New York, the city that never sleeps and dreams take flight, will always leave you mesmerized with its everlasting charm and warmth. The New York skyline, stunning skyscrapers, and the iconic Empire State Building are some of the things that quickly paint a picture of the city. But wait, did you know there is more to it? There is a treasure trove of fun facts about New York that you may never have heard of! So, let's teleport you into the world of unusual facts about New York. It's going to be one of those experiences, We promise! Let's dive into the fun facts about New York!
11 Fun Facts About New York
The city will leave you astonished at every turn! Did you know the city's famous yellow taxis are required by law to be painted a specific shade of yellow? Or that there's a secret train platform beneath the Waldorf Astoria hotel? Come along to uncover some unknown facts about New York City!
1. New York was Introduced as New Amsterdam
Dutch settlers were the first people to arrive in New York in the 1600s. During this time period, they introduced this new found city as new amsterdam. However, as the English took over in 1664, they renamed the city in the honor of the Duke of York. One of the fun facts about New York that will astound you is that some neighborhoods in New York originally had Dutch names.
Brooklyn was known as Breukelen
2. The Big Apple
Have you ever wondered why New York is synonymous with the Big Apple? Well, it has an unusually interesting story behind it! In the 1920s, the Big Apple indicated the prizes awarded at horse racing events. The term meant the best or the ultimate prize. One one the fun facts about New York is that the city is seen as the epitome of great music. Since then, several musicians and journalists have started referring to New York as the Big Apple. It was officially adopted as a nickname in an attempt to boost tourism.
3. The Statue of Liberty Arrived in Pieces
Are you wondering what you just read? France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in the 1880s to mark the centennial celebration. The statue was not shipped as a whole but divided into 214 crates with 350 pieces. It took a whole 4 months to assemble the statue on Ellis Island. Fascinating right? It is wonderful how the statue is a symbol of the American dream and freedom. The statue was created to celebrate the friendship between the two nations.
4. You CAN'T Honk in New York
Given that New York is one of the most chaotic and loudest cities in the world, how can honking not be allowed? No matter how bizarre it may sound, it's true! Honking your car is illegal in New York. One of the top 10 interesting facts about New York is that NYC's traffic regulations encourage people to honk only to warn of danger. However, the rule isn't exactly enforced. In contrast, the constant honking of cars usually provides a soundtrack to the city.
5. More than 800 Languages are Spoken in NYC
Phoebe speaks French, but Joey doesn't, but Joey does! IYKYK! Not just French, but you'll be astonished to know one of the fun facts about New York is that more than 800 languages are spoken in the city! You can just take a stroll through Queens once, and you'll notice that New York is a very linguistically diverse city. 4 in 10 households speak other languages apart from English. Queens is actually known to be the most ethnically diverse city and holds a Guinness world record to prove it, too!
IT'S TIME FOR A JOEY'S SPECIAL
6. The Pizza Principle
Fridays are when you order a Joey's special. But were you aware that it's not just him, but the entire city reigns supreme when it comes to pizzas? Pizza is a huge deal for NYC; one of the fun facts about New York is that a slice of pizza costs the same as a subway ride in the 1960s, which sheds light on the pizza principle among economists. This also led the population to predict when the subway fares could go higher.
7. Request Trees for Free
Who doesn't like a street filled with greenery outside their home? Guess what? In New York, you can request the city official to plant a tree outside your home for free. Well, it won't be a street enlivened with several trees, but one makes a difference, too, doesn't it? One condition is that you must own a property in New York to do so. One of the fun facts about New York is that the city shows its commitment to enhancing its urban canopy through this initiative.
8. A Whispering Gallery in the Central Grand Terminal
There is a whispering Gallery in the Central Grand Terminal! Don't believe us? Maybe you should because it seems like magic, but it's just a stunning architectural marvel at play. If you are ever in the city, visiting the Central Grand Terminal is definitely one of the things to do in New York! One of the fun facts about New York is that the Grand Terminal is built in a way where if one person whispers in one corner of the tiled wall, the other person can hear and whisper back from the opposite end! The perfect arches implemented in the architecture make this wonder happen.
9. Let's Go Bird-Watching in NYC
You will be surprised to see a number of species of pigeons in the city of New York. One of the top 10 interesting facts about New York is that experts noticed a whopping number of 275 bird species in 5 boroughs. America is home to 800 different bird species, and New York hosts a significant number of them. Let's teleport to Central Park, where you can spot Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Eastern Screech Owls, and plenty of herons.
10. There is a Wealth Catwalk in the Central Park
How about you walk on a stunning isle while bird-watching? Central Park is not only popular for the different birds, but it also comprises a straight path beautifully located over a waterbody. The straight path leads to Bethesda Terrace. One of the fun facts about New York is that in the 19th century, the New Yorkers used to call it Promenade. It basically meant to walk in French. Many parks had one path with the purpose of allowing wealthy people to walk around at their finest. The Promenade was built so that other people (who were also dressed elegantly) could see them and admire their wealth. Central Park was the place to walk the catwalk in New York.
11. The Empire State Building is Prone to Lightning Strikes
Lightning may seem like an uncommon occurrence, but it isn't uncommon for the Empire State Building. The empire state building was constructed to build the world's tallest building and is currently the 4th tallest in the city. One of the fun facts about New York is that Lightning strikes the Empire State Building almost 25 TIMES A YEAR!! Thanks to the modern engineers who know how to absorb and deflect such massive energy from tall buildings.
The adventure does not end here! How about you plan your next visit to New York City? Take a look at the New York student city guide so you know what to include in your itinerary! Remember, the magic of New York lies not only in its towering skyscrapers or bustling avenues but also in the countless stories etched into its every corner. So, go ahead, dive deeper into the world of the fun facts about New York, and let its endless wonders continue to astound and inspire you!