Silverjet recommended sightseeing in New York

The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street

This eminent art museum houses the private collection of turn-of-the-century industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Located in Frick’s neoclassical mansion on the corner of Fifth Avenue, this series of old masters, contemporary paintings, sculptures and antiques constitutes one of the greatest art collections in the world.

The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street

This eminent art museum houses the private collection of turn-of-the-century industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Located in Frick’s neoclassical mansion on the corner of Fifth Avenue, this series of old masters, contemporary paintings, sculptures and antiques constitutes one of the greatest art collections in the world.

Open to the public since 1935, the sixteen galleries display works by Titian, Rembrandt, Bellini, El Greco, Vermeer, Goya, Turner, Van Dyck, Renoir and Holbein, among others. Many of them are arranged according to Frick’s original design, although new works have been introduced over the past century.

Audio guides are available, and exhibitions are held throughout the year.

The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street
New York
NY 10021

Tel: 212 288 0700

Central Park

Designed in the mid-19th century to provide some much-needed open space for Manhattan’s rapidly expanding population, this 843-square-mile haven continues to provide a peaceful sanctuary for New Yorkers in the heart of the concrete jungle.

Central Park

Designed in the mid-19th century to provide some much-needed open space for Manhattan’s rapidly expanding population, this 843-square-mile haven continues to provide a peaceful sanctuary for New Yorkers in the heart of the concrete jungle.

The park is encircled by a six mile loop and contains 58 miles of pavements. There is plenty to do besides walk, however – within Central Park you’ll also find a carousel, a marionette theatre, a zoo, an observatory, theatres and restaurants. 

Central Park's ice rinks are famous; they are open between November and March – try the Wollman Rink in the lower park or the Lasker Rink in the North. During the summer months, you can rent a boat from the Loeb Boathouse on Central Park Lake.

New York City Waterfalls

The creation of internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, the New York City Waterfalls is a major new work of contemporary public art which will be on display from mid-July to mid-October 2008.

New York City Waterfalls

The creation of internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, the New York City Waterfalls is a major new work of contemporary public art which will be on display from mid-July to mid-October 2008.

It consists of four monumental man-made waterfalls, installed along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Governors Island. They are positioned so that they are all visible from the South Street Seaport, but if you want to take a closer look, the New York Water Taxi will be operating NYC Waterfalls cruises from the Seaport for the duration of the exhibition.

The waterfalls will operate from 7am to 10pm seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset, creating a striking new addition to New York’s iconic skyline.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island was the arrival point into the US for over 12 million people from all over the world, who were escaping religious persecution, poverty or unrest in their homelands. It is estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island was the arrival point into the US for over 12 million people from all over the world, who were escaping religious persecution, poverty or unrest in their homelands. It is estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island. 

Today, visitors to the museum retrace the steps of the original immigrants, entering through the main baggage room then heading up the staircase to the registry where every individual was examined before being admitted or deported. The museum houses three floors of artefacts, photographs and interactive displays, which paint a vivid and evocative picture of what the experience was like.

The island is reached by Circle Line ferries, which leave from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey, and operate seven days a week. 

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

If the story of New York’s immigrant population begins at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum tells the next chapter, providing a flavour of what life was like for the new arrivals once they had settled into their adoptive homeland.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

If the story of New York’s immigrant population begins at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum tells the next chapter, providing a flavour of what life was like for the new arrivals once they had settled into their adoptive homeland.

Built in 1863, this lower east side tenement building is estimated to have been home to 7,000 people from 20 nations over the course of 70 years. In 1988 the building was preserved as a museum, and three of the apartments were painstakingly reconstructed with the furniture and belongings of the immigrant families who had lived there. The museum guides are extremely knowledgeable and vividly describe the living conditions at the time – the building had no running water, no sewage facilities and no electricity, and often up to eight people shared a room.

The tenement museum is only accessible by guided tour; ensure you plan ahead as these are often fully booked.

90 Orchard St
New York
NY 10002

T: 212 431 0233 

The Highline

This abandoned former railroad is about to become the city’s newest green space, following a proposal by the New York City government to commit $50 million towards turning it into an elevated park. The first section is due to open in the summer of 2008.

The Highline

This abandoned former railroad is about to become the city’s newest green space, following a proposal by the New York City government to commit $50 million towards turning it into an elevated park. The first section is due to open in the summer of 2008.

The Highline was built as an elevated freight railroad in 1935 and runs for a mile and a half along the lower west side of Manhattan between 34th Street near the Javits Convention Center and Gansevoort Street in the West Village. It was discontinued in the 1980s and fell into disrepair. However, pressure from the local neighbourhood encouraged the city to put it to good use. The park will provide an elevated public promenade that will offer spectacular views over west Manhattan.

Chelsea Galleries

During the nineties Chelsea became the art capital of New York, as a large number of galleries moved into the area from SoHo. It is now an essential stopping point for anyone interested catching up with the latest from the city’s thriving contemporary art scene.

Chelsea Galleries

During the nineties Chelsea became the art capital of New York, as a large number of galleries moved into the area from SoHo. It is now an essential stopping point for anyone interested catching up with the latest from the city’s thriving contemporary art scene.

Over 300 galleries line the West Chelsea streets between 20th and 28th streets, including the famous Gagosian Gallery on West 24th and the Matthew Marks Gallery on West 22nd. The best way to see them is by taking a tour; these are led by knowledgeable guides who help to explain the artwork and lead lively discussions.

Details of upcoming tours can be found on the website chelseaartgalleries.com.