Right, so it is safe to assume that we all know some stuff about New York. It’s tiny, its population is crazy big, it’s also called The Big Apple or The City That Never Sleeps, and it has a prominent sewer rat problem (so prominent, in fact, that it even inspired an animated character named Splinter in one of the iconic cartoons. Just kidding, of course… Or are we?). However, there are plenty more interesting facts about New York besides these crumbles of info that we’ve just shared with you and which seemingly everyone knows! That’s right; it’s also a city of wonder with a life entirely of its own, incomparable to any other city in the world. So, want to learn more cool New York facts? Then keep on reading!
For starters, did you know that New York is the home of the first pizzeria in the United States? Or that it would take 24 hours to travel the length of the NYC subway? No wonder it is said to have a life of its own! Also, Albert Einstein’s brain and eyeballs are kept under lock somewhere in New York… That one took a spooky turn, but hey, that’s New York for you! So with these tidbits that we’ve just shared with you, you might get the gist that New York City is one of the most diverse in the world, and it’s no wonder that it’s the most sung-about city ever, with 161 songs dedicated to this bustling metropolis. But, for more cool facts, you’ll have to keep on reading our article!
So, ready to delve deep into fun facts about New York? If so, you know what to do here! And in case you don’t know - just scroll on down below until you see the submissions, vote for the ones you liked the most, and share this New York trivia with your friends!
#1 The New York Public Library Has Over 50 Million Books
It would almost be a sin not to visit the Public Library, which has over 50 million books available, if you consider yourself a bookworm. In addition, the NYC Public Library's interior is beautiful and open to tourists.
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31points
#2 New York City Is Home To The First Pizzeria In America
Few people are aware that New York City is home to the country's first pizzeria, despite everyone agreeing that visiting the city would be incomplete without eating your weight in pizza. So when Genaro Lombardi, a native of Naples, Italy, opened Lombardi's Pizza in 1905, a great American love affair with pizza was surely ignited.
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29points
#3 Central Park Is The Most Filmed Location In The World
More movies are filmed at Central Parkway than anywhere else on the planet. For instance, Trafalgar Square in London, which has 131 movie credits (as opposed to Central Park's 530+), is the second-most frequently filmed site in the world.
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28points
#4 Grand Central Terminal Has A Whispering Gallery
There is an astonishing architectural marvel in the dome walkways of New York's renowned Grand Central Terminal. If one person is in one corner of the tiled wall and the other is on the opposite side, they can whisper to each other. And they will be able to hear one another!
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28points
#5 New York Was Originally Called New Amsterdam
In 1624, the Dutch established a settlement on Manhattan Island, which later became a part of the Dutch Republic. However, the island was named York after the Duke of York after the English captured it in 1664. As a result, New York has been the city's name since 1664.
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27points
#6 About 22% Of New York City’s Land Is Used For Public Parks
If you've ever been to New York City, you've experienced firsthand the beauty of the city's parks. There is no denying that New York City recognizes the value of public parks and takes appropriate action. How about this for a fun fact about New York City: 22% of the city is devoted to public parks.
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26points
#7 40% Of All Americans Can Trace Ancestry Through Ellis Island
Ellis Island is the statue of liberty's 27.5-acre home island. President Benjamin Harrison recognized it as one of the first Federal immigration stations in 1890 and it quickly developed into a bustling center for immigration. New York Harbor was the entry point for an astounding 14 million immigrants between 1886 and 1924.
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26points
#8 The Empire State Building Has Its Own Zip Code
You must use the building's exclusive zip code, 10118 if you need to mail something to the Empire State Building.
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25points
#9 Central Park Is Larger Than Monaco
Monaco's 520 acres are much smaller than Central Park's 843 acres. The window seat on a flight is ideal since you must view Central Park from above to appreciate its enormous size fully. Or, if you're feeling brave, go on a tour in a helicopter to see the sights.
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25points
#10 It’s Not Illegal To Go Topless In New York
Although it's unlikely that you'll see many topless people in New York City, it's nevertheless interesting to know that it's legal. In 2018 there was even a “Go Topless Day Parade” where people walked around topless in the city.
24points
#11 New Yorkers Bite 10 Times More People Than Sharks Do Worldwide
Data on the incidence of "biting" attacks in New York City was gathered in the 1980s, covering a wide range of incidents from "dog bites human" to "person bites human" to "parrot bites a human." The number of people who other people in New York City bit was ten times higher than the number of shark attacks in the US.
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24points
#12 More Than 8 Million People Call NYC Their Home
One in every 38 Americans lives in New York City, which has a population of more than 8.5 million. In other words, New York City has a larger population than 40 of the 50 states in the United States.
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23points
#13 Albert Einstein’s Brain And Eyeballs Are Kept In A Safe Box In New York City
22points
#14 It Would Take You 24 Hours To Travel The Length Of The NYC Subway
Because the massive NYC subway system encompasses 34 distinct lines, 469 stops, a network of approximately 722 miles of track, a distance of 245 miles, and four distinct boroughs, you would need at least 24 hours to complete the journey.
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22points
#15 4.3 Million People Use The Subway Daily
more than 4.3 million people use the subway daily in New York City. In other words, more than 1 billion people utilize the subway annually.
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21points
#16 The New York City Federal Reserve Bank Has The World's Largest Gold Storage
The largest gold storage facility in the world is kept by the New York City Federal Reserve, which is situated in Lower Manhattan's Financial District. The bank has a vault 80 feet below the earth that contains over 7,000 tons of gold bars worth over $90 billion. This quantity of gold is equal to 5% of the total gold mined worldwide. Interestingly, a bank tour includes a stop at the store!
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21points
#17 By 1850, More Native-Born Irish Lived In New York City Than Dublin
1850, New York City had more native-born Irish residents than Dublin, the capital of Ireland, as a result of the "Great Famine" (often known as "The Potato Famine") and political upheaval that caused many to flee their nation. Over two million Irish immigrants arrived in New York City to begin a new, flourishing life in the New World.
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21points
#18 New York City Is A Birding Paradise
Walking around Central Park without coming across a birder is practically impossible, especially during the spring migration season. 275 of the 800 species of North American birds known to exist have been seen in Central Park alone. During the migration season, some birders claim to have seen 100 species in a single day.
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20points
#19 There’s 520 Miles Of Coastline In NYC
More shorelines can be found in New York City than in Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. The city is made up of five boroughs, each of which has a long shoreline, in addition to Manhattan being an island. Several public parks are situated right at the water's edge, so you can quickly get water views whenever you want.
20points
#20 The “Pizza Principle”
The Pizza Principle, a little-known economic theory, contends that the price of a subway journey and a pizza slice should remain equivalent. In actuality, for more than 50 years, the price of these two things has been rising concurrently. The theory still applies since a one-way metro pass costs $2.75, and you can locate a slice for that price.
20points