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You are here: Home / Blog / Facts About New York City: 42+ Interesting, Fun, and Quirky Facts

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Facts About New York City: 42+ Interesting, Fun, and Quirky Facts

Get ready for a fun ride! I am sharing tons of fun and interesting facts about New York City!

Last week, I was presented my Ultimate Bucket List for Los Angeles, my home for the past 18 years.

Turns out my sister lives in the other big city of this country: New York.

It is a bit bizarre how we ended up living on opposite sides of the United States.  I will always prefer Los Angeles (hello sunny weather and zero snow policy).  However, over the years, I have started to develop a serious interest in New York City.  It is such a diverse, bubbling, and complex metropolis.

The geek in me feels like traveling around its many corners discovering historical districts and meeting people from all over the world.

During my last visit to the city, my knowledge about the city grew by about 1000% (scientific approximation).  I feel like sharing some of that knowledge here.

Please note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link. Of course, this comes at no extra cost to you and helps me to keep offering solid information to readers.

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Table of Contents

  • Fun Facts about New York City
  • Interesting Facts about New York City
  • Other Facts about New York City
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How did New York State get its name?
    • What number state is New York?
    • What is New York State known for?
    • How did New York City become so popular?
    • What food is New York City known for?
    • What are some free things to do in New York City?
  • New York City Sightseeing Gear
    • Related posts:

Fun Facts about New York City

Without further ado, here are some fun facts about New York City!

New York City Fact #1

New York City is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. So, please, do not use the term Manhattan as a synonym of New York City.

New York City Fact #2

Four of the five boroughs are located on islands. Manhattan and Staten Island are their own islands.  Queens and Brooklyn are on the western tip of Long Island.  The Bronx is the only borough located on the mainland.

New York City Fact #3

Because of the island’s situation, the different parts of the city are accessed by bridges or tunnels. Get prepared to pay to use those connectors (the price varies from $3 to $7).

Note: I have been told there are bridges and tolls that charge over $7

New York City Fact #4

We are using the term borough to refer to the different areas of New York but a borough is equivalent to a county. The funny thing is that Brooklyn is in Kings County and Queens is in Queens County.  So, the Kings and Queens reside side by side.  No kidding!

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New York City Fact #5

Brooklyn is the most populated borough in the city. A lot of people believe Manhattan is the most populated borough.

New York City Fact #6

Queens is considered the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world.

New York City Fact #7

Oh, by the way, New York City is not the capital of the state of New York. That honor goes to Albany

New York City Fact #8

New York City is the largest city in the United States. The city has 8.5 million residents. 

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New York City Fact #9

New York City is associated with the British Empire but the first settlers were Dutch. They established a fur trading post in Governor’s Island.

New York City Fact #10

Later, the Dutch established the colony of New Amsterdam in Lower Manhattan. They purchased the island from the locals for the modern equivalent of $1000. Many have called the transaction “the best real estate deal in history.”

New York City Fact #11

New York City was the first capital of the United States. The designation lasted only a year.

New York City Fact #12

The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. But, it wasn’t always like that.  Before the ‘90s the city was a crime hub.  Crime rates were cut in more than half when Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was elected (full disclosure: not all entities or individuals attribute the decrease in crime to the mayor’s policies).

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New York City Fact #13

Have you heard about the East River? Well, it is a tidal estuary.

New York City Fact #14

New York City has more women than men (oh, oh).

New York City Fact #15

The Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge constructed.

New York City Fact #16

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (from Colmar in Alsace) and built by Gustave Eiffel (yup!).

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New York City Fact #17

In 2014, the French showered the Statue of Liberty with one million rose petals to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

New York City Fact #18

Ellis Island received 12 million immigrants for over sixty years. The island can be visited nowadays.

New York City Fact #19

New York City has the largest Polish population after Warsaw. The same goes for Jewish people (outside Israel). And, you can probably guess it, it has the largest Chinese population outside Asia too.

New York City Fact #20

New York City has the largest Chinatown in the world. And, I am referring to the Chinatown in Queen, not the one in Manhattan.

New York City Fact #21

The real Little Italy of New York City is in The Bronx (Arthur Avenue).

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Interesting Facts about New York City

Here are other interesting facts about New York City!

New York City Fact #22

Since I am Puerto Rican, I need to state this in its own bullet. New York has the largest Puerto Rican population of any city in the world (more than one million).

