Somehow living through what is probably the worst time in our city's history has helped to remind many people of the best of what New York has to offer. And while many New Yorkers and Americans are filled with such strong feelings of patriotism and a renewed love of the city, now might be a great time to use a classic New York venue for a cocktail party, motivational staff event, fund-raiser or other kind of event. So here are 30 quintessential and historically minded New York locations:
American Museum of Natural History: One of the most famous attractions in New York, the museum boasts old stone architecture and modern displays. Read about an event here...
Bemelmans Bar: The bar is located inside the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side and named for Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of the Madeline series, whose work lines the walls.
Boathouse in Central Park: The tented, pavilion-like structure is open year-round and provides beautiful views of the park. Read about an event here...
Carnegie Hall: The Isaac Stern Auditorium in the famous concert hall can be used for anything from concerts to speeches to business meetings. Read about an event here...
Central Park: New York City's grassy oasis offers a host of unique event spaces: the Central Park Zoo, the Great Lawn and Wollman Rink.
Cotton Club: Harlem's historic jazz club has a main floor and balcony space for special events.
Elaine's: Over the years, owner Elaine Kaufman has become as much of a New York celebrity as the many writers who hang out in her Upper East Side Italian restaurant.
Ellis Island: You want American history? The Ellis Island Immigration Museum has it in spades. And although the view has been diminished with the inescapable loss of the twin towers, you can still see Lady Liberty, probably the most patriotic site New York has.
Empire State Building: Perhaps the ultimate symbol of New York, the Empire State Building opens its 80th floor Sky Lobby for special events and parties. You can also inquire about lighting the building with an event's colors at night.
Four Seasons Restaurant: Located in the Seagram Building, the Four Seasons is Manhattan's only restaurant designated as an architectural landmark.
Grand Central Terminal: The main terminal and Vanderbilt Hall are available to host events, premieres and promotions. Renovations of the terminal's sky ceiling have recaptured the luster of the landmark's golden years. Read about an event here...
King Cole Bar and Lounge: The dark, old-fashioned bar is located inside the St. Regis Hotel.
Le Cirque 2000: One of New York's most well-known restaurants, Sirio Maccioni's brightly colored Le Cirque is located inside the landmark Villard House in the New York Palace Hotel. Read about New York's Oscar bash here..., Read about owner Sirio Maccioni...
Lincoln Center Plaza: The grand open-air plaza--modeled after Michelangelo's Campidoglio in Rome--is in the heart of New York's most famous performance and entertainment center. Read about MTV's Video Music awards event here...
Lower East Side Tenement Museum: Originally a tenement apartment building built in 1863, the building was converted into a museum and designated a National Historic Area in 1998.
Merchant's House Museum: The museum is a preserved 19th-century family home available for hosting intimate events. Read about an event here...
Metropolitan Museum of Art: One of the world's premier art institutions, the Met can host private events in many areas of the museum, including the Temple of Dendur and the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Garden. Read about an event in the garden...
Museum of the City of New York: Located directly across from the Central Park Conservatory Garden, the museum's Georgian Colonial style architecture offers the charm and appeal of a private mansion. Read about an event here...
New York Botanical Garden: The Bronx attraction showcases 250 acres of horticultural beauty and is home to the nation's largest Victorian glasshouse. The Garden Terrace Room is a private dining room with garden murals painted on the walls.
New-York Historical Society: One of the city's oldest cultural institutions, the Historical Society is located near Central Park and offers five event spaces, including three galleries and a theater.
New York Public Library: The Midtown library's Beaux-Arts architecture and interior is one of New York's grandest locations, and the library has four spaces for hosting special events, including the Celeste Bartos Forum, with its 30-foot-high glass dome ceiling. Read about the Hannibal premiere here...
Pierpont Morgan Library: The library is a complex of buildings that was once the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of America's greatest collectors and cultural benefactors. Its period rooms and Garden Court are available for events.
Plaza Hotel: One of the most famous hotels in the world, the Plaza is located on Fifth Avenue at Central Park South and has 15 private rooms for functions.
Radio City Music Hall: Home of the Rockettes, the art-deco style concert hall has three private event rooms, in addition to the legendary performance space. Read about an NBC event here..., Read about a Rockettes event here...
Rainbow Room: This glamorous nightspot is situated high above Rockefeller Center, and features a revolving dance floor and a floor-to-ceiling view of the city.
Russian Tea Room: The famous seven-story restaurant features majestic Russian decor and includes a two-story ballroom among its six private rooms.
Sardi's Restaurant: This theater district restaurant is famous for the celebrity caricatures lining its walls. Two private rooms are available for special events.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: Love it or hate it (both are popular), the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum is one of the city's architectural icons.
Tavern on the Green: Made famous by legendary impresario Warner LeRoy, this famous Central Park restaurant hosts special events in its six private dining rooms. Read about the Fresh Air Fund's annual spring gala here...
21 Club: A former speakeasy, the Midtown club features 10 private event rooms each themed to reflect the history of the 1920's and 1930's. Read about an event here....
Waldorf=Astoria's Starlight Roof: Located inside the legendary hotel, the Starlight Roof ballroom was recently restored to its original Art Deco splendor. More...
