New York, New York - Conference Countdown

Information Outlook, Dec, 2002 by Alicia Dimaio

New York City is a thriving metropolis that has something for everyone. Here's a peek at some of the neighborhoods, parks, and squares to explore when you come to the SLA Annual Conference in June 2003.

Greenwich Village

From 14th Street south to Houston Street and from the Hudson River piers to 5th Avenue, Greenwich Village is the closest thing to a small town you'll find in Manhattan. If you like window shopping, cafe hopping, and just strolling along, this is the spot for you. In the Village, you'll find Washington Square Park--if you've ever seen a movie featuring shots of New York, you've probably seen the archway at the entrance to this park. At night, the Village comes alive with the many coffeehouses, cafes, and music clubs.

SoHo

This downtown neighborhood is synonymous with artists, boutiques, and trendy restaurants. Historically, SoHo (South of Houston Street, bounded by Broadway, Canal Street, and 6th Avenue) was referred to as "Hell's Hundred Acres" because of the many fires that raged through the untended warehouses crowding the area. But three decades ago SoHo was saved by preservationists (who discovered that it contained the world's greatest concentration of cast-iron architecture) and artists (who discovered the large, cheap, well-lighted spaces that cast-iron buildings provide). By the 1980s, SoHo was such a desirable area that only the most successful artists could afford it.

Lower East Side

It was here (east of Lafayette Street and south of Houston Street) that Italian, Jewish, and Chinese immigrants first settled after arriving in New York. They settled in different areas, in which they preserved the unique heritage of their homelands.

The Italians lived in what became known as Little Italy, with 10 to 12 people crowded into each dimly lit tenement apartment. Today,. fewer than 5,000 Italians live in Little Italy, but the last vestiges of the Old World neighborhood--Italian bakeries and restaurants--still thrive around Mulberry and Grand Streets.

Chinatown is New York's largest ethnic neighborhood--it has more than 80,000 residents and continues to grow. Hundreds of Chinese restaurants offer excellent food and a peek into Chinese culture. During the Chinese New Year celebrations in January or February, puppet dragons rule the streets and exploding fireworks can be heard everywhere.

Orchard Street was the original home of Jewish immigrants, and New York's garment industry began in this area as well. Many immigrants moved out of the Lower East Side as they became more prosperous, but restoration projects are under way to preserve some of the Jewish history in this area.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park, Midtown's only major green space, is near the main branch of the New York Public Library. The park is steeped in history, including having been the site of the first World's Fair held in the United States. The park is between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues.

Central Park

The best-known park in New York is, of course, Central Park. With grassy meadows; formal gardens; jogging, horseback, and bicycle trails; a small zoo; boat rentals; and even a carousel, it's no wonder it's such a crowd-pleaser. Bounded on the east by 5th Avenue, Central Park covers 843 acres.

Rockefeller Center

When you think of Rockefeller Center, do you think of Christmas? This is the place where the holidays are brought to life, but there's much more to it than the skating rink and Christmas trees. Media companies such as NBC, AOL Time Warner, McGraw-Hill, and the Associated Press are all housed in the center. The gilded statue of the mythological Greek figure Prometheus is probably the most famous symbol of Rockefeller Center.

Times Square

Times Square--the "neighborhood" for SLA 2003--is one of the most recognizable parts of the city. Times Square is actually two triangles formed by the angle of Broadway slashing across 7th Avenue between 47th and 42nd Streets. Here you'll find the heart of the theater district, the neon signs, and the pulse point of the city. There's never a shortage of things to "ooh" and "ahh" about in Times Square.

New York City has it all--experience it with SLA in 2003!

For more information on New York City, go to the following websites:

www.fodors.com

www.visitnyc.com

www.rockefellercenter.com

www.bryantpark.org

www.newyork.com