Lower Manhattan is home to many of the city's most interesting and historical buildings, the newest of which is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, also known as the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks, and to re-tell the story of September 11th attacks through multimedia exhibits, it is an important -- albeit melancholy -- part of U.S. history.
Nearby, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York stands, guarding one-fourth of the world's gold bullion -- 85 feet below sea-level! For a glimpse of the East, head toward Chinatown's Mahayana Buddhist Temple where you will be face-to-face with red paper lanterns and two golden lions.
The buildings in Midtown are some of the most recognizable within the New York City skyline. Most notably are the Empire State Building, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World; and the Chrysler Building, distinguishable by its terraced crown and steeple.
Not a part of the skyline -- but definitely a part of history -- is Grand Central Terminal, North America's busiest and the world's largest operating rail station as of August 2013. Built between 1903 and 1913, the extremely high vaulted ceilings, conservative ornamentation, and sprawling granite and marble pillars, staircases and floors make Grand Central Terminal a sight to behold both outside and in.
Constructed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum sticks out like an arty thumb amongst its neighboring buildings. This porcelain white, spherical-inspired building is designed to view the paintings within -- by such greats as Manet, Kandinsky and Picasso -- in a specific order, from bottom to spiraling top.
Located a stone's throw south of the Upper East Side on Lexington and East 55th Street, is the late-19th century Central Synagogue. Constructed to resemble Budapest's Dohány Street Synagogue, this stone structure has multiple stained-glass windows, and supports two large green and gold spheres at its top. Public tours are available.
The Dakota Apartments on East 72nd Street were built in the early 1880s, but are famous less for their architectural history, and more for a incident that occurred nearly 100 years later. Legendary musician, John Lennon lived with wife, Yoko Ono, in the Dakota Apartments from 1975 until December 1980, when Lennon was fatally shot outside the building, making it a must-visit for any Beatles or pop-culture fan.
The well-known music conservatory, The Julliard School (commonly shortened to simply Julliard), is a modern-style building within the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. While the geometric building has its own interesting aesthetic qualities, you should also try to catch a student performance if you have the time.