New York City Fact #23

In some ways, this fact is not surprising. New York City is the most linguistically diverse city in the world.  Residents speak about 800 languages (yikes!).  Walk around Times Square and you will notice this right away.

New York City Fact #24

New Yorkers have their own way of calling things and pronouncing words. I had tons of problems understanding them.  For example, there is a street called Houston.  You would expect that to be pronounced like the city in Texas.  No, they pronounce it like the word “house.”

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New York City Fact #25

There are a lot of acronyms used to refer to several spots in the city. You should get familiar with them before visiting:

  1. NoHo – North of Houston Street
  2. SoHo – South of Houston Street
  3. NoLiTa – North of Little Italy
  4. TriBeCa – Triangle Below Canal Street
  5. LES – Lower East Side
  6. UWS – Upper West Side
  7. FiDi – Financial District
  8. UES – Upper West Side
  9. DUMBO (really?) – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (no way I am going to remember that)

Note: I have gotten comments telling me New Yorkers do not use these acronyms.  However, I know a lot of New Yorkers who state the opposite.

New York City Fact #26

Always use the word “subway” to refer to a train. Seems like people have no idea what the “metro” is.  Don’t bother asking if the train is going north or south.  Ask if it is going uptown or downtown.

New York City Fact #27

SoHo has the largest collection of cast-iron architecture in the world. You have to get close to the buildings in the district to notice the material.

New York City Fact #28

Standard street signs are green. However, if you notice brown street signs it is because you are in a historic district.

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New York City Fact #29

My sister told me once she knows a guy who owns two medallions. I had no idea what she was talking about.  Well, a medallion is a license to operate a taxicab in the city.  At one time, each medallion was valued at one million dollars (prices have dropped since the peak value was reached).  Start saving if you want to do this for a living.

New York City Fact #30

A lot of people all over the world dream about living in Manhattan. The reality is that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment on the island is about $3,000.  A lot of people end up leaving after a short period of time.

New York City Fact #31

And, talking about exorbitant prices, the price to operate a hot dog cart in Manhattan (for a year) ranges between $150,000 and $300,000 (in the most expensive parts of town, think Central Park).

New York City Fact #32

But, you can make good money selling street food. The famous Halal Guys (they sell rice, chicken, and beef plates) are believed to make millions of dollars a year.

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New York City Fact #33

.With these prices, it is obvious that most street vendors operate without a permit.

New York City Fact #34

If you do not have culinary talent, you can opt for developing something unique and eye-catching. The Naked Cowboy (performs in Times Squares) makes six figures annually (about $150,000).

New York City Fact #35

Let’s keep talking about money (I know you like it). There are more than 340,000 millionaires in the city.  Also, the city has the largest number of billionaires in the world. Now you know why there are so many expensive stores and establishments on Fifth Avenue.

New York City Fact #36

If that is not enough, keep in mind 25% of the world’s gold bullion (bars or ingots) are in the Federal Reserve Bank’s vaults (underground).

New York City’s Federal Reserve is not the only one in the United States (a lot of people believe that).  As a matter of fact, there are 12 Federal Reserve Banks in the United States.  New York City’s Federal Reserve has the largest assets, and influence though.

New York City’s Federal Reserve has appeared in movies such as The Godfather and Die Hard.

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New York City Fact #37

New York City’s subway system is the largest mass transit system in the world (and it keeps expanding). It operates 24 hours a day.

New York City Fact #38

New York City has ghost or abandoned subway stations. The most famous is the one close to the City Hall. You can visit the station on public tours (restricted to certain dates on a year).

New York City Fact #39

Skyscrapers in Manhattan are concentrated in Midtown and the lower part. This is because a strong bedrock is located on those spots.  The other areas of the island are too week to support enormous buildings.

New York City Fact #40

The skyscraper craze is still going. Several buildings expected to be higher than the Empire State are under construction.

New York City Fact #41

The ice cream cone, pasta primavera, and eggs Benedict were all invented in New York City.

New York City Fact #42

These are the most popular attractions in New York City:

    1. Statue of Liberty
    2. Time Square
    3. Central Park
    4. Brooklyn Bridge
    5. Flatiron Building
    6. Empire State Building
    7. Rockefeller Center
    8. Wall Street
    9. Fifth Avenue

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Other Facts about New York City

After writing the article, many people have written me to share their facts about New York City.  I am sharing some of those here.

