The city houses many of the country’s oldest buildings, some of which include the oldest art museum’s. the oldest park is also located in Hartford, making it an excellent location for anyone visiting.
Hartford is now in a strange situation, while the Greater Hartford Area is one of the richest in the country, most of its population lives below the poverty line. Though you’ll find this is true of most major cities. Despite this, Hartford is filled with vibrant culture for any visitor to enjoy. Greater Hartford‘s is also filled with both high ranking universities and manufacturing companies, however Hartford is most known for its top tier insurance companies.
Many insurance companies built their main operating bases in Hartford due to its location. Connecticut is in between New York and Massachusetts, making it an ideal location for companies looking for a work force. With both New York‘s and Massachusetts’ concentration of workers, Hartford is perfect for insurance companies who mainly rely on blue collar workers. Recently, New Jersey has also become a prominent location for insurance companies, as it sits in between New York and Washington D.C.. This makes it one of the best states for insurance companies looking to extend their reach.
During colonial times Hartford operated as a trading center for both the Dutch and the English. For a while, Hartford would be sold around until 1636 where Hartford’s boundaries would be officially set. Then new docks were built, helping explode the trade market within the city.
Hartford would also have a prominent role during the industrial revolution. The city would begin to specialize in manufacturing precision parts used in automobiles, clocks, and even rifles. Colt’s Arm Manufacturing Company was stationed in HartfordConnecticut. Hartford was also known for its innovation, with many modern pieces of technology coming from that time. Some of these include rotator cuffs for machinery, gear transmission for vehicles, and even chucks that are used for drills.
In the early to mid 1900’s Hartford was hit by a flood and then a massive fire that killed over a hundred people. Then after World War II, a number of Puerto Ricans moved to Hartford, this drove a lot of its original residence to outer suburbs. This led to a decline in the main city, causing insurance companies to move their offices out.
Hartford would storm back into power following the establishment of the Hartford Graduate School. The city would then kick off a 4 decade long rebuilding process beginning with the reconstruction of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Multiple colleges, and company buildings would be constructed, and many houses were turned into museums. Transit hubs were built and many skyscrapers began to pop up around the city, the most notable being City Place I. Connecticut’s insurance giants would move back in during this time, most famously the Phoenix Life Insurance Company. Most company’s would build their offices on Constitution Plaza.
Constitution Plaza is a mixed use development that is occupied by both retail and office buildings.
It was seen as the ideal urban environment and was often used as an example for what urban growth should look like. a mixed urban plaza were both vehicles and pedestrians can co-exist safely, while still allowing access to the road should any resident want to take a taxi home. The plaza is surrounded by a number of mid-twentieth century buildings that were mostly designed by Charles Dubose. Such buildings include the 100 Constitution Plaza, 200 Constitution Plaza, and many more. Though most residents would agree that the Phoenix Life Insurance Company Building is the staple of the plaza. Constitution Plaza also features a freestanding pavilion used by Trinity College as part of their campus, and a U shaped court that was repurposed to luxury apartments by the company Spectra in 2015. The plaza itself is connected via well kept walkways and has numerous large pedestrian areas that include pools, fountains, and even a clock tower. Constitution Plaza is now home to many restaurants and shops, turning it into a retail hotspot for anyone visitingHartford.
Hartford’s main place to stay is currently the Marriott.
The Greater Hartford area is a name that is used to define a large boundary that covers both Hartford and even parts of New England. While Hartford is known for being home to insurance companies it has recently expanded its specialty. Recently Hartford is becoming one of the leading entities in the tech industry thanks to its location.
Connecticut ranks as the 3rd most educated state in the country, making it prime real-estate for both universities and tech companies. The Greater Hartford Area is home to many universities that specialize in many aspects. While mainly known for its medical universities, Hartford has recently expanded to other areas.
Hartford is now home to schools that specialize in areas such as tech, and manufacturing. Some of Hartford’s universities now specialize in healthcare. Some of these universities include UCONN, Trinity, and even St. Joseph’s. This has also made Hartford one of the best states for tech companies wanting to put to use the skills of graduates.
As of late, The Greater Hartford Area is becoming prominent in manufacturing and even aerospace. Some of these manufacturing companies include Reno Machine Co., Novo Metal Finishing Equipment, Hebert Engineering & Design and plenty more, including a couple of solar companies. While most manufacturing companies in Connecticut fabricate heavy machinery and metal framing, they also conduct plenty of precision manufacturing as well. Companies such as Synectic Product Development, focus on developing medical products for hospitals and clinics. Hartford’s expansion into tech and manufacturing has led to an explosion of vibrant urban culture in the city.
Hartford has many activities for any visitor. If you’re planning a vacation to Connecticut soon, it’s important to have good transportation there. Now a days most limo service’s will provide an hourly service for anyone looking to take a shopping trip.
Hartford is also packed with residents who work in the city, so you’ll often times find them taking a car service or taxi in order to avoid public transit. Most drivers in the city are very reliable, however if you want to be absolutely sure than you can also order a limo. Overall any visitor planning a visit to Connecticut should absolutely give Hartford a chance.
Welcome to Old Greenwich, one of Connecticut’s most popular destination spots! With a population of over 6,000 people, visitors will find plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy. So if you’re planning a peaceful getaway then visitingOld Greenwich should be first on your list, so take a limo down to one of Connecticut’s most beautiful spots. Old Greenwich is managed by the town of Greenwich, a town consisting of different sections that are separated by zip code. Old Greenwich is filled with different activities for visitors to enjoy, whether that be visiting one of the local athletic fields in the town, or even going out boating!
The rail system works directly with the New Haven Line, a rail system that runs from Connecticut to New York City. The Station itself was built in 1872, it was originally named Sound Beach Railroad Station however this was eventually changed to Old Greenwich Station. The building that the station operates in was built in the late 1800’s and still holds some of its exterior Victorian architectural style. In 1989, the station was registered as a historic place in the nation, however it was registered under the old name the “Sound Beach Railroad Station”. Old Greenwich Station was remodeled as recently as 2009, where it was made to accommodate for longer trains among other renovations. Overall, the project took over $14 million, and was just completed in 2019.
Greenwich Point is a popular beach site that sits in close proximity to Long Island. Oftentimes you’ll find most locals jogging or walking around the area, some visitors will even fish or swim in the area. Greenwich Point sits right on top of Long Island Sound, a body of water that sits between Connecticut and Long Island.
The land was first occupied by the Siwanoy Indians, who would use the land during the summertime in order to fish. In 1640 a man named Robert Feake bought the land for his wife, Elizabeth Feake, and named it Elizabeth’s Neck. They would then build their home nearby, where they would retain the land for more than a hundred years.
The land would then be purchased by a man named John Kennedy Tod, a Scotland born, American raised banker, who renamed the point to Innis Arden. In his early days, Tod was actually a Rugby player, who would represent multiple teams throughout his career, one of which being the Glasgow District. He also represented the West of Scotland District and even played internationally, where he represented Scotland against England.
He then moved to New York were he would begin a new career as a banking partner. Tod would form the J.Kennedy Tod & Co. banking group; he also became involved in restructuring railway properties. Tod would eventually die in 1925, passing away in his Innis Arden summer home.
After the death of Tod and his wife, Innis Arden was given to the Presbyterian Hospital of New York. Innis Arden would operate as a getaway for nurses until the beginning of World War II. Then, in 1944 the land would be sold to the Town of Greenwich, were it would be renamed to Greenwich Point. Greenwich Point is open to anyone who has beach passes, the area is typically open from 6:00 AM until sunset. Greenwich Point has a number of picnic tables, grills, showers, snack bars, restrooms, and plenty of benches to sit at.
Old Greenwich would begin its industrial presence in the 1920’s, where Conde Nast would operate a facility dedicated to printing top selling magazines. Some of these magazines would include Vogue, Vanity Fair, and House & Garden. Old Greenwich also had a bit of an industrial presence during the 50’s, it was home to a vacuum manufacturing facility, operated by Electrolux.
Today, the town is known for being very friendly and community based! so if you’re planning a relaxing vacation, Old Greenwich might be the place for you. You’ll often find the locals walking their dogs or relaxing in front of their porch, ready to mingle. Old Greenwich has a ton of associations dedicated to maintaining a safe and clean neighborhood! Old Greenwich also has a farmer’s market that operates throughout the summer season, the market is typically located on 38 West End Avenue, Old Greenwich.
Binney Park is a 33 acre park that was donated to Old Greenwich by Edwin Binney, an American entrepreneur. Binney Park is filled with walking paths, stone bridges, and even a gazebo, the park also features tennis courts, and even baseball fields. The park is great for picnics and quite popular among photographers, they also host a number of nightly concerts during the summer.
