Places to See/Stuff to Do on NY Vacation

City of New York: Many types of birds and crustaceans have made themselves at home in the salt marsh at Pier 1. We can't blame them- the view is spectacular!

City of New York: Did you know that Columbus Circle is the point from which all official distances from New York City are measured?

City of New York: John A. Noble (1913-1983) was a Staten Island marine artist. The boat began service in 1986, and carries 1,280 passengers with a crew of 9.

City of New York: The world's largest Tiffany clock, measuring 14 feet in diameter, resides at the center of the sculptural group at Grand Central's 42nd Street entrance.

City of New York: Want a souvenir photo? At Sheepshead Bay station, check out the large replica of a vintage postcard that you can stick your head through and take a picture similar to old boardwalk props.

City of New York: Want to share your visit with the New York Botanical Garden? The Garden is on Twitter and Instagram (@nybg), Facebook, Tumblr, and more. Visit nybg.org/online and share your beautiful pictures.

City of New York: Did you know? To create that feeling of being in the countryside, and not in the middle of a city, the four Transverse Roads were sunken down eight feet below the park’s surface.

City of New York: Luna Park takes its name from the original Luna Park, which operated at Coney Island from 1903 to 1946.

City of New York: Did you know? This historic structure is the only remaining lighthouse in Manhattan today.

City of New York: Did you know? Because of the strong southerly winds at this spot, the Army Corps of Engineers recently added more than 30,000 tons of sand to reduce erosion.

City of New York: Coney Island was explored by Henry Hudson in 1609; he landed on Manhattan the next day.

City of New York: This entire space was designed by a sculptor & is full of hidden stories. Find out more with the scavenger hunt: http://on.nyc.gov/11eeWJy

City of New York: Did you know that the Empire State Building was originally intended to be only 80 stories high, not 103?

City of New York: "Escape the bustling city & enjoy the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S. with 600+ species. Check out the congo gorilla forest, butterfly garden, jungle world & the monkey house. Free on Wednesdays"

City of New York: "A fully functional aircraft carrier ship + submarine + planes (Concorde, helicopters, Space Shuttle, etc.) – what’s not to love? Don't miss the yearly screening of Top Gun on the flight deck."

City of New York: Peek around the corner of the firehouse (on Greenwich Street) and you’ll find a brass relief monument dedicated to all FDNY members killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

City of New York: Come inside & see artifacts from FDNY’s history, including items from the bucket brigade, horse-drawn apparatus & uniforms. Be sure to check out the Museum’s 9/11 memorial & items from the WTC site.