New York City Fact #43

Many of New York City’s attractions have made it to the most visited tourist attractions visited in the world.  Times Square, Central Park, and Grand Central Terminal have been included in these lists.  I am surprised not to see the Statue of Liberty but Niagara Falls have also made it to the list (which are part of New York State).

New York City Fact #44

New York City has the largest Greek population in the United States.  I have heard the Greek food in Queens is divine.

Note: I have been told New York Has the largest population outside Greece.  After some research, I believe Melbourne, Australia has that title nowadays.  However, seems like New York wins in terms ethically Greek resident (which include second, third and fourth generation Greeks).

New York City Fact #45

New York City is the city with the largest number of foreign-born residents.

New York City Fact #46

Manhattan has one of the most expensive real state markets in the world.

New York City Fact #47

New York City has over 120 colleges and universities.  These include Columbia University and the University of New York.  This fact contributes to the population and popularity of the city.

New York City Fact #48

I have mentioned Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.  But, I have not mentioned that the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are the two largest stock exchanges in the world.  

And, the famous Charging Bull statue located close to the stock exchange represents prosperity (a bull market is a growing market).

Frequently Asked Questions

I am pretty sure you feel pretty smart after reading all those interesting facts about New York City.  To add to your knowledge here are the most common questions I get about New York.

How did New York State get its name?

New York State got its name from New York City.  When the British seize control of Lower Manhattan, they renamed the land to honor the king’s brother, the Duke of York.  

What number state is New York?

New York was the 11th state to join the United States.

What is New York State known for?

Of course, a lot of people associate New York State with New York City.  Therefore, the state is known for the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Broadway, Wall Street (NY Stock Exchange, and United Nations).  In addition, the state is known for Niagara Falls and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

How did New York City become so popular?

New York has been a financial, commercial, and fashion center for years.  Around 2009-2010, there was a record growth in tourism (with some years reaching over 65 million visitors).

Part of this revival in interest can be attributed to the global ease of travel (budget airlines, variety of accommodations, etc.)  However, New York City’s popularity has also increased because of the amazing number of offerings (on all fronts, museums, live entertainment, excellent restaurants, tours, infrastructure).  Movies and TV shows have contributed to the hype as well.

What food is New York City known for?

New York City is known for pizza, bagels, cheesecake, corned beef, pastrami, and hot dogs.

The creation of the New York sandwich is credited to Arnold Reuben (some attribute the creation of the Reuben Sandwich to him as well, I guess this is another add to the facts about New York).

What are some free things to do in New York City?

Strolling around Central Park, taking the State Island Ferry (the views of the Statue of Liberty are great), walking the High Line, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, heading to film/TV locations, stepping inside the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and seeing the Grand Central Station are some of the free things to do in New York City.

In addition, there are plenty of events that are free to the public.  Most museums offer free admission during specific days and hours.  In general, you can walk from a famous sight to another without spending a dime.

New York City Sightseeing Gear

Get ready for a day of sightseeing by bringing the right gear.  Here is a list of the items I would pack to explore a city like New York.

  • Walking Shoes – Comfortable walking shoes are a must. I recommend investing in a good pair.  My go-to brands are Clarks, Tevas, and Sketchers. 
  • Anti-Theft Bag – Keep your belongings safe by keeping them in an anti-theft bag.  The ones manufactured by Travelon have a 5-points security system including an RFID blocking pocket. >>Check out their crossbody bag here  If you prefer a backpack, this one is a good option
  • Sun Block – Do not leave the house (or the car) without applying sunblock.  I repeat, always wear sunblock when outdoors. >Buy sunblock here
  • Lip Balm with Sunscreen – Protect your lips by applying a balm with sunscreen. >Get one of the best lip balms here
  • Wide Brim Hat – A wide brim hat is a great way to protect your scalp, face, and neck.  The ones manufactured by FURTALK come with an anti-UV function.  >Buy this amazing hat here
  • Hand Sanitizer – Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
  • Sunglasses – These are another must when it comes to protecting from the sun.  A polarized, sporty pair works better outdoors. >Take a look at this wonderful pair
  • Water Bottle – Do not forget to bring water! Keep yours cold by taking a beautiful Hydro Flask water bottle.  >Check out the insane options here
  • THERMOS Tumblers – I have been a fan of the THERMOS brand since I received a tumbler as a gift. The tumblers keep drinks hot for hours.  >>Buy THERMOS insulated tumblers here
  • Camera – I have never gotten used to taking pictures exclusively with my phone.  I prefer to use the Sony Alpha a6000.  It is compact and takes gorgeous pictures. >Buy Sony Camera here
  • Tripod – A compact tripod to take your photos and videos to a different level. >>Check out this popular option here
  • Portable Power Bank – It is a pain to keep phones charged on trips (more if you are taking pictures, posting on social media, and navigating).  Having a power bank is a lifesaver.  The Anker portable charger can charge a phone 5 times. >Buy this incredible power bank here

Ufff, that was awesome! Cheers to New York City!

