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FAO Schwarz is a toy store in New York founded in 1870, and is one of the best-known toy stores. It is a must-see with your New York car rental. It was started by August Otto Schwarz, a German immigrant. He began by importing fine toys from Europe and selling them at his Baltimore shop. Then, in 1870, he relocated and opened the New York store on Broadway in lower Manhattan. The current location is at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue, moving here in 1986. Another store opened in Las Vegas in 1997 at Caesars Palace. FAO Schwarz is one of the oldest retail establishments. This is a must-see while you are in New York with a New York car rental. FAO Schwarz is open Monday through Friday 10:00am to 7:00pm, and Sunday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Once you park your New York car rental, there is much to see and do here. The Opening Ceremony invites people to participate in a magical experience. You can perform on the Dance-On-Piano, like Tom Hanks did in the movie Big. There is also story time, toy demonstrations, a Motion Simulator, fantasy characters, and treats. There is so much to see at FAO Schwarz, you might want to stop by “Spanky, the Gund Where Bear” to he’ll ask where everything is.

In the Newborn Nursery, you can adopt a baby doll to take home with you in your New York car rental. There is also a partnership with the American Kennel Club and Steiff to design purebred dogs and puppies. There is a collection of rare antique toys here, including gas-powered luxury vehicles for children.

On the lower level there is a Rec Room with tons of fun equipment. Staff members will show you how to use the skateboards, scooters, go-karts, and so much more. This is a lot of fun!

For girls, there is an entire Barbie department all in pink, and an extraordinary doll collection. The Collectables section has rare figurines, chess sets, jewelry, and much more.

The Book Monster holds all of the books at FAO Schwarz. You can go home with enough reading in your New York car rental to last a while. There is also a special section for Dr. Seuss fans. FAO Schwarz is even featured in some of the stories.

Before going back to your New York car rental, be sure to stop at FAO Schweetz, a candy store with premium ice cream, pastries, milkshakes, floats, and candy. Clear out the trunk in your New York car rental, you may be tempted to buy some toys or souvenirs. It is hard to go home without buying something here!

Shopping Tips

The best time to visit the store in on weekdays in the morning or early afternoon. If you must go on a weekend, the earlier in the day, the less crowded. If you would like, a personal shopper is a free and you dont need an appointment. If you are from out of town, you can have your purchases sent home or to your hotel.

The 25th Annul Putnam County Spelling Bee is a unique musical comedy that encourages the audience to participate in the Putnam County spelling bee. Today, you can catch it at the Circle in the Square Theatre with your Manhattan rent a car.

This is the story of six young people who are trying to grow up, but who have parents who haven’t grown up themselves yet. All of these kids want to win the title at the bee. And no show is ever the same, since the audience participates directly in the show. If you would like a chance to get on the show, then you only need to come 20 minutes early and volunteer. There are pre-show interviews and a questionnaire for the lucky four people who will be part of the show.

Can you spell?

One of the great things you will learn about this play when you see it with your Manhattan rent a car is real audience members compete with performers in the Putnam County spelling bee. Some of the words that audience members are asked to spell include ahimsa, schuss, badchen, and even supercalifragalisticexpialidocious! An interesting note is Julie Andrews misspelled this word when she was a guest speller for kids night. Some of the words are real, some are made up. Even if you are not a good speller, you wll leave in your Manhattan rent a car laughing from the fun.

Some nights there are also dedicated “Parent-Teacher Conferences” or “adult night at the bee” where members of the audience must be at least 17 to attend. These special performances grew from R-rated ad libs during rehearsal and often have sexual references.

From grade school to high school

Another high-energy play that takes place in high school that you can see with your Manhattan rent a car is Grease. This is the story of new student, Sandy, who had a brief love affair with tough guy Danny over the summer. When Sandy sees Danny at school, he blows her off. Later, Danny apologizes, but she is upset that he told his friends that she is “easy”. Eventually, Danny misses Sandy and tries to win her back. Sandy also tries to win Danny over by making herself into his dream date. In the end, everyone is happy. This is a great play to see with your Manhattan rent a car. When Grease opens in the summer, it is sure to be a hit that you will not want to miss with your Manhattan rent a car. Get your tickets early for this show while you are in the area. This classic American musical is a lot of fun to see on stage!

