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Historic Walking Areas in New York City

THE 10 BEST New York City Historic Walking Areas

Historic Walking Areas in New York City

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17. The Spur

Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

What travellers are saying

  • Karen G
    Grantham, UK32 contributions
    Very sobering yet a must visit….
    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 :(
    Review of: World Trade Center Memorial Foundation
    Written 30 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jessica S
    Canada242 contributions
    Clean and safe morning route to Central Park
    Unbelievably wealthy! Immaculately clean and empty but for residents or a few tourists. Lots of small dogs with diamond studded leashes. Doormen at every entrance.
    Review of: Park Avenue
    Written 28 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Irina
    United States10,312 contributions
    Busy 42nd Street
    A two-mile long 42nd Street crosses Manhattan from the East River in the east to the Hudson River in the west part of NYC, and it is known for its busy pace, heavy traffic, theaters -- New Amsterdam Theater, New Victory Theater, Regal E-Walk Theater complex, movie theater AMC Empire 25, also Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. All these attractions are in the east part of the street, in the area of Times Square and Broadway. Then the street crosses the 8th Avenue and goes further down to the Hudson River.

    The skyscrapers flanking the 42nd Street in the Theater District, are decorated with some stunning neon billboards and digital screens. The aerial views of the 42nd Street from the top of some high-rises show a very busy, non-stop street life; and in the evenings the 42nd Street lightens up even more, after the shows theater goers fill up the pedestrian walk lanes on their way to Broadway, that welcomes them with even louder buzz and entertainment.
    Review of: 42nd Street
    Written 9 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Conny Wylie
    Ottawa, Canada554 contributions
    Celebrate NYC's Seaport Heritage.
    The Seaport district is situated on the East River in Lower Manhattan. It is a top nyc destination for unusual culinary, fashion, entertainment and cultural experiences. I couldn't resist a custom face cookie from the funny face bakery....it seemed almost too pretty to eat and the book-worm in me nudged me into the McNally & Jackson bookstore. I explored New York's origins as a world seaport in the South Street Seaport Museum and to get into a historical mood I toured the Wavetree cargo ship.
    Review of: Seaport District NYC
    Written 27 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jeffry b
    Essendon, Australia12,859 contributions
    Museums that are worth visiting
    Museum Mile is located in Manhattan Island's exclusive Upper East Side, The real estate is among the most expensive in NYC. Some things to note -- Museum Mile is actually more than a mile, and although it's said that there are eight museums, some of them are likely to be of little interest to most people, except for specialists. Museums that are worth seeing are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum.
    Review of: Museum Mile
    Written 2 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • johnnnita
    Napa, CA2,470 contributions
    A LITERARY AND HISTORICAL WALK IN THE PARK
    This is what I see as a "can't miss" area to visit in Central Park. On our day in March, the weather was perfect just for such a leisurely walk. From Wollman Ice Rink you can find it along the walk path after crossing East 66th/65th street.

    Upon approaching you can find several statues on each side as well as down the wide walking path. Be sure to notice at the beginning the pavement features that show various celebrities and notable people who have contributed to the garden area nearby. They are little 6 sided emblems from people like Carly Simon of all people, as well as the dedication by the Central Park Conservancy.

    As you continue your walk, please stop and admire the most recent statue addition: The Women's Rights Pioneers that shows Sojourner Truth, Susan B Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

    Further up along the Walk, you will see to your right offset what looks like a small bandstand (half shell) in concrete. There is a very small plaque on it on lower right and dated 1923. The official name of it is the "Naumburg Bandshell" where they have performances during certain times of the year.

    You do want to walk down this main avenue. It's wide and if it's late spring, summer, or better yet fall, no doubt the trees lining both sides will add to your enjoyment. They were leafless during our visit in March
    Review of: Central Park's Literary Walk
    Written 9 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • adventix
    Boston, MA1,580 contributions
    amazing afternoon stroll
    We love central park and the mall is especially a fun walk in the shade. There are always some music playing and/or some street performance. It is also fun to read the dedications on the different benches.
    Review of: The Mall
    Written 11 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • psudino
    Weehawken, NJ4,016 contributions
    The meeting place - red steps
    This isn't the Spanish Steps of Rome, but it comes close as a central meeting spot since you can't miss it. At the northern end of Times Square this is where the famous TKTS steps are located that everyone uses as the obvious meeting landmark.

    Just to ad some useful trivia to this review to impress your friends, Francis Patrick Duffy was a Canadian American Catholic priest and military chaplain. During WWI he helped rescue many wounded soldiers.
    Review of: Duffy Square
    Written 11 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Doris B
    USA349 contributions
    Good Views from the High Bridge
    I went here with a friend and we walked half-way across the bridge. There are good views of the Harlem River but it is difficult to take pictures due to the tall chain-link fencing on each side. The pavement design changes mid-way across indicating the division like between Manhattan and The Bronx. It's a good place for a walk on a nice day.
    Review of: The High Bridge
    Written 4 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adventure Diva
    Manchester, CT2,020 contributions
    Parklined street with a well-preserved past
    This quiet, non-commercial block is worth exploring. The well-kept beaux arts and art deco styled homes are in full display. Love the "islands" on some of the blocks including W94th Street where a statue of Joan of Arc is on horseback with a sword.
    Review of: Riverside Drive
    Written 14 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • N C
    32 contributions
    Small but mighty
    If you're in Manhattan/Greenwich Village, this is a worthwhile stop. The little garden area is lovely, and there's enough info on the placards to provide context for where you are and why it matters. (And it does matter.) It isn't large, but it's definitely important.
    Review of: Stonewall National Monument
    Written 3 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SuperTed19
    Madison, WI739 contributions
    Well Done
    It is easy to miss this plaza, but it is definitely worth stopping for a visit when you’re in the area.
    Review of: New York City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza
    Written 5 October 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sarah L
    Birmingham, UK21 contributions
    Don't miss!!!!
    I went searching for this after reading some of the reviews on this website. It was quite hard to find and we walked straight past it the first time. It is located on a chain link fence at the corner of 7th Avenue and 11th Street.

    We spent at least an hour reading the tiles and their beautiful messages after 9/11. I'd say this is the one thing not to miss out on when visiting NYC and it's completely free!!
    Review of: Tiles For America
    Written 2 November 2012
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland18,004 contributions
    General Worth Square
    General Worth Square is a nice square near to Madison Square. Nice memorial and it is a good place to take a photo. Recommended.
    Review of: General Worth Square
    Written 25 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,246 contributions
    Don't miss this important part of New York City History
    The Shorakkopoch Rock marks the spot where the Dutch may have bought the Island of Manhattan from the Lennape Indians. No one is too sure where the transaction took place but this is where the village was located and there was a three hundred year old Tulip Tree that died in the 1930's that mark the spot where Peter Minuit and his men offered $24.00 worth of household goods to settle the island making it one of the best transactions in the history of real estate.

    The Rock sits in a bend of Inwood Hill Park and is one of the nicest most underrated parks in Manhattan with views of the giant "C" for Columbia and the relaxing Muscota Marsh where wild life reins free. It has the last of the virgin forests on Manhattan and a view of the old Indian Caves.

    Don't miss this important part of history plus a nice walk around the park.
    Review of: Shorakkopoch Rock
    Written 6 July 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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