What do you think?  What other interesting facts about New York City would you add?

More About New York City

  • Arthur Avenue: The Real Little Italy of New York
  • Where to Find the Best Street Art in Manhattan
  • Why you Have to Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Pin “Interesting Facts About New York City” for later!

Things to do in New Yok City – Travel Tips and Ideas – Before deciding on must-sees, restaurants, shopping sprees and skyline views, here are 42 interesting, fun and quirky facts about New York City. These bits of knowledge will get you excited about visiting the city. #NYC #NewYork #Manhattan

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71 Comments

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Comments

  1. Johlene Orton says

    September 18, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Absolutely stunning photos!! Love this post

    Reply
  2. image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup says

    September 18, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Great post, and great photos.
    Thanks for joining us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/09/orchids-endless-variety.html

    Reply
  3. ladyfi says

    September 18, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    Your photos are stunning! I love NY.

    Reply
  4. Kelleyn says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    that was fun! Thanks for sharing all those fun facts! My girlfriend and I went a couple years ago and had a blast. We need to go again.

    Reply
  5. Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld says

    September 20, 2017 at 9:10 am

    So many great facts! I hardly knew any of these, so thanks for sharing 🙂 So cool that the ice cream cone was invented there, I wonder where the inspiration came from!

    Reply
  6. Al says

    September 20, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    I love NYC and grew up in its suburbs, but I can’t imagine moving back now that I’m in Colorado. The crowding and expense would drive me crazy.

    Reply
  7. Mary {The World Is A Book} says

    September 20, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Wow…what an awesome list, Ruth. I learned so much from this list. I’m a numbers person and some of those statistics are astounding. Who knew those hot dog carts were so expensive and I’ll never look at those halal guys or the Naked guy the same way again with their income stream.

    Reply
  8. Lolo says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:31 pm

    Wow these were really interesting to read! I’ve been to Colmar & seen the replica, but I didn’t know that on the 70th anniversary the French dumped petals over her! What a nice way to commemorate WWII. #WanderfulWednesday

    Reply
  9. Keri | Ladies What Travel says

    September 21, 2017 at 7:39 am

    I do love a good factoid – thanks for a great read! #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  10. Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi says

    September 21, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    New York, New York, so good they named it twice!!

    Reply
  11. Jesh StG says

    September 21, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Maybe because I’ve lived in the LA area for so long, am not curious about N.Y. (kind of that rivalry between these two cities). Also, I know a few people who’ve lived there, and from what I’ve gathered the culture is very different. Hope to see another Travel Photo Thurs. from you soon – I miss it!

    Reply
  12. Rhonda Albom says

    September 21, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Lots of interesting facts. I asked hubby (he grew up in Brooklyn) to see how many of them he knew. He said there used to be a sign that proclaimed Brooklyn as the fourth largest city in the US. He also said that the intro to the old sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter” included a shot of this sign. He wonders if the sign is still there.

    Reply
  13. Lyn Lindfield says

    September 21, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    We have visited New York a few times and overnighted there quite a few more. I knew a few of your 42 facts – like the fact that it isn’t the capital of New York state but I probably learned 35 or so extra things – lol!

    Reply
  14. Trippin' Turpins (Kelly) says

    September 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    I have never been to New York, in fact I have never been to the USA. It is something I hope to do in the future. I found it really interesting reading about the cultural populations! Talk about multicultural! That is awesome. I love Eggs Benedict and can’t wait to try them from where they originated! Thanks for all the quirky info!

    Reply
  15. Shona says

    September 21, 2017 at 9:09 pm

    Cool pics, you had great weather for these. New York with the blue sky in the background is stunning. It always amazes me how New York is so magnetic, I absolutely love it and feel so alive while there. Hmmm, I haven’t been for a while….. 😉

    Reply
  16. Kate and Kris says

    September 22, 2017 at 1:49 am

    The Naked Cowboy? Tell us more!
    I’m interested in the closed metro stations. Is there a good tour you can recommend?
    Interesting post and we are hoping to visit next year.