If you’re looking for a place to do some gift shopping, or if you’re simply looking for a meal, then you’re in luck. Old Greenwich has a handful of cute shops with plenty of souvenirs for visitors to choose from, the town even includes a thrift shop!
If you start getting hungry then you’ll be glad to know that Old Greenwich has plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from. For the most part, the restaurants around the area are locally owned with a quant menu, the most popular of which being Le Fat Poodle. However two of the most popular restaurants serve Italian cuisine, Applausi Osteria, and Lugano.
Center City Philadelphia is one of the most important financial districts in the country and is home to a number of big name companies to show for it. though you shouldn’t let the big name companies fool you, Center City is a great place to take a vacation. Pennsylvania is one of the best states if you’re looking to get away from all the noise from big cities. Center City includes other neighborhoods in Philadelphia, the most notable of which is the central business district. Center City can be split into four different sections, South Street, and Vine Street covering the South and North borders of Center City. Delaware River covering the East, and the Schuylkill River to the west of Center City. In total, Center City is made up of about 7 different neighborhoods. Within this section of Center City is the home of multiple big named companies. Some of these companies include Sunoco, Aramark, Comcast, Lincoln National Corporation, and many more. There are also a number of Diplomatic offices in the neighborhood. Most of the Educational Institutions in Center City are private schools, and have been that way since even the 1940’s. Center City also has a number of hotels that one can stay at, not just the Marriott but beautiful hotels like The Bellevue Hotel, Sofitel Philadelphia, and many more.
Within Center City lies the historic Old City, one of the oldest cities in Philadelphia and used to be one of the most important neighborhoods in the U.S.. Old City is also where Quaker and William Penn first settled, and for a while was one of America’s most important financial centers. After the central business district moved west, the area became littered with warehouses and light industry. During the 20th century the area was restored thanks to the development of the Independence National Historical Park and United States Bicentennial. During the 1980’s the area went through some extensive gentrification, many warehouses were converted to art studios and galleries.
One of Old City’s best attractions is the Spruce Street Harbor Park, a colorful park filled with floating barges, craft beers, shuffleboard, a waterfront boardwalk and many more activities for any visitor to enjoy. Spruce Street Harbor Park has LED lights strung up as well, wrapping around trees to make the nightlife look spectacular.
Most of the park’s food and drink services are located at the boardwalk. Old City is also home to many boutiques, galleries, and even local businesses. Old City also hosts an event called First Friday, where art galleries and shops hold open houses for art, and fashion. Old City has a number of restaurants that are actually owned by some celebrity chefs. Some of these restaurants are Cuba Libre, Amada, Buddakan, and many many more.
Right next to Old City lies Society Hill, and like its neighbor, it’s also one of Philadelphia’s oldest neighborhoods. Society Hill had been established as far back as the 1680’s.
Society Hill also holds many 18th and 19th century style homes and was named after the Free Society of Traders. The Free Society of Traders was a group of merchants and landowners with personal business in the area. Society Hill had direct access to the Delaware River meaning that it became one of the most populated areas in the state. The neighborhood became flooded with many churches, market halls, taverns, and brick houses.
Society Hill used to have a creek in it, Dock Creek, eventually it became polluted and was filled in by the city. Dock creek would eventually be renamed to Dock Street, which now houses its own brewing company! During the 19th century the area began to expand but at the cost of its quality, after the 1940’s Society Hill turned into a slum. Then in the 1950’s the neighborhood turned over a new leaf thanks to an urban renewal program.
Many houses were restored and bought out by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Many new parks, walkways, and townhouses were built and replica 18th century streetlights and sidewalks were added to bring together the colonial aesthetic. Eventually the area was bought in the late 1950’s, this time by 3 separate companies looking to redevelop Society Hill.
The three companies looking to change the area are; The Redevelopment Authority, the Philadelphia Movement, and the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Certain parts of the neighborhood were demolished or relocated, the cleared up area was then used as the site for the Society Hill Towers.
During the mid 1960’s the area would go through another redevelopment, this time being led by architect I. M. Pei, a Chinese-American architect who was raised in Shanghai. Pei’s team would introduce a townhouses and towers project into the neighborhood; the plan was completed in 1977. Waverly Court and Penn’s Landing Square would eventually be built by architect Louis Sauer, an American architect. Louis Sauer’s team would eventually go on to design several row houses for the neighborhood. Louis Sauer’s team would eventually go on to design several row houses for the neighborhood. Louis Sauer’s team would eventually go on to design several row houses for the neighborhood.
Located West of Old City and Society Hill, Washington Square West is home to a diverse option of restaurants, cafes, and shops! Some of the wealthier visitors in the city may opt to contract a driver in order to avoid the hassle of public transport.
Washington Square park is mixed commercial, residential, and industrial, this is why most of their row-houses are either 3 to 4 stories high. Many of these buildings are Condominiums, Apartments, Hospitals, and even offices, they even sometimes include their own ground-level retail place.
Washington Square West is also known for being one of the most gay friendly neighborhoods in the area. The neighborhood constantly holds different LGBTQ+ friendly events, such as Outfest, Tabu Drag Brunch, Code:Black, and many more.
After this the area would be redeveloped anyway, city officials had hoped that by redeveloping the area, it would lead to a boost both economy and citizen morale. The main authority that was pushing for the redevelopment of the area was the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. However the agency would act like a double edged sword for the neighborhood. During the beginning years of the 1970’s, the redevelopment agency owned almost 20% of the neighborhood, but with the purchases of so many properties they began to run out of money.
In the mid 1970’s the federal fund that was used to redevelop the area had run out, and the agency simply stopped building. This left a ton of empty lots and the neighborhood was once again left to rot. During the late 70’s to the 80’s the area would slowly build itself back up. Then in the 1990’s the area began to see a complete economic boom thanks to its new mayor. The new mayor at the time, Ed Rendell, helped bring investment into Center City. Gentrification took over the neighborhood, and by the 2000’s Washington Square West had turned itself around. Washington Square West is known for its very gay friendly attitude, even having an area in the neighborhood called The Gayborhood. The Gayborhood has been around since the 70’s, and throughout this time it was even a red-light district. The area actually went through several attempts of rebranding and gentrification however despite all of these attempts it still remains the Gayborhood. Washington Square West was also home to a few pop culture figures as well, one of which was director M. Night Shymalan.
As is implied by the name, Market Street is one of the most important locations for Philadelphia’s commerce and business. Market Street actually has a rich history, with various famous historical figures having lived on Market Street. Some of these famous figures include both political figures, actors, and even directors!
Benjamin Franklin had a house on one of the intersections, and would perform his kite flying experiment there. Thomas Jefferson had actually drafted the Declaration of Independence in the Graff on Market Street. Robert Morris also lived on Market Street, Robert Morris helped fund the Revolutionary War. For a while, the President’s House was once located on Market Street; it was used by both George Washington and John Adams. Now a days some of the most well known agencies and companies in the United States are located on Market Street. These companies have either constructed new buildings or overturned old buildings to meet new requirements.
Chinatown is made up of Asian Americans and is actually still growing in size! As of 2018 Philadelphia’s Chinatown has continued to grow mainly due to large migration from New York City. The area is supported by Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, PCDC for short. Chinatown came to be when in the mid-late 19th century, Cantonese immigrants moved near Philadelphia’s commercial wharves. The first business was opened by Lee Fong in 1871, a laundry mat, and soon after the rest of ethnic Chinese followed. Throughout the Early 1900’s the area began to consist mainly of restaurants, and one grocery store. In the mid 60’s a large number of families began to move to Chinatown, this led to the area going up for a renewal program.
Parts of Chinatown had to be demolished in order for the city to build a new highway, though this isn’t the only thing that was built. The Pennsylvania Convention Center was also constructed in that area. While this may have helped the neighborhood develop it was still very controversial.
This led to the creation of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation which gave local businesses a say in local development matters. In the late 90’s, Chinatown began to expand, including not only Chinese immigrants but also Korean, Vietnamese and even Taiwanese. Soon Chinatown became more commercially viable, However this led to an unforeseen issue.
The commercial success caught the eye of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team who began to run a campaign to try to build a new area where they could play baseball. For a while they were planning on demolishing several buildings in Chinatown to make room for this new ballpark. This proposal was met with strong opposition from the PCDC, who felt that a ballpark would destroy Chinatown. Multiple rallies and protests were held by many different ethnic and religious groups in order to help stop the ballpark from being constructed. Eventually the ballpark was built south of Philadelphia instead of in Chinatown. This ballpark was opened in 2004 in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.Chinatowns most recent addition was in 2012, with the addition of an Eastern Tower Community Center. It was quickly approved by the city, construction began in 2017 and it was officially opened 2 years later on November 8th.