Seeing a play on Broadway

In order to see these two great plays, you might want to save a little money. There is a very easy way to get cheap tickets while you are here with your Manhattan rent a car. For discount tickets, you can go to Duffy Square, near Times Square. Here, there is a ticket sales office called TKTS, which sells tickets at half price for same-day shows.

Begin your next adventure with your New York car rentals AAMCAR Discount Car Rental on a happy note. A Chorus Line is arguably one of the best Broadway musical ever created and is definitely something you shouldn’t miss when you travel with your New York car rentals.

Taking a step in the past…

Since its first opening on July 25, 1975 at the Shubert Theatre A Chorus Line had been a long time audience favorite. In fact it held 6, 137 performances until its closing on April 28, 1990 surpassing Cats and The Phantom of the Opera for longest running American musical. A Chorus Line also came fourth for the longest running musical after The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Les Miserables.

A glance at the people behind A Chorus Line…

The musical A Chorus Line is based on several taped sessions of Broadway dancers or “gypsies”. Initially when A Chorus Line was first conceived it actually consisted of eight actors/ actresses of the Original Broadway cast. Directed and choreographed by Michael Bennet, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. The book was assembled by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. A Chorus Line had a several successful tours even making a visit to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. In fact, it was gaining so much esteem that it won the Laurence Olivier Award as Best Musical of the Year in 1976.

See what has the audiences raving with your New York car rentals…

Sad you missed out on one of the greatest musicals in history? You can turn that frown upside down when you travel with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. Lucky for you the first Broadway revival of A Chorus Line opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on October 5, 2006. Featuring 19 main characters in a Broadway Theater auditioning for a part in the chorus line of a musical, the audience gets a glimpse of the personality of each individual performer. Each performer and the choreographer describe the events that shaped their lives and how they became to be what they are today. The songs you hear when with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals will be some of the best you have heard in Broadway with honorable mention to “One”, “Nothing”, “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,” “The Music and the Mirror” and “What I Did For Love”. No trip to New York is complete without seeing a Broadway musical with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals.

Have a great time with your New York car rentals…

It’s easy to have a fun time in New York when you travel with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals. Here is some more useful information that you might need to know to help plan your trip.

• Performances of A Chorus Line are held on Tuesday – Saturday at 8:00 pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
• Book early, 2 to 3 months to be exact if you want to get the seats you want.
• Traveling with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals with a group of 12 or more people? Inquire about a special discount rate online on their official website.
• Beat the lineup and order your tickets in the comfort of your own home. You can buy tickets online by clicking here.

Begin your adventure today with your New York car rentals company AAMCAR Discount Car Rentals! For more information on A Chorus Line on Broadway visit their official website at http://achorusline.com

A Chorus Line on Broadway

Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th Street between 7th and 8th Ave.
New York City
Telephone: 212 – 239 – 6200

Have you ever wondered how NYC city slickers fulfill the need for outdoor fun and escape the concrete jungle of Manhattan? Well, ask anyone and they’ll likely tell you about a little place called Alley Pond. Located just outside of the City in Douglaston, New York, the Alley Pond Environmental Center is dedicated to providing urban dwellers with an awareness and understanding of natural issues. Designated as a National Environmental Study Area back in 1979, Alley Pond now functions as a valuable educational resource for more than 20,000 students each year. With more than 635 acres of marshes, woodlands and meadows, Alley Pond is an unusual tourist attraction for city residents and customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals. Millions of people have taken advantage of this natural playground since its opening day in 1972, so why hold back? Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor excitement during your upcoming AAMCAR New York Car Rentals vacation with a visit to the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Northeast Queens.

