A striking architectural marvel right at the WTC. To me, it's symbolic of hope, strength, growth…read moreand healing post 9-11. The last time I visited, this was not here so it was amazing to see this structure up close. Instead of another typical mall, this is a beautiful addition to this area. I recommend checking it out inside and outside. Love that there is a subway stop directly to this mall.

We visited Oculus World Trade Center and were impressed by both the architecture and the…read moreatmosphere. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus is the centerpiece of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub and is famous for its striking white ribs that resemble a bird taking flight. The interior is bright, spacious, and filled with natural light, making it feel more like a modern art gallery than a transit station. What we liked most was simply walking through the space and taking in the design. Beyond being a transportation hub, it connects shopping, dining, and several transit lines, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Lower Manhattan.

This is a beautiful monument given by the Russians. Large teardrop and at the bottom are all of the…read morenames of the victims of 9/11. It was a beautiful day when we visited (summer 2017) and it's near the water, which I love. Lots of benches and places to reflect. There is also a walkway made of bricks that family/friends/etc. were able to purchase and have etched with their loved ones names. Across the water you can see where the twin towers stood and the Statue of Liberty is also visible. Truly an amazing place. It is at the end of a very long, windy roadway, but I didn't think it was too hard to find and I'm not from the area.

A 10 story invaginated monolith, complete with a dripping melted ball of polished steel, was gifted…read moreto the USA by the people of Russia. How many Russians, or for that matter Americans, know of the existence of this poke in the eye from Putin? I had only recently heard of the memorial and was completely unprepared for what I saw. As noted, it is in Bayonne at the end of a pier and one does indeed have to pass through an area full of current and former US Navy warehouses, now used by businesses, U.S. Customs inspection facilities, etc.... It's in a gritty area without food or sanitary facilities except for a parking lot. At least the parking is free. After a long ride, by NYC standards, along a pot hole filled road one comes to the cruise line departure/arrival facility and continues to the end of the road and then to the parking. You only get to really see this memorial from the side from this vantage point so, the best part awaits. After leaving one's car and walking a very short distance, one can really see the eyesore. Getting closer to the memorial just makes it very apparent that the first impression only worsens. The gaping hole, the shiny metallic ball in the black backdrop of the gash, and a copper colored outer skin is just awful. It's akin to a car wreck. They're horrible to see but, you can't stop staring. There is one saving grace. One can simply look down at the ground level pedestal which is a series of black marble slabs carved with the name of each 9/11 victim.

Even though it was closed because it's under construction I was able to go into the entrance and…read morethey still had the palm trees up and I was able to see through the mesh covering to see how beautiful the seating area is and it's still going to be an amazing place to sit and have lunch or dip into away from the rain. It stated they will be reopened by this year in the summer maybe the end of the summer. I can see it will be worth the wait

Nice place to sit and chill over coffee. The breakfast croissant was very good. Very spacious and…read morethe waiters were attentive. Nice ambiance.

Five stars for the one and only Statue of Liberty…read more The first time I saw her, I'll be honest I laughed. Driving along the harbor, I squinted and thought, That's it? On TV she looks like a skyscraper with a torch. In real life, from a distance, she almost feels... small. Like seeing a rock star without the stage lights. But here's the thing: once you get out on the water and start heading toward Liberty Island, the whole experience changes. The boat ride is half the magic. The harbor air hits you, seagulls yelling overhead, the skyline flexing behind you. Ferries cut across New York Harbor, and if you're lucky you'll catch views from routes like the Staten Island Ferry, which cruises right past Lady Liberty like it's just another Tuesday commute. The closer you get, the more the story starts to sink in. Our guided tour? Fantastic. And the tour guide pure New York. That old-school accent you hear in movies? She had it dialed to eleven. Every word came out like it had been marinated in Brooklyn for 40 years. It felt authentic, gritty, and perfect for the moment. What made it even better was being there with my kids family in tow, cameras out, everyone taking it in. Watching my daughter stare up at the statue made the whole thing land differently. Suddenly it wasn't just a monument; it was a moment. A few fun facts while you're there: The statue was a gift from France to the United States in 1886. It was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the iron framework inside was engineered by the same guy behind the Eiffel Tower Gustave Eiffel. From ground to torch she stands about 305 feet tall, and she greets the harbor right next to Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants first stepped into America. So yes she's smaller than TV makes you think. But standing there in the harbor wind, looking up at that oxidized green giant holding a torch over the water... you realize size was never the point. History, grit, and the idea of America that's the real monument.