Chinatown had to deal with constant renovation programs, highway proposals, and demolishing plans trying to get rid of the neighborhood. Despite this, the area is thriving and is still growing to this day! Today, Chinatown is filled with shops, restaurants, factories, and other industrial businesses.
If you’re looking for a drink you can go to Dragon Beer Garden or to the famous David’s Mai Lai Wah. While the area may be called Chinatown it is far more diverse than the name would have you believe. Chinatown is filled with Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and many more diverse Asian cuisine restaurants. Chinatown is also lucky in that it is near many of Center City’s hotels, making it an ideal area to visit. Chinatown also hosts events, one of the most well known being “Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival”, an illuminated fest where lantern artisans come together to present their work. Their work includes handcrafted lanterns, pandas, whales, dragons, and many more. The event also includes performances of acrobatics, martial arts, folk dancing, and more. Chinatown is also home to one of the oldest public markets in the United States, Reading Terminal Market. Reading Terminal Market is filled with many different cuisines, such as soul food, Asian cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine, and even authentic Philly Cheesesteaks.
Rittenhouse Square is the name of both the public park in the middle and the neighborhood around it. The neighborhood is one of the highest income neighborhoods in the country, and forms a historic district with Fitler Square. Rittenhouse Square is maintained by a non-profit group, The Friends of Rittenhouse Square.
Rittenhouse Square was renamed in 1825 after David Rittenhouse, a clockmaker, and someone who lent a great hand in the American Revolution. David Rittenhouse was also a descendant of William Rittenhouse, the first paper-maker in Philadelphia. William Rittenhouse’s Paper-mill is still standing in Philadelphia to this day, now it’s known as Rittenhousetown. At the start of the 19th century Rittenhouse Square would become a very sought after neighborhood, thanks in large part to one man, James Harper.
James Harper was recently retired from U.S. congress and had been a merchant and brick maker before that. James Harper decided to use his wealth to set the tone for Rittenhouse Square; he would proceed to buy most of the north side and begin construction on his own house. James Harper would keep buying land in Rittenhouse Square, dividing it up and then reselling them.
In 1913, Rittenhouse Square would begin to add French architecture to the neighborhood. Thanks to Paul Philippe Cret, a French architect, who redesigned parts of the square to resemble Paris and French gardens. Paul added stone additions to pools and fountains, and constructed new entryways that had a much more classical look. Post World War II Rittenhouse Square began to add modern architecture to its neighborhood. Apartment complexes, office spaces, and condominiums began to pop up around the neighborhood, along with shopping malls and high-rise buildings. Rittenhouse Square would still keep most of its Italianate, and Art Deco styles, but the majority of its Victorian mansions were replaced by residential buildings.
Paul Cret’s redesign was well received among the community, despite how many additions he made the park still remained largely the same, just more modern. His redesign was so popular that it actually caught the attention of several journalists who sought to interview him. Rittenhouse Square would become much more Centered and intricate, and despite many proposed changes, has stayed this way ever since.
Rittenhouse Square is littered with luxury apartments, an office tower, and restaurants scattered around. The park itself has many benches where people can eat, fountains, statues and even doggie bag dispensers. Rittenhouse Square has many historical and cultural institutions around the neighborhood. Among these institutions are many civil war and underground railroad museums in the area. Along with the Curtis Institute of Music, the Philadelphia Art Alliance and even the Wine School of Philadelphia! The neighborhood is also lined with many different Civil War-Era style mansions, oftentimes being used for the set of Hollywood movies. Rittenhouse Square features a number of events throughout spring, These events typically start at the beginning of May.
Fitler Square is the name of a public park in Philadelphia and the neighborhood around it. Named after Philadelphia’s 19th century mayor, Edwin Henry Fitler. The park is maintained by both the Fitler Square Improvement Association and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Fitler Square is located west of Rittenhouse Square, oftentimes both neighborhoods are associated with one another, eventually garnering the nickname “Rit-Fit”.
Before the 50’s the neighborhood had fallen on harsh times, much of the city was overwhelmed by urban blight, and the park itself was just a wasteland of drunks and druggies. Finally the city managed to get Mayor Joseph S. Clark Jr to help improve the neighborhood through a petition. Mayor Clark began to free up money that allowed for the construction of new homes. At one point the neighborhood was almost removed in order to add a new crosstown expressway. Fitler Square also has a river to the west, Schuylkill River. Today, the neighborhood is mainly residential and houses single families that moved to the area.
Located Northwest of Washington D.C., and founded in the mid 1700’s, there lies a neighborhood called Georgetown. With a population over 70,000 Georgetown has a rich history from the day it was first founded. Today, Georgetown is home to some of the most fabulous restaurants in the country and some of the best shops as well! This makes it worth visiting for any tourist, so make sure you have transportation to the neighborhood to enjoy your stay. From its busy M Street to the beautiful Georgetown Park, there are plenty of things to do for anyone wanting to visit. Georgetown is also flooded with historic areas from both the 19th century and the 20th century. This can include things such as the Washington Harbor or even some of its historical schools. Georgetown is not just known for its high end shops and restaurants but also for its education. The neighborhood has consistently poured its resources into its education system landing them one of the most prestigious schools to attend, Georgetown University. Georgetown is a wonderful place to visit, and while it used to be more well known for its unattainable status. Though, recently its become much more accessible to the public, with more shops and restaurants for anyone to enjoy.
Georgetown was may have been founded in the mid 1700’s but its history goes all the way back to the 1600’s. In 1632 Henry Fleet, an English fur trader, documented a village of the Nacotchtank people called Tohoga, this is where modern Georgetown is now located. Henry Fleet had actually spent 5 years as the Nacotchtank’s prisoner, he was later freed for ransom. Henry Fleet saw the advantage that Georgetown had for shipping due to its connection to the ocean via the Potomac River. This lead to a port being build in the area and trade was then established. The port of Georgetown is actually about 40 years older than the city of Washington. Then in 1745, a tobacco inspection house was constructed alongside the Potomac River by a man named George Gordon. George Beall Jr. was also a prominent figure in the neighborhood, he was the grandson of George Bell who was a strong political figure among other things. In the 1750’s the 60 acre area was purchased by the Province of Maryland, this was done to turn the neighborhood into Georgetown. Robert Peter then became the first mayor of the town, Georgetown then began to build, using the river to its advantage by building ports and warehouses. After which the establishment of the federal capital helped Georgetown become its own independent district.
View of Georgetown University in the 19th century
In the early 1820’s the Potomac River became so filled up with ports and silt that it became hard to navigate up to Georgetown. This was becoming such an issue that it became difficult to trade in Georgetown. The solution was to build a new canal going from Harper’s Ferry to Georgetown, however the introduction to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad altered that. To start with, the railroad was finished before the canal could be done, and it was much cheaper than the ferry. This practically killed any hope for a ferry to bring in money. While the canal was still built it was not as profitable as they had hoped, this was due to the train being much cheaper and much faster. There was an upside, the canal was originally made to allow for civilian boats to pass but with most residents now taking the train, it gave another route for ships and cargo boats to take. This wound up being extremely helpful as it helped clear up some congestion and provided a boost for the economy in the town. Georgetown would follow the trend of the evolving industries throughout the decades; during the 1820’s they traded tobacco, sugar, salt, and even hemp, later incorporating flour, and even coal. For the next 40 – 50 years the area would remain largely self governed, while this was good for expanding business it would eventually become a problem. Georgetown eventually had to deal with its original problem, constant shipping of coal leading to the area becoming silted. To make things worse in 1889 a storm at the end of May washed away a poorly managed dam in the area. This nearly destroyed Georgetown, it took years for the area to finally begin to rebuild. Georgetown not only rebuilt but also expanded. This led to the expansion of the railroads and allowed for new factories to be built in the neighborhood. Georgetown’s waterfront became more industrialized, with warehouses, and apartment complexes going up in the area. None of these apartments were actually well kept. By the end of the 19th century, Georgetown was a mix of industry along the river, and “projects” for the workers to live in. However, older homes remaining unchanged though most of them would remain abandoned for a while.
The opening of the Buffalo Bridge in the early 1910’s helped connect Georgetown with Rock Creek Park. then in the 1920’s construction began on large apartment complexes along the edge of Georgetown. The C & O Canal would deal with a series of floods throughout the years until it was eventually sold to the National Park Service in late 1938.