    Reply
  17. Sharon Wagner says

    September 22, 2017 at 6:21 am

    I wouldn’t know where to begin with all the restaurants. Someday i’ll have to tackle the big city.

    Reply
  18. Katy says

    September 22, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Oh yes I love NYC. It’s one of my most favourite places on the planet. Great facts too. I need to know – with 1 million Puerto Ricans in NY does it mean its the biggest city for Puerto Ricans including Puerto Rico? That’s a huge number. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  19. Donna Janke says

    September 22, 2017 at 10:42 am

    Really interesting facts about New York. I didn’t realize what some of the acronyms for city areas stood for. I have not yet visited New York, but hope to make it there someday.

    Reply
  20. eileen g says

    September 22, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    Great, fun list! I’ll add 2 facts:

    1. We also have the biggest Greek population outside of Athens (and really good Greek food in Astoria, Queens).

    2. the subways travel on the right, like cars. Tourists often find this helpful to understand.

    Reply
  21. Amanda Keeley-Thurman says

    September 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    So many interesting facts. I learned a few new things myself today. That is crazy how much street vendor and naked cowboy make!

    Reply
  22. Hilary says

    September 22, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Wonderful list/post! I absolutely love NYC! I’ve lived in NY and in LA, and like you, I prefer LA, but I’ll always jump at the chance to visit the Big Apple! It feels like home a hone away from home. #farawayfiles

    Reply
  23. Tiffany says

    September 22, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Being from New York, but Western New York, I had to read this. I have only been to the city a few times and when I tell people where I’m from it’s almost always, “I’m from New York, but not the city.” Nice post! #flyawayfriday

    Reply
  24. Sharon says

    September 22, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    I LOVE New York City! I went there this spring and Central Park was in bloom and enchanting. And all the buildings — I could walk there for days and be happy. I’m sure it’s not as appealing in the slush of winter, but all my impressions are sunny days there. How fun to have a sister to visit in NYC!

    Reply
  25. The Travelling Sociologist says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Such a fascinating post! Learned so much and will definitely be bookmarking this to come back to and refer others to. Great job!

    Reply
  26. Maxine says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Great list! My mother really wants to go to New York so I am going to send her this!

    Reply
  27. julie says

    September 22, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    This list is awesome! I love New York City and have been several times but have yet to make it to the Statue of Liberty! Top of my list for the next time! And I totally know what you mean by pronunciations, but living in the South, I can’t say anything. lol. #theweeklypostcard

    Reply
  28. Allison says

    September 22, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    I knew a few of these facts but I definitely learned a lot, as well. Though I am not a huge fan of NYC, I would like to visit Ellis Island one day since I wasn’t able to visit on my last trip. #FlyAwayFriday

    Reply
  29. SamH Travels says

    September 23, 2017 at 12:42 am

    So many interesting facts about NY City which I didn’t know! I haven’t made it there yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list and I can’t wait to visit and see all the amazing buildings and attractions. The photos are stunning. Pinned for my visit 🙂

    Reply
  30. Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute says

    September 23, 2017 at 1:12 am

    800 languages? Wow, I never would have known. This is a fun list, thanks for linking in #wkendtravelinspiration!

    Reply
  31. Tanya says

    September 23, 2017 at 1:15 am

    Of all of the places in the world, NYC is still a place I haven’t checked off my list. I didn’t know many of these tidbits and would love to experience the city. I will make it there one day!

    Reply
  32. BeeTravelista says

    September 23, 2017 at 1:28 am

    Oh wow. You go girl. Just returned from NYC few weeks ago and happy to find out some new things.