Escape the Rat Race and reconnect with Nature

An effort to save what remained of New York City’s natural heritage was begun back in the 1960’s. The Alley Pond Environmental Center was the result of this effort, protecting more than 635 acres of local vegetation and wildlife. A major natural resource for centuries, Alley Pond now functions as a living-learning laboratory for thousands of school children and visiting tourists. Operated in cooperation with the New York City Departments of Parks and Recreation, the Alley Pond Environmental Center proudly infuses NYC’s urban landscape with natural resiliency and life. Escaping the hectic atmosphere of the city is as easy as a visit to Alley Pond, so why not stop by during your upcoming trip? There’s always something fun happening at the Pond, so grab a friend and check it on your upcoming AAMCAR New York Car Rentals vacation.

Biodiversity at its best: Alley Pond Programs

Nature enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to visit the Alley Pond Environmental Center for a wide variety of seasonal activities. From bird watching to trail hiking, you’re sure to find something fun happening along the Pond. Programs at the center include age-appropriate monthly courses for children 18 months to 10 years old, as well as a handful of special events and presentations. Children can even opt to host their birthday part inside the park, celebrating their special day in a completely natural setting. Other exciting programs include tree planting ceremonies on Arbor Day, summer Family Fun Days and spooky Halloween happenings. The center also features a fun petting zoo, providing customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals with an interactive experience for even the youngest of travelers. For more information on upcoming events and available programs please stop in at the newly renovated education center at the parks north end. Ongoing exhibits can be found within this facility along with daily programs and special offerings.

Leave the City and find Natural Bliss

If the city’s got you down, don’t worry – these simple directions will help you find natural balance in no time. The Alley Pond Environmental Center is located just east of the Cross Island Parkway. Take the Midtown tunnel to the Long Island Expressway. Follow the L.I.E. in your AAMCAR New York Car Rentals rent-a-car until you get to the Clearview Expressway exit. Take the Clearview northbound to the Northern Boulevard East exit. Make a right onto Northern Boulevard and go straight for about 3 miles. The Alley Pond Environmental Center will appear just past the Cross Island Expressway on your right.

If you need to reconnect with nature now is the time to contact the Alley Pond Environmental Center. For more details about upcoming events please visit the official Pond website at www.alleypond.com. Customers of AAMCAR New York Car Rentals can also contact the park by phone at 1-718-229-4000. Alley Pond is open year round, but closed on most major holidays. Admission to the center is free.

Imagine you’re lying on a park bench; the sun is beating down on your skin. You can hear the gentle cooing of doves in the neighboring trees. A handful of area residents are huddled over a chessboard engaged in an afternoon game of technique and skill. The smell of fresh flower mingles with aromas from nearby restaurants. Where is this beautiful slice of tranquility you ask? Would you believe in the middle of Manhattan?! Washington Square Park is one of Manhattan’s most treasured public areas offering car rental NYX travelers a beautiful respite at the center of the city. From the lush landscape to the friendly fountain, Washington Square Park hosts a wide variety of vibrant attractions and unique amenities. A public park since the early 19th century, Washington Square is now one of the most popular public areas in all of Manhattan so what are you waiting for! Grab a friend and explore this urban oasis today!

Hangman’s Elm: A Quick History of the Park

Washington Square was used for a variety of purposes before becoming one of New York City’s most popular parks. Originally acquired by the City Common Council in 1797 as a burial ground, the park was also used as a place for public executions. Local legend pays homage to this historical fact, designating the large tree in the parks northwest corner “Hangman’s Elm”. The site was also used as the Washington Military Parade ground up until the area was designated a park in 1827. Since then the park has undergone a variety of revitalization efforts as well as beautification programs. Must-see attractions within the park include:

• The Washington Arch – Modeled after the Arc de Triumph in Paris, this beautiful architectural monument is located near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Washington Square Park North. Originally built of wood and plaster in 1889, the arch celebrated the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. The current marble arch replaced the wooden one in 1892.
• The Statues of George Washington – Car rental NYC travelers can now clearly distinguish these two art works thanks to a $3 million dollar 2002 renovation program. The statues portray Washington as President and as Commander-in-Chief.
• The Chessboards – A trip to Washington Square Park wouldn’t be complete without a visit to these permanent gaming receptacles. Board game enthusiasts are encouraged to challenge one of the locals to a do-or-die game, but be careful! The Washington Square Park players take their craft very seriously!
• The Robin Kovary Run for Small Dogs – Animal lovers of all ages are bound to enjoy this active area located at the heart of park. A larger dog run is also located elsewhere in the park.