The area would then remain largely industrial until about 1968, a series of freeways then allowed for some commuters to avoid Georgetown altogether.
Georgetown has some of the best schools in the country and for good reason. With money constantly moving in and out of the area it allowed for schools to be well founded. Georgetown is home to many university-preparatory schools, the first being Columbian Academy. Georgetown was not just fueled by wealth but also its desire to properly educate the young. Georgetown contains multiple private schools such as; Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Georgetown Day School, and many more. The schools themselves also contain some interesting history for anyone willing to read. Georgetown does contain some public schools, and most are operated by the District of Columbia Public Schools or (DCPS) for short. There are also a number of public libraries in the area, mainly due to the District of Columbia Public Library operating there. However the most well known university is without a doubt Georgetown University.
Georgetown University is one the oldest schools in the United States founded by bishop John Carroll in 1789. It stands as the best private research university in the country and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States with highly picky admissions. It stands as the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States however the majority of its students do not follow the religion. The school’s alumni include more U.S. diplomats than any other university in the United States. Georgetown University’s main campus is identifiable by Healy Hall, a National Historic Landmark. The school now houses about 10 undergraduate and graduate schools.
Georgetown University is one the oldest schools in the United States founded by bishop John Carroll in 1789. It stands as the best private research university in the country and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States with highly picky admissions.
It stands as the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States however the majority of its students do not follow the religion. The school’s alumni include more U.S. diplomats than any other university in the United States. this means that visiting the university is not as easy as getting on a bus, often times the students take a car service to the school. This means that unless you have the funds, Georgetown University is very difficult to tour. Georgetown University’s main campus is identifiable by Healy Hall, a National Historic Landmark. The school now houses about 10 undergraduate and graduate schools.
One of Georgetown’s best tourist destination is Georgetown Park. Georgetown Park is a mixed use area, consisting of both a shopping mall and condominium use. Often times, taking a taxi is your best option for getting around the neighborhood. After all, your feet will get tired from all the shopping you’ll do! it also went through some of the most renovations throughout the decades. parts of its structure where actually used from old tobacco warehouses in the area, these parts can date as far back as 1838. In the 1850’s Georgetown Park was bought by John E. Reeside and Gilbert Vanderwerken, during which it was used to hold their Omnibus line. After it was used to hold the Washington and Georgetown Railroad, it was then converted into a machine shop for streetcars. At one point the building served as the United States Defense Communications Annex E. Donohoe Construction Co. acquired the building in 1975 and was tasked with developing the area into a combined housing and commercial complex.
Washington Harbor is also one of Georgetown’s most famous destinations as well. Washington Harbor is a mixed used development that was designed by Arthur Cotton Moore. The complex contains luxury condominiums, offices, retail space, and restaurants. Washington Harbor has a postmodern architectural style. Washington Harbor has a set of floodgates designed to help protect it against river floods; the gates were later renovated after 2010. During its initial days it was mainly used as a commercial harbor, however this changed during the Industrial Revolution. At first Washington Harbor had to close because of a decline in commercial sales. This led to numerous Manufacturing plants and industry to be built in the area. After the 1960’s Washington Harbor went through numerous proposals but none were acted upon for almost a decade. Many Georgetown residents strongly opposed plans to build a series of highways throughout the city. Ironically enough the plan that eventually went through was a plan to tear down the already existing freeway. Washington Harbor was inevitably saved by President Nixon in 1971. Construction of the actual area began in the 1980’s and was opened in phases, the first phase being in 1986.
Today, the Potomac river contains multiple waterfront dining options, many of which can give you a fantastic view of The Kennedy Center. Some of the better options for seafood in the area are places like Sequoia, Nick’s Riverside Grill, and Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place. Georgetown is also home to some of the most famous restaurants in the country, so famous even presidents eat there! 2 of these restaurants are Farmers Fishers Bakers, and Fiola Mare, who have had the luxury of having guests like Joe Biden and James Bond. Some luxury hotels offer restaurants of their own, all of these restaurants offer top cuisine options for all their guests. Places like Bourbon Steak, and CUT by Wolfgang Puck can offer you a variety of Steaks and red meat options to satisfy your meat filling. There is also a restaurant called The Alex, named after Alexander Graham Bell, which features a Steampunk aesthetic for its visitors to enjoy. You can enjoy some Italian Cuisine at the Cafe Milano and Filomena Ristorante, or an all-American menu at 1798. Georgetown also features a number of stylish bars such as Richard Sandoval’sEl Centro D.F., which serves up authentic Mexican food all day!
Welcome to Downtown Brooklyn! one of the oldest cities in the United States and yet despite its history it’s a new city compared to the bustling Manhattan. As of 2010, Brooklyn houses over 2 million residents who all commute, live, and work in Downtown Brooklyn. The neighborhood is located Northwest of the Brooklyn Borough and has become New York City’s central tech hub over the years. Currently, Downtown Brooklyn contains 3 separate malls, its own arena, new high rise buildings, its own industrial zone along with plenty of schools to choose from and even has a couple of well known buildings in the area. This means that Downtown Brooklyn is currently filled with shops for visitors and even a stadium, this makes it an excellent choice for your next vacation! Two of its main buildings are the Williamsburgh Savings Bank and the MetroTech Center complex. One of the main reason that Brooklyn has began its ascension into the business side of New York is through how close Brooklyn is to Lower Manhattan. Downtown Brooklyn is one of the first neighborhoods you can go into right out of Manhattan, this has helped propel Brooklyn into the third largest central business district in New York City, this was later confirmed by a report done by the Regional Plan Association. The man who helped with Brooklyn’s new rise to dominance is Howard Golden, who believed that Downtown Brooklyn should work together with Manhattan because of its proximity.
Until about 1814, the Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights are would remain sparsely populated. This would come to change due to a man named Robert Fulton, Who also believed in what Howard Golden did, helped Brooklyn rise to what it is today. To start, Brooklyn was made into a suburban area at first, though it would eventually become a new commercial center in the city. During the 1850’s certain Brooklyn churches went against slavery, some would even act as a safehouse in order to help the Underground Railroad movement. The 19th century growth of the Port of New York caused shipping to influence the City of Brooklyn. This led to Brooklyn being initially used as the manufacturing district of New York City, it would become filled with different warehouses and factories. This was a direct influence of the construction of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge, and helped further Brooklyn’s rise in business. There was a complete revamp of the area following World War 2, this was done to widen its streets, add major housing projects and allowed the Brooklyn Bridge to be modernized. During the late 1960’s a plan was completed by the city that was made in order to help Brooklyn have more commercial and office spaces available. The City Planning Commission then stated, “Downtown Brooklyn’s economy is vital to the borough and important to the entire metropolitan region.”.
Ariel view of Downtown Brooklyn during the middle of the day.
after Robert Fulton transformed the neighborhood to a commercial hub, Brooklyn was no longer meant for residential living, at first, this meant that a massive rezoning of the Downtown Brooklyn area had to be done. However the rezoning took a very long time to come through and was only really done in 2004, despite this it has allowed for more denser residential areas to develop. The area has seen the arrival of new condominium towers, townhouses, and office conversions and has led to more than 30,000 new residents to move into Downtown Brooklyn. The city was also seeking to improve the connections between downtown and the neighborhoods of Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and Fort Greene. In March 2012 the area was going through heavy remodeling, 2 years later an affordable housing plan was put into place with over 400 new units put into place.
Downtown Brooklyn now features multiple well known shops, Most of which are located near the acclaimed Barclay’s Center. Which is smacked in the middle of Downtown Brooklyn.
The Downtown Brooklyn area contains multiple municipal buildings, halls, and courthouses along with a handful of schools to choose from. The Borough Hall at times is used as a farmers market and contains fresh produce from farmers around the New York area. Downtown Brooklyn also has multiple options for shopping, dining, and drinking with almost 200 options in bars and restaurants. Multiple 7-eleven’s, Multiple pizza shops, a variety of coffee shops and bakeries, and a lot of different Asian cuisine and burger places to choose from. Downtown Brooklyn also has multiple apparel and beauty shops to choose from, Adidas, Banana Republic, Burlington, Foot Locker, Flight 23, H&M, GAP, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, Target, and even Uniqlo. So for those looking for a weekend getaway or a small vacation then downtown Brooklyn is filled with shops to look at! All of these shops can be found through 2 major malls in the area, one of which is Atlantic Terminal Mall, and the other is the recently completed City Point.
