In 1982, President Ronald Reagan asked Lee Iacocca, then Chairman of Chrysler Corporation, to head a private sector effort to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation (SOLEIF) was founded.
The Foundation's fundraising drive sparked a dramatic response. The American people contributed more than $500 million (and counting!) to the repair, restoration, and maintenance of these two great monuments to freedom. All funds for the Foundation’s projects have come from the American people – no government funds have been used.

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The development was was conceived on the verge of the Great Depression, and Rockefeller financed the center personally, making it the largest private building project in modern history at the time.
The complex was designed by a team of architects and artists, who created a collection of buildings with a strong Art Deco aesthetic. The buildings are adorned with sculptures, mosaics, and murals that reflect the cultural and social influences of the time. The centerpiece of the complex is the 70-story Rockefeller Plaza, which was the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1933.
Today, Rockefeller Center is one of the world's most famous tourist destinations and a vibrant commercial hub. It is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as the famous ice rink and Christmas tree that are on display during the holiday season. The complex also includes the NBC Studios, where many popular television shows are filmed, and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Rockefeller Center is a true representation of the people, and it is an architectural and cultural treasure of New York City. It is a symbol of the city's resilience, determination, and innovation, and it continues to be a vital part of the city's economy and cultural fabric.

Wolfe’s Pond Park contains mature upland woods, swamp forest, open marsh, ponds, and shoreline on Raritan Bay, making it one of the most diverse parks in the city. This large park is a refuge for scores of native plants and animals in a rapidly developing area of the city. The beach is part of the shoreline strand that runs continuously from Ward’s Point in Conference House Park, north through Mount Loretto and Lemon Creek Preserve, to Wolfe’s Pond Park.

Aqueduct Race Track, also known as Aqueduct Racetrack or simply Aqueduct, is a horse racing track located in Queens, New York. The track is part of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and is open for live racing throughout the year. The track has three separate tracks: a main dirt track, an inner turf course and an outer turf course. Aqueduct is home to several major horse racing events throughout the year, including the Wood Memorial Stakes, the Gotham Stakes, and the Cigar Mile Handicap. These events attract some of the top horses and jockeys in the sport and offer significant purse money to the winners. The track also hosts the New York Racing Festival, which features several graded stakes races.
The track was originally opened in 1894, and has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2011, Aqueduct opened the Resorts World Casino New York City, which is now the largest casino in New York City and the only one in the five boroughs of New York City. The casino offers electronic slot machines and table games, and has a wide variety of dining and entertainment options.
Aqueduct Race Track is easily accessible by public transportation, with the A train subway line stopping at the Aqueduct-North Conduit Avenue station, which is a short walk from the track. The track also has a large parking lot for those who choose to drive.

Known for being the first house museum on Staten Island, this New York City museum is rich in history on many levels. Its name lies in honor for the peace conference of 1776, a commemoration. Constructed circa 1680 by Captain Christopher Billopp, this 2 story rubble-stone masonry masterpiece has been restored over the years, as needed for structural integrity. Its steep gable roof gives the essence of the period. By 1934, much work had been completed including the Colonial Rose Garden and planting 13 trees to represent the original colonies. House tours are offered Friday-Sunday at 1 pm. In the midst of a collection of artifacts from the era, it is almost like stepping back to the time when our great country was still forming. The beauty and serenity overpower you while walking the grounds. Spring and summer bring the vivid colors of the trees to life. Why not stop for a minute to quite literally “smell the roses”? When the sun is descending, gaze over to the waterfront to enjoy the unparalleled sunset that exudes tangerine hues amid a backdrop of amber with scattered tones of violet entice you to just stand in awe of the beauty that is happening right before your eyes.

Winter, lights twinkling on the tree, skaters gliding across the ice, carols ringing in the air and the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Rockefeller Center is the nation's favorite Christmas destination. The spirit of the laborers who decorated the first tree on the site almost seventy years ago lives on in the giant, gloriously lit spruce that graces the Plaza throughout the holiday season. The tree lighting ceremony draws huge crowds eagerly awaiting the official start of the season. And for weeks, happy kids and harried commuters are stopped in their tracks by the sight of the gossamer angels with golden trumpets and the sound of music in the winter air.
This year, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular celebrates 85 magical years of the Rockettes and will perform to cities outside of New York including Nashville, Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis.
America's most popular entertainers have thrilled audiences at Radio City Music Hall since its doors opened December 27, 1932. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett to mention only a few of the celebrities and luminaries to grace the Great Stage.

The New York Botanical Gardens is a premier educational institution. Located just a brisk 25 minute bicycle ride from Sound View Park via Dr. Theodore Kazimiroff Blvd, this NYC attraction is surprisingly bicycle accessible and encourages travel as such. The Gardens offers many educational programs including the opportunity to graduate with certificates in botany, floral design and horticulture, just to name a few. Ongoing hands-on gardening activities for the whole family are also available, so check their schedule online, or just give them a call. The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is a year-round world of its own, boasting mazes, larger than life flowers, and many real time activities for your curious explorer. A prize bloom in the collection of Bronx attractions, it also actively participates in community outreach programs that expand nutritional education. Make sure you check out the Green Market, which carries a variety of produce available for purchase. Health-related screenings offered the 2nd Wednesday of every month by staff from both Montefiore Medical Center and St. Barnabas Hospital are another of the services that demonstrates their involvement in the surrounding communities. Their dedication to the conservation of the plants and fungi of the world through various scientific research associations places them on the world map.

New York Aquarium - where the City meets the Sea. As the only aquarium in New York City and part of the largest network of metropolitan wildlife parks in the country, the New York Aquarium holds a special place in the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society - To save wildlife and wild places around the globe.

A distinguished Smithsonian Affiliate, is Staten Island's premier destination for culture and entertainment. Set within a stunning 83-acre park-like setting, Snug Harbor presents a unique blend of gardens, museums, theaters, educational opportunities, and seasonal festivals.
Snug Harbor's historic grounds and Greek Revival buildings house arts organizations with the area's most vibrant and intriguing activities, providing numerous ways for visitors of all ages and backgorunds to explore. The richness of this captivating environment truly makes Snug Harbor the heart of Staten Island's social life and a must-see destination in the region.

Bargemusic is a unique concert venue located in Brooklyn, New York, moored just under the Brooklyn Bridge. The venue is housