The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), often called “The Big Board,” is the largest stock exchange in the world by dollar volume and ranks second in the number of companies listed on its exchange.

The exchange is located in Manhattan at 11 Wall Street (between Broad & New), but actually consists of five building, or “rooms,” that are used for trading. The main building (18 Broad Street, between Wall Street & Exchange Place) is a National Historic Landmark.

The roots of the NYSE reach back to 1792 at the Buttonwood Agreement. From that agreement, named for the buttonwood tree that it was signed beneath, the current concept of trading grew. The exchange’s current location is not far from its original location at 40 Wall Street, but the building, like the system of trading, has grown exponentially since the beginning.

When I first walked by the exchange, a couple of things raced through my mind. First, I thought about our whole capitalistic system, and what part the exchange played in all of that. Then, I thought about the movies that portrayed a frenzy on the trading floor (“Wall Street” and “Trading Places”). Then, I wondered if any of that was true — so I stood outside the door, hoping that when someone went in or out, that I’d be able to see something. No luck!

Unfortunately, and due to heightened security restrictions, the exchange no longer offers public tours. A call to their public office reaches a recording that says that it is closed to tours indefinitely, and that they are not taking appointments. That number is (212) 656-5168.

For now, you’ll have to content yourself with a walk by this historical location, and maybe if you stand around long enough, you’ll get a glimpse at what’s inside.

The exchange can be reached by subway: 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Wall Street, or the N, R, or W to Rector.

Post from: The New York City Traveler

United Nations Day, October 24th, was first declared in 1948, and honors the anniversary of the effective date of the Charter of the United Nations. This day is devoted to promoting and celebrating the aims and achievements of the U.N.

The United Nations Headquarters is located along the East River, at 760 United Nations Plaza, on First Avenue between 42nd & 48th (map it). The complex consists of the Secretariat Building, the domed General Assembly Building, the Conference Building and the Hammarskjold Library, and is considered international territory. Bank Ki-moon of South Korea is the current Secretary General of the U.N., and then are currently 191 Member Nations.

Guided public tours of the complex are offered. Visitors enter the headquarters building at First Avenue & 46th, and start the tour with a brief familiarization of the Organization and its structure. A guide will then take you through a visit to the chambers of the Security Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the Economic and Social Council, providing information about what occurs in each of the rooms. Visitors also get a look at a fabulous art collection, all donated by members of the U.N., that includes paintings, murals, tapestries, mosaics, and sculptures.

The tours ends with a stop in the General Assembly Hall (in photo above), the largest room, and the one we must frequently see in televised events. The impressiveness of what happens here is not lost on me.

Post-tour time can be allocated for shopping at the Postal Counter (commemorative stamps), the Bookshop, and the Gift Shop. While I generally avoid most gift shops, there was plenty of interesting stuff here.

The guided tours are conducted seven days a week, except ion January and February when there are no weekend tours. Tours are offered 9:30 am – 4:45 pm, Monday – Friday, and 10 am – 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sundays. The tours last about an hour. You can check the tour information line at (212)963-TOUR (8687) for up-to-date information, as hours can change.

Tour prices are $13 or adults, $9 for seniors, $8.50 for students (under age 30) with ID, $7 for children ages 5 – 14. For safety reasons, children under age 5 are not admitted on tour.

The UN Headquarters can be reached by subway: 4, 5, 6, or 7 to Grand Central Station, then walk to 42nd & First.

If you can’t make it to New York City, you can take an online tour here.

Does the Headquarters Buildings look familiar? You may have seen it featured in movies: North by Northwest, Live and Let Die, The Peacemaker and The Interpreter, the last of which was filmed in the complex.

Photo credit: United Nations

Post from: The New York City Traveler

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, is an impressive French gothic cathedral with intricate sculptures, bronze doors, and over 200 stained glass windows.  It’s about the size of London’s Westminster Abbey – only in Newark, New Jersey.

Following nearly 95 of planning, building, planning some more, and changing plans, the cathedral was finished in 1954.  The Cathedral was elevated to the status of a Basilica by Pope John Paul II when he visited in 1995.

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located at 89 Ridge Street, in Newark, New Jersey.  In addition to the Mass schedule, the cathedral is open to the public Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 1-3 pm.  Concerts and other musical performances are offered throughout the year.

Sacred Heart is the fifth largest cathedral in the United States, and holds the largest pipe organ ever built.  To fully appreciate the power and magnificence of a pipe organ, you really must hear it in person.  But until you can, here’s a wonderful taste of what’s to come.

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The Merchant’s House Museum is a restored 19th-century row house that is located in the now eclectic East Village.  The house, built in 1832, was the former residence of the Tredwells, a prosperous merchant family.

The architecture of the house is considered a transitional architectural style.  The outside is in the federal style while the inside is one of the best examples of Greek-revival style in the United States.  

Much of the family’s personal effects and memorabilia fill the house.  Furniture, unfinished needlework, and family photographs are displayed in the house, leaving the house as one would have found it in the 1800s. 

The Treadwells lived in the house for nearly 100 years and the final member of the family, Gertrude, passed in an upstairs bedroom in 1933, lending credibility to the urban legend that the house is haunted.  Opened as a museum in 1936, Merchant’s House Museum has survived as the only material link to the ever-important 19th-century era when New York City marine commerce flourished. 

