Culture of Manhattan. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Skyscrapers are among main sights of Manhattan. Each of the high buildings is an impressive and unique architectural landmark. The most renowned skyscraper is the Empire State Building. Its construction started in 1929 and lasted almost for three years. Up to 1972 the 102-storage construction was the highest building in the world. This architectural landmark is executed in art-deco style.

The same impressive building is the Chrysler Building which construction was finished in 1930. Its height is 319m. The majestic skyscraper is considered to be one of the main symbols of Manhattan. Among other architectural sights and landmarks Flatiron Building is well worth attention. Its name is derived from the building resemblance to cast-iron and clothing iron and now the building is known as “Iron”. The height of this skyscraper is 82m and it is one of the oldest skyscrapers of the Manhattan island. Its construction was finished in 1902. The most popular cultural center of the island is considered to be the Manhattan Canter. This is an upscale complex comprised of modern recording studios, several ball rooms and concert stages. The center regularly holds different concerts, TV shows shootings and other events, attracting many travelers. Engaging cultural events are held in the Lincoln Center which is considered to be the music culture center.

The Chinatown is a place of inevitable visit for tourists. The area is famous for plenty of entertaining establishments, China restaurants and shops. The island offers remarkable religious landmarks as well. The historical part of the island hosts the Church of Blessed Sacrament. It was established in the middle of 19th century and today it is the most significant landmark of the United Stated of America. The building of the church is executed in Neo-Gothic style and today it hosts several shopping centers and restaurants. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Nelson Tower is the next significant tourist attraction spot. The height of the tower is 171m. The construction of the scale building was finished in 1931. Today the building hosts large companies’ offices. The Museum mile street will be of great interest for the guests. The street is home to ten interesting museums.

Top of the Rock — this is the name of the most famous observation deck, which is located on the roof of no less important attractions in Manhattan-Rockefeller Center. The observation deck provides beautiful views of the Empire State Building and the surrounding skyscraper area. As for the Rockefeller Center, the construction was built in the 1930s by the Rockefeller dynasty, the building was made in art Deco style. Another notable skyscraper in New York-Woolworth Building - was built in 1913, and until 1930 it was the tallest building in the world (its height is 241 meters). It is important to mention the United Nations Headquarters building, which was jointly designed by Oscar Niemeyer, Le Corbusier and Wallace Harrison.

Other American skyscrapers are also of great importance in Manhattan. For example, American Standard Building, the main feature of which is the connection of Gothic styles with modern. It is famous for its amazing black facade with a gold frame, which all together give an unprecedented charm to the building. The Municipal Building, which was completed in 1912, is known to many for the movie "Ghostbusters" filmed in 1984. The building served as a prototype for many other structures, its architect was William M. Kendall. In Central Park you can find a beautiful residential building Beresford, notable for the fact that its residents often became famous personalities (for example, Glenn close, Diana Ross, Bill Ackman).

Many tourists coming to New York, immediately hurry to walk through the famous Times Square, and you should definitely follow their example, you will be amazed by the famous bright billboards with a poster of theatres, souvenir shops and cafes. The street is perhaps the most atmospheric among the others in the city. However, Fifth Avenue is no less important place here, colourful parades usually take place on the street during the holidays. For those wishing to enjoy the architecture of the XIX century, it is useful to mention the area SoHo. The quarter is famous for its beautiful shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants, although previously the area was industrial-there were textile factories.

The Lower East Side area is famous for its graffiti and colour. Despite the fact that the quarter was considered to be a district for the working class, after the beginning of the XXI century, more wealthy people began to come here to live. That is why the area is considered to be quite controversial and contrasting: on the one hand — graffiti, on the other — luxury apartment buildings. Nevertheless, this fact makes the area one of the most colourful in all of New York. It is impossible not to mention Wall Street, a street that has already become a symbol of the city and it is famous for its numerous financial institutions. There is also another symbol of New York — the city's longest street Broadway, which stretches across Manhattan. The symbol of the famous Wall Street-a bronze bull, which is one of the main things that tourists want to take a picture of.

The Grand Central Terminal railway station impresses tourists right away-and all thanks to its openwork windows, star-painted ceilings and monumental staircases. Even those who come to New York not by train, visit the terminal to admire its beauty. For all its beauty, the building is functional. You will get the most pleasant emotions during the walk through one of the most picturesque places in Manhattan — Central Park's Literary Walk, where you can see sculptures dedicated to famous writers. The majestic Manhattan Bridge, connecting the district with Brooklyn, was built in 1909 by Leon Moysef, and today it is an important historical monument of New York.

Belvedere Castle is a remarkable example of Victorian architecture in Central Park. The eclectic style, which mixed neo-Gothic, neo-Moorish and Norman styles, became the hallmark of the castle. The building was erected in 1869 by the architect Calvert Vox. Built in 1881, Tweed Courthouse is another fine example of Victorian architecture. The history of the building is no less remarkable. William Tweed, whose name became a common name for a corrupt official, allocated money for the construction of the court. Construction of the building began in 1861, but then Tweed's fraudulent schemes were exposed in 1871. He and his accomplices were convicted in a building that was then unfinished.

The residential complex Tudor City has this name because architecture resembles the Tudor style. When creating the complex, the architects focused on Gothic rising up architecture. It is worth noting that Tudor City has repeatedly become a setting for movies — the complex can be seen in the trilogy "Spider-Man", "The Godfather 3", "Splash". New York is famous for its theatres, among which the best, of course, is considered the Broadway Theatre. However, no less remarkable are other cultural institutions where you can see stunning theatrical performances — for example, Carnegie Hall, Beacon Theatre and Minskoff Theatre. It is worth noting that this is only a small part of the theatres in Manhattan. There is a large number of cultural institutions that you should definitely visit.

In Manhattan, in addition to skyscrapers and other modern and fashionable buildings, there are also religious attractions. One of the most beautiful churches is St. Thomas Church, which construction was completed in 1823. It is built in neo-Gothic style, the interior of the temple strikes no less than its majestic facade. And in particular — beautiful stained glass windows, which are the hallmark of the Church. The majestic Grace Church (as its name suggests) is often called "one of the greatest treasures of the city". The Cathedral was built in 1846 in the style of the French Gothic revival, it is this monumentality inherent in the neo-Gothic, and makes the building one of the most important architectural attractions. Also, while in Manhattan, do not miss the chance to visit the building of Columbia University, which was built in 1754.