DK Travel : New York : History & Culture

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Trinity Church

This lovely, square-towered church has bronze doors designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Built in 1839–46, the spire, once the tallest in Manhattan, is now dwarfed by Wall Street towers. Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton are buried here.
U.S. Custom House

One of the city’s best Neo-Classical buildings, this eight-story structure, built in 1907, features an elaborate mansard roof and fine sculptures, including four by Daniel Chester French. A 1927 nautical mural by Reginald Marsh adorns the huge, oval rotunda.
Washington Square

Prominent figures who lived here include Edith Wharton at No. 7 in 1882. Henry James was born at No. 21 in 1843.
West 10th Street

Mark Twain lived at No. 14 in 1900–1, Hart Crane at No. 54 in 1917, and Edward Albee lived in the carriage house at No. 50 during the 1960s.
White Horse Tavern

Favorite hangout of Norman Mailer and Dylan Thomas, who announced one night in 1953, “I’ve had 18 straight whiskeys,” and passed out. He died the next day.
Willa Cather Residence

Willa Cather wrote six novels here and her Friday “at homes” were attended by the likes of D. H. Lawrence.
William Styron Residence

This was Styron’s first “tiny but rather nice” apartment after writing Lie Down in Darkness aged 23.
William “Boss” Tweed

The political leader of Tammany Hall, Tweed (1823–78) became the living embodiment of political corruption, kickbacks, and payoffs. It is estimated that he and his associates took up to $200 million from the city. To hide his crime, he did good works, building orphanages, public baths, and hospitals, but died in prison.
Yu Yu Yang Sculpture

This untitled sculpture by artist Yu Yu Yang creates intriguing patterns with an L-shaped steel slab pierced by a circular disk.
Zion St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Built in 1888, it is a reminder of the Upper East’s German past.