Dec
The City of New York is famous for its landmark architecture and stunning structures. In fact, you may find it hard to make the time to stop and enjoy each and every building! If you simply must narrow your sightseeing field down to just a handful of buildings, AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City high recommends placing New York City Hall at the top of your Must-Visit list! Built in 1912, the New York City Hall building is one of Manhattans most spectacular structures, boasting a beautiful marble and granite faade thats reminiscent of a much early era. Designed by John McComb Jr. and Joseph Francois Mangin, this towering icon of justice and peace is the oldest City Hall structure in the nation and has long been considered one of the finest architectural accomplishments of its period. An early expression of NYCs budding cosmopolitan flare, City Hall is now an official New York Historical Landmark, so dont miss your chance to check it out during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City vacation!
Structurally Significant
Built to accommodate the citys growing municipal government, the New York City Hall building features three floors of formal offices and meeting areas. The result of a hotly-contested architectural competition held in 1802, the City Hall building features clear French influences, as well as a strict Federal style. Stunning details on the building include arched windows, delicate ornamental swags, pilasters and tons of decorative Corinthian- and Ionic-style columns. Designed to give off an air of sophistication and success, the New York City Hall also features a formal grand staircase entrance, a one-story portico and a stunning copper cupola topped with the iconic statue of Justice. New Yorks City Hall has continued to evoke praise since its completion in 1812, earning it a place near and dear to many city historians. Known for its role in both the citys civic and cultural history, the Hall now features daily tours designed to further promote the buildings important role in Manhattans past.
Important Historical Happenings at City Hall
City Hall has played an important role in many civic functions, as well as a few nationally significant events. Customers of AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City are encouraged to learn more about these exciting happenings by partaking in a tour of the Halls public facilities, many of which include late 19th century furnishings and priceless pieces of American history. One of the Halls most important rooms is that of the buildings unofficial museum and reception room the second floor Governors Room. Designed as a celebration of the citys civic history, the Governors Room is currently home to a wide range of important 19th century American portraits, as well as furnishings from Charles Christian and Honore Lannuier. George Washingtons original desk is also exhibited in this ornate sitting room, as well as numerous other artifacts. Many distinguished guest have had the pleasure of visiting this room on official business including the Marquis de Lafayette and the one and only Albert Einstein. The room also played host to Abraham Lincoln during 1861, and would later serve as a backdrop for his funerary lay in state in 1865.
Customers of AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City that are interested in taking a guided tour of the historic city hall are invited to stop by the facility any day during the week. Tours are offered periodically during the day depending on the demand, so simply stop in at the front visitors desk for more information. Large groups of customers from AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City can also call 311 (in NYC) or 1-212-NEW-YORK to reserve a specific tour time. All tours are provide free of charge.
To learn more about City Hall and the local seat of government before embarking on your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City vacation please feel free to log onto the official NYC government website at www.nyc.gov.
Dec
Visit the world-famous auction house with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR. Christie’s Auction House was founded on December 5, 1766 by James Christie in London, England. From its beginnings Christie’s Auction House quickly rose and gained a reputation as a leading auction house, taking advantage of London’s new found status as a major centre of international art trade right after the French Revolution. Up until 1999, Christie’s Auction House had a public listing on the London stock exchange until it was taken back in to private ownership by Francois Pinauly, and is now currently French-owned.
It’s all in the location…
Christie’s Auction House main London saleroom is on King Street in St. James where it has been since 1823. Since then, Christie’s Auction House has opened a second London saleroom in South Kensington in 1975. The Kensington location mainly handles collectibles such as cameras, teddy bears, scientific instruments, toys and dolls and the middle market. Adding to these two locations include the Christie’s Auction House worldwide location including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.
When you visit the Christie’s Auction House with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR make sure to take note in the beauty of the buildings exterior design. Featuring a grand limestone and bronze exterior with a post-industrial steel and glass canopy which complements the existing murals, mosaics, and courtyard sculpture of the nearby Rockefeller Center which is in the heart of New York City, the building is definitely a sight to see. This 310 000 square foot facility also contains a triple-height entranceway with a special mural by artist Sol LeWitt and main salesroom with double-height ceiling for a great dramatic effect. Adaptable walls inside the building provide an excellent way to provide maximum exhibition space and expansive galleries for the display of large-scale contemporary works and private viewing rooms. You can see all this and more when you travel with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR.
