Have you ever thought of visiting New York’s branch of the Federal Reserve Bank? It is completely free and well worth the effort of joining a guided tour in order to see the high-security vault. Behind that impregnable door lies over 10, 000 tons of gold reserves, safely stowed 80 feet underground. For those on the tour only a small percentage of that mass of precious metal will be on view. To book your free tour, which is the only way to get a glimpse of the vault, you will need to reserve about 6 weeks in advance of your planned visit. The tour can accommodate up to 25 visitors, takes about 45 minutes, and begins several times during the day between 11:15am and 3:00pm. A visit can be reserved as far as 90 days in advance.
New York Federal Reserve Bank Vault
Self-guided visits are also possible and also need to be booked ahead on-line, and do not include a visit to the vault, but does enable you to see the Museum of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which has an interesting display of the history of money. Self-guided tours are usually available with only one day’s notice.
Spring has sprung, and what better way to enjoy the warming, blooming city, than with a bike ride through Central Park.
Bikers can choose to go out on their own, exploring the many gorgeous nooks and crannies that make this incredible inner city park one of New York’s favorite attractions; or they can participate in a guided tour throughout the magnificent park, visiting some of the highlights of the park, including: Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Wollman Rink and lots more.
There are additional tours available touching on some fascinating themes such as the Movie Scene Tour in which bikers spend their two-hour tour visiting the spots where many scenes from famous movies were filmed, such as scenes from “When Harry Met Sally,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” and “August Rush.”
Also available are the Arts and Architecture Tour and a Central Park Walking Tour. Biking and/or walking through this historic park, one of the greatest public spaces on earth, is an experience not easily forgotten.
First time to New York? You might want to consider the perfect way to introduce yourself to all the wonder and excitement that New York has to offer. On the second floor of the most famous building in the world, the Empire State Building is a simulated skyride narrated by actor Kevin Bacon, which takes you on a half hour fantastic adventure across the iconic New York skyline to visit almost three dozen of New York’s most incredible landmarks.
Visitors stand on a specially engineered platform before an 18-foot high-definition screen, and feel like they are on a magical voyage of exploration. When you are finished, it is just a step away to visit the must-see Observatory, where the magic of New York truly comes to life.
Visitors to New York should know about a great way to save money and time when they visit some of New York’s most beloved attractions, CityPASS.
For only $79 for an adult and $59 for a child, New York CityPASS allows holders to strut right past the lines for tickets to the following six destinations, at about half the price it would cost if the entrance fees were paid for at each site.
• The Empire State Building
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The American Museum of Natural History
• The Museum of Modern Art
• Either the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour or a Circle Line Cruise
• Either Top of the Rock or the Guggenheim Museum
The CityPASS is valid for nine days from the time the first attraction is visited. You receive with your tickets in-depth information about each site, including hours of operation, location, a map and tips.
Next time you are in New York, consider getting a CityPASS to ease your stay and make it the best visit to the Big Apple that you ever had.
There are lots of ways to experience the glamor, history, and uniqueness of New York City. The conventional methods include tour buses, boat rides around Manhattan and other boroughs, or just plain walking. But New York Fun Tours offer something a bit different to those wishing to put a little pizzazz into their New York experience.
• See the City from a classic convertible: A private tour guide, who doubles as your chauffeur will drive you through some of New York’s most exciting neighborhoods in a full-size, busting with luxury, classic Chevrolet Caprice Convertible. Cruise around lower Manhattan and see some of New York’s most famous locales, including Chinatown, SoHo, Little Italy and more.
• Some have called New York a ‘concrete jungle.’ So what better way to explore the city’s special inner heart than from a safari type Jeep Wrangler SUV. The adventure of New York will be experienced in utter comfort as you investigate places like the West Village, the South Street Seaport, the Financial District and other equally exciting places.
• If you prefer feeling perfectly pampered, consider a tour in a luxurious stretch limo, SUV or even a limo bus. Have the ride of your life in what is one of the symbols of New York glamor while you learn about some of lower Manhattan’s most fascinating places, including TriBeCa, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and other areas.
We’ve all seen the movies, read the books, watched the plays. We know New York can be as romantic as any European hot spot. But how, where, when?
Here are a few suggestions to experience some of the more tender New York moments that can be had in the big, beloved apple.
South Street Seaport
South Street Seaport District- Conveniently located walking distance from Chinatown; you will enjoy people-watching, relaxing and souvenir shopping in this lovely little area. South Seaport Pier 17 is a bustling touristy place which is the old fish market converted into wonderful shops and restaurants. This is a great place to get a fantastic view of the ever-impressive Brooklyn Bridge.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue- For many people Fifth Avenue is the heart of New York’s classy reputation. Well known as one of the premium bits of real estate anywhere in the world, taking a walk down Fifth Avenue makes you feel fabulously wealthy just by osmosis. Some of the sites to be had on Fifth Avenue are of the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum. The best of Fifth is all within about a one mile wonderful walk, from 34th Street to 59th Street, with lots of unbelievable, typically New York, shopping.
Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building– This building is a classy alternative to a visit to the Empire State Building. Its classic ArtDeco Style is an iconic symbol of New York and one of the city’s most renowned skyline features. Chrysler was the first building to reach beyond 1000 feet, but its role as the world’s tallest building was short-lived as only 11 months later the Empire State Building reached even higher towards the heavens. A visit to this gorgeous testament to 1930s architecture will not be in vain.
