Visit These 4 Top Historic Sites in NYC This Fall
New York City has no shortage of historical landmarks. Its rich and diverse history spans centuries, and highlights the birth of a great nation. If you’re looking to tour some unique historic sites on your next NYC trip instead of the usual tourist destinations, Empire Rent A Car recommends these top four spots.
1. Lower East Side Tenement Museum
In the 19th century, millions of European immigrants poured into New York Harbor. A tour of the landmarked Tenement at 97 Orchard Street illustrates the way of life for many of these European arrivals. The Museum interprets the lives of more than 7,000 immigrants from 20 nations who called this building home. Recently, the Museum has adopted yet another tenement at 103 Orchard Street that tells the stories of Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Jewish immigrants in the mid-20th century.
2. Museum of Chinese in America
Known as the preeminent museum of Chinese-American culture and history in the U.S., the museum’s collections comprise more than 60,000 letters, documents, and business records, along with oral histories, clothing, textiles, and precious photos. The Core exhibit is designed around the heart of the museum, a light-filled courtyard reminiscent of the rooms of a traditional Chinese house.
3. New York Public Library
The origins of the library date back to the time when New York was emerging as one of the world’s greatest centers of urban culture. This branch of the NYPL holds more than 52 million items, including books, periodicals, drafts of Presidential speeches, maps, videos, musical scores, manuscripts, and archives. Be sure to take the majestic stairway to duck inside the Rose Main Reading Room on the second floor, as well as perusing the rotating exhibits in the hallways.
4. The Museum at Eldridge Street
The Museum is housed inside the Eldridge Street Synagogue, the first great house of worship built in America by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. With its soaring 50-foot ceiling, decorative painted finishes, and luminous stained glass, the synagogue feels like a short ride to heaven and is an inspiring contrast to the crowded tenements, factories, and shops of the Lower East Side. It is one of only two synagogues and ten sacred sites designated as a National Historic Landmark in New York City.
Any one of these four historic sites will provide an educational, unique, and memorable experience. When planning your trip to NYC, book a rental car with Empire Rent A Car. We have a large selection of high-quality and affordable cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Contact us today at (800) 750-8782 to make a reservation, or book online anytime.
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