A History Buff’s Guide to NYC’s Classic Landmarks

From world-famous New York landmarks to unassuming buildings that have stood for centuries, historic sites in New York City come in all shapes and sizes. If you're a history buff, there's no better place to spend time.

Ellis Island

Twelve million immigrants passed through the halls of Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954, bringing with them dreams of a better life and cultural diversity that would change America forever. When you visit Ellis Island today, it feels like stepping back in time. Now protected as a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours.

Empire State Building

There are a lot of places in New York where you can take in a great view, but few are as iconic as the Empire State Building . It was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1931, and although it's since been eclipsed by several other structures, it still offers a bird’s-eye view that's tough to beat. Take the high-speed elevator to the observatory on the 86th floor or pay a few extra bucks to visit an even higher vantage point on the 102nd floor.

Apollo Theater

This iconic Harlem theater launched Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Jimi Hendrix to stardom. The Apollo Theater remains a vibrant performing space where comedians and musicians—entertainment icons and up-and-comers alike—take the stage throughout the year. The Apollo opened its doors in 1913, and it remains a cultural landmark and a link to the Harlem Renaissance despite having gone through periods of decline and restoration.

Green-Wood Cemetery

This historic Brooklyn cemetery was founded in 1838, but its history goes back even further. The land that now makes up Green-Wood Cemetery was a key area in the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776, and it later became a tourist attraction with a reputation as being the place where most famous New Yorkers were buried in the late 1800s. Still an operating cemetery, the beautiful, tree-lined grounds are the final resting place of Henry Ward Beecher, Leonard Bernstein and about half a million others.

Brooklyn Bridge

When you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge today, it's hard to imagine that such a structure could possibly have been built more than a century ago, but indeed it was. Construction took place over the course of 13 years beginning in 1870, thanks to the sweat of countless workers and the engineering ingenuity of John A. Roebling—he designed the bridge and invented the steel wire cables that were necessary for its construction. At more than a mile long, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was finished in 1883.

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