Constantly evolving, the smallest borough of New York City is also a treasure trove of history. A look back at the classics.
Upon entering Manhattan, one is immediately captivated by the breathtaking vanishing line of avenues, channeled by skyscrapers all the way to the waters of the bay. It was here, on the southern tip of the island, that the first Dutch settlers of the 17th century built their New Amsterdam. The outline of its walls remains marked by Wall Street, the heart of financial life since the mid-19th century . Although the city is constantly evolving, traveling its 21 kilometers north is a symbolic journey back in time.
Beyond Houston Street, which crosses the island in its 3 km width, the small streets disappear in favor of the grid plan imposed on the city in 1807. In the middle of this century, the "brownstones" of Washington Square and Gramercy Park flourished, and the "French Flats" inspired by Haussmannian architecture.
This area is home to picturesque neighborhoods: SoHo with its glass and cast-iron buildings housing trendy boutiques and art galleries, Greenwich Village with its brick houses and bohemian cultural reputation, as well as Chinatown and Little Italy. However, the excesses of the Roaring Twenties transformed the landscape with the race to build the tallest tower, symbolized by the rivalry between the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, which won the title at 381 meters in 1931.
The forest of buildings reaching for the clouds comes to an abrupt halt before Central Park, a true oasis in this urban jungle. Palaces crowd its southern border, while the most famous cultural institutions line its eastern and western edges.
This exploration naturally passes through Times Square, the lights of Broadway, and the glitz of Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
Beyond the myths, take the time to leave Manhattan and discover the boroughs. Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot is an experience in itself, allowing you to appreciate the successful conversion of former warehouses and factories into trendy neighborhoods, offering views of the skyline.
The most beautiful view remains that of the waterfront at sunset, when the Long Island Ferry crosses the waterfront near the Statue of Liberty. The city then takes on the surreal appearance of a city straight out of a science fiction story.
@nyctourism
Sophie Reyssat