Other attractions in the park include a World War I flagpole, a bust of steel manufacturer Alexander Lyman and a statue of Italian nationalist leader Giuseppe Garibaldi.

From Students to Street Performers, Everyone loves Washington Square Park!

Hundreds of car rental NYC travelers and local residents visit this park each day, making it NYC’s most popular urban green space. Located on the outer edge of New York University, the Park proudly hosts an eclectic mix of students, corporate suits and outdoor entertainers. Everyday is a new adventure inside Washington Square Park, so what are you waiting for! Stop by and recline by the fountain or enjoy an impromptu game of soccer with some friends. Washington Square Park has a little something for everyone!

If you would like to learn more about Washington Square Park simply log onto the official New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website at www.nycgovparks.org. Washington Square Park currently features over 9.75 acres of open recreation area. Park hours run from dawn until 1am daily. Admission is always free. Car rental NYC customer can find entrance to the park at Fifth Avenue and Waverly Place and on West 4th Street at MacDougal Street.

Wicked is a popular Broadway musical that you can currently see with your rental in New York. It is the untold story of the witches of Oz. This musical is a Tony Award Winner and Grammy Award Winner for Best Musical Show Album. This is a great play to see with your rental in New York.

Follow the yellow brick road

The story is based on the book more than the movie and is intended to be a prelude. It is set before Dorothy came to Oz from Kansas. Wicked explores the idea that the Wicked Witch of the West was a victim and misunderstood because of a wizard’s corrupt government. The green-skinned teenager, Elphaba Thropp, meets the beautiful Galinda Upland, who changes her name to Glinda the God later in the play, and the two become roommates. The show follows their friendship struggles to overcome personality difference, viewpoints, love interests, and Elphaba’s fall from grace. This is a very interesting take on a classic story and you can see it when you are in town with your rental in New York.

The show begins where the movie begins in Oz: Glinda tells the citizens of Oz that the Wicked Witch is dead. But then the Good Witch tells the story of the Wicked Witch, from her childhood rejection to her awkward college days. There was a lot of tension between the two witches throughout college, especially when Elphaba gets accepted in a class that Galinda really wants to take. Over time, Elphaba becomes known as the Wicked Witch.

Near the end of the play, you begin to see where the movie and book pick up. The Wizard is asked to leave the area. One of the characters is turned into the Scarcrow. The elements of the book are woven through this play that make it very interesting to see what happened before the book you loved as a child.

In the end, Elphaba needs to leave Oz forever and Glinda declares that she has helped the citizens through difficult times.

Wicked is a great play to see with your car rental in New York because it picks up on the book and movie almost everyone grew up with. You can see this with kids or adults – it is fun for the whole family.

Seeing a play on Broadway

Seeing a play on Broadway is a great experience with your car rental in New York. There are literally hundreds to choose from and they are all a lot of fun. Some might appeal to you more than others, or you might just want to see the ones that are the most talked about. Either way, there is a very easy way to get cheap tickets while you are here with your car rental in New York. For discount tickets, you can go to Duffy Square, near Times Square with your car rental in New York. Here, there is a ticket sales office called TKTS, which sells tickets at half price for same-day shows. This is a great way to take in more than one of these amazing shows that you might not otherwise have the opportunity to see.