Some friendly competition…
Christie’s Auction House has had a longtime rival in Sotheby’s Auction House for several hear. However, it has dominated the auction market, holding a greater market share. Currently, Christie’s Auction House has the world’s largest auction house by Markey share and revenues. So what are you waiting for? Visit this amazing auction house today with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR.
Visit Christie’s where some of the most notable auctions have taken place…
Christie’s Auction House has had several notable famous pieces auctioned off including:
- A variety of works and possessions from famous historical figures such as Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, Diana, Princess of Wales, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Napoleon Bonaparte, Marilyn Monroe, and more.
- The famous Archimedes Palimpsest was sold in 1998 after a dispute of ownership was legally concluded
- Christie’s Auction House became the first international auction house to exhbit works of art in Beijing, China in 1995.
- More recently in October 2006, Christie Auction House put up over 1 000 lots of official Star Trek contents from the CBS Paramount Television studios. Among the items included a model of the Starship Enterprise-D used in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Star Trek Generations for a ring of $576 000
For more information on Christie’s Auction House when you visit with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR visit their official website at www.christies.com.
Christie’s Auction House
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Tel: +1 212 636 2000
Fax: +1 212 636 2399
Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Dec
Imagine spending the afternoon in a beautiful European piazza. Children laugh and play on playgrounds next to you, while shoppers browse the mouthwatering selection of greenmarket produce. You can here the barking of nearby dogs and can smell the tempting scent of neighborhood restaurants. Nothing can compare to perfect afternoon in the piazza, but why go all the way to Europe to experience? Union Square Park in New York City is a beautiful recreation European piazza located right at the heart of downtown Manhattan! A stone’s throw from neighborhoods like the East Village SoHo and Greenwich Village, the park provides car rental NYC customers with access to the softer side of the city. You and your car rental NYC companions are invited to enjoy an afternoon of fresh air and friendly merchants inside this landmark place, so why wait! Visit Union Square today and enjoy yet another side of NYC life!
From Lettuce to Lovers: You’ll find it all at Union Square
Union Square Park in New York City is well known for a variety of onsite amenities. Among these is the world famous greenmarket. Farms from all over New York and New Jersey come to this four day bazaar in order to sell their wares and promote their business. Car rental NYC travelers can find everything from fruits and vegetables to cheeses and meats inside this expansive marketplace, so why not stop in for some inspiration meal ideas? The seasonal selection at this outdoor market is unparalleled and the quality of the produce is a million times better than that of a supermarket. If you’re lucky you may even spot one or two famous faces browsing between the rows of leafy greens! New York’s finest prefer shopping here over ordinary grocery store, so be on the lookout for a few famous faces! Once you’ve purchased a few delicacies from the greenmarket, AAMCAR Car Rentals NYC recommends stopping in at the Luna park restaurant for a quick drink. This legendary bar and grill is located at the heart of the park, providing travelers with a stunning view of the surrounds greenery and activity. A great option for social gatherings and a light afternoon snack, the Luna is a prime place to exercise your people watching skills! The line can often be a little daunting outside this local watering hole, but don’t worry! Numerous other restaurants are also located within walking distance of the park. These include the Union Square Caf, the Blue Water Grill, the Zen Palate and the Coffee Shop.
The Everyman’s Park
If you’re looking for a microcosm of the city, look no further than the benches and walkways of Union Park Square! Hundreds of different and diverse people visit this public space everyday providing car rental NYC travelers with a quick look at city life. Common visitors include the hackey-sackers, skateboarders and protestors that dominate the south end steps; the dog walkers on the west side; and the New York Film Academy Students in the northeast corner. Children can also be found on any one of the three fantastic playground facilities. Annual events inside the park attract even more visitors, so be sure to check and see if any free dance performances of music concerts are slated to take place during your upcoming car rental NYC vacation.
