It might not feel like winter is winding down, but eventually spring must arrive, right? So, we might as well get ready now with a few unusual New York City attractions.

Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, located at 620 Second Avenue at 34th Street, in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, was built in 1966-1968 and designed by Steinmann & Cain. Photo courtesy of Beyond My Ken.

Smack in the middle of Manhattan’s towering high-rises sits a modest church which is a replica of a cathedral built during the 7th century in Armenia. Looking like a misplaced dwarf, this replica of the Saint Hripsime Church, built in 681 AD, was itself built in 1966. There is a lot to see here, but we will merely suggest taking note of the unique to Armenian architecture feature of double-intersecting arches inside, which allow the building to stand without the need of columns, which are pervasive in most other churches. Located at Second Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets.

The Spot Where Nathan Hale Said His Famous Last Words

Famously hanged by the British on September 22, 1776 for spying on behalf of the (American) rebels, Nathan Hale is mostly remembered for his brave declaration that, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” According to one British officer’s diary, the hanging happened at “the Royal Artillery Park near Dove Tavern at the old Post Road,” now Third Avenue. Unfortunately, exactly where the “British Artillery Park” was located is in dispute, and therefore there are two plaques claiming to be the true spot where Hale was hanged. One plaque is found at Third Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets, and the second is hanging on the Yale Club (Hale’s alma mater) at 44th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.

Beaux-Arts Kiosk at Trolley to Welfare (Roosevelt) Island

Five ornately decorated kiosks were built in 1909 servicing a trolley line from Second Avenue in Manhattan to Queens on the other side of the East River via the Queensboro bridge. There was one stop on Welfare Island, known today as Roosevelt Island, where passengers disembarked from the trolley and took an elevator down to the island, known as Welfare Island due to the preponderance of hospitals there. In 1957 three of the kiosks were sadly destroyed. A fourth was moved in the 1970s to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, but faced again with the possibility of destruction, was once again moved back to Roosevelt Island, were it serves as a visitor center. The last kiosk is still in its original location at 59th Street just under the bridge and tramway to Roosevelt Island. It now sits on a traffic island under the bridge, lonely and forlorn. There is no question your visit would be appreciated.

New York City, Roosevelt Island, Smallpox Hospital. Photo by Earnest B

People who are passionate about cats will no doubt be love a visit to the Cat Sanctuary which was established on Roosevelt Island. The island had been a traditional dumping ground for unwanted cats long before the establishment of this refuge for refugee cats, but it is now an offical safe haven for the numerous cats whose owners will not or cannot take care of them anymore.

For as long as people in these parts can remember the presence of cats on the island was tolerated, and sometimes even encouraged, as good Samaritans left food and water for the numerous strays and homeless cats that called Roosevelt Island their home. When a cat named Yin Lang died in 2004, his demise inspired a group to form, called Island Cats. Eleven years ago, in 2005, the group decided it was time to do something to help the cats there, protect them and even find homes for them.

Island Cats began by to trapping and neutering the strays, and they created an adoption program for them. On the southern tip of the island the group operates a small shelter.

The cats have the distinction of being the only creatures allowed into the ruins of the Renwick Smallpox Hospital. One day however the hospital may be re-opened, but not until its structure is reinforced.

A good place to observe the cats of Roosevelt Island is near the ruined Renwick Hospital.