Historic Sites in New York City

Historic Sites in New York City, NY

New York City Historic Sites

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What travellers are saying

  • justine j
    3 contributions
    I enjoyed the tour. This was partly due to the knowledge of our Tour Guide, Helena Zinszner. My family gained an enormous amount of knowledge by taking this tour in NY
    Written 18 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jjvorisek
    Bend, OR6 contributions
    We did the hard hat tour. It was incredibly informative and awe inspiring to know what our ancestors did to get into this country.
    Probably need advance reservations.
    Written 28 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karen G
    Grantham, UK32 contributions
    The museum was worth every penny, full of facts, exhibits and personal memories of those involved. Far more to see and hear than I expected.
    I’d advise that you buy the media tour for $10 as this talks you through the timeline of exhibits, and give yourself a good 3/4 hours if you wish to see and hear everything….take some tissues as it’s really heartbreaking in places :(
    Written 30 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wireless_in_CA
    United States4,803 contributions
    I came on a weekday and joined the 4:00pm tour.

    As you will leave the United States when entering the UN building that is why all visitors have to go through ID checks. The only exceptions were the groups or families where one adult would be checked and held responsible for everyone else. That person got the badge printed with their photo while the others were handed wrist bands. I was finished in five minutes, however, the guard recommended coming at least one hour early as lines can be unpredictable. Security screening X-ray and metal detectors) may be long depending on how well people followed the instructions.

    After exiting security there was a small plaza with a few works of art including a gun with a twisted barrel called Non Violence. It was created by a friend of John Lennon after he was shot.

    Inside the lobby, a statue of Nelson Mandela was close to the doors and seemed like he was greeting all of us.

    The tour desk was to the rear of the main lobby. Once checked in, I was given a color coded sticker to ID my tour time and language (4:00pm had separate English and French tours).

    Overall the tour lasted one hour and covered the UN history, initiatives and walked us by many of the exhibits and artwork arranged throughout first couple floors of the building.

    We were fortunate that both the UN General Assembly and Security Council were live during our tour. We could walk through and observe the General Assembly (quite formal in operation) but the Security Council was a closed door meeting.
    We got to enter another unused meeting room and sat at the back in very comfortable seats. Each one had earpieces for those attendees needing translations. For those sitting at the desks they also had their country names displayed and a voting pad.

    An interesting factoid, the UN has over 100 interpreters working every session with at least 3 assigned per language.

    The cafe, gift shop, credit union and gift shop were in the basement.

    Another note, once the UN official hours are over all the member nation flags in front were lowered. Therefore if you really want those flags in your pictures then take your exterior photos before your tour and not after (tours 4pm or later).
    Written 2 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tiana O
    1 contribution
    If you like fort totten, but dislike the limited access (noon-4pm), 60% of it off limits to the public; fort Jay gives you that space away from the city, with the view of the skyline in the distance. It’s worth the trip if you prefer the old world style or just nature in general
    Definitely not for everyone, as there isn’t much access to provision outlets etc but it’s great if you come prepared!
    Pictured below is also a tunnel in fort totten I took, it’s nice comparing the architecture throughout the East Coast
    Greenwood cemetary is also pictured. Can you tell which is which? 😏
    Written 11 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lithlith
    Michigan818 contributions
    The Teddy Roosevelt birthplace is awesome! It's free to visit. It won't take all day. And, hopefully you'll be reminded of what an awesome human and president that Teddy was!
    Written 16 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • orcasgal
    Orcas Island, WA508 contributions
    I really enjoyed this small museum. It is well signed and has interesting exhibits of the era it covers. The admission price is well worth it.
    Written 4 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SallyWebsterInnLover
    Connecticut4 contributions
    This place is a gem!! VERY inspiring and moving! HIGHLY recommend everyone visit the burial ground and the visitors center! Makes the story of human
    Written 29 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MeganMunro
    Toronto, Canada1,268 contributions
    Arriving right at ten, I wanted to beat the crowds and try to see most of it before the Guggenheim (next door opened).
    I had a bite to eat in their pretty little cafe and explored.
    The museum is small, but I loved the exhibitions.
    One was on 'what if we lived in a time of peace'. Very thought provoking.
    The other was what I came for - the Hector Guimard 'How Paris got its curves'. I loved this! Fascinating and great collection show.
    The price is high for the amount to view, but the building itself is also something to see - it is so gorgeous and gives you a glimpse into the guilded age of NYC.
    Written 12 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • irishview2016
    Galway, Ireland47 contributions
    This is one of my favorite monuments worldwide. The peace and tranquillity I feel here is like no other. Famine is a horror. Worse still, a man made famine. There was no need for so many to die in Ireland in 1845-47. There was food, but it was exported. Money came before lives. Situated where it is, near Wall Street, is important. May it tell every visitor that business & finance must be managed responsibly. Actions have consequences - in all spheres of live. Thank you to those who imagined to put this monument here. It inspires me in its powerful ordinariness. Good kind Spirits live here.
    Written 29 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • aspenanne
    Beaverton, OR31 contributions
    Fantastic introduction to 1800s NYC. Beautiful grounds and fascinating tales of Hamilton and his family.
    Written 20 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Leonhkny
    Hong Kong, China12,941 contributions
    The Dakota is a renowned apartment building right next to Central Park. It is also the last residence of John Lennon before his assassination. The prestige and grandeur of the building is only imaginative as it is not open to public.
    Written 12 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jonathan C.
    La Jolla, California, USA392 contributions
    Small National Park Service site that houses the spot where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. Lots of internal and external construction, but you can still go inside and take a look around.
    Written 5 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tony
    Long Island, NY11 contributions
    Beautuful hotel. Great location. Friendly staff with beautiful lobby and bar area. Historical hotel with parking directly across the street. Room we were in was small. Clean throughout. Nice bathroom. Only complaint is both my wife and I woke up with lower back aches. Whenever we travel, the quality of the mattress is important. For us, these mattresses were not good for us. Other than that, loved the hotel.
    Written 4 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • haveart
    Houston, TX340 contributions
    A Hidden Historic Gem in NYC - Tucked away on a very busy street! What an incredible historic building with period furniture and decor. Built in 1799 and now a historic landmark. Two guided tours offered daily and reservations are made online. Our guide was fantastic and brought the history to life - worth a visit! We loved it!!!!

    From the webpage … “The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden presents the period of the Mount Vernon Hotel which operated from 1826 until 1833.

    Constructed in 1799 as a carriage house for a 23-acre estate, and converted into the Mount Vernon Hotel in 1826, this stone building sits on land originally owned by Colonel William Stephens Smith, and his wife Abigail Adams Smith, daughter of John Adams.

    This fashionable country resort was popular among New Yorkers who wished to escape the hustle and bustle of the city which at that time extended only as far north as 14th Street. The Hotel advertised itself as “free from the noise and dust of the public roads, and fitted up and intended for only the most genteel and respectable” clientele. In those days, one could take the stagecoach or steamboat up to 61st street and spend the day at the hotel sipping lemonade in the ladies parlor or playing cards in the gentlemen’s tavern.”
    Written 28 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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