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Battery Park is at the Southern tip of Manhattan with beautiful views of the Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Parking is available near the park for your New York car rental, or take public transportation. This is one of New Yorks oldest open public spaces, with 23 acres of waterfront land. In the summer, there are beautiful promenades and other activities, such as open-air concerts. Also, many other famous New York landmarks are within walking distance. They include the New York Stock Exchange, the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, and the Staten Island Ferry. You can drive your New York car rental down for the day and explore this section of New York City.

A New World

The land where Battery Park now stands is where the Hudson and East Rivers meet. Dutch settlers landed here in 1623 and built a battery of cannon to defend the new city, which they called New Amsterdam. Fortifications were built over the years, until the War of 1812, when Castle Clinton was built. After tensions between Canada and the U.S. calmed down, Castle Clinton was renamed Castle Garden and made into a cultural center. By the mid-1800s, Castle Garden became the first immigrant receiving center before Ellis Island was established. At the end of that century, the Castle was turned into the New York Aquarium, one of the first in the country. Come down with your New York car rental and experience this part of early American history.

The Gardens of Remembrance

Battery Park has extensive gardens on the property. The Upper Promenades gardens are now called the Gardens of Remembrance as a tribute to the survivors of September 11, as well as a place of solace and renewal. There are 109 varieties of hybrid perennials and native plants through all four seasons.

Monuments and Memorials to See

Netherlands Memorial this memorial was dedicated by the people of the Netherlands to commemorate their history at Battery Park.
Fort George Memorial this memorial marks the spot of the southwest bastion. It has disappeared and been rediscovered twice since 1817.
New York Korean War Veterans Memorial this memorial is dedicated to the veterans of the Korean War.
There are many more memorials dedicated to important events in New York Citys history. Be sure to visit them when you come down with your New York car rental.

Recent Findings

Come see Battery Park and the history of early New York with your New York car rental. On December 8, 2005, workers found a 200-year-old stone wall where they were beginning to work on a new subway station. “This wall most likely is a portion of the gun batteries that once protected the city in the late 17th and 18th centuries and gave rise to the modern park name,” said Robert Tierney, chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Come down to Battery Park for a relaxing day and to experience part of New Yorks history with your New York car rental.

If youre longing for a little green space during your New York discount car rental trip downtown, be sure to stop by lower Manhattan and visit Battery Park! Situated at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, Battery Park is a great place to reconnect with nature, so be sure to stop by! Inside the parks boundaries youll find loads of greenery and great monuments, along with breathtaking views of the New York City Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Built initially as a defense post during the war of 1812, Battery Park is now an area beloved by all, providing the perfect place for an afternoon picnic! Whether youre interested in history, or just looking for a place to relax, Battery Park is the ideal spot for an afternoon outside!

About Battery Park

Battery Park is unlike any other New York City green space because of where and how it came to be. If you were to drive past the park today in your New York discount car rental you will notice that the skyscrapers of Manhattan abruptly end where the park begins; this is because the land on which Battery Park is built wasnt always there! You see, Battery Park is an addition to Manhattan Island, created back in the 19th century atop a gigantic landfill site created after the war of 1812. Home to a historic Fort, Battery Park was salvaged and turned into a beautiful public space, perfect for tourists and locals alike! Measuring in at just over 21 acres, Battery Park is named for the artillery which was stationed there during war times.

Attractions Inside the Park

Inside Battery Park youll find a variety of wonderful statues and gardens even a castle! The Castle Clinton National Monument is a circular sandstone fort designed by John McComb Jr. and Jonathan Williams. Constructed between 1808 and 1811 out in New York Harbor, Clinton Castle was built as a complementary defense mechanism to the already existing Fort Williams. As Battery Park began to expand after the war, thanks to subsequent landfill action, Castle Clinton was connected to mainland Manhattan and preserved as a national monument. Originally named Castle Garden, the fort has been used for a variety of non-military purposes, including public entertainment and as an Emigrant Landing Depot in 1855. Castle Clinton was even the site of the New York City Aquarium until 1941! Today the fort is completely rehabilitated and protected as landmark museum facility.