If you’re interested in visiting Union Square Park during your upcoming car rental NYC vacation please feel free to visit the official New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website at www.nycgovparks.org for more details. You can also drop by the park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 8am and 6pm in order to take advantage of the famous greenmarket. Admission to the park is always free, Car rental NYC customers are welcome to stay as long as they’d like as the park is open 24 hours. Union Square Park is located from 14th Street to 18th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue. For more information please call 1-212-460-1208.
Dec
Bryant Park has been called “one of the most sensual, graceful open spaces in New York City”. There are many interesting areas to explore in the park once you leave your New York car rental.
First thing you may encounter once you leave your New York car rental is the lawn. The lawn is a garden within a city of skyscrapers. It is an oasis within the city that incorporates historical monuments and urban amenities. No matter what season it is, you will want to make this a stop on your New York tour with your New York car rental.
The park has been called Bryant Park since its inception in 1842, but it was recently transformed in the 1980s into what it is today. The park has an interesting history. In the mid-20th century the park was the site of frequent muggings and drug deals. The renovations have transformed the park and made it a place that you will want to visit with your New York car rental.
Gardens
There are six flower beds that border Bryant Park’s Lawn to the north and south. These gardens are planted each season with over 100 species of shrubs and 20,000 bulbs.
Promenades
On the north and south sides of the park there are twin promenades that are beautifully lined with London plane trees. These are the same trees that are found in the famous Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. As you step out of your New York car rental it is like stepping into historic Paris. These trees can get as big as 20 feet tall.
Lawns
The lawns are where people who are stuck in the office go for escape. On any given weekday, when you park your New York car rental here you will see thousands of workers enjoying their lunch here.
Special Attractions
One of the special attractions of Bryant Park is Le Carrousel. Interestingly, the word comes from a twelfth-century Arabian game of horsemanship. When it spread to France in the 16th century the game was changed slightly and evolved into tournaments. People began to carve horses, which the English converted in the 19th century to what we are familiar with today. The carousel in Bryant Park was created to complement the park’s French style and English and American traditions. There are 14 animals that spin to French cabaret music.
In the winter there is The Pond, an ice skating rink that is the centerpiece of the Christmas and holiday celebrations. Admission is free for skating, and there are lessons, special events, and other activities that regularly take place as well. There are also special holiday shops that open in mid-November where you may find that special souvenir. The items here come from all over the world and, following the European tradition, are found in a market.
Jan
The Lincoln Tunnel connects Weehawken, New Jersey to Midtown Manhattan through the first triple-tube tunnel construction in the world! Plans for the tunnel were first introduced back in 1930, when the newly appointed Port Authority of New York and New Jersey proposed a twin-tube tunnel connection, later extended to include an extra tube. Chief engineer on the project was Othmar Ammann, the same man who took over for Clifford Holland on the first vehicular tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Working conditions on the Lincoln Tunnel were dangerous, claustrophobic and extremely tedious, but amazingly no workers were harmed during the construction process. Limited to one hour of a work a day, divided into half hour sections, workers avoided serious illness and injury, completing the tunneling process within five years.
The Three Tubes of the Lincoln Tunnel
Today the Lincoln Tunnel is a bustling transportation hub connecting millions of delivery vehicles and Manhattan car rentals to New Jersey everyday. But of course, this wasnt always the case. The first tube of the Lincoln Tunnel was opened to the public on December 22, 1937, costing just over $75 million. This singular tube was only large enough to allow one lane of traffic each way, causing more than its fair share of slow-ups and traffic jams. A second tube was constructed, and later opened to the public in 1945, freeing up many of the Manhattan car rental traffic jams. Traffic on this major trans-Hudson connection continued to escalate after the Second World War, causing the Port Authority to consider building a new twin-tube tunnel between Manhattan and Hoboken. Although a good idea in theory, this new project proved to be too costly and time consuming for the Port Authority, so a new plan was hatched to construct a third tube onto the Lincoln connection. This project was a huge undertaking for the Port Authority as it including the construction of two approach ramps and a peripheral Manhattan car rental parking area, costing close to $85 million. Completed in 1957, the Lincoln Tunnel became the first triple-tubed vehicular tunnel in the world, serving some 43,468,000 vehicles each year!
