New York City landmarks: they're an important aspect of the culture in this city.
Did you hear that the iconic Long Island City Pepsi sign is almost officially an NYC landmark? Well, it is, and for us that's cause for some reflection.
We decided in the spirit of celebration that the Pepsi sign will be protected from being demolished, that we'd take a moment to consider which other NYC landmarks are just as important to us.
Whether we're discussing orchids at the New York Botanical Gardens or we're discussing paintings at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the landmarks we've listed below are beautiful and important to the spirit of the city.
Are you planning on getting out and about, while checking out some NYC landmarks? Well, we've got some ideas about where you should go. Read on to find out which underrated official NYC landmarks you need to visit soon.
1. Whitney Museum of American Art (99 Gansevoort Street)
The Whitney Museum spent nearly 50 years in its Upper East Side location, and then, last year, moved ship to a new building near the High Line.
Its new location is stunning, and was designed by Renzo Piano.
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It's a must-visit destination because of the paintings displayed within its architecturally impressive new buildings, painted by art heavy-hitters like Georgia O'Keeffe and Jackson Pollock.
The Whitney is as culturally innovative as it is architecturally stunning. It’s the preeminent institution devoted to the art of the United States. It presents a full range of twentieth-century and contemporary American art, with a special focus on works by living artists.
2. St. Patrick's Cathedral (50th Street between 5th and Madison Avenues)
This is an old, beautiful church, and it's been around since 1879, believe it or not. It was built by architect James Renwick Jr., and recently the subject of a facelift that costed $175 million. Needless to say, it looks more incredible than it has at any point in its 137 years of existence.
This Roman Catholic church is a decorated Neo-Gothic style cathedral, and it’s one of NYC’s oldest, most beautiful architectural fixtures.
The property was purchased in 1810, and at that time, the Jesuit community built a college there. In 1814, the school closed, and it reopened as a chapel for Catholics in 1840.
Today, the cathedral sees more than five million visitors from different nationalities and faiths every year. The cathedral is magnificent, and it takes our breaths away every time we catch a glimpse of it. You should check it out too.
3. South Street Seaport Historic District
South Street Seaport's historic district is the place where Fulton Street meets the East River.
It was declared an NYC landmark in 1977, and it's the city's largest concentration of early 19th-century commercial buildings. Its declaration as a landmark rescued it from being destroyed.
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It's got the Titanic Memorial at the intersection of Fulton and Water Streets, and a lighthouse that commemorates the ship's sinking in 1912. It shines out into the harbor where the ship would've arrived, had it not sunk.
It's got a pedestrian mall, and its centerpiece, Schermerhorn Row, was built from 1811 to 1812. It's currently occupied by shops, bars, and restaurants.
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4. New York Public Library
Beautiful, domed marble ceilings, stunning crystal chandeliers, and miles and miles of rare and first-edition books makes New York Public Library a must-visit.
It's the second-largest public library in the United States, second only to the Library of Congress.
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Its Rose Main Reading Room is currently undergoing renovations and is set to reopen in the fall of 2016. Still, there's plenty to visit in and around the library, and plenty of literary events that include famous authors reading famous books.
5. Grand Central Terminal
The great news about Grand Central is that it might actually be the way you come to visit NYC. You might actually enter the city through the heaven that is Grand Central.
It's truly magic, with stars adorning its light-up turquoise ceiling, and a golden band crossing its ceiling that's meant to signify the equator.
There's an oyster bar, a Whispering Gallery, and a Shake Shack. Plus, the whole thing was built from "miles of marble." The idea for the terminal came to designer William J. Wilgus in a "flash of light," he said, decades later. "It was the most daring idea that ever occurred to me."
Ground for Grand Central was first broken in 1904, and was modeled on public baths in Rome 1,700 years earlier. Check it out.
6. New York Botanical Garden
The 14th Annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden opens this weekend.
If you can't wait until actual spring to be dazzled by an array of flowers, then come to the opening of the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden on Saturday, February 27th.
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The show will fill the conservatory at the Garden with thousands and thousands of orchids in an incredible variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.
You'll also get to take a journey through orchid collecting history with this year's 14th Installment of this exhibit. It'll open on Saturday at 10 a.m., and will remain open all day Saturday until 6 p.m. Get your tickets here.
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[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]