The Gardens of Remembrance

If youre planning on visiting Battery Park in your upcoming New York discount car rental, AAMCAR strong encourages you to check out The Gardens of Remembrance. These gardens, which were in construction on September 11, 2001 are entitled The Gardens of Remembrance not as a memorial, but as a tribute to the survivors of the tragic New York terrorist attacks. Designed by Dutch horticulturalist Piet Oudolf, The Gardens of Remembrance is just the first phase in an extensive landscaping plan for Battery Park. The Gardens of Remembrance features and international walkway along New York Harbor which includes the flags of 82 nations nations whose citizens were lost during the attacks of September 11th.

Events in Battery Park

If youre looking for something to do during your New York discount car rental trip to lower Manhattan, look no further than Battery Park! Battery Park is home to a variety of events throughout the year including free concerts and exciting festivals! Battery Park is proud to be the largest public assembly area in the downtown Manhattan area, providing plenty of space for local events and activities, so remember to stop by! If youre interested in holding an event at Battery Park, be sure to request a permit from the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation.

If you’re the type of person who’s always on the lookout for fun, AAMCAR New York Car Rentals has the perfect NYC tourist attraction for you. Fun is always the name of the game inside Broadway City – New York’s most impressive arcade facility. Located just off of Times Square, this interactive amusement Center provides visitors with hours of electronic excitement regardless of age. Broadway City is proud to provide visitors with access to some of the industries latest high tech video games, not to mention a handful of virtual reality simulators and multi-player games. Travelers won’t soon forget a visit to this virtual city of lights and sounds, so what’s holding you back? Challenge a friend to the ultimate gaming showdown inside Broadway City today.

Old NYC charm mixed with state-of-the-art electronics inside Broadway City

The Broadway City Arcade in Manhattan proudly combines the charm of 1920’s NYC with cutting edge technology to produce one of the area’s most comprehensive gaming atmospheres. A world of surreal excitement can be found directly inside the arcade’s gigantic Wurlitzer Jukebox-styled entrance, captivating visitors with vibrant colors and cheerful sounds. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals are invited to test their skills at a number of interactive games immediately inside Broadway City, including an exclusive New York Public Library version of the classic Ms. Pac Man game. If you can manage to tear your eyes away from the games for a minute or two, AAMCAR New York Car Rentals highly recommends taking a long look up. Gigantic mock-ups of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Build currently stand at the center of Broadway City. There’s even a lifelike recreation of the famous portrait of construction workers having a lunch break atop a steel girder during the construction of the Empire. Other exciting features inside Broadway City include a Coney Island area, a mini Greenwich Village section and a Time Square midway. There’s also a Stadium area dedicated to dozens of fun sporting events.

Celebrate your birthday in style at Broadway City

The best Big Apple birthday parties take place at Broadway City, thanks to the facilities outstanding collection of games and party favors. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals can choose from three different party packages, each of which is designed to suite the needs of NYC party planners.

• The Premiere Package: Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals will receive invitations, a Broadway t-shirt for the birthday star, a fully decorated party table, a party host/hostess and a $10 for each party guest. This package also includes your choice of Nathan’s Hot Dogs or New York Style Pizza as well as chips, soft drinks and a personalized ice cream cake. The cost of this package is $24.95 per person.
• The Ultimate Package: This package includes everything that the Premiere Package does plus an extra $15 credit for each party guest and a Max Flight Virtual Reality Experience for each and every party participant. The cost of this package is $42.95 per person. (A Broadway City baseball hat is substituted for a t-shirt in this package as well).
• The Special Package: This unique birthday package is only available Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 7pm. It includes all of the features of the Premiere Package for the discounted price of $18.95 per person.

Broadway City also sponsors corporate events and regular gaming tournaments. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals are encouraged to contact Broadway City for further details.