The Lincoln Tunnel Today
Today the Lincoln Tunnel is the busiest vehicular tunnel in the world, carrying some 120,000 vehicles each and everyday. The three-tubes of the Lincoln Tunnel help to connect midtown Manhattan with three different New Jersey expressways including the NJ 495 Freeway, the NJ 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike. There is a toll associated with the Lincoln Tunnel, consisting of a $6 cash fee when heading eastbound through the tunnel. During the busy weekday morning rush hour the Port Authority offers an exclusive bus lane, helping to clear up the other lanes for you and your Manhattan car rental.
Safety Tips for Using the Lincoln Tunnel
If youve never driven your Manhattan car rental through a vehicular tunnel the experience can be a little nerve-wracking. To ensure a safe and easy passage through the tunnel be sure to keep these safety tips in mind:
- The speed limit inside the Lincoln tunnel and any other Port Authority run tunnel is 35 miles an hour, unless otherwise posted
- Do not cross double solid lines inside the tunnel in your Manhattan car rental Crossing these lines is unsafe and illegal
- Watch for traffic cones when approaching the Lincoln Tunnel entranceways. Bright Orange traffic cones are used to signal construction, rope of unsafe arrays and to create barriers between traffic. Moving one of these traffic cones is against the law, so please dont touch them!
- In the case of an accident please stay inside your vehicle. Emergency response teams will assess the damage and instruct you on when and where to move your Manhattan car rental.
Jan
Greenwich Village (commonly called The Village) is one of the larger residential areas in Manhattan. Located in the southern downtown section, The Villages is surrounded by trendy neighborhoods including SoHo, the East Village, Chelsea and the West Village. Known generally as an icon of bohemian culture, Greenwich Village is one of the most eclectic areas in all of the Big Apple, offering everything from designer shops, to historic landmarks! Primary campuss for many of New Yorks top colleges and universities are found in Greenwich Village including NYU and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. So whether youre a college kid or an aspiring artist, The Village should definitely be at the top of your New York City car rental destinations list!
Driving your New York City Car Rental in The Village
When you visit Greenwich Village in your New York City car rental for the first time prepare to navigate some winding roadways! Unlike the rest of Manhattan, which is built in a formal grid pattern, The Village has a unique setup consisting of narrowed, curvy streets and a variety of angled roadways. You also may wish to keep a Greenwich Village roadmap in your New York City car rental as all of the streets are named rather than number, liked most other Manhattan roadways.
The Villages Artist Roots
During the 19th and 20th century Greenwich Village attracted artists and innovators from all over the world thanks to The Villages central NYC location and inexpensive rent. Eccentric individuals visiting the area in their New York City car rental will love the open-minded, alternative way of thinking practiced here in The Village. This community has long maintained a nonjudgmental attitude and progressive mindset, encouraging visitors and residents alike to embrace their lives and get involved in their beliefs. This open way of thinking has allowed The Village to play a major role in the gay liberation movement, numberous political rebellions and countless artistic movements. Famous (and infamous) Villagers include Bob Dylan, Maxwell Bodenheim, Joe Gould and many, many more!
Attractions in The Village
Today The Village is home to a wide variety of shops, restaurants and parks, all of which make for perfect tourist attractions. By far the most popular attraction and monument in all of Greenwich Village is Washington Square. Located in the heart of The Village, Washington Square is home to two major tourist attractions the fountain and the Washington Arch. Built in 1826, Washington Square now represents everything that The Village stands for, especially its bohemian flare. The towering Washington Arch, which is located at 5th Avenue and Waverly Place, was built for the centennial of Washingtons inauguration as US President and is now a permanent marble fixture. New York City car rentals and other traffic used to be allowed to drive through the Arch, but since 9/11 security precautions have halted this practice. Anther one of The Villages most popular attractions is the areas amazing shopping experience. From shoes to guitars and everything in between, youre sure to find just what youre looking for in The Village! Boutiques line the streets selling anything and everything you could possibly need, while the sidewalks are always full of busy window shoppers! AAMCAR Discount Car Rental highly recommends that you check out 8th Street, which is better known as the shoe store capital of the world! From stilettos to sneakers, expect to find that perfect pair of shoes, for a more than perfect price just be sure to reserve a New York City car rental with lots of trunk space before embarking on a Village shopping adventure!
