New York City is a bustling metropolis that has been a symbol of possibility since its inception. It is the largest and most influential American city, and the most populous and international city in the country. With 42 million visitors a year, Central Park is one of the most visited urban parks in the country and one of the most popular destinations in New York City. Throughout its history, Central Park has been subject to pressures to add new facilities or use it for large events and non-recreational purposes.
However, it remains a bucolic refuge from urban life. General Grant National Monument in Manhattan is one of the sites listed in the What's Out There Cultural Landscape Guide in New York City. The average temperature in New York City is approximately 31 °F (0 °C) in January and 22 °C (72 °F) in June, but recorded extreme temperatures range between −15 and 106 °F (−26 and 41 °C). Governors Island, in New York Harbor, is another site of the What's Out There Cultural Landscape Guide in New York City.
New York City is located at the mouth of the Hudson River, in southeastern New York State. It was only the third largest American port at the time of the American Revolution, but gradually managed to dominate trade and, by the mid-19th century, managed more than half of the country's ocean travelers and commercial trade. The What's Out There Cultural Landscape Guide for New York City provides an introduction to Seneca Village, which was the largest community of free African-American landlords in New York before the Civil War. The guide also highlights many of New York City's cultural sites, such as the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Modern Art or the Arthur Ross Terrace Garden at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
It also sheds light on some lesser-known names behind landscape design, such as Beatrix Farrand who planned a rose garden at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, Ellen Shipman who designed a perennial border and Marian Coffin who imagined a conifer arboretum. New York City is home to many unique features that make it stand out from other cities around the world. From its rich mineral deposits to its diverse cultural sites, there is something for everyone to explore in this vibrant city. Whether you're looking for a tranquil escape from urban life or an introduction to Seneca Village, there are plenty of unique features to discover in New York City's urban landscapes.