Think you have what it takes to conquer the games at Broadway City? Then remember to stop by during your upcoming AAMCAR New York Car Rentals vacation. For more information on the Broadway City Arcade please call 1-212-997-9797. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals are also encouraged to visit the official Broadway City Arcade website at www.edac2.com/broadwaycity. Broadway City is located at 241 West 42nd Street just off Times Square between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Brighton Beach has long been one of New York Citys most popular immigrant neighborhoods, providing a haven of safety for hundreds of thousands of migrating souls. Best known for its Russian background and tough-guy image, Brighton Beach is now home to a kaleidoscope of culture, enticing AAMCAR New York Car Rentals customers with old world flare and authentic flavor. Located in southeast Brooklyn, Brighton Beach is spiritually, linguistically and physiologically removed from much of NYC life creating an intriguing atmosphere for AAMCAR New York Car Rentals customers. Known as Little Odessa (most of the former inhabitants settled here from Odessa), Brighton Beach inspires nostalgia quite unlike any other neighborhood in the city. Located within minutes of Coney Island, Brighton Beach is definitely worth a visit during your upcoming AAMCAR New York Car Rentals vacation.

For decades people have been traveling to Brighton Beach in order to chase the American dream; Ukrainian and Russian Jews moved here in order to escape anti-Semitism in their home countries; Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Pakistan immigrants made the move in hopes of finding something more; and more recent post-Soviet travelers have come to stake a claim on what has quickly become an extension of their now-defunct homeland. Alienating and invigorating all at once, Brighton Beach is a great vacation destination for international AAMCAR New York Car Rental customers looking to find comfort in family sights, sounds, smells and tastes. An immigrant community since 1868, Brighton Beach welcomed its first major surge of immigrant residents during World War II, and then again in the late 1970s. An important part of New York Citys past, present and future, Brighton Beach is home to numerous one-of-a-kind attractions, eateries and venues designed to mix old world sophistication with new world spunk.

Things to See and Do in Brighton Beach

Hungry AAMCAR New York Car Rental customers are bound to enjoy an afternoon in Brighton Beach thanks to the neighborhoods unbelievable array of freshly prepared pastries, meats, pastas and pies. Layer upon layer of diversity and ethnicity is reflected in the areas gourmet food shops, so go ahead and grab something tasty during your upcoming trip. Lamb stews, shashlik kebabs, walnut-stuffed eggplant and meat-filled xhingali dumplings are just a few of the recommended specialties! AAMCAR New York Car Rentals encourages travelers to stop in at the Kashkar Caf, owned and operated by Muslim Uighurs from western China; M & I International Foods, which features some of the citys freshest Bulgarian cheeses; and Primorski Restaurant, a Georgia-owned Russian eatery.

After youve filled up on some of the citys tasty cooking remember to hit up the Brighton Beach boardwalk in order to enjoy some friendly conversation and stunning views. Home to ocean air and charming pubs, the Brighton Beach Boardwalk provides AAMCAR New York Car Rental travelers with an exciting atmosphere of midday bustle and evening energy. Family vacationers are also encouraged to visit the Brighton Beach Playground, which is often overflowing with high-sakes chess tournaments and impromptu games of pick-up basketball. When the sun starts to set AAMCAR ENW York Car Rentals encourages travelers to check out anyone of the citys famed entertainment/eatery venues which often feature live music from around the world. Top picks include the Vegas-themed National at 273 Brighton Beach Avenue, and Ocean Parkways nautically inclined Gambrinus.

An exciting vacation destination for AAMCAR New York Car Rental travelers of all backgrounds and beliefs, Brighton Beach is an important part of NYCs multi-faceted makeup. A short drive is all that separates you and your New York car rental crew from and entirely different dimension of Big Apple living, so what are you waiting for! Grab some friends and get ready to explore the exciting atmosphere that is Brighton Beach!