From its artistic beginnings to present day retail, The Village is a must-visit for any New York City tourist. Beautiful old brownstones give this stunning neighborhood a sophisticated air, but dont be fooled! Beneath that angelic exterior lies the heart of a rebel, so let youre opinions roar when you visit Greenwich Village!
Dec
Times Square is the center of the action in New York City. One can’t help but be mesmerized driving past the flashing neon lights and gigantic advertisements that line the sides of immense skyscrapers. If this is your first time visiting Times Square make sure to drive your New York rental car to 1560 7th Avenue, the location of the Times Square Information Center. Located in the beautifully-restored Embassy Movie Theatre, the Information Station offers free brochures and information on citywide attraction and includes maps of the Times Square Alliance. When you park your New York rental car and go inside you’ll be able to purchase tickets at the Information Center for Off and On Broadway shows, book bus tours, purchase souvenirs, access the internet and enjoy a special Panasonic video exhibition on the Square.
Parking your New York Rental Car in Times Square
Times Square offers a variety of parking garages located throughout the Times Square area. These lots are a safe and affordable place to park your New York rental car but please note that not all of them are open 24 hours. A full listing of parking garages can be found at www.timesswuarebid.org/parking.html.
Times Square Facts
- There are more than 251 restaurants ranging from fast food to elegant dining in the Times Square Alliance
- The Times Square Alliance stretches from West 40th Street to West 53rd Street, just West of Sixth Avenue, stretching to both sides of 8th Avenue all the way to 9th Avenue and West 46th Street.
- There are 399 property owners in Times Square (not including residents)
- There are 21 million square feet of office space currently in use or available with 2.4 million more in the construction process!
- One-fifth of all of New York’s hotel rooms are found in Times Square – over 12,500 total!
- There are 40 theaters in Times Square including the 22 landmark Broadway Theatres
- There are approximately 231,000 employees who work in the Times Square district
- Over 27,000 residents live in the greater Times Square area
- There are over 1,500 business and organizations these include:
- BMG Entertainment
- The New York Times
- Viacom/MTV
Time Square has come to be synonymous with partying for one main reason New Years Eve! Every year millions of people tune in to watch the ball drop over Times Square, while thousands upon thousands flock to New York to partake in the actual event. So don’t even think about getting your New York rental car through Times Square on December 31 or January 1! The first official ball drop took place in 1907 and ever since then it has become a universal symbol for the New Year.
Other events that take place in Times Square include the “Taste of Times Square”, “Broadway on Broadway” and a broad area of fabulous outdoor concerts. The year 2004 marked the 100 anniversary of the Times Square Alliance, resulting in a full year of celebration that included:
- Special promotional galas
- Summer concert celebrations
- Special exhibitions, and lectures on Times Square history
- The development of a new design vision for the landscape of Times Square
- Artist, photographers and writers interpretations of the history and impact of Times Square
For more information on upcoming events in Times Square please visit the official website at www.timessquarebid.org. This site includes directories of all the businesses, restaurants and tours available in Times Square along with in depth looks into the history of the New York tourist attraction!
Dec
John F. Kennedy Airport is the busiest airport in New York, handling over 30 million passengers annually. JFK has nine terminals and hosts over 80 international airlines that travel the globe everyday! JFK is located a short 15 mile New York car rental drive from Manhattan in the borough of Queens, making it easy for travelers to get in and out of New York City. John F. Kennedy Airport originally opened as the New York International Airport in 1948, but was renamed for the president in 1963. JFK Airport is equipped with numerous hotels, shops, restaurants and New York car rental parking garages, making it a great entryway to NYC! Read on for more information on terminals and services available at JFK, or feel free to visit AAMCAR Discount Rental Cars other New York airport pages Newark International Airport and La Guardia Airport.
Terminals at JFK
When you’re leaving the Big Apple after your business trip or vacation there are a few things you need to do. First, you must drop off your New York car rental, and then you must find your departure gate and the corresponding terminal. Now, JFK is a pretty humongous facility, so you may wish to do a little research and planning before embarking on your return trip home! Listed below is a brief description of the terminals at JFK and their approximate location.