City Point is a mix of both residential and commercial use for the Downtown Brooklyn area and it was completed as recently as 2020. City Point also contains multiple books stores, apparel shops, and restaurants to choose from along with its own movie theater and even weekly giveaways and has a strong community. Atlantic Terminal Mall on the other hand is two shopping malls combined into one which is why there appears to be two entrances. Both Malls are connected via an enclosed bridge from a Target inside. In addition, Atlantic Terminal Mall is also an office building and part of the ticket office of the Long Island Rail Road. The Downtown Brooklyn area was also approved for another rezoning project which allowed for the revamp of the Fulton Mall. The area is a walkable transit mall that has been around since the 1980’s and redesigned for the commercial and residential influx. The Fulton Mall was revamped once again during the mid 2000’s and now holds Macy’s, H&M, Gap, GameStop, Foot Locker, and Finish Line. The Fulton area is also going through its own revamp with the construction of the 625 Fulton, which aims to create in additional 79 floor mixed-use skyscraper. In total the mall contains over 230 stores and even has its own dedicated bus lanes, at the center is a mall and an open space known as Albee Square.
Shopping and dining are not the only options available to the public for entertainment. The Downtown Brooklyn area is also home to the Barclays Center, a multi-purpose indoor arena. The arena is home of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty basketball teams and also hosts concerts, conventions and other entertainment events. on occasion, the stadium will host graduations for its nearby universities and colleges. The Barclays Center was also a part of an over 4 billion dollar future business and residential complex. The arena was brought forward by Bruce Ratner, and despite it being stuck in development hell for almost a decade prior, the arena finally opened to public during September 2012. However if you’re looking for something more modest you can also visit the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). BAM is a performing arts venue, known as a center for progressive and avant-garde performances. The venue was originally located in the Brooklyn Heights and its first performance was in the early 1860’s. The facility was burned down in the early 1900’s which led to the facility being moved to Fort Greene and from 1906 to 1908 a series of openings would occur for the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Some areas in the neighborhood seem to be empty, this is due to the city of Brooklyn rapidly expanding.
Downtown Brooklyn also hosts the New York Transit Museum, which displays historical artifacts of New York City; subway, buses, and commuter rail systems in the greater New York City metropolitan region. The museum is located within a subway station which was originally called Court Street and on July 4, 1976, the New York City Transit Exhibit was opened in the decommissioned underground station as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration. Old subway cars as well as models and other exhibits are displayed in the museum, it had originally not been planned to be opened this long but so many people enjoyed the display that it remained. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had acquired the museum during the mid 1990’s which helped expand the museum’s display of trains. While it seems that Downtown Brooklyn went through a major remodeling that changed the landscape entirely, it still holds some of its old industrial roots.
In the Northeastern corner of the neighborhood there is an area called Bridge Plaza. Previously connected to Vinegar Hill, it is a now an isolated region of Brooklyn that is a mix of garages and auto shops with a few warehouses scattered around the area. This was the effect of both the construction of the BQE and the surrounding area only allowing industrial zoning. Bridge Plaza is known for having a notable home (167 Concord Street) which is famous for being the only “pretty” house in that area.
Welcome to the Hudson Yards! New York City’s newest edition to Manhattan that spans from 43rd street all the way down to 30th street. It’s also located on the western part of the island and is currently going through a major reconstruction meant to reshape the area into a more modern residential and commercial area. This has actually lead to the area being seen more as a modern Millionaires Row because of the massive upscaling the neighborhood is going through. So don’t be surprised if you see a few residence opting to take a taxi rather than the train. If you’re planning on taking a vacation to NY then you’ll also be happy to know that part of the reconstruction has actually gone into remodeling the railway. This means you’ll be able to access all of the neighborhood with ease! The lead developers of this reconstruction project is Oxford Properties and The Related Companies, however most of the planning, funding, and construction was set up under agreements by the State of New York, City of New York, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (better known as the MTA). There are also a number of foreign companies are large investors as well. This reconstruction is being done in order to expand the business district that is originally located in Midtown Manhattan. The redevelopment is being done right over the Long Island Rail Road train storage yard, located over the West Side Yard. The city plans to revamp this area into a what can be considered “the next step into the city of tomorrow”. While this can be seen as just fancy talk they are actually delivering on there promise. The Hudson Yards has only recently opened and despite opening right before the pandemic hit, it is doing well and slowly building its reputation within the city.
Ariel view of the Hudson Yards in Manhattan, New York City
The Hudson Yards was previously looked at in order to build a brand new stadium that was meant to be the home of the New York Jets. Not only the new home of the Jets but the stadium was also meant to host the 2012 Olympics. This stadium was actually in development since the early 2000’s and was named the New York Sports and Convention Center, the shorter name being the West Side Stadium.
Despite the plans eventually falling through because of legal and political disputes there was still a clear vision. Eventually there was an agreement between the local government, the MTA, various other investors, and the state of New York. This agreement eventually led the way for the development of the Hudson Yards that is known today.
The redevelopment and reconstruction of the Hudson Yards was funded by multiple corporate and private investors from all over the world. One of the primary investors is the Mitsui Fudosan Group, a Japanese real estate developer that has bought stake from New York City before. Mitsui’s had acquired the Exxon Building back in the 1980’s and has now invested up to $1.25 billion into the Hudson Yards. This investment is the largest overseas project by a Japanese real estate company in history. Following the Mitsui Group their are also a number of investors via the EB-5 investment Program, which allows foreigners, whether corporate or private, to invest a minimum of $500,000 into New York City real estate. Most of the investors via the EB-5 program are from Chinese based companies, not just in the newly built Hudson Yards but in many other New York real estate. This has actually sparked some controversy within the city however it is undeniable the good that the Hudson Yards does for New York City.
The new additions to the city via the Hudson Yards are meant to provide New York with new financial incentives. There is now a 3 million square foot commercial office space, 24 million square feet of new office space in total, in the Hudson Yards. 1 million square feet of new retail space and 200 retail stores along with dining and a 24 hour market, Mercado Little Spain. Among these these new stores include Dior, Dunhill, Faherty, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and many others. The Hudson Yards also features an abundance of new jewelry shops such as; Marli New York, Messika, Monica Rich Kosann, Panerai, Pandora, Tiffany & Co, and many many more. There are also a number of health and beauty stores in the Hudson Yards, not just a Duane Reade, but stores such as Keihl’s, Molton Brown, M.A.C Cosmetics, Sundays, Sephora, and so many more. Sundays provides more than just beauty-care but also practices self-care and a “..wellness-inspired nail care…”. This is one of the many entertainment services that are provided by the Hudson Yards for its visitors. Some of the other forms of entertainment provided are done so by companies such as; Genesis Studio, Strictly Cycling Collective, The Conservatory, and a number of more. Most of these shops are spread around the Hudson Yards and in order to find were everything is they have a directory online. Finally there’s also 2 million square feet of new hotels, including a new headquarters hotel for the Javits Convention Center.
Multiple level Mall inside the Hudson Yards
Inside view of the Vessel
Most of the shops in the Hudson Yards are located in one building overlooking the vessel
Apart from all the shops they have available at the Hudson Yards there are also a number of outdoor areas that you can visit as well. Development of the Hudson Park & Boulevard (Bella Abzug Park) was planned all the way back in 2005 and has lead to a new, 4 acre system of tree-lined parks and open space. This development was done in order to help transform the area from its old industrial neighborhood to new, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use district. The new additions to the park include, grassy areas, walking paths, farmers markets, and even outdoor movies. The park will also honor the civil rights activist, Bella Abzug (1920-1998). Bella Savitzky Abzug was a lawyer, social activist, U.S. representative, and feminist.
With the area expanding there was also a demand for an expansion of the subway line in order to get transportation into the Hudson Yards. One of the train lines that was expanded in order to accommodate for this was the 7 track. The line was extended from Times Square (42nd Street) to West 34th street and 11th Avenue. This was done in order to make the 7 subway line just a 10 minute walk from the Hudson Yards. They also added new ventilation buildings in the area in order to help keep the subways safe. The new additions meant that a new platform would be needed in order to support the buildings and parks.
The city has built a 13 acre platform on both the Eastern Rail Yard and the Western Rail Yard. This platform is being supported by 300 Caissons which can take the weight of the platform, the buildings, and the people walking around. The platform itself took a very long time to complete due to the nature of the build and the surrounding area. The platform being built over the railway they could only build for around 2 hours at a time.