Bowling Green is a small public park in Lower Manhattan at the foot of Broadway. It is located next to the site of the original Dutch fort and is the oldest existing park in New York City. It is most famous for its bronze sculpture, the Charging Bull.

In its early years, the park was used as a cattle market and parade ground by the Dutch colonists. In 1733, the local government converted the area by laying down a bowling green (hence the name), and put it up for rent for one peppercorn a year. Another interesting time the park was used in the past was when the British evacuated New York after the American Revolution. Legend has it that the British nailed the Union Jack, their flag, to a greased flagpole in the park before they left. There was some trouble to remove the flag, but one boy did it and replaced it with the American flag before the British ship were out of view. Today this tradition is upheld with an annual competition to remove a Union Jack from a greased flagpole in the park.

Driving by in your New York car rental you may notice that the park is in an odd shape. It is formed by the wedge that splits Broadway into two forks, the eastern on turning into Whitehall Street and the western one into State Street after Broadway ends. Part of the park is a fenced-in grassy area, popular with local workers from the Financial District for lunch. There are many tables and chairs here where you can enjoy a picnic after you park your New York car rental. New additions to the area is a fountain and pool.

On the south end of the plaza is the entrance to the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, currently the home of the National Museum of the American Indian. During the week, you may notice as you drive by in your New York car rental that there are food vendors as well as unofficial vendors selling grey-market goods to people passing by. There is also an entrance to the subway system. The Bowling Green Station is part of the IRT Lexington Avenue Line

American Roots

While you are visiting Bowling Green Park with your New York car rental, you may also want to stop by the National Museum of the American Indian. As part of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum is dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. There are two other locations to this museum, one in Washington D.C. and the other in Maryland. The location in New York is found in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, right by Bowling Green Park.

When you visit with your New York car rental, you will see that the museum has a very impressive collection. There are more than 800,000 objects and 125,000 images. All of these artifacts have been collected over a 54-year period by George Gustav Heye, who was very interested in Native cultures in both North and South America.

Although Bowling Green is a small park, there are many reason to stop here with your New York car rental. As the oldest park in the city, it is an important landmark. Also, there are many things to do nearby such as the National Museum of the American Indian.

Shopping is a true vocation in New York City and what better place to test your skills than the mother of all department stores: Bloomingdales New York! Occupying an entire city block on Manhattans trendy Third Avenue, the Bloomingdales New York location is the ultimate shopping center, providing AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City travelers with an unbeatable selection of first-class clothing and designer wares. Affectionately known as Bloomies by store employees and local shoppers, the Bloomingdales New York shopping center is a definite must-visit landmark for travelers of all shapes and sizes! Opened in 1927, Bloomingdales has continued to reinvent itself year after year, attracting millions of loyal customers as well as first-time visitors. No car rentals in New York City shopping trip would be complete without a trip to the iconic eastside Bloomingdales location, so grab your wallet and get ready to flex that shopping muscle now!

Shopping at Bloomingdales is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, so be sure to prepare yourself with a quick stop at the International Services/Visitors Center located on the first floor balcony. Services found at the desk include multilingual store directories, complimentary personal shoppers, international size conversion charts, department store maps, an ATM and a currency exchange. The friendly staff at the desk can also help answer any of your questions about the store, so please feel free to stop in at any time during your shopping trip to further clarify something. Once youve loaded up on cash and acquainted yourself with the stores layout its time to go shopping! The main level inside the Bloomingdales New York location includes a dazzling selection of the worlds finest fragrances and cosmetics, providing AAMCARs car rentals in New York City customers with an outstanding collection of designer names and upscale products. If youre looking to score some serious scents during your upcoming trip to Bloomingdales AAMCAR highly recommends dropping by the bway section of the first floor as it houses a ton of world class boutiques including Chanel, Clinique and MAC. If you need help making a fragrance or cosmetic purchase simply ask anyone of the Beauty At Your Service consultants. Floors 2nd, 3rd and 4th are dedicated to womens designer clothing showcasing the latest collections by fashion houses like DKNY, Armani, Calvin Klein and oh, so many more! Shoppers are also encouraged to stop by the fourth floor designer shoe salon because after all, whats a new outfit without a new pair of shoes! Male customers looking to avoid hours at the center of a female shopping frenzy are invited to head downstairs to Bloomingdales Lower Level and the mens designer clothing section. Names like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren dominate this newly redesigned level as well as the latest designer suits and jeans wear. If youre shopping for the kids during your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City vacation look no further than Bloomingdales 8th and 9th floor kids wear section. Kids can even purchase their very own Bloomies Barbie made exclusively by Mattel for the New York City Bloomingdales location. Housewares can be found on the shopping centers 5th and 6th floors, including brand name cookware, china and crystal, furniture and yes, theres even a personalized stationary shop!

