The Best of Historic New York

Description:

A wide variety of objects -- costumes, photographs, prints, maps, dioramas, and memorabilia -- trace the history of New York City from its beginnings as a humble Dutch colony in the 16th century to its present-day prominence. Two outstanding permanent exhibits are the re-creation of John D. Rockefeller's master bedroom and dressing room, and the space devoted to "Broadway!," a history of New York theater. Kids will love "New York Toy Stories," a permanent exhibit showcasing toys and dolls owned and adored by centuries of New York children. The permanent "Painting the Town: Cityscapes of New York" explores the changing cityscape from 1809 to 1997, and carries new profundity in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In 2009, the exhibits, "Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson" and "Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity" were featured.

Description:

The Stock Exchange's present home on Wall Street did not open until 1903, but trading in stocks began well before that; by the time this building became its headquarters, the Exchange had already been in existence for more than a hundred years. Today, people trade hundreds of millions of shares electronically as well as by the floor broker system. Visitors can see the action on the floor from a viewing gallery. Multi-media exhibits help explain the frenzy below. Admission is free.

Description:

This museum, founded in 1988, is dedicated to all the immigrants who came to New York City during the 1800s, but in particular to the occupants of this one-time tenement on Orchard Street. See life as new Americans experienced it in Chinatown, Little Italy and elsewhere on the Lower East Side through photos, displays and memorabilia. The gallery is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

It's been estimated that close to 40 percent of all current U.S. citizens can trace at least some part of their ancestry to Ellis Island. Today, visitors to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum can trace their ancestors through millions of immigrant arrival records made available to the public in 2001.

Description:

Not far from Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty stands Ellis Island, former gateway to the United States. Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million Immigrants were processed in the "Main Building" at Ellis Island. In 1990, the long disused buildings were restored and the Immigration Museum was born.

The Museum offers a variety of exhibits and programs about the history of Ellis Island and the immigration process. Today, the Main Building is a three floor museum, containing a variety of self-guided permanent exhibits.

The museum includes a research library that contains materials related to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and immigration history. Visitors can use the museum's resources to track their own ancestors. The Oral History Collection includes over 1,000 taped and transcribed interviews of Ellis Island immigrants and staff. Both the Library and Oral History Collection are open to the public during regular operating hours of the museum.

Our Local Expert Says:

South Street Seaport (11 Fulton Street, to be exact) is home to the acclaimed Bodies: The Exhibition, an up-close-and-personal tour through the intricate and seemingly miraculous workings of the human body.

Description:

This historic trading port, which dates back to the 1600s, is located on the edge of the Financial District, where Fulton Street meets the East River. It was restored and revitalized for tourist use in the late 1960s, and now boasts more than 120 shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the South Street Seaport Museum, the Pier 17 Pavilion, and the New York City Police Museum. Visitors to the Seaport will also find some of the oldest architecture in downtown Manhattan, including renovated original mercantile buildings from the early 19th century, renovated sailing ships, and the former Fulton Fish Market.

With its cobblestone streets and broad piers, South Street Seaport offers a welcome escape from the congested, skyscraper-lined streets of downtown. There are usually free outdoor performances going on - check out a number of prominent and up-and-coming acts at the outdoor stage set up in the summertime - and the cool breezes, fun people-watching, and beautiful views of the Brooklyn Bridge can all be enjoyed for free.

Description:

Built in 1914, this legendary Harlem theater launched or abetted the careers of countless musical icons -- including Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, and Aretha Franklin. This historic venue is in large part responsible for the development and worldwide popularization of black music in America. By the 1970s, it had fallen on hard times, but a 1986 restoration breathed new life into the landmark. In 2009, in time for its 75th anniversary, a major restoration of the Apollo was completed, and the results are spectacular -- from the refurbished terra-cotta facade, to the new box offices, to the high-tech marquee that retains the original 1940s style and features. The theater is still internationally renowned for hosting African-American performers of all musical genres, from hip-hop acts to Wynton Marsalis's "Jazz for Young People" events. Since 1934, Wednesday at the Apollo meant "Amateur Night"; forget American Idol -- this rowdy, fun-filled, often hilarious production draws young talents from all over the country with high hopes of making it big is the real deal.