New York City Travel Guide

New York City Travel Guide and Online Tourist Information including beaches, attractions, maps, hotels, tips and more

Introducing New York City

Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty, New York City

Located at the mouth of Hudson River, New York City became America’s main immigration entry point in the 18th century. The city was named the first capital of the United States in 1785. The first Congress met in Federal Hall on Wall Street and drafted the first Bill of Rights, as well as the Northwest Ordinance that same year.

The Northwest Ordinance was the first step in expanding the United States. George Washington was inaugurated in New York in 1789. A new street grid system was put in place in the early 1820s, which mapped all the streets on the island of Manhattan. The street grid divided the city in sections in order to accommodate the immigrants that were moving into the city in large numbers.

By 1850 the population of New York City was over 500,000 and by 1890 the population had grown to over 1.5 million. In 1898 Brooklyn, which was an independent city, was consolidated with Manhattan and the Bronx. At that same time the boroughs of Queens and Staten Island were created to form what is now known as the five boroughs of New York.

New York City
New York City

New York’s subway system was opened in 1904. The subway made transportation between the boroughs easier and it is still the fastest and most affordable way to get around the city. By the early 1950s New York City was considered the world’s most exciting city, a title it still holds today, especially for anyone who has the opportunity to spend some time in the city. New York became known as the “Big Apple” in the late 1920s. During the 1930s through the 1960s the Big Apple nickname became popular, especially with jazz musicians who played in nightclubs around the city. In 1971 the city finally adopted the name Big Apple as an advertising slogan to attract tourists. A good mental attitude, weather friendly clothing, a comfortable pair of shoes, plus a desire to experience the unusual makes a stay in New York a fantastic adventure. Walking around the city, as well as using the mass transit system gives every visitor a chance to feel the pulse of this outgoing city.

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