With your New York car rental, why not visit the Vietnam Memorial. The New York State Vietnam Memorial is a living memorial that commemorates the military service of residents of the state in Vietnam and Southeast Asia between 1961 and 1975. In particular, it is dedicated to those who lost their life are were declared missing in action. The Memorial is located in Albany, which is 145 miles northeast of New York City. This is a good trip that can be a day or more with a New York car rental.

The Monument

The Memorial features a state honor roll, a gallery with exhibitions, a courtyard, and a resource center. It seeks to foster increased public understanding and discussion of the Vietnam War and its aftermath. It can be found at the Justice Building at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, only 145 miles from New York City in a New York car rental.

War!

The Vietnam War was a conflict between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (or the North) and the Republic of Vietnam (or the South). The United States was involved in the conflict beginning in 1965, and didnt officially withdraw until 1973. The wars roots are in the Cold War. The North was communist, while the South remained a democracy. At the start, France was responsible for this area through their colonies. However, pressure forced them to relinquish military control of the area, and the U.S. became influential in the area. South Vietnam wanted to maintain its governing power rather than reunify the country. Beginning in 1957, civil war broke out. Conflict soon spread to neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Laos.

Many of Vietnams allies, including the United States, wanted to stop the spread of communism throughout Southeast Asia. Vietnam itself was also fighting for decolonization as well as the ability to choose their own government. The United States under Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy supposed the South Vietnamese. Under President Johnson, the United States was once again at war. However, there was no outright declaration of war. Instead, there were incremental increases in the forces sent to the area to maintain security. The U.S. also hoped to avoid Soviet or Chinese involvement in the war, which happened in the Korean War. By 1965, Operation Rolling Thunder was put into place, in an effort to destroy the will of the North Vietnamese and lead to the Souths victory. The United States was highly involved in the war now.

When Nixon was elected as President, he promised to disengage the U.S. from the war. The plan was to build up the South Vietnamese army so they would not rely on American forces. Nixon gradually removed troops from the war until finally, in 1973, Nixon announced suspension of all offensive activities in Vietnam.

There were many protests against the war in the 1960s and 1970s. However, today the war has been immortalized in monuments and museums all over the country. Make a trip to Albany with your New York car rental to visit New Yorks contribution to the war.

The City of Albany

Compared to New York City, Albany is a small city of 96,000 people. However, it is worth the trip in your New York car rental. It is the state capital of New York, with all state institutions. There is also a little-known artistic community for the performing and fine arts. The area in which the Vietnam Memorial is located is also a large commercial center. Also, there is Division I NCAA college athletics in Albany, with many state universities located in the area. So take your New York car rental and visit the Vietnam Memorial and the surrounding area.

What would the world be without New York’s Wall Street, the financial capital of the planet? This street is unlike any other street you’ll drive down in your New York car rental as it is home to the New York Stock Exchange, where millions of dollars can be made or lost in a matter of seconds. But Wall Street hasn’t always been the be-all and end-all of the financial district. In fact it was once a wall! Built in 1644 by the Dutch on the lower end of Manhattan “Island” was a wall used to protect the settlers from British attack. Years later this wall was torn down and the notorious Wall Street was born.

The first organized American stock exchange took place in 1792 under a buttonwood tree in Castle Garden (now Battery Park). Twenty-four men participated in the exchange, signing an agreement of rules, regulations and fees. From that day forward a building at 22 Wall Street was used to auction of securities to the highest bidder every weekday at noon. This original organization was called The Stock Exchange Office and was a very exclusive club of New York’s elite financial community. In 1817 the name was changed to the New York Stock and Exchange Board, which was once again changed in 1863 to its current title of New York Stock Exchange. The NYSE has had its share of ups and downs during its long history, the most notable low occurring on October 29th 1929 when the Stock Market Crashed, causing millions of dollars to be lost and many investors to be ruined financially.