Terminals 1, 2, 3
These terminal are next to the Van Wyck Expressway and include gates 1 to 10 (Terminal 1), gates 19 to 30 (Terminal 2) and gates 1 to 18 at Terminal 3. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 all service international flights include major airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Delta and Japan Airlines. These three terminals have a convenient parking garage centrally located between the three separate buildings, for those of you who need to park your New York car rental.
Terminal 4
Terminal 4 is located north east of Terminal 3 and includes gates 9 through 21 and 24 through 35. Terminal 4 has two separate wings, the East and the West which service more international airlines including Continental, Northwest, Air Portugal and many more. Terminal 4 has its own parking garage.
Terminals 5, 6, 7
These three terminals form the northern top of the central terminal circle and include gates 21 through 45 (Terminal 5), 1 through 7 (Terminal 6) and 1 through 12 at Terminal 7. These terminals service both domestic and international flights and include major airlines like Air Canada, United Airlines, America West and many more. Terminal 5 at this point in time is currently closed for renovations. A parking garage is available out front of Terminal 7 for those of you who need to park your New York car rental. Terminal 7 is also located next to the JFK Expressway, making locating the terminal in your New York car rental easier.
Terminals 8 and 9
Terminals 8 and 9 are both broken into two concourses; Terminal 8 has concourse A and B with gates numbered 1 through 24. Terminal 9 is split into concourses C and D with gates numbered 10 through 49. These terminals are located on the western side of the Van Wyck Expressway and service airlines like American, Iberia and Finnair.
Services within JFK Airport
John F. Kennedy Airport has a wide variety of services available for weary travelers. If you are an international traveler and need to exchange foreign money for American dollars there are bureaux de change Kiosks in every terminal, excluding Terminal 6. Other banking facilities are available in Terminals 3, 4 and 8 while cash machines, (automatic teller machines) are located in every terminal, excluding terminal 6. Restaurants and shops are located in every terminal offering a wide variety of snack, meal and entertainment options. Bus are available for travelers who wish to visit shops in a terminal other than theirs, but be aware that these buses get very busy during peak hours. european kitchens Discount Perfume
Visiting New York City is an exciting adventure, and flying into the ever active John F. Kennedy Airport makes for a great first glimpse of the Big Apple!
Dec
If youre looking to learn a little bit about a foreign culture during your trip to New York City, be sure to visit the citys Chinatown in your New York City car rental! NYCs Chinatown is a large neighborhood located in the heart of Manhattan filled with wonderful restaurants, shops and amazing tourist attractions. New York Citys Chinatown is home to the largest concentration of Chinese immigrants in the entire western hemisphere, so expect to find a community steeped in tradition! Chinatown is both a tourist attraction and a booming mini-metropolis providing residents and visitors alike with great markets and exciting products, so be sure to check it out in your New York City car rental once you get into town youll be happy you did!
Attractions in Chinatown
Thousands of tourists visit Chinatown each year to learn the history and tradition of the Chinese community. Top attractions in the area include museums, temples, local shops and prosperous marketplaces. Theres always something to see or do in Chinatown, so come prepared for excitement! Some of the top attractions in Chinatown include:
- The Statue of Confucius
Located at Division Street and Bowery, this landmark is by far one of the most popular attractions in all of Chinatown. Confucius was a legendary philosopher and is by far the most respected educator in Chinese history. Confucius believed in the virtues of good and believed that a good government and harmonious society could be achieved through filial piety, honor and above all respect.- Another popular statue in Chinatown is the statue of Lin Ze Xu, who had been an Imperial Commissioner in charge of eradicating the opium business in China.
- The Museum of Chinese in the Americas
- Located on Mulberry and Bayard Street the Museum of Chinese in the Americas offers a wide range of exhibits and displays designed to educated people of all different backgrounds on the importance and significance of Chinese traditions in the Americas
Other exciting attractions located in New York Citys Chinatown include the Church of Transfiguration, the Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association, the Chinatown Fair and the First Chinese Presbyterian Church.