    Reply
  33. Cherie Rose Martin says

    September 23, 2017 at 7:39 am

    This has to got to be your best post. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I always used to discuss with my husband why NYC wasn’t the capital of the USA. Thanks to you, I now know it once was. Love NYC, my part time home. Hope you did too! #FlyAwayFriday

    Reply
  34. Hanna says

    September 23, 2017 at 7:47 am

    Fun facts I only knew about 1/3 of these. Going to share with my friend who lives in Astoria! Thank you for sharing. #FlyAwayFriday

    Reply
  35. Vanessa Brune says

    September 23, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    I didn’t know about Albany (or DUMBO for that matter). Really interesting post!! I’d sure love to visit one day but with those prices it’s fair to say that I won’t ever get to live in NYC 😉

    Reply
  36. Liana Moore says

    September 23, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    I’ve been to NY a handful of times but know I’ve only seen a tiny part of the city. Crazy how much it costs to operate a hot dog stand — never would have guessed! #FlyAwayFriday

    Reply
  37. Courtney Minor says

    September 23, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    What an awesome post! It’s definitely interesting to read so many facts about the city. I can’t believe I still haven’t been to NYC–it kind of fell of my top cities to visit, but maybe it’s time to go. #FlyAwayFriday

    Reply
  38. Lola says

    September 23, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    Awesome post! I lived in NYC for 7 years and didn’t know some of these.

    Reply
  39. Michelle says

    September 23, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Great post, Ruth! Reading this really brought me back to NYC. I did read that lots of people were getting priced out of Manhattan thanks to skyrocketing housing prices, but that’s a problem in many cities across the world (San Francisco and Geneva come to mind). My friend told me that lots of people working in Geneva actually live in France and just commute because it’s so much cheaper!

    Oh, and if you’re in New York, my top recommendation is going on a food tour! I’ve done a few with the Foods of New York Tours and they were all great. You get to sample delicious food and learn about the history of the area as well as the food establishments! Perfect for anyone who likes food 😉

    Reply
  40. Corey at fifi + hop says

    September 23, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Cool list! I had no idea the ice cream cone was invented in NYC! #farawayfiles

    Reply
  41. Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says

    September 23, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    I’m going to have to remember that fact about the medallions. I can see it coming up on some trivia quiz night contest. Also, I had no idea being the Naked Cowboy is such a lucrative job. Is he still stripped down to his skivvies in the winter? That might not be worth the money earned. Or maybe he gets even more? Anyways, I’m about to book a trip to NYC for next summer and am so EXCITED! My first time there was in the 80s, and I recall that the Central Park incident happened a few months before we visited. My mom wouldn’t let us go anywhere near Central Park back then. I’m so glad that crime is down because I as finally able to stroll the park when we were there a couple years ago. #WkendTravelInspiration

    Reply
  42. Michelle says

    September 23, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Love this post! Lived in NYC for 8 years! My favorite weird fact is that most parks used to be cemeteries! Haha

    Reply
  43. Courtney says

    September 23, 2017 at 11:03 pm

    These facts were so interesting!! Especially the one about the nickname lingo.

    Reply
  44. Anisa says

    September 24, 2017 at 6:33 am

    I love NYC, have been living here for 13 years now. Wow time flies! It really is the greatest city in the world. I just wish it weren’t so expensive!

    Reply
  45. Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says

    September 24, 2017 at 11:22 am

    I never knew Queens was the most diverse urban area in the world! And I’d love to taste some of that delicious money-making street-food…. Great post. #FarawayFiles

    Reply
  46. Anda says

    September 24, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    Very interesting facts about New York. I wasn’t aware of many of them. For instance, I didn’t realize that four of the five boroughs are located on islands. That explains why New York has so many bridges and tunnels. I’ve been in Queens many times and I can attest to its ethnical diversity. As for living in Manhattan, I have to confess that I count myself among those who dreamed for a long time for living there. But I realized very soon that all I could afford would be a rat hole, and that didn’t make me very happy. #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply
  47. Ona henricks says

    September 24, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    My mom wants to show me the statue of liberty. For this reason, she wants to spend our next vacation in New York City. but I am not only interested to see the statue of liberty but also I want to see other interesting places of there. For this reason, i was searching about the interesting and funny fact of this city. Your article helps me much. Thanks for sharing this article.

    Reply
  48. tracy says

    September 25, 2017 at 2:47 am

    Love New York and it was so interesting reading this post! I had no idea what Tribeca stood for! New York is a city I would visit again and again 🙂

    Reply
  49. Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler) says

    September 26, 2017 at 5:46 am

    Great interesting facts on New York City and lots of information I didn’t know. I have been to NY once and look forward to another visit with the information you provided. Maybe I can talk like a local. I pinned for later.

    Reply
  50. Carmen Baguio says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:39 am

    What a fun way to learn about a city! I’ve only been to NYC 3 times, so I still have a lot to learn!!!

    Reply
  51. Marcelle says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:54 am

    I didn’t know that Brooklyn is the most populated borough and not Manhattan. Most probably because of the many offices in Manhattan, I guess?