Once youve conquered the Bloomingdales shopping monster, AAMCAR Car Rentals in New York City reminds their customers to drop by the Visitors Center one last time. If youve spent more than $50 during your day at Bloomies (a feat many accomplish in the first 10 minutes!) you are entitled to a free gift presented by the friendly staff at the first floor visitors terminal. Customers can also opt to have their purchases shipped either home or back to your hotel, so be sure to ask any cashier for more information.

The original Bloomingdales New York City department store is located at 1000 Third Avenue between 59th and 60th Street. A new location has recently opened up in SoHo as well.

Founded as the first welcome visitor program of its kind in the Unites States, the Big Apple Greeter service is currently one of New York Citys most prosperous tourist programs, providing out-of-town travelers with fun and friendly city-wide guidance. Devised by Founder and Executive Director Lynn Brooks as a safe and exciting way to see the NYC sights, the Big Apple Greeter program is now in its 14th year of operation, employing nearly 350 volunteer tour guides from a wide variety of New York City neighborhoods. Since opening their doors in 1992 the Big Apple Greeters have welcomed nearly 62,000 visitors to New York City, including travelers from all 50 states and 124 countries. An outstanding service for first time NYC vacationers and international travelers, the Big Apple Greeter program currently conducts tours in 22 different languages including French, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and English.

AAMCAR Car Rentals New York City highly encourages visitors to take part in the Big Apple Greeter Program especially if theyre feeling a little overwhelmed by the citys never-ending list of tourist attractions and important landmarks! Guides at Big Apple Greeters are trained to provide travelers with tons of helpful commentary, covering many of the citys stellar monuments with fluent efficiency and outstanding energy. Big Apple Greeters is proud to be NYCs number one not-for-profit travel organization providing travelers with a plethora of behind the scenes information and local commentary. A wonderful experience for AAMCAR Car Rental New York City travelers of all backgrounds, the Big Apple Greeters program proudly welcomes visitors without regards to race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status and/or disability, so please feel free to partake in the service during your upcoming NYC vacation! Seeing the city sights through the eyes of an authentic New York City resident is the perfect way to become acquainted with your surroundings, so why waste your vacation wandering the city aimlessly? Call the Big Apple Greeters today to request your personal Big Apple Greeter tour guide!

What to Expect

The Big Apple Greeter program is one of NYCs most unique tourist programs, providing travelers with access to a wealth of unadvertised knowledge and outstanding hospitality. Designed to enhance most any Big City vacation, the Big Apple Greeter program will:

• Answer all your questions about local neighborhoods, inner-city anxieties and popular tourist attractions
• Recommend a variety of little-known attractions, as well as popular tourist locations, to help travelers further enrich their New York City vacation
• Provide two to four hours of non-stop New York City excitement, leading groups of 1-6 travelers through various communities and lesser-known locations
• Explain the citys complex public transit system, further encouraging AAMCAAR Car Rental New York City travelers to get out and explore during their upcoming NYC getaway!

