that will surprise and excite you. If you're traveling to NYC, add these to your itinerary.
1. Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
New York's Hop-On Hop-Off buses provide tourists with an easy and affordable way to explore the city's main attractions. These buses operate on routes that cover everything from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty ferry docks, meaning you don’t even need to plan what stops you’re going to make as it’s already been done for you. And the best part is that these bus tours allow you the freedom to hop off and explore any spot before rejoining the tour.
2. Central Park Has a Hidden Waterfall
If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Central Park. It’s here that you can find the hidden lush North Woods as well as a gorgeous waterfall, offering visitors a peaceful escape. A full tour of the North Woods is roughly a mile and should take about 60 minutes to complete.
3. More Languages Spoken Here Than Anywhere Else
It’s no secret that NYC is one of the most diverse places you can visit. But did you know that it is home to more than 800 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world? Queens alone has over 200 languages spoken within its borders, showing just how multicultural the city is. From Urdu to Tagalog, you can hear dozens of different languages on an average day.
4. The Oldest Building Predates the USA
The Wyckoff Farmhouse in Brooklyn is the oldest surviving structure in New York City, dating all the way back to 1652. Built by a Dutch immigrant family, it’s now a museum showcasing early colonial life in New York. It even survived a fire in the late 1970s and was restored in the 1980s.
5. The Subway System is Longer Than Most Realize
While the subway is famous worldwide, few people know just how extensive it really is. New York’s subway system stretches over 665 miles, making it one of the longest in the world. The system has been running since 1904 and transports millions of passengers each day across 472 stations.
6. A Secret Train Platform Under the Waldorf Astoria
Underneath the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Hotel lies a secret train platform, known as Track 61. It was once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discreetly travel to and from the hotel, and its existence adds to the mystery of NYC’s underground. Some say there are even private celebrity parties that take place here.
7. New Yorkers Love Public Libraries
New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue is the second-largest library system in the United States. The library services some 18 million patrons every year and boasts a staggering inventory of more than 50 million individual items—books, films, cassette tapes, microfiche, newspapers—spread across 92 locations in New York City. In addition, its iconic Rose Main Reading Room spans nearly two city blocks.
8. New York’s Buildings Have Their Own Zip Codes
With over 8 million people living in the city, many skyscrapers have their own zip codes. The iconic Empire State Building, for example, has its own unique zip code, 10118, to accommodate the vast number of businesses within its walls.
9. NYC is Home to Einstein’s Eyeballs
After Albert Einstein’s death, Thomas Harvey, the pathologist who performed an unauthorized autopsy, allegedly stole his brain and gave his eyeballs to Einstein's eye doctor, Henry Abrams.
Rumor has it that, to this day, they remain in a safe deposit box in NYC.
Planning a weekend trip to New York City? Don't forget to pack the essentials in your carry-on bag!