Today the New York Stock Exchange is the world’s leading and most technologically advanced equities market. Buyers and sellers meet daily in an open and orderly market to access the complicated rhythm of supply and demand. On any given day an average of 1.46 billion shares valued at a mind boggling $46.1 million dollars will be traded of the NYSE! The NYSE is home to over 2,800 world-class companies that have a total global market value of over $20 trillion! Approximately 470 non-US companies invest in the NYSE from 50 different countries making Wall Street the home of the world’s largest market. Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange range from private investors to well known “blue chip” organizations which include many of the world’s leading technology companies. All of these companies must meet stringent requirements before being allowed to partake in market business.

If you’re interested in learning more about the New York Stock Exchange, why not take a drive to Wall Street in your New York car rental and take part in a guided tour? The NYSE is one of New York City’s top 10 tourist destination and attracts over 700 000 visitors world wide each year! The New York City Stock Exchange tours are fun and educational, combining interactive displays with helpful information sessions. For more information regarding the guided tours please visit the New York Stock Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com or call 212-656-5165. Admission is FREE but tickets are first come first serve so be sure to drive over in your New York car rental early! Groups of ten or more require reservations. Special Private Trading Floor tours can be arranged for special occasions, but please not that all men must wear a jacket on the trading floor at all times!

If you would like to by some New York Stock Exchange souvenirs be sure to visit Wall Street in your New York car rental. There is a NYSE Marketplace Gift Shop which sells t-shirts, mugs and all sorts of other gift paraphernalia.

Of all the iconic buildings located in Manhattan, the Woolworth Building is the oldest – and by far one of the most famous – New York City skyscrapers. Close to 100 years after its construction, the Woolworth Building continues to attract attention in its trendy lower Manhattan neighborhood. The Woolworth Building continues to outshine many of its modern counterparts with its stylish strength and eye-catching architecture. Labeled the “Cathedral of Commerce” during its unveiling ceremony, the Woolworth Building showcases a distinct neo-Gothic style of architecture, including a steeple like central spire. Named the world’s tallest building in 1913, the Woolworth Building is still recognized as one of the nation’s fifty tallest skyscrapers thanks to a 792 foot tower. Car rental NYC customer can get a closer look at this American architectural icon by simply driving down Broadway.

Reach for the Sky

The Woolworth Building is easily one of the world’s most recognizable buildings. Designed by famed architect Call Gilbert, the Woolworth Building was originally slated to measure just 625 feet. The anti was later upped in order to break the tallest building record. Opened on April 24, 1913 the Woolworth Building quickly attracted the attention of local, national and international visitors. An observatory was quickly opened on the buildings 58th floor in order to provide visitors with an exclusive view of the city’s rising skyline. While visiting the building during your upcoming car rental NYC vacation try to imagine what it would have looked like to an early 10th century audience. It truly must have been an inspiring sight! Designed with the splendor and resilience of a European Gothic cathedral, the Woolworth Building is expected to remain an astonishing work of architectural genius well into the 21st century.

Details and Dollar Signs – Interesting Facts about the Woolworth Building

• Frank Woolworth commissioned Cass Gilbert to build the Woolworth Building as his company’s new official headquarters. Construction on the building cost over $13.5 million. Woolworth paid the entire sum in cash!
• The Woolworth Building was owned and operated by the Woolworth Company until 1998. Venator Group (formerly the F.W. Woolworth Company) sold the building to Witkoff Group for a cool $155 million.
• The Woolworth Building leased space inside the building for nearly 100 separate tenants. Famous residents included the Irving Trust Bank. Columbia Records also unveiled their new NYC recording studio inside the building.
• The Gothic detailing located at the top of the Woolworth Building is massively scaled in order to be visible from the ground.
• Frank Woolworth’s private lobby has been preserved inside the building. It’s ornate designed included a rich French Empire feel and plenty of marble!

