Things to do in Tappan

The flashing neon signs and oversized billboards of Times Square are larger and louder than life, rather like New York itself. Overflowing with noise and activity, it is the very soul of the city that never sleeps.

For an afternoon away from the swarming streets of New York City, why not follow the example of the locals and make a bee-line for the expansive lawns of Central Park. Designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, the park opened in 1857 and has been a treasured gem in the heart of the urban sprawl ever since.

Broadway is called the “Great White Way” for the dazzling lights surrounding the popular Times Square portion of this avenue. Take a moment to look in all directions from your spot at the center of Times Square. Every December 31, about 1 million people crowd into this space to watch the 12-foot (3.6-meter) ball drop from One Times Square in celebration of the New Year.

Just one glance at the imposing neo-classical façade of Grand Central Terminal evokes the spirit of adventure and romance. A priceless Tiffany clock made from opulent stained glass sits above the entrance, crowned by the classical figures of Mercury, Hercules and Minerva. When it was built, this was the largest sculptural group in the world – an apt frontispiece for such a grand building.

Constructed during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Rockefeller Center was a sign of confidence in the face of an uncertain future for many Americans. The complex was financed in its entirety by the tycoon and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, and remains a commanding presence to this day in midtown Manhattan.

When it was completed in 1931, the Empire State Building was the tallest in the world – a title it held for 40 years. An icon in the New York skyline, it is recognised the world over thanks to celebrated films such as King Kong and West Side Story. Rising to a remarkable 442 metres high, this instantly identifiable art-deco skyscraper has come to represent the city’s stature and ambition.