Compiled by Jill Musguire and the BiZBash editors
Posted 10.09.01
The "I Love New York" logo is a registered trademark of the New York State Department of Economic Development
American Museum of Natural History: One of the most famous attractions in New York, the museum boasts old stone architecture and modern displays. Read about an event here...
Bemelmans Bar: The bar is located inside the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side and named for Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of the Madeline series, whose work lines the walls.
Boathouse in Central Park: The tented, pavilion-like structure is open year-round and provides beautiful views of the park. Read about an event here...
Carnegie Hall: The Isaac Stern Auditorium in the famous concert hall can be used for anything from concerts to speeches to business meetings. Read about an event here...
Central Park: New York City's grassy oasis offers a host of unique event spaces: the Central Park Zoo, the Great Lawn and Wollman Rink.
Cotton Club: Harlem's historic jazz club has a main floor and balcony space for special events.
Elaine's: Over the years, owner Elaine Kaufman has become as much of a New York celebrity as the many writers who hang out in her Upper East Side Italian restaurant.
Ellis Island: You want American history? The Ellis Island Immigration Museum has it in spades. And although the view has been diminished with the inescapable loss of the twin towers, you can still see Lady Liberty, probably the most patriotic site New York has.
Empire State Building: Perhaps the ultimate symbol of New York, the Empire State Building opens its 80th floor Sky Lobby for special events and parties. You can also inquire about lighting the building with an event's colors at night.
Four Seasons Restaurant: Located in the Seagram Building, the Four Seasons is Manhattan's only restaurant designated as an architectural landmark.
Grand Central Terminal: The main terminal and Vanderbilt Hall are available to host events, premieres and promotions. Renovations of the terminal's sky ceiling have recaptured the luster of the landmark's golden years. Read about an event here...
King Cole Bar and Lounge: The dark, old-fashioned bar is located inside the St. Regis Hotel.
Le Cirque 2000: One of New York's most well-known restaurants, Sirio Maccioni's brightly colored Le Cirque is located inside the landmark Villard House in the New York Palace Hotel. Read about New York's Oscar bash here..., Read about owner Sirio Maccioni...
Lincoln Center Plaza: The grand open-air plaza--modeled after Michelangelo's Campidoglio in Rome--is in the heart of New York's most famous performance and entertainment center. Read about MTV's Video Music awards event here...
Lower East Side Tenement Museum: Originally a tenement apartment building built in 1863, the building was converted into a museum and designated a National Historic Area in 1998.
Merchant's House Museum: The museum is a preserved 19th-century family home available for hosting intimate events. Read about an event here...
Metropolitan Museum of Art: One of the world's premier art institutions, the Met can host private events in many areas of the museum, including the Temple of Dendur and the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Garden. Read about an event in the garden...
Museum of the City of New York: Located directly across from the Central Park Conservatory Garden, the museum's Georgian Colonial style architecture offers the charm and appeal of a private mansion. Read about an event here...
New York Botanical Garden: The Bronx attraction showcases 250 acres of horticultural beauty and is home to the nation's largest Victorian glasshouse. The Garden Terrace Room is a private dining room with garden murals painted on the walls.
New-York Historical Society: One of the city's oldest cultural institutions, the Historical Society is located near Central Park and offers five event spaces, including three galleries and a theater.
New York Public Library: The Midtown library's Beaux-Arts architecture and interior is one of New York's grandest locations, and the library has four spaces for hosting special events, including the Celeste Bartos Forum, with its 30-foot-high glass dome ceiling. Read about the Hannibal premiere here...
Pierpont Morgan Library: The library is a complex of buildings that was once the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of America's greatest collectors and cultural benefactors. Its period rooms and Garden Court are available for events.
Plaza Hotel: One of the most famous hotels in the world, the Plaza is located on Fifth Avenue at Central Park South and has 15 private rooms for functions.
Radio City Music Hall: Home of the Rockettes, the art-deco style concert hall has three private event rooms, in addition to the legendary performance space. Read about an NBC event here..., Read about a Rockettes event here...
Rainbow Room: This glamorous nightspot is situated high above Rockefeller Center, and features a revolving dance floor and a floor-to-ceiling view of the city.
Russian Tea Room: The famous seven-story restaurant features majestic Russian decor and includes a two-story ballroom among its six private rooms.
Sardi's Restaurant: This theater district restaurant is famous for the celebrity caricatures lining its walls. Two private rooms are available for special events.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: Love it or hate it (both are popular), the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed museum is one of the city's architectural icons.
Tavern on the Green: Made famous by legendary impresario Warner LeRoy, this famous Central Park restaurant hosts special events in its six private dining rooms. Read about the Fresh Air Fund's annual spring gala here...
21 Club: A former speakeasy, the Midtown club features 10 private event rooms each themed to reflect the history of the 1920's and 1930's. Read about an event here....
Waldorf=Astoria's Starlight Roof: Located inside the legendary hotel, the Starlight Roof ballroom was recently restored to its original Art Deco splendor. More...
Compiled by Jill Musguire and the BiZBash editors
Posted 10.09.01
The "I Love New York" logo is a registered trademark of the New York State Department of Economic Development