Six Must See NYC Locations Rich In History and Creativity

New York City is one of the cities with the most history in the entire United States. Our country isn’t the oldest in the world, but so much of what we’ve gone through as a nation has happened in NYC or affected NYC in a large way. From the Revolutionary War till now, you can find it in this city.

With about 100 museums and over 500 art galleries, no one can deny that this great city is a center for creativity. And that is just mentioning traditional ideas of art. We believe you can find art in anything, from architecture, to gardening, to tasteful graffiti. We are constantly surrounded by art, especially in a city with almost 9 million people, from different cultures, backgrounds, and countries.

The Cloisters is an extension of the Met that specializes in art, architecture, and gardens from medieval Europe, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods. Located on four acres, the main building is constructed on a steep hill with upper and lower levels containing early medieval gardens. You can also find a variety of indoor chapels and thematic display spaces, including the Romanesque, Fuentidueña, Unicorn, Spanish, and Gothic rooms.

Where? The Cloisters; 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, Manhattan (35 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? March–October: 10 am – 5:15 pm

The Morris-Jumel Mansion was built in 1765 Colonel Roger Morris and his wife, Mary Philipse. One of the unique things about this couple is how Roger was born in England while Mary was born in the colony of New York. Their estate was originally named “Mount Morris” and covered over 130 acres of the island of Manhattan, from the Harlem River to the Hudson. It boasted views of New Jersey, Connecticut, and all of New York harbor. At that time the island of Manhattan was mostly woods and farms. Now, the mansion is a museum depicting period furniture, including pieces that were used by George Washington and colleagues during the Revolutionary War.

Where? Morris-Jumel Mansion; 65 Jumel Terrace, Manhattan (35 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Tuesday – Sunday; 10 am – 4 pm

This site is both tavern and museum, with the museum taking the upper floors and the tavern below. It is set in a quaint part of town where you can still walk on cobblestone streets surrounded by buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. This tavern fits right in, as it existed even before the Revolutionary War and was held by Loyalists. George Washington himself dined and said goodbye to his officers in this tavern after British troops left New York City on November 25, 1783. You can come for the rich history and stay for a pint in the tavern below.

Where? Fraunces Tavern and Museum; 54 Pearl St, Manhattan (25 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Monday-Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

This museum is a must see, even for non-museum enthusiasts (we have proof). You enter by walking down steps, as if you are entering a subway stations. For history fans, you can see how the NYC subway system was built. Haven’t you ever asked yourself how they were able to build such an extravagant undertaking with their level of technology? You can find out here. We love walking through the different subway cars that represent each period, complete with period advertisements running above the windows. In the latest years, they have added some poignant stories from employees about the impact of 9/11 on the transit system and their lives.

Where? New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn (30 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Tuesday-Friday: 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm

This is one if, if not the most, solemn places in NYC. It may very well be one of the most solemn places in the entire country, at least in recent years. The museum leaves you sober, and the park, awed. Two gorgeous fountains mark the footprints of each of the original twin towers. Benches and trees are scattered across the plaza, offering places to sit and reflect on the significance of that day.

To the East, you can see the Oculus, which is a new shopping center and PATH train station whose architecture reminds many of the fallen towers during the early days of cleanup.

Just across the street on the other side of the memorial is the St. Paul’s Chapel. Besides the history of the chapel itself, many people used its fences to post photographs of family and friends who were still missing in the weeks after 9/11. Whether this is your first time in NYC, or you live her, this memorial is both sobering and humbling an experience.

Where? National September 11 Memorial & Museum; 180 Greenwich St, Manhattan (25 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Memorial: 7:30 am to 9 pm; Museum: Sunday to Thursday 9 am to 8 pm (6 p.m. last entry); Friday and Saturday 9 am to 9 pm (7 p.m. last entry)

If you ever needed proof that a park could be a work of art, then this one will convince you. Originally, this park was an elevated railway track for freight trains, though it was abandoned in 1980. It was a local eyesore until a group with a vision raised the funds necessary to convert the tracks into a park. The elevated park runs from 14th to 34th St. and offers visitors a lovely walk through landscaping, flowers, and sitting areas. You’ll never see another park like it.

Where? The High Line; 5861 High Line, Manhattan (20 min drive from The Lombardy Hotel)

When? Apr 1 to May 31: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM; June 1 to Sept 30: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM