Sights and Sounds of New York City

There is undoubtedly no other city as iconic as New York City, whose five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island are rich in history, character, and culture; forever immortalized in numerous movies, TV shows, stories, and songs.

Originally a Dutch colony settled in 1624 named New Amsterdam, New York City has grown to become what is is now: the most populous and visited city in the US, home to the United Nations and the Statue of Liberty, the fashion, media, and financial capital of the world, the very symbol itself of the great United States of America.

And it is said that in New York City, even buildings, squares, and streets are world famous.

Here are some of NYC's most famous tourist locations: Part One

Times Square

* At the center of New York is the pedestrianized intersection of lights, sound, and spectacle known as Times Square.

* Located at the hub of the Broadway Theater District, Times Square is a major center of world entertainment, brand advertisements, and pop culture; commonly referred to as "the heart and crossroads of the world."

* And easily the most tourist-heavy place on the island!

Rockefeller Center

* The Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings (14 of which are in the glamorous Art Deco style) built at the apex of the Great Depression by the legendary Rockefeller Family.

* The Rockefeller Family is one of the wealthiest in the world having made their money in the industrial, banking, and political fields.

* The Complex itself contains numerous landmarks including: Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios (where they film The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live)

* And the area which in winter becomes an ice-skating rink; immortalized in numerous movies and TV shows.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

* Across from the Rockefeller Center is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Patrick.

* Decorated in the European Neo-Gothic style, the Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of New York and the most visible symbol of Catholicism in the United States.

* And the interior does not disappoint!

* St. Patrick is famous for being the patron saint of Ireland; universally recognized by the Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans.. meaning he is a saint recognized by all sects of Christianity.

* Though millennials might know St. Patrick by his holiday, St. Patrick's Day, which is always a good day for cheers and merriment.

* Very impressive! Stands proudly alongside her European sisters in grandeur.

* Hearing a mass of thanksgiving and gratitude in a Cathedral is always a good idea.

Flatiron Building

* In New York, even buildings are iconic! The Flatiron Building has astounded locals and visitors for over a century with its unique, wedge-shaped design.

Grand Central Terminal

* Grand Central Terminal, located in Midtown Manhattan, connects the city to nearby suburbs by railway, servicing nearly 200,000 commuters every day!

* And its astounding 44 terminals make it the largest train station in the world!

* As well as a popular filming location, with favorites such as I Am Legend, John Wick 3, and Gossip Girl shot here.

* What the world needs is more..

* This peculiar Romanian-Russian looking building is in fact the Jefferson Market Library. Originally built to be a courthouse, it is currently a public library, though not a market (despite its name).

Washington Square Park

* A favorite meeting place of locals, Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is a popular center for cultural activity.

* Outdoor ballroom dancing, chess matches, artists sketching the Washington Arch, and couples making-out were among the activities we spotted while we were in the area.

* The area of which is surrounded by buildings owned by the world-renowned New York University or NYU, whose list of alumni include Jack Dorsey (founder of Twitter), Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, JD Salinger (Catcher in the Rye) and Lady Gaga.

* Good to see a piece of home here, and on 5th Avenue too; one of the most glamorous and expensive streets in the world!

Central Park

* The most visited urban park in the United States and one of the most filmed locations in the world, Central Park welcomes an astonishing 37 million people each year!

* And for Beatles fans like myself, a portion of Central Park known as Strawberry Fields commemorates the life and music of John Lennon who was assassinated nearby..

* At the entrance of his residential building, The Dakota, one of New York's most exclusive addresses.

Food Glorious Food

* Not to be missed are the plethora (in fact near-infinite) number of fantastic food choices of every conceivable palate from every country on earth; a testament to how much of a melting pot NYC is.

* I wonder who's winning!

* Where do we even begin?!

* It's not a trip to the US, if you don't gain a few pounds!

Stay tuned for Part 2!