The expansion of the railroad was done to help with the influx of visitors, with so many new people coming in the neighborhood there needed to be a manageable transportation service. Most New Yorkers opt to use the MTA subway system which is why the city had chosen to expand it. Though some of the wealthier masses of New York may choose to take a taxi. However despite it being the most used system in New York it is not very reliable at times. Luckily New York has an abundance of different high luxury transportation companies. New York City car services are every where in the city however there are only a few good limo services in New York. While you can opt to use an app based transportation companies, often times those vehicles are dirty, have unvaccinated drivers, and aren’t even registered as licensed drivers in New York. Luckily their are car services in New York that operate on a much more serious level, working as black car service rather than just a regular service. These car services are often inspected regularly and will give you a very comfortable ride. An example of this is My Destiny Limo, who constantly check all of their drivers for any health issues, clean their vehicles every chance they get and, like most limo services in NYC, can go for long distance trips out of state. Often times these companies can go as far as New York to New Jersey, New York to Pennsylvania, and even New York to Connecticut. Some limo services will take you even further out, New York to Washington D.C., or even New York to Massachusetts. So if you’re worried about finding a way to get to and around the Hudson Yards, no need! New York has plenty to offer.
The Hudson Yards may have had controversy during construction and despite its difficult planning and funding it still serves as a vision for the city of tomorrow. Not just as with its technological wonders and fascinating artistic structures but it also leads the way to new housing projects. The Hudson Yards has its own affordable housing plan which allows people to sign up for a lottery that gives them a chance to live in the new buildings in New York City. This is another great way New York City is getting more people to visit the Hudson Yards. With all the stores and plazas in the Hudson Yards anyone can find something to do in the Neighborhood.
Welcome to the Upper East Side! It is home to some of Manhattan’s elites and known for its for its media reference in multiple shows. Though most of its residence would prefer to vacation in the Hamptons it is undoubtably the home of some of the wealthiest people in the world. The upper east side is made up of several other smaller neighborhoods with three main ones surrounding it. The first of the three main neighborhoods is the Lenox Hill neighborhood and it forms the lower part of the Upper East Side. The second main neighborhood is Carnegie Hill and is located North-West of the Upper East Side and makes up the top side of the Upper East Side. Finally, the third neighborhood is Yorkville, located North-East of Carnegie Hill and overlooks the East River. Ironically enough, the Upper East Side does not actually have set boundaries in New York City, however it is widely accepted that the south boundary is 59th street, and the north boundary is 96th street. Some real estate agents will even refer to East Harlem as the upper east side regardless of it being beyond the boundary, this is done to avoid any sort of negative connotations from the name of the neighborhood.
Before the state of New York was ever even colonized, the Upper East Side was a collection of streams that most Native Americans would fish out of at the time. Then in the 19th century the addition of railroads, commercial and residential began to come in. The Upper East Side caused attraction due to it overlooking the East River, and with that it began to attract much wealthier people. This eventually led to Villas, country houses, and different luxury homes being built the wealthier population. These town houses did not last however, eventually due to the fast growing population, the first apartment building went up and soon after many others followed. This led to more transportation being made to compensate for the influx of more people from different areas. For a while, the Upper East Side had an elevated railway that would cause noise pollution around the area. Eventually the railway was demolished and replaced by the Second Avenue Line in 1919. This brought in new commercial and residential buildings, soon the construction of high-rise apartment blocks began in the 1950’s.
Street View of Madison Ave and 93rd St, Upper East Side, Manhattan
The Upper East Side is home to the majority of New York City’s wealthy, and as of a 2002 census stated that the Upper East Side had the highest price per square feet in the United States of America. This influx of wealth in one area means that the majority of its landmarks and cultural institutions are located in the Upper East Side. another sight of its wealth is also its residence, often times your won’t see them get into any old taxi, even if they Can afford it. The residence of the Upper East Side prefer a more prestige car service, even opting to limo services to get them around. Nicknamed Museum Mile, Once known as Millionaire’s Row, the Upper East Side host multiple Museums, Art Galleries, Hotels, Houses of Worship, and even Diplomatic Missions. All of these landmarks and buildings are spread around the Upper East Side and located all over the three main neighborhoods.
The lower portion of the Upper East Side is named Lenox Hill, the name came of a combination of the hill that the neighborhood was built upon and a Scottish immigrant who owned about five miles (8 Km) of land. Lenox Hill has numerous luxury apartments and hotels along Madison Avenue. Lenox Hill is home to many cultural sites and most of its art galleries, the most well known being The Frick Collection, an art collection known for its European paintings and fantastic decorative arts. The Frick building is a repurposed mansion which boasts an early-1900’s aesthetic to it, which was reformed to hold those art pieces. Along with this art gallery the neighborhood of Lenox Hill also hosts the Asia Society and Museum, Central Park Carousel, the Park Avenue Armory, and many more.
Lenox Hill is filled with a lot of great spots to park up and eat, whether that be getting a quick sandwich or sitting down to eat. There’s also a lot of great spaces for people looking to get some work done whether that be somewhere cozy like the Local Café or even a brand store like Starbucks!
Lenox Hill itself is located near the bottom middle of the Upper East Side, this tends to mark it as one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in. However, that doesn’t apply to its retail stores! You’ll find that most places in Lenox Hill are very reasonably priced, though you should keep in mind that you won’t find most of its retail stores on maps. Lenox Hill is filled with neighborhood friendly shops that rely more on word of mouth instead of advertising. This can make Lenox Hill a great place for anyone looking to explore new places on the Upper East Side. Though try not to act to surprised when you see a few taxis pulling in for tourists on vacation.
Though, Lenox Hill is known for its progress in the medical aspect, Lenox Hill is home to The Lenox Hill Hospital which is at the forefront in research and treatment in neurology, neurosurgery, sports medicine, cardiovascular care, orthopedics, head and neck surgery, child health and internal medicine.
Carnegie Hill is the second of the three main neighborhoods and is located at the North-End of the Upper East Side. Carnegie Hill got its name from the owner of one of its most remarkable mansions, the owner being Andrew Carnegie himself. Andrew Carnegie’s mansion is now a historical landmark and currently the Mansion has been converted to a branch of the Smithsonian Institution. Carnegie Hill features apartment buildings alongside Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue. The neighborhood also has multiple condos, co-ops, a few brownstones scattered around, townhouses, and what remaining mansions do exist have been converted into museums or schools. Carnegie Hill overlooks the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir within Central Park, it also holds many of the neighborhoods art venues, wine bars, cafes, and Italian and French Restaurants. However its most well known for its most famous art venue, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Yorkville covers the the literal upper east side of the Upper East Side, going from the top of East 96th St down all the way to East 72nd St. Yorkville has many different historical buildings and architecture, this is due to the neighborhood being a major part of the Revolutionary War. For most of the late 19th century into the early 20th century most of the families that came over where German and over time it became Irish, Polish, Hungarian, Slovak, Czech, and many other races. In the 1950’s the city began to remodel Third Avenue El by demolishing most of its cafe’s and commercial buildings. The Dismantling of the avenue also led to many mansions alongside the street to be demolished. This was done in order to make way for a more high rise residential buildings, these buildings went up in the 1980’s. This lead to an influx of residents who looked to live in wealth inside of New York City and choosing Yorkville for its stunning visuals and expensive entertainment around the area.
The Upper East Side features many different landmarks and historical districts that can be explored throughout the neighborhood. Multiple museums are located in the area including Jewish Museum of New York, El Museo del Barrio, Andrew Carnegie Mansion (repurposed to a Smithsonian Design Museum), its most famous one the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and many many more. The neighborhood also features many Hotels, Art Galleries, Houses of Worship, and many historical districts. With so much to do the neighborhood can be rather overwhelming to get around the Upper East Side for any visitor. Luckily if you are planning a day out and figure you need transportation New York City has many options to get around town. While most of the residents of New York City would rather use the subway as it is very convenient this does not always apply with the Upper East Side. With most of the residents being some of the most important and wealthiest people in the world, most residence will opt to either hail a taxi or use a car service. This means that New York City has an ungodly amount of car transportation companies but more importantly, high-class limo services. This is all too important when visiting New York City but more important when going to the Upper East Side and with so many different limo companies to choose from its nice knowing you will never be left stranded in the city. Many New York executive car services can take you around town on an hourly service or even if you’re just going from one point to another. If you’re coming in from out of town then there is no need to worry, most New York black car companies can drive you long distances, this can mean more then just from New Jersey to New York, or Connecticut to New York. Now a days most luxury car companies can drive you out even further, such as Philadelphia to New York, Washington D.C. to New York, and even Massachusetts to New York. If you happen to be booking a trip and need a recommendation on a car company we suggest My Destiny Limo.
