42nd Street Trivia Quiz

Our first stop is Pier 83 (West 42 St & 12 Ave) where you can board a famed Circle Line sightseeing cruise along the Hudson River. You can enjoy a view of Manhattan's skyline and landmarks, not to mention and an incredible up close view of "Lady Liberty".

Circle Line, opened in 1945, resulted from a merger between various boat riding services. After originally operating from Battery Park it moved to Pier 83 in 1955. Immediately after the 2001 terrorist attack, Circle Line suspended normal operations and volunteered their boats to transport over 30,000 visitors and workers to New Jersey. On January 15, 2009, as part of a group of first responders, Circle Line aided passengers and crew of US Airways Flight 1549 during Captain "Sully" Sullenberger's emergency water landing on the Hudson River.

Located on West 42 St from 9th to 11th Avenues, in the area known as "Hell's Kitchen", is a district of theaters known as "Theatre Row". Unfortunately we won't be able to see a famed show, such as "42nd Street" there because it's strictly "Off Broadway" theater. Some of the notable productions were "Kinky Boots", "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Driving Miss Daisy".

One of the six theaters, the Laurie Beacham Theater (mostly jazz and cabaret), was a usual venue for Joan Rivers. The theater houses a restaurant frequented by the likes of Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, and Sean Penn; Bruce Willis was a bartender there!

As we arrive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, located 8th Ave from West 40 to West 42 Streets, we are greeted by an eight foot, bronze statue of none other than Ralph Kramden AKA Jackie Gleason. In full Gotham Bus Company regalia, complete with his lunch pail, he welcomes one and all.

If you need a break from traveling, the Port Authority Bus Terminal has a few hidden gems. "Frames" is complete with 28 (full-service) bowling lanes, two sports bars, a ping pong room and a dance lounge.

There are even two pianos in the Terminal. "Sing for Hope", a non-profit organization, founded following the events of 9/11, partnered with Port Authority and provided the pianos, one in the North Wing available for anyone's playing and listening pleasure. A baby grand located on the PABT Performing Arts Stage provides concerts for commuters.

Opened in 2000 Madame Tussauds NYC (42 St between 7th and 8th Avenues) contains five floors and has become a top attraction. The museum holds interactive exhibits, a 4D experience and over 200 figures with new figures unveiled monthly! You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with stop at Dylan's Candy Bar for a unique and tasty treat.

One Times Square, also known as 1475 Broadway, is the headquarters of "The New York Times". The 26-story building is home to the famous New Year's Eve Ball Drop. It encompasses an entire city block from 7th Ave and 42 St to Broadway and 43 St and it's one of the most expensive (in terms of advertising space) and one of the most photographed places in the world.

The Times Square ball has undergone upgrades and redesigns over the years. At the time of this writing it weighs 11,875 lbs, made up of 2,688 Waterford Crystal "triangles" and is never taken down!

Bryant Park (between 5th and 6th Avenues/Avenue of Americas from 40th to 42nd Streets) has a long history dating from 1867 when it was unofficially known as "Reservoir Square" owing to its proximity to the Croton Distributing Reservoir. After a renovation in 1884 it was named Bryant Park to honor William Cullen Bryant (abolitionist and editor of the "New York Evening Post").

The park is home to "Le Carrousel Magique", designed by Marvin Sylvor. Set in place in 2002, its charming French Classical style is reminiscent of European carousels. You can ride one of the 14 animals while enjoying the French cabaret music.

At the main entrance to the New York Public Library we'll meet the two lion sculptures, Patience and Fortitude, who guard the Library steps. Although their names have changed over the years, in the 1930s Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia named them Patience and Fortitude, paying homage to New Yorkers for their resilience during the economic depression, and the names have endured. Patience guards the south side of the Library's steps and Fortitude sits at the north side.

The Steven A Schwarzman Building (its formal name) houses an approximate 2.5 million volumes, including The Rare Book Division (works printed before 1501, rare Bibles, atlases, first editions of notable writers, etc.)

The New York Public Library made its film debut in the 1933 film "42nd Street" and has been included in many films since!

Located on the Lower Level of Grand Central Terminal (42 St and Park Ave) is the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in the Terminal. Its menu features 25 types of fish and 30 varieties of oysters.

The architecture is an example of the "Guastavino arch system", using terracotta tiles and layered mortar creating a herringbone pattern. The restaurant is amidst a "whispering gallery", an acoustic phenomenon resulting from the perfect arches and tilework which enables even the slightest whisper to be heard above the ambient "chitchat".

The Daily News Building, located at 8th Ave between 40th and 42nd Streets, was built in the Art Deco style in 1928-30. The building has since undergone additions to its expanse.

The building boasts a rotunda lobby with a rotating globe 12 feet in diameter, featuring 189 countries, 993 land and water features and 2291 cities. The topography took approximately three years to complete. (source: The "New York Daily News", Nov. 27, 1967.)

Located in the area of Midtown Manhattan known as Turtle Bay, the headquarters of the UN spans approximately 18 acres from East 42 St to East 48 St from the East River to First Avenue. The land was formerly home to slaughterhouses and tenements. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 14, 1948 and was completed on October 10, 1952.

The complex consists of the General Assembly Building, the Conference Building, the United Nations Secretariat Building, and the Dag Hammarskjöld Library along with an art collection, gardens, sculptures and a playground. The Delegates Dining Room located on the 4th Floor of the Conference Building offers a venue for private events but if you're feeling peckish you can visit one of the four cafes (the Riverview Cafeteria, North Delegates Lounge, Lobby Cafe and the Vienna Cafe).

In 2002 the President of German Bundestag, Wolfgang Thierse, presented UN Secretary General Kofi Annan with pieces of the Berlin Wall which stand in the United Nations Sculpture Garden. The three slab section is painted on both sides, with one side facing the East River titled "Trophy to Human Rights" picturing two people reaching over the Wall to embrace each other. Facing First Avenue is a graffiti work by German artist Kani Alvi.