Things to Know Before You Go

Requesting a Big Apple Greeter of your very own is easy, but it is important to keep a few things in mind before planning your trip. Therefore it is important to remember that:

• Big Apple Greeters are volunteer friends not professional tour guides
• Big Apple Greeters provide travelers with visits. This means that there are no pre-set itinerary programs or themed tours, providing travelers with more creative control during their NYC vacation
• Interested participants can only request 1 (one) greeter during their stay in New York City
• Applications for greeters must be submitted at least 3 to 4 weeks before arriving in the Big Apple
• Travelers wishing to participate in the program must be staying at least 2 nights in one of the five NYC boroughs tours cannot be arranged fr day-of-arrival or day-of-departure.

If you would like to learn more about this exciting New York City service before reserving your upcoming AAMCAR Car Rentals New York City rent-a-car please feel free to contact the Big Apple Greeters via telephone at 1-212-669-8159. Interested AAMCAR Car Rental New York City clients can also visit the official Big Apple Greeters webpage at www.bigapplegreeter.org. Big Apple Greeter is a proud partner of the NYC & Company, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Make A Wish Foundation of Metro New York, Inc., and is also associated with The Global Greeter Network.

The American Museum of Natural History in New York City has been wowing visitors for the last 125 years! Renowned for its amazing collections the AMNH is a must-visit for practically anyone visiting the Big Apple, especially children! The American Museum of Natural History features fun, interactive exhibits covering everything from dinosaurs to outer space! The AMNH is both education and entertaining at the same time so be sure to visit this Big Apple treasure in your New York City car rental the next time youre in town. Fantastic displays and wonderful souvenirs await you at the American Museum of Natural History so start planning your trip today!

The American Museum of Natural History is found on Central Park West at 79th Street located inside a sprawling stone building. This four story museum stretches for several city blocks so be sure to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes in your New York City car rental. The museum boasts 42 permanent exhibits covering everything from the worlds creation to the most modern skyscrapers, covering all sorts of scientific disciplines including paleontology, biology, astronomy and anthropology. Millions of artifacts are constantly on display at the American Museum of Natural History providing interesting information on cultural, scientific and historical phenomenon. If youve never visited the AMNH youll definitely be overwhelmed by the amazing exhibits and knowledgeable staff found throughout the facility. And dont be surprised if you cant finish the entire museum in just one day; its possible to spend hours just browsing through the gift shop!

Inside the AMNH

Inside the American Museum of Natural History expect to find everything from Imax Movies to Storytime, along with plenty of other cool attractions! The Museum of Natural History is proud to offer unique dining experiences, permanent exhibitions and exciting facilities geared toward the wonder and curiosity of learning. One of the best attractions at the American Museum of Natural History is the Rose Center for Earth and Space. This state-of-the-art planetarium, visible from the street in your New York City car rental, is home to some of the most spectacular astronomy shows and displays in all of the United States! Inside the Rose Center you will find a gigantic theater and multiple displays explaining the history of the university, complete with narration by top Hollywood actress Jodi Foster! Youll also find a wide variety of restaurants and cafs inside the AMNH, including the Museum Food Court, DinerSaurus Caf, Tapas Bar, The Powerhouse and the Family Caf 77. All of the establishments inside the American Museum of Natural History are dedicated to serving you tasty treats, some of which are themed after exhibits in the museum!

Kids at the Museum of Natural History

Children absolutely love the AMNH thanks to all sorts of kid-approved play areas and exhibits. From cool movies to informative workshops the American Museum of Natural History is working hard to provide your children with fun and easy facts, perfect for any age group! The exciting colors and sounds of the AMNH are sure to keep your kids occupied all afternoon, resulting in a relaxing New York City car rental drive back to the hotel! The American Museum of Natural History truly is the perfect museum for everyone in your family, so be sure to plan your educational trip today!

Admission into the American Museum of Natural History

There is no set fee for visiting the AMNH but a donation is pretty much expected from all visitors. AAMCAR Discount Car Rental recommends a minimum donation of $10 per adult and $6 per child. It is also important to note that certain exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History have a separate set admission price, so be sure to keep some extra cash in your New York City car rental just incase.