View of the Upper East Side from Central Park
Overall, no vacation in New York City is complete without at least one trip to the Upper East Side. After all the prestige’s area has many activities around the three headed neighborhood. Luxury shops with clothes that can put you in debt just by looking at them and cafes that make you feel like you’re eating the best food in the world. Apartment high rises with a fantastic view of not only the other boroughs but of Manhattan itself. The Upper East Side is one of the United State’s most expensive places to live so if you ever wondered where most of the worlds wealthiest people live. It’s right here on The Upper East Side.
Located in Lower Manhattan, covers 0.3 miles of Manhattan and has a population of over 18,000 (as of 2019). Often times, New Yorkers will prefer to taxi around the area when shopping. SoHo has been at the forefront of national and international chain stores, trendy boutiques and is the location for many different lofts belonging to artist and their art galleries’. The combination of stores and fashion makes SoHo an excellent vacation point for anyone looking for some inspiration! SoHo also has a massive historical significance and is an example of Inner-city regeneration. The area of SoHo was actually named that because the area is located “South of Houston Street” and was conceived in 1962 by Chester Rapkin. The boundaries covering the neighborhood are actually quite interesting, it is agreed that the Northern boundary is Houston Street and the Southern boundary is Canal Street. However where things get complicated is when deciding the Eastern and Western boarders.
During the colonial era the area of SoHo was used as part of a grant, this grant had farmland given to freed slaves. This established the first ever black settlement on Manhattan Island, marking a historic moment for New York City. During the American revolutionary war SoHo became an area with numerous fortifications. After which the area of Soho mainly lie dormant, no development and a lot of the area had to be mortgage because of the war. During the mid 19-century the section began to remodel itself and changed its entire aesthetic. tearing down the Federal and Greek revival homes and made way to a new style of building, this includes solid structures of masonry and cast iron. The area slowly began to reinvent itself, new grand hotels began to go up in the city, new commercial establishments where opened. The streets themselves became lively and the addition of new theaters and food destinations helped its growing popularity. The area itself began to change and it caused the middle-class to be driven out of the area and made way for the small manufacturers. This includes locksmiths, book publishers, makers of fine china, cabinet-makers, makers of glassware, and many more.
Street View of SoHo Manhattan, New York City.
This shift led to many more middle-class residents moving out of the neighborhood, this led to a 25% drop in population between 1860 to 1865. Then came the Civil war and the Panic of 1873 which led to large textile firms and other merchandise companies to move into the neighborhood. The area began to develop very quickly after this and soon that section of the city became the wholesale dry-goods and mercantile trade center of Manhattan. However, as the center of the city began to move uptown the quality of the area in SoHo declined rapidly. Soon the area began to become vacant and housed a lot of empty buildings. This was the direct effect of World War II, after its end the textile companies that previously resided within SoHo moved down south. This left many buildings empty and where either repurposed or torn down to make way for parking lots, garages, repair shops and gas stations. In the 1950’s the area became known as Hell’s Hundred Acres, this was due to the area essentially becoming an industrial wasteland. SoHo at the time was filled with nothing but sweatshops and small factories, however because they only ran during the day time at night the area would be empty and lifeless. In the 1960’s a resurgence in interest occurred in the area, and suddenly artist began to move back in leading to a change in the SoHo area.
With the new influx of artists and residents looking to expand their creative minds the area itself needed to become much more “livable”. This brought upon the birth of the Cast-Iron Architecture throughout New York City, Cast-iron was quick and cheap to make and was perfect for a resurgence in a previous hellish area. Currently there are 250 Cast-Iron buildings in New York City and most of these are in the SoHo neighborhood. The cast-iron design is actually a façade and was actually a ploy to make the warehouse structure more visually pleasing, in reality, cast-iron was very brittle. The architectural style of cast-iron buildings was inspired by Classical French and Italian architecture. While these architectural designs would usually use stone, cast-iron was favored due to its “easy to mold” nature, that when combined with neutral colored paint, such as beige, it can become something with a visual similarity. The iron itself made the material very pliable and could be molded very easily despite this it is still a very strong metal. This meant that the window frames within the buildings could be made with significant height, this allowed for more sunlight to fill the rooms that were rented out to artists and the such. At one point, cast-iron was seen as more viable then steel, it was also believed that it was fire proof, all of this was not correct. The truth is that cast-iron has a set of big problems, one of these being that when exposed to heat the material would buckle. in addition the cast-iron material would also crack under the cold, this meant that in the event of a fire, the sudden change in temperature when trying to put out the fire can cause buildings to collapse. at one point in the 1960’s the SoHo area became threatened by a project that would have built a highway directly through the neighborhood, destroying most of its historical significance. This caused major uproar among the community and led to multiple architects and historical preservation movement fighting against the highways construction.
The Interior of SoHo apartments feature an Industrial design and a lot of open air.
Finally after the proposal to essentially destroy SoHo simply to build a road was put away, artist began to come in. Many artist favored the industrial style buildings because it helped motivate and inspire their work because of how open the space always was. However this cause problems among the city and specifically with its zoning laws and the fear that the building may be needed again for manufacturing. This led to the city creating the Artist Tenant Association and then the SoHo Artist Association. Instead of keeping the area strictly industrial the city opted to allowing artist to live within their work quarters under certain permits. The SoHo area had then finally received landmark designation as the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District in 1973.
SoHo Began to change in the 2000’s and in 2005 became a victim to gentrification and the entire area began to change. Former artists that lived in SoHo began to move to Chelsea during the 1990’s, as of 2013 only a few art galleries remain in SoHo, this includes, William Bennett Gallery, Martin Lawrence Galleries, Terrain Gallery, Pop International Gallery, and a few more. SoHo became very pleasing to be people due to its location, living spaces, Architecture, and its known reputation of being favored by most artist led to more people coming in. The combination of struggling artists, repurposed industrial buildings, unique architecture, and exquisite fashion made SoHo a popular destination for both tourists and buyers. SoHo has many different shopping chains around the neighborhood however most of these shops are in the Northern Area. Those who Manhattan visit frequently know that despite the area, SoHo is always scattered with street vendors trying to vend you anything from purses to jewelry and even off brand clothing.
Street view of one of the many industrial style buildings
The interior shops exhibit a massive space inside
SoHo is insanely popular all over the world because of its artsy style, unique architecture, lively streets, and the endless stores to shop in. Those that are planning a vacation to New York might want to consider adding SoHo to their list, simply for the style! There’s a high demand to visit the city right now, this means there’s high demand for transportation. New York City is no stranger to transportation and has no shortage of car services either, however with so many different car companies it can become difficult to know which is the best transportation company for you. If you are simply trying to get from one point to another then any black car service can help transport you to your destination. However when in SoHo, most tourist and visitors prefer going around the neighborhood for multiple hours. Luckily there are certain limo companies in New York City will let you rent out a car with a driver for multiple hours at a time for a certain price. These New York City black car services have different vehicles available to you, from Cadillac Escalades, to Tesla’s, to even Sprinter Vans. If you are coming in out of the borough then no problem! every single car service in NYC goes throughout all 5 boroughs and some even into New Jersey. However, if you are coming in from out of state then you have nothing to worry about either, certain limo services will go out of state for clients wiling to pay, that goes for yellow taxi’s as well. These transportation companies can go out as far as New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, and even Washington D.C..
Built in order to honor the 16th president of the United States, no vacation to D.C. is complete without visitingThe Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington D.C.. The Lincoln Memorial is a great visit for anyone looking to learn about American history! so if you’re looking to visit the capital be sure to take a car service to the memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is also built in a neoclassical form and was made by architect Henry Bacon. Along with Henry there were many others who helped in the project as well. The designer of the memorial was Daniel Chester, the Lincoln statue was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers, The painter of the murals inside was Jules Guerin, and finally the epithet above the statue was written by Royal Cortissoz. The Lincoln Memorial is one of many different memorials built in order to honor an American president. It has become both a tourist attraction and a symbol for racial equality since the 1930’s and remains that way to this day.
The Lincoln Memorial was actually constructed in the 20th century, this was due to many problems with how and where the memorial should be made. Another one of these issues was the lack of funds, despite people wanting the Memorial to be made most people would not put money forward for the idea. this eventually led to the project being dormant for a while until it was picked up again by Shelby M. Cullom, the senator of Illinois. When they where planning out the design for The Lincoln Memorial they took many details into account and one of which was Abraham Lincolns character itself. President Lincoln was seen as a very humble man, this meant that the memorial to honor him cannot be too ostentatious.