Dining in Chinatown
Chinatown is the place to be if youre feeling hungry and looking for something great to eat! There are over 400 restaurants located in Chinatown, specializing in authentic Chinese and Asian cuisines. Dining in Chinatown is like no other culinary experience, so be sure to reserve your table today. Top Chinese styles of cooking served in Chinatown include Cantonese, Szechwan, Shanghai, an Hunan. Chinatown also offers tasty Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian cuisine, so be sure to drop for a bite to eat in your New York City car rental!
Shopping in Chinatown
Chinatown is filled with wonderful shops, so be sure to empty out your New York City car rentals trunk before embarking on a shopping adventure! Chinatown is the place to find precious stones, especially jade. Jade is believed to be not only valuable, but also extremely powerful as it is able to block evil spirits in the Chinese tradition. Beautiful jade jewelry is available throughout Chinatown along with beautiful oriental clothing, souvenirs and knick-knacks.
Chinatown Festivals
If youre interested in participating in some of Chinatowns biggest celebrations be sure to schedule your New York car rental for these occasions!
- Chinese New Year
Celebrated during the months of January and February, expect to see the houses in Chinatown decorated with red and gold. - The Ghost Festival
This spooky ritual is held on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. - The Mid-Autumn Festival
This celebratory festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month in honor of the changing season.
Dec
The historic Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn over the East River, is by far one of the most recognizable monuments in all of New York City. Measuring in at over 3,460 feet this suspension bridge is considered to be a brilliant feat of 19th century engineering and its easy to see why. The Brooklyn Bridge was the first suspension bridge to use reinforced steel for the bridges cable wire, while at the same time relying on a highly dangerous underwater device, the caisson, to help explode hazardous rock outcroppings found beneath the East Rivers surface. The resulting monument was stable and secure, capable of helping millions of people travel from Manhattan to Brooklyn in no time. Today the Brooklyn Bridge continues to rein supreme as one of the busiest bridges in NYC, as thousands of New York City car rentals cross the bridge each day.
Brooklyn Bridge History
Before the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883 it was plagued with a variety of problems, the worst of which occurred before the bridge had even begun construction! The chief engineer in charge of the Brooklyn Bridge project, John A. Roebling, died of tetanus while the Brooklyn Bridge was still in its planning stages, causing dramatic setbacks. Thankfully Roeblings son, Washington A. Roebling, took over where is father left off; completing the plans for what would become the worlds largest suspension bridge. Three years after taking over the Brooklyn Bridge Project, Washington developed a serious illness called Caissons disease. This crippling sickness, known today as the bends forced a bedridden Washington to watch his masterpiece grown from home with the aid of a telescope! Washington often dictated instructions to his wife Emily, who would then pass them on to the workers outside. Building the Brooklyn Bridge also proved to be difficult thanks to rocky outcrops still visible in the East River of today. Two caissons were ruined due to fire and explosion, while one of the massive steel cables snapped apart, crashing into the river, killing many workers. Despite continual setbacks and seemingly bad luck, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed remarkably quickly, taking just 14 years to build. Since 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge has stood as a part of the NYC horizon, thanks to the dreams and expert designs of two innovative men.
Driving your New York City Car Rental on the Brooklyn Bridge
If youre planning to travel between Manhattan and Brooklyn during your stay in the Big Apple, AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals suggest taking your New York City car rental across the historic Brooklyn Bridge. There is no toll to use the Brooklyn Bridge, making it one of the most popular links between two of New Yorks largest boroughs. Over 144,000 vehicles cross the Brooklyn Bridge each and every day, making it the second busiest bridge in all of NYC. If youre planning to take your New York car rental across the bridge during rush hours, be sure to leave a little early. Traffic can get pretty congested on the Brooklyn Bridge so plan accordingly. Other links between Brooklyn and Manhattan include Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge. All three bridges are toll-free, while the tunnel crossing will cost you $3.50 each way.
May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is Officially Opened!
- When the Brooklyn Bridge officially opened on May 24 1883, 150,300 people took part in the celebratory bridge crossing at 2 pm it cost each pedestrian one cent to take part in the festivities
- When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to vehicles on May 24 1883, over 1,800 automobiles crossed the East River it cost each vehicle five cents to use the bridge that day