Wanting To Visit NYC Historical Sites

[ArtMan]

Planning a visit to NYC next year.  As part of my plans, I like to visit historical sites.  Posters on here have recommended in the past Hamilton Grange and some others (sorry can't remember the houses), which I did visit.  On the internet, they recommend Merchant's House and Mt Vernon Hotel Museum.  Has anybody visited these locations?  I am open to other suggestions. Thanks.

[Stage Door Sally]

I recently toured the Tenement Museum and can highly recommend it. You get a choice of various tours with various themes. http://www.tenement.org/

[sabrelady]

How far back in history?

Totally agree w Tenement House Museum.

 I'd include Radio City Music Hall tour & Rockefeller Centre tour, Grand Central( have a drink at the Campbell while you still can) but all are a bit more modern.

St Paul's Chapel.  One of the 1st churches in NY now a Sept 11 memorial site. ( Lor I remember visiting in mid Nov 2001 and amidst all the destruction, that church stood there- windows didn't even crack)  

Old Merchant's house is also a good bet, like Tenement House but for rich folk.

Hope that helps

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Not an historical site in itself, but you might like to check out the NY Historical Society Museum & Library.

[John Adams]

You might enjoy perusing this site: Scouting NY

Check out the archives for a lot of "hidden" gems in NYC and surrounding areas.

[UncleCharlie]

ArtMan said: "Planning a visit to NYC next year.  As part of my plans, I like to visit historical sites.  Posters on here have recommended in the past Hamilton Grange and some others (sorry can't remember the houses), which I did visit.  On the internet, they recommend Merchant's House and Mt Vernon Hotel Museum.  Has anybody visited these locations?  I am open to other suggestions. Thanks.

 

I'm a serious history buff and I've visited both. I really liked the Merchant's House Museum but thought Mt. Vernon was kind of meh. While there are other historic "sites" besides these, if you are into New York's most historic houses, no better site than this one:

http://historichousetrust.org/

A lot of sites are where historic things happened especially during the revolutionary war, but there's not much left to actually see there any more. But the Trust's houses are all well maintained and should keep you busy for a while. Try to take a tour of Gracie Mansion which as the mayor's official residence is kept in great shape. Also, make sure you look beyond Manhattan. Lots to see in the outer boroughs.

Also check out The National Park Service website for New York City sites. Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace and Federal Hall are 2 worth seeing.

https://www.nps.gov/state/ny/index.htm
 
As others have said, I'd also endorse the Tenement Museum and the New-York Historical Society. Both are excellent. Also excellent is the Museum of The City of New York on 5th ave. and 103rd street. Lots of interesting stuff there.
 

Also, Fraunces Tavern Museum might be worth a visit.

http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/visit/

 

[SNAFU]

Go to Bridge Cafe in South Street Sepor, a small pub that has been around since the 1700's. Food is good. A very small little place.

[ArtMan]

Thank you for all the responses.  I only have one day set aside for this.  I think I am going to visit the Tenement Museum.  I will do of one of their inside tours with possibly a combination walking tour of the area.  After that visit Merchant's House Museum. Again thank you.  I have choices now for future visits.

[PalJoey]

 

Part of the Tenement Museum but in a separate building is the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a startlingly beautiful building rescued from unbelievable disrepair, which has been turned into a museum.

 

[givesmevoice]

ArtMan, make sure you go on a guided tour of the Merchant's House. It's not any more expensive than the self-guided visit, but it's definitely worth it to go around with a tour guide. (Also for some reason I think you can't go up to the servants' quarters unless you're on the guided tour.)

[Petralicious]

Ellis Island  amazing, beautiful, haunting