The interior of the The Lincoln Memorial is divided into three different chambers and has different columns supporting the cabin itself. Every single column is about 50 feet tall, 15 meters, and is over 5 feet in diameter. the memorial itself has many different symbolic features and structures, this was all done in order to honor not only the president but also the United States itself. some of which include; 36 columns to represent the states in the union upon his death, inscribed within the structure is President Lincolns principles of life. The ceiling contains bronze and oak leaf decorations, this is combined with Alabama Marble. in addition to this, flood lights were added into the roof in a way that could be concealed, this was done in order to counter the lack of light in The Lincoln Memorial.
The Statue of President Abraham Lincoln.
This led to the matter being settled through the selection of a simple log cabin shrine, after the West Potomac Park was chosen as the place to build the memorial. The memorial itself was built almost exactly on schedule, however there where a few changes through the build. One of these changes was to make the Lincoln statue bigger so it doesn’t get overwhelmed by the cabin itself, This meant that the statue was increased from its original size of 10 feet to 19 feet. Despite this sudden change during the construction of the monument it was still completed on time and was celebrated upon its completion. During the grand opening, many people where invited including 78 year old Robert Todd Lincoln, president Lincoln’s only surviving son. African Americans where also invited to the opening ceremony, however to their dismay, they were put into a segregated section of the ceremony.
Welcome to Atlantic City! with a population of just under 40,000 the city itself is best known for its casinos and beaches, while also have some of the best restaurants going alongside its boardwalk. The city is actually located on Absecon Island, located south of New Jersey. its also known by neighboring states around New Jersey as a hotspot during the summer. Atlantic City has gone through many remodeling and rebuilding phases, however it now stands as one of the most popular tourist destinations on the East Coast. So if you’re planning a vacation, don’t hesitate to take a taxi down to Atlantic City for a visit.
The Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City.
The Atlantic City region was originally the home of the Lenape people, an indigenous tribe in the area. It wasn’t until early 1780’s were Jeremiah Leeds constructed their first home in the neighborhood. Leed’s had actually bought the land from previous owner Thomas Budd, who actually believed the land was worthless. Thomas Budd was a navy veteran who led multiple expeditions around the globe, including some in the South Pole. Budd’s multiple expeditions earned several features to be named after him, one of which being Budd Coast located in Antarctica.
It wasn’t until the 1850’s where the idea for a resort town would come to fruition. Shortly after in 1853, the name Atlantic City was given to the town. soon after developers would move into the area in hopes of building up the city as quickly as possible.
Atlantic City is located in Southern New Jersey which made it prime real estate for anyone looking to build there. Hotels became eager to open their doors, some of which would house guest before the building was even finished with construction. Atlantic City’s first set of hotels would go up the same year the town was named. Then a year later the first railway would begin to bring visitors over.
The first boardwalk was officially built in the 1870’s and it was actually built along the beach in order to keep sand out of hotels. After a while the boardwalk would slowly be removed and replaced and overtime it was made wider and longer in order to make it more comfortable for visitors. In the same year the first road that connected Atlantic City to the rest of the mainland was built. The road itself was tolled, visitors would have to pay a 30 cent fee to pass. Eventually, a new road would be built, this one being toll free.
The Absecon Lighthouse is a lighthouse located north of Atlantic City, and is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Construction of Absecon Lighthouse began in 1854 and first lit up in 1857. The lighthouse was also heavily lobbied by Dr. Pitney after the wreck of Powhattan. The Powhattan sank after encountering a storm off the coast of New Jersey, it was carrying 200 migrants before going down in April 1854. This event led to the creation of the Absecon Lighthouse.
The Absecon Lighthouse ran for more than 75 years before being deactivated. The lighthouse is no longer used for navigational purposes and instead has been turned to a visitation center with an indoor museum. The Absecon Lighthouse also offers several programs to scouts and group tours, including an overnight program. The overturning of the lighthouse was overseen by Jack E. Boucher, an American photographer who made a career of preserving historic sights. Recently, the lighthouse went through an extensive renovation program, going as far as to replicate the living quarters of the lightkeeper’s dwelling. Nowadays visitors can climb the 228 steps to the top of the lighthouse if they so please!
One of the first supermassive luxury hotels to open up in Atlantic City was the United States Hotel. The hotel took up an entire city block and featured up to date amenities at the time. The hotel was known for being one of the most luxurious stays in the nation, even attracting the eye of presidents. The United States Hotel would open up on July 4th, 1854, however it wasn’t fully completed when it first opened its doors. The owners actually tried hiding the unfinished construction by restricting the visitors to only one wing of the hotel. The United States Hotel would operate until about 1900, where it would be demolished.
In 1944 a hurricane hit the city and completely destroyed the boardwalk, the entire length would have to be reconstructed. Atlantic City saw its biggest explosion in popularity during the early 20th century. During the prohibition tourism was at its peak, this was because prohibitions was never actually enforced in Atlantic City. While people would still go into backrooms and hide the fact they where drinking, it was largely ignored due to the nature of the city.
During this time a conference was called where major organized crime figures had come to create the National Crime Syndicate. This conference was actually attended by Al Capone and numerous other crime families.
After which from the 1930’s to the 1960’s it was an economic heyday as the city began to move into its nightclub era. Keep in mind that during this time segregation was still very strong and it was definitely seen in Atlantic City. In the white-populated side of the city, this being the south side and included places like The 500 Club, The Clicquot Club, and The Jockey Club. On the other end of the spectrum you would have the north side of the city which was home to many different African Americans, and many different entertainment in the segregated city through mainly Kentucky Avenue. Some of the most popular entertainment include four major nightclubs, Club Harlem, The Paradise Club, Grace’s Little Belmont, and Wonder Gardens. These four major clubs had actually drawn in every type of people whether black or white, and during the summer season, tourist enjoy jazz and R&B music along with soul food throughout the avenue.
During World War II Atlantic City became riddled with crime and poverty, it would unfortunately follow the trend of struggling east coast cities at the time. Interestingly enough it was the creation of the automobile that caused Atlantic City to fall into a state of crime and over crowdedness. The automobile allowed any person to be able to drive to Atlantic City. This meant that even taking a taxi would seem old fashioned, This led to the city being known as a playground for criminals and the typical person who would come daily. This eventually led to the vacancy of many hotels in Atlantic City, this lead to an economic decline in the city and forced the city to demolish hotels.
Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City 1930’s.
In 1976 New Jersey passed a law to legalize gambling in casinos, this was done in an effort to revive Atlantic City. Funny enough, moments after this law was passed, The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel was converted into the Resorts international. it became the first legal casino in the eastern United States and opened on May 26. Donald Trump had actually helped Atlantic City gain popularity by bringing in big names, Mike Tyson being one of these people. Mike Tyson had numerous fights in Atlantic City during the 1980’s, this helped the city become famous not just around the area but throughout the entire nation. This was followed up by the legalization of sports betting in Atlantic City, this made New Jersey the third state to legalize sports betting. New Jersey is now a great destination spot for anyone planning a weekend vacation, some of its guest even opt to take limos to Atlantic City due to its perception.
Atlantic City has 9 current casinos that have been up and running since the late 1970’s, the most recent one being opened in 2018. Resorts, the oldest casino, it was opened in 1978 and was located in the uptown section of Atlantic City, it is also features a Roaring Twenties theme. Caesars, opened in 1979 and is located in the Midtown section of Atlantic City, like the name suggest it is based off a Roman Empire theme. Bally’s, this was the last one to open in 1979 and is also located in the Midtown section of Atlantic City, its theme is modern based. Harrah’s is the first of three to be opened in the 1980’s, it is located in the Marina section of Atlantic City and features a Marina Waterfront theme. Tropicana was opened in 1981 and is located in the Downbeach section of Atlantic City, this casino has a Old Havana theme. Golden Nugget, opened in the 1985 and like its name suggest its based off the Gold Rush Era, this casino is located in the Marian section of Atlantic City. Borgata is the first casino to be opened in the 2000’s, it is also set in the Marina section of the city and has a Tuscany Theme for its design. The Hard Rock casino is one of the two opened in 2018 and is located in the uptown section of the city, like its name suggest it has a Rock and Roll theme. Finally, Ocean and like its name suggest it has a Ocean theme and was the other casino to open up in 2018 and is located in the uptown section of Atlantic City.
Overall, Atlantic City has slowly built itself up multiple times and has proven that its perseverance throughout the times leads to success. Atlantic City is now considering a hot vacation and gambling spot for tourist and locals of the East Coast. With its perfect blend of Casinos, Resorts, Shopping Malls, and Exhibits there’s something for everyone in this tourist city. If you plan on going there anytime soon then be sure to book the perfect car transportation company and get there safely and comfortably.