    Reply
  52. Erin Gustafson | Oregon Girl Around the World says

    September 27, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    This post is perfectly timed! I’m headed to NYC in October and can’t wait to check it all out again. It’s been a long time since i’ve been to the Big Apple. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin

    Reply
  53. Kathy Marris says

    September 30, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    I have been to New York twice and love the place. I probably only know about a half of these interesting facts about the city. I think it’s the type of city you could visit again and again and not see the same thing twice. Thanks for fascinating insight into NYC.

    Reply
  54. Sandy N Vyjay says

    October 2, 2017 at 6:53 am

    New York is indeed the stuff that glitzy dreams are made of. There is so much to see and experience in the city. I am sure one would be spoilt for choice.

    Reply
  55. Kana says

    October 4, 2017 at 9:49 am

    Those are some fascinating facts! Especially the fact that Brooklyn is more populated than Manhattan, who would have guessed?! NYC is one of my favorite places to visit and I hope I get to go back soon! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday – hope to see you again this week! xo

    Reply
  56. Janine says

    October 4, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    What a great list of facts about NYC! I knew a few of them like the capital etc. but DUMBO made me laugh!! Hope to see you at Fly Away Friday this week 🙂

    Reply
  57. Agness of eTramping says

    October 20, 2017 at 6:50 am

    NYC is my dream destination and I would definitely love to tick it off my bucket list soon. I wasn’t aware of these facts and your post is truly enlightening! How many days would be enough to explore Queens?

    Reply
  58. Alisa says

    October 20, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    Wow, didn’t know that SoHo means South of Houston Street. So Soho in Hong Kong is just borrowed abbreviation 😀

    Reply
  59. Sapna says

    November 8, 2017 at 7:05 am

    Very detailed post with facts. It is indeed very handy for a first time visitor. There are so many things about a city, which an insider can tell.

    Reply
  60. Rachel says

    November 8, 2017 at 7:51 am

    Wow, lots of really cool facts there, NYC is relaly high on my to visit list – I might make it a solo trip, thoughts on visiting as a solo female traveller? Or do you tihnk it would be better with company?

    Reply
  61. Erin says

    November 8, 2017 at 8:50 am

    Wow, so many facts that I didn’t know about! For instance, I didn’t realize that it has the highest population of Polish people outside of Poland! So much to do and see in NYC, I feel like you could go 20 times and see something different each time.

    Reply
  62. Becky says

    November 8, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    I’ve never been to New York so its good to know some facts and tidbits for when I do visit. 🙂

    Reply
  63. Holly says

    November 8, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    Holy moly! I would have never guessed it costs that much to operate a hot dog stand, but I have actually wondered about it before. I’d love to know what they make in a year after paying such a steep price to operate. I haven’t been to NYC yet, but I’ve always loved that typical New Yorker accent. As a Southerner, I can identify with people not being able to understand a heavy accent, lol!

    Reply
  64. Holly says

    November 8, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    I am a New Yorker. Cool post. Although some of the bridges and such are well over $3-$7 dollars. Also we don’t really use all of those acronyms.

    Reply
  65. Alice Ford says

    November 8, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    I loved this article. I have been to New York more times than I can count but I still learned a few new things. Thanks for all the research you put into this.

    Reply
  66. Mirela says

    November 9, 2017 at 1:22 am

    New York is a complex and interesting city and your post reflects that! I like your writing and your amazing pics! 🙂

    Reply
  67. Rosie Fluskey says

    November 9, 2017 at 2:07 am

    The numbers in the last few facts blew my mind slightly. $150,000 to sell hot dogs!!! And who knew that handsome devil with his body paint and cowboy boots earned that kind of cash….makes you think….do they have one in Leicester Square yet!?

    Reply
  68. Michaela says

    November 9, 2017 at 3:50 am

    Loved this post, really interesting read, thanks! Being from Europe, I have never heard of Albany for example… I sooo want to visir this city and now even more!

    Reply
  69. Kellyn says

    November 9, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I grew up in New York and never realized half of these things. I didn’t start exploring the city more until I moved to CT. So many places I want to go to now.

    Reply
  70. Becki Lavala says

    February 12, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    Thanks a lot. This is great content. I might share some for you guys too. Great work poster!

    Reply
  71. Varun sharma says

    May 19, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Really interesting post.

    Reply

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