I saw the Statute of Liberty during my October 2018 NYC trip…read more Lady Liberty sits on Liberty Island, standing tall, and holding a torch on her right hand. This Statute represented hope and freedom to the millions of immigrants who arrived in NYC at Ellis Island in the 1800's and 1900's. The Statute of Liberty continues to represent hope and freedom in the present day (2026). I came with a friend back in October 2018 and we both wish we could have had time to go closer to the Statute. We saw the statue while on the free NYC Staten Island ferry. We got on a ferry boat in Manhattan and it went to the Staten Island station and then we came back to Manhattan. We didn't explore Staten Island because our purpose on getting on the ferry was to see the Statute of Liberty, to enjoy the free ride, and Hudson River views. On the way to Staten Island, we spotted the Statute of Liberty from afar but it was close enough where we both got our pictures taken with the Statute. I hope to visit NYC again and this time, actually go to Liberty Island to see the Statute of Liberty up close. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 104/250 total reviews in 2026 - 945 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 28 May 2026

Continuing south through New Jersey and crossing the Newark Bay, we got to cross on the Vincent R…read more Casciano Memorial Bridge. The bridge carries Interstate 78 and links Newark in Essex County to Bayonne in Hudson County. The bridge was completed on April 4, 1956, following years of advocacy led by Assemblyman Vincent R. Casciano, who championed Hudson County's inclusion in the emerging Turnpike network. It is a three-span continuous through-arch design, with a total length of 9,560 feet. Its main span stretches an impressive 1,270 feet, and it offers a clearance of 135 feet above the water to accommodate marine traffic bound for Port Newark. I do not believe that there is a specific toll to cross the bridge but it is part of the toll-regulated section of the New Jersey Turnpike, so you'll be paying for that. The vertical clearance for vehicles is approximately 15 feet, accommodating most commercial and passenger traffic. My Sprinter van cleared it easily. [Review 1150 of 2025 - 177 in New Jersey - 24703 overall]

Tour bus took us over this bridge on way back home. Bridge seemed well maintained with a smooth…read moresurface. Fast going over, although there was a big accident on the other side. Definitely seen worse bridges.

Very nice statue of the charging bull. Plenty of gift shops nearby. Glad we were able to stop by…read more. Note I heard rubbing the testicles brings good luck but we didn't do that. Oh well. Got a couple decent pictures though. 5 stars!

We waited in line for quite some time on a drizzly Saturday morning in April to get up close and…read morepersonal to the sculpture for an iconic photo op. We finally gave up since so many tourists apparently couldn't seem to do a one-and-done photo and we had so many other things to do and see on our visit. The sculpture is eye catching and quite large. Will revisit it for a better photo op on a weekday during my next visit to the city.

KOENIG SPHERE. A Bronze Sculpture which was originally placed with a Fountain between the TWIN…read moreTOWERS in 1971. The badly damaged SPHERE was the only work of art which was salvaged mostly intact from the collapse of the TWIN TOWERS on SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. The SPHERE resided in BATTERY PARK afterwards until it was moved to LIBERTY PARK in 2017. WORTH VISITING.