Location: Merchant’s House Museum, 29 East Fourth Street, (map) 212-777-1089

Subway: N, R to 8th Street; 6 to Astor Place

Hours:  Monday, Thursday-Sunday Noon-5pm.  Closed Monday and Tuesday. 

Cost:  $8 adults, $5 Students & seniors 65+

Check out last week’s Museum Monday post on the National Museum of the American Indian.  Museum Monday continues next week with a post on the Museum at the Fashion Institute of America (FIT).

Photo credit (top to bottom): flickr; flickr 

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Sniffen Court, one of New York’s only “gated communities,” is located at 150-158 East 36th Street (between Third Ave and Lexington Ave) (map), The buildings were built between 1863-64 and were used as stables by the residents of Murray Hill.  Since then, the buildings have undergone renovations and are now 10 individual houses.  The 1960s rock group The Doors shot the Strange Days album cover in Sniffen Court.  The court was designated a New York City landmark in 1966.

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Big Apple Greeter offers free private walking tours of New York neighborhoods. You choose the neighborhood and Big Apple Greeters matches you with a volunteer Greeter (tour guide) for a 2-to-4 hour walking tour of your chosen neighborhood.

The Greeter aims to show visitors the real New York by taking visitors to neighborhoods they might not see on their own. The Greeter will recommend their personal favorite restaurants and lesser-known sights, explain the public transit system , and answer any other questions.

All tours are conducted rain or shine. The New Yorkers who serve as Greeters are all volunteers, come from varied backgrounds and can accommodate visitors in 22 languages. The tour is free and there is a “No Tipping” policy.

For a full list of information and to fill out an application, visit Big Apple Greeter’s website or fill out the Request Form online.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

McSorley’s Old Ale House, has had ale flowing freely since it was founded in Manhattan in 1854. Famous patrons are said to have included Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, among others. The famous bar has found itself to be the subject of countless books, songs, paintings, and even the e.e. cummings poem, i was sitting in mcsorley’s. In the poem, cummings refers to the famous McSorley’s beer as “the ale which never lets you grow old.”

In the more recent sorted history of the tavern, it is worth noting that McSorley’s was one of the last “men-only” bars that did not allow women patrons. That all came to a crashing halt with the rise of feminism and in 1970 when the court case Seidenberg v. McSorleys’ Old Ale House was taken to the District Court. The court ruled against McSorley’s and the bar was obligated to allow women through the doors.

Located in the middle of East Village, a stone’s throw from New York University, there isn’t a college frat boy in sight at this bar. The sawdust floors and walls that are covered in memorabilia made me forget that I was in the middle of East Village.

The drinking menu at McSorley’s is very simple: McSorley’s own recipe dark beer or light beer, both of which is served in two half-pint glasses ($4.50). Just a note, the “light” beer isn’t really that light. From the food menu, you can expect some very “down-home” and thoroughly unpretentious snack options. The most popular offering, the Cheese Plate (small $2, large $3), is served with a sleeve of saltine crackers (not kidding), sliced raw onions, hot English-style mustard, and contains what looks like Kraft singles. I have been assured my many people that it is quite delicious.

Location: McSorley’s Old Ale House, 15 East Seventh Street 212-474-9148

Subway: 6 to Astor Place; N, R to Eighth Street

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-1am; Sunday 1pm-1am

Tavern Day can be enjoyed by anybody, anywhere in the world. Check out fellow b5media bloggers in D.C., Las Vegas, Paris, San Diego, Sydney, and Europe to see their suggestions on where to best celebrate this Tavern Day.  Even the Geeky Traveler chimes in and tells us about a device that finds the nearest bar by using GPS technology.  Sign me up for that service!

Photo credit: Personal Collection (Taken after three rounds of McSorley’s Dark Ale)

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Designed by architect John Duncan, the granite and marble structure was completed in 1897. Located in a prominent place in Riverside Park, overlooking the Hudson River, the monument fell into disarray and in the 1980s it was threatened to be closed to the public. It has since been restored to its original beauty and is a great place in the city to spend a quiet afternoon.

Click here to see the correct answer to the question “Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb?”

Location: 122nd & Riverside Drive (map)

Getting There: Take the 1 train to 116th Street-Colombia University. Walk north on Broadway to 122nd, then west (left) to Riverside Drive.

Days and Times: Daily 9am-5pm

Cost: Free

Photo credit: Grant’s Tomb exterior photos: coolgate (flickr); interior rotunda U.S. Government

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The correct answer to “Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb” is…

Nobody.

Yes, it is the final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. But, the two are not actually buried, but rather they are entombed.

The question of Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb originated from the show You Bet Your Life. Though show host Groucho Marx would accept the erroneous answer of “Grant,” he would ask the question to ensure the contestants would not not go home empty-handed.

Post from: The New York City Traveler

In the late 1800s a building boom was occurring in New York City. Thousands of single-family dwellings were being built on the standard 20-foot wide lots with the inexpensive, widely found, and workable brownstone. The brownstone was quarried in nearby New Jersey and Connecticut. Before the Portland Quarry in Connecticut closed in the late 1890s, it provided over 10 million cubic yards of brownstone for building projects along the East Coast.

In the 1980s brownstones were being snapped up as part of New York’s city-wide gentrification. Many new owners realized that the soft brownstone didn’t weather well and the hundred year-old dwellings were literally dissolving. To repair the houses brownstone was imported from Germany and the Portland Quarry reopened to meet the new demand for brownstone.

Today, prices of single-family brownstones in Brooklyn easily start at $1,000,000.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler