WHATS GREAT ABOUT
N EW Y ORK?
ANN MALASPINA
Copyright 2015
by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Content Consultant: Harriet Alonso, Professor
of History, The City College of New York
All rights reserved. International copyright
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Main body text set in ITC Franklin Gothic Std
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Data
Malaspina, Ann, 1957
Whats great about New York? / by Ann
Malaspina.
pages cm. (Our great states)
Includes index.
ISBN 9781467733359 (lib. bdg. :
alk. paper)
ISBN 9781467747141 (eBook)
1. New York (State)Juvenile literature.
2. New York (State)HistoryJuvenile
literature. I. Title.
F119.3.M164 2015
974.7dc23 2013043721
Manufactured in the United States of America
1 PC 7/15/14
CONTENTS
NEW YORK FACTS
NEW YORK Welcomes You!
I Love New York is a perfect song for a great state. New York has
something for everyone. You can hike a trail in the Catskill Mountains
or ride the subway in Manhattan. Or you might want to explore Central
Park. The Adirondack Mountains are a peaceful place to visit. You may
prefer the noise and lights on Broadway. Read on to discover ten things
that make New York great. Soon you may even be planning a visit!
Explore New Yorks
famous landmarks and all the
places in between! Just turn
the page to find out all about
the EMPIRE STATE.
THE BIG APPLE
More than 8.3 million people live in New York City.
Many come to follow their dreams. Actors try out
for Broadway shows. Authors hope to write a best-
selling book.
The Empire State Building is a popular sight to see.
Climb 1,575 steps to the 86th- floor observatory. Or
take a quick elevator ride. You can see Pennsylvania
on a clear day from this height. The Empire State
Building opened in 1931. It was the tallest building
in the world then. It stands 1,250 feet (381 meters)
tall. The record for racing up the stairs to the 86th
floor is nine minutes, thirty- three seconds. It was set
in 2003. How fast could you make it to the 86th floor?
End your day relaxing at Central Park. It is the citys
843- acre (341- hectare) green oasis. There are
seven bodies of water in the park. Rent a rowboat.
Horseback riding, skating, and fishing are also fun.
North of Central Park is Harlem. This is a historic
African American neighborhood. Singers and dancers
try out for Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. They
hope to become famous.
The Apollo Theater is one
of the oldest music halls
in New York City.
The Empire State Building
rises high above the city.
FIRST CAPITAL
New York City was the first capital of the
United States. George Washington became
president on April 30, 1789. He took the
oath of office at Federal Hall. You can stand
where Washington stood! The capital later
moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
then to Washington, DC.
New Yorkers wanted to honor George
Washington. They named a bridge built
between Manhattan and New Jersey after
him. The George Washington Bridge over
the Hudson River opened in 1931. Take a
bike ride over the bridge during your visit.
The Brooklyn Bridge was a wonder when
it opened in 1883. It was the longest
suspension bridge in the world. It was
also very strong. Circus owner P. T.
Barnum led camels and elephants across
the bridge. This showed the bridges
strength. People cheered for Jumbo the
elephant. You can take the same walk!
People in the 1880s
were amazed by the
Brooklyn Bridge.
ALBANY
New York City is the largest
city in the state. But it is not
the capital. Would you like
to see where the governor
works? Youll need to travel
approximately miles
(217 kilometers) north to
Albany. Catch a train at Penn
Station in New York City.
Youll be in Albany in less
than three hours.
SUBWAYS
Hop on the subway! It is the best way
to get around New York City. The subway
system first opened in 1904. It has about
miles (1,162 km) of tracks. Most
of the tracks are belowground. The city
needs 6,311 cars to carry 1.7 billion
riders each year. Subways run twenty- four
hours a day, seven days a week.
Artists decorate subway stations with
figures, paintings, and colorful tiles.
Street musicians play in the busiest
stations. Poems are posted on subway
cars. Even belowground, New Yorkers love
the arts.
You can ride the subway all day. Take
the A train if you want a long ride. It
travels more than miles (50 km) each
way. The ride begins at 207th Street in
Manhattan. It ends in Queens.
Musicians share their talents
in the subway stations.
The New York City subway system
has stations in operation.
ON BROADWAY
The marquees are lit up. The curtains are ready
to rise. Its Saturday night on Broadway. Magic is