Combining Engineering and Architectural Genius

The Woolworth Building is truly a marvel of aesthetics and functionality. State-of-the-art installments on the building included a new elevator safety system, high-speed elevators and bedrock based caissons. Intended as a testament to both the Woolworth Company and American innovation, the building quickly became an international sensation. The unveiling of the building even attracted the attention of then President, Woodrow Wilson. President Wilson pressed a button inside the White House on April 24th, 1913, illuminating both the interior and the exterior of the building instantly. Car rental NYC customers will also note an amazing collection of artistic and architectural features inside the building. These include numerous gargoyles, a handful of murals and beautiful moldings. Humorous portraits of the buildings engineer, Gunvald Aus, rental agent Edward J, Hogan, and the president of Irving Bank, Lewis Pierson, can also be found inside the building’s main lobby.

The best way to learn more about the Woolworth Building is to drop by. The building’s main entrance can be found on Broadway between Park Avenue and Barclay Street. Car rental NYC customers are allowed to explore the buildings main lobby. Private tour companies also offer tours of the building offering car rental NYC travelers a behind the scenes look at one of the nation’s most influential high-rises.

During your Manhattan car rental travels throughout New York City you may run across a narrow thoroughfare running east from Broadway to the East River. Although it may look tiny and uninviting from the window of your Manhattan car rental, Wall Street really is an attraction like no other in the world! Considered to be the heart and soul of the Financial District, Wall Street was the first permanent home of the New York Stock Exchange and a variety of other financial leaders. Interestingly enough most of the major New York firms are no longer located along Wall Street, opting to move elsewhere in the Lower Manhattan and Midtown neighborhoods.

Wall Street History

Back in the 17th century, when the Dutch occupied parts of New York State, a crude wall was built along what is now called Wall Street, forming a northern boundary between New Amsterdam and her hostile neighbors. In 1699 this wall was demolished by the British, but its history would never be forgotten. In the late 18th century 24 of New Yorks leading merchants secretly met beneath an old buttonwood tree, located at the foot of Wall Street, to discuss a revolutionary financial plan which included the trading of securities in a safe financial atmosphere. These 24 men agreed to sign the Buttonwood Agreement, ensuring their commitment to the plan and essentially creating the very first Stock Exchange on Wall Street!

Wall Street Beginnings

The New York Stock and Exchange Board wasnt formally organized until March 8, 1817. Located at 40 Wall Street, the fist New York Stock Exchange was narrated by Board president, Anthony Stockholm, as he read out the stocks to be traded that day. Membership to the Stock Exchange was exclusive and membership definitely wasnt cheap by 1848 it cost a staggering $400 just to gain access to the trading floor! It wasnt long before the New York Stock and Exchange Board took off, resulting in a wave of good fortune. In 1901 J.P. Morgan stunned the world when he created the first billion dollar merger of companies, creating the U.S. Steel Corporation. But with success comes failure and in 1907 panic struck Wall Street as investors began to unload securities at a staggering rate. Within a few months over eight hundred billion dollars had been removed from the Stock and Exchange Board, causing stock prices to plummet. Luckily the Board was able to rebound from this devastating loss as major New York bankers began to reestablish their place on the market.

Black Thursday and the Crash of the New York Stock Exchange

On October 24th, 1929 the unthinkable happened at the New York Stock Exchange. For years the stock market had been experiencing a prosperous boom, leading many Americans to believe in stock market investment and bond securities. Almost every working citizen in American had money tied up in the markets, causing share prices to rise to artificially high levels. An economic bubble was created as banks lent out heavy loans to fund the publics share-buying spree. When the bubble finally burst some fifty-three million shares were sold within three days, running millions of investors, families and businesses instantly. This financial devastation was a major contributor to in the Great Depression as millions of people lost their savings, jobs and families.

Attractions Located on Wall Street

If youre planning to visit Wall Street in your Manhattan car rental, be sure to visit more than just the NYSE! The Wall Street area is home to a wide variety of great New York City businesses and attractions, so dont even think about parking that Manhattan car rental just yet! The following buildings are a must-see in the Wall Street area, so keep your eyes peeled for them when driving your Manhattan car rental!

• American International Building 70 Pine Street
• Hanover Bank building Nassau Street between Wall Street and Pine Street
• Gillender Building Wall Street at Nassau Street
• Chase National Bank Building 18 Pine Street at Nassau Street