New York City: Beyond the Travel Guide

As any visitor to New York knows, there is no shortage of things to see and do in New York City. From Times Square, to the Empire State Building, the great museums, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge, to name just a few, New York has a seemingly endless number of interesting sites. But for the traveler that has seen all the major sites, or maybe just for the traveler who wants to get away from the crowds of tourists, there are a lot of sites in New York that rarely make into the average travel guide.

Federal Hall When this building was first built, 1834-1842, it served as the US Customs House of New York. Today, Federal Hall is a museum that celebrates the fact that America's first national capital once stood on this site. It was here, in New York, that George Washington was inaugurated in 1789 and where Congress wrote the Bill of Rights. The Federal Hall Museum is free of charge, and guided tours are given three times a day. 26 Wall Street

Trinity Church Designed by Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival style, the Trinity Church of New York was consecrated in 1846. Today, Trinity is surrounded by skyscrapers, but in the 19^th century, Trinity was by far the tallest building in New York, serving as a beacon for ships sailing into New York Harbor to the south. Its surrounding graveyard serves as the final resting place of many of the elites of New York, including Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton. The church is open to the public and guided tours are offered seven days a week at 2pm. Broadway at Wall Street

Fraunces Tavern Museum What stands here today is a replica of the original Fraunces Tavern, which first opened in 1719. Famous for playing host to General George Washington's farewell to his officers in 1783, the Fraunces Tavern today is the only remaining remnant of commercial colonial New York. There is a restaurant on the ground floor, which features a colonial type interior, while upstairs there is a museum whose exhibits share the history of colonial and revolutionary New York. 54 Pearl Street

St. Paul's Chapel Built in 1766 in what was, at the time, rural New York, St. Paul's Chapel is the sole surviving church from colonial New York. George Washington was a regular worshiper here during his Presidency in New York, and his pew box has been preserved to this day. Located next to the World Trade Center site, St. Paul's Chapel was amazingly not harmed by the 2001 terrorist attacks which leveled its neighboring towers. Today, there is a very interesting Ground Zero Ministry Exhibit. Open to the public. 209-11 Broadway.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum The idea of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum in New York is to give its visitors an idea of the horrific housing conditions that existed in New York in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. There are specific exhibits that recreate tenement apartment dating to the 1870s, 1916, 1918, and 1935. There is a new exhibit called the "Sweatshop Apartment." Admission is by tour only. Several different tours are available. Fees are $15-$17. 90 Orchard Street.

Old St. Patrick's Cathedral Please do not confuse the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral of New York with the "new" and famous St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5^th Avenue. Old St. Pat's is the original, the very first cathedral church in New York, which was established in 1809. Today's building, which was built in the 1860s is a replica of the original, which was destroyed by fire. Open to the public. 263 Mulberry Street.

75 ½ Bedford Street This interesting building has the distinction of the being the most narrow home in New York. Measuring a slim 9.5 feet and three stories, the house dates to 1893. Interestingly, it has been the New York home to some rather famous people, including Edna St. Vincent Millay, John Barrymore, and Cary Grant. It is today a private home and is not open to the public.

Cooper Union Founded by 19^th century industrialist, Peter Cooper, in 1859, Cooper Union is today one of the most selective colleges not only in New York, but in the nation and one of the very few which does not charge its students any tuition. Cooper Union's Great Hall was the site of the school's inauguration whose primary address was given by Mark Twain. Months later, when Abraham Lincoln came to New York, he came to Cooper Union to give what would become his famous "Right Makes Might" speech at the Great Hall. Open to the public. 7 East 7^th Street

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace This is the New York townhouse where President Theodore Roosevelt was born and spent his childhood. Operated by the National Park Service, the house's furnishings feature things such as toys that Roosevelt played with as a boy to political campaign memorabilia to souvenirs from the Spanish-American War. There are exhibits that cover Roosevelt's personal interests as well as those that highlight his political career. Admission is by tour only. They are 30 minutes in length and cost $3. 28 East 20^th Street.

The Little Church Around the Corner Formally called The Church of the Transfiguration, this Episcopal church first opened in 1849. It got its nickname, "The Little Church Around the Corner," when a New York actor by the name of George Holland passed away in 1870. His good friend, Joseph Jefferson tried to arrange a funeral service at a nearby church but was turned away because the minister was offended by the theatre and didn't believe that actors were worthy of proper burial services. The minister dismissively suggested that Jefferson take his dead actor friend to "the little church around the corner." And that's exactly what Jefferson did. And ever since then, The Little Church Around the Corner has enjoyed a special relationship with the theatre world of New York. Of special note is a stained glass window by John LaFarge depicting the great Edwin Booth playing Hamlet. Open to the public. 1 East 29^th Street

Hotel Chelsea Built in 1884, the Hotel Chelsea was originally a co-operative apartment building located on what was the leading entertainment boulevard in New York at the time. But when all the theatres moved to the north to what is today Times Square, the Chelsea neighborhood of New York changed quickly. In 1905, the building re-opened as the Hotel Chelsea. Originally catering to many long term guests, every room was uniquely designed, and to this day, no two rooms are alike. Famous guests of the Hotel Chelsea include Mark Twain, Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, Brendan Behan, Dylan Thomas, and Sid Vicious. The lobby is open to the public. 222 West 23^rd Street

Temple Emanu-El Founded in 1845, the Temple Emanu-El is the largest synagogue in the world and the first Reform congregation in New York. Dating to 1929, the Temple was built on the site of the home of the famous New York socialite, Lady Astor, who had decided to move further uptown. Some features of her home are still evident, the wine cellar and three marble fireplaces remain intact. Temple Emanu-El boasts nearly 10,000 individual members. The temple is open to the public and tours are available. 1 East 65^th Street

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum Dating to 1799, the Mt. Vernon Hotel was originally a country-side retreat for those who needed a break from the hustle and bustle of city life in 19^th century New York. In 1924, it was turned into a museum, and today, costumed guides are available to show visitors a little bit of how life was lived in New York 200 years ago. Admission is $8 421 East 61^st Street

Gracie Mansion Also dating to 1799 is Gracie Mansion. Built by New York merchant Archibald Gracie, this house is considered to be one of the finest Federal era houses in New York. Between 1887 and 1942, it served as the Museum of the City of New York. Today, it is the official residence of the Mayor of New York. Guided tours are given on Wednesdays. Admission is $7. East End Avenue and East 88^th Street.

St. Paul's Chapel Not to be confused with the St. Paul's Chapel on Broadway (mentioned above), this St. Paul's is located on the campus of Columbia University, the oldest university in New York. Consecrated in 1907, the chapel is designed in the Northern Italian Renaissance style using an interesting combination of red brick and limestone. The interior of the dome is clad in green ceramic tiles and crowned by a terra-cotta lantern. The chancel is adorned by three stained glass windows by John LaFarge. The chapel is open to the public. It is located on the campus of Columbia Univeristy, just off of the Central Quadrangle (next to the library).

Cathedral of St. John the Divine The Mother Church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and seat of the Bishop of New York, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is, believe it or not, still a work in progress. Begun in 1892, construction on the cathedral is still only two-thirds complete. When complete, St. John the Divine will be the largest cathedral in the world. The interior is over 600 feet long and 146 feet wide. The church is open to the public. Guided tours are available at 11am and cost $5. 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at West 112^th Street.