Now damaged and decidedly the worse for wear and disaster, this golden sphere at one time rotated…read morewithin the fountain that stood in front of the Twin Towers before their destruction by terrorists. Ironically, the Sphere was designed as a symbol of peace After the attack on 9/11, the Sphere was salvaged from the wreckage and moved to it's current location in Liberty Park; this site overlooks what used to be the site of the World Trade Center.  The Sphere was rededicated with an eternal flame, and it's now a symbol of resilience and hope.

Joe made my trip! I had an excellent experience…read more My father was born and raised in the Bronx, but this is my first time in NYC. I am very interested in my father's upbringing, and wanted to see his neighborhood, as well as important personal landmarks. Several people- including other local tour guides, told me this neighborhood was too dangerous and I should do something else with my time. Joe met me at my hotel, and we took the subway together to the old neighborhood. Not only did Joe make me feel safe, he was friendly, knowledgeable, and prepared. He brought pictures of special landmarks, like my father's apartment building (which no longer exists) and my father's favorite candy shop, which has been a bodega for decades. He was also able to tell me a great deal about the history of the neighborhood. I strongly recommend Joe to anyone looking for a tour guide.

Joe is awesome! If you are thinking about a tour of Harlem or any tour that Joe offers, do it. We…read morebooked the Harlem tour at 10pm the night before. He met us at our hotel promptly the next afternoon, took us on the subway and chatted with us the whole time. Joe is very personable. We arrived in Harlem in 15 -20 mins later and began our tour the minute we exited the station. We were stopped a few times, because Joe is well-known in Harlem, being a native. Folks love him, and we understand why. He is a genuinely nice guy who loves his city and is proud of his and its culture. Joe's knowledge of the city and it's history made for an informative experience. If we had more time in NYC, we certainly would have booked him again for another tour in a different part of the city. Do yourself a favor and book a tour with Joe!

I've been a part of this community for many years! I was there when this was an abandoned mansion!…read more This mosque has a come a long way over those long years . I'm always welcomed whenever I go there . Anyone and everyone is welcome!

I found this Mosque from Guidance app while stopped at a Hotel in Elizabeth before flying out of…read moreEWR. It's pretty close to Airport. Please be vigilant in the area while attending prayers or events in this mosque. According to the mosque FB page, the Masjid's facility is structured on the first governor's mansion in the State of New Jersey and has been designated as a historical site in the federal and state registry. Once the site of an all girls private school named the Vail Dean, it is now the house of Allah for worshipers from throughout the Islamic world Alhamdulillah. Jumu'ah: 1:00 PM 5 times Jamaat: Yes Wud u Area: Yes Sister's Prayer Lounge: Yes Restroom Cleanliness: Yes Parking: Onsite Sunday Islamic School: Not sure Mosque Store: Not sure

I have been to New York, but never been to the Lowe's Jersey Theater. I am fascinating by the…read morebeauty, because it was built in the 1920's era. But I do know a little history about this theater, I was born in Chicago, Illinois and what I know about this Movie Palace is the designers. This theater was designed by Chicago's Architects Cornelius Rapp and George Rapp, they are known for. Their designs for movie palaces, in the United States. Architects Rapp and Rapp designed the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theater opened up on October 26, 1921. Rapp and Rapp designed the Lowe's Paradise Theater in New Jersey. This movie palace of the 1920's era, undergoing restoration as we speak. I know that it's going to look more beautiful, once The restoration is complete and restored to it's natural glamor look.

A historic theatre smack in the middle of Journal Square, Loew's has a diverse array of events and…read moreprogramming - from classic movies, touring musical acts, and even organ concerts (inside Loew's is a built-in Wurlitzer theatre organ that was played during silent movies). I've gone to Loew's for the Jersey Journal's 150th anniversary celebration during which the movie 'His Girl Friday' was screened and there was an organ mini-concert. I also saw Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile at Loew's back in November. I recommend checking it out for the programming, but also to see some beautiful architecture inside. Plus, for the most part, the events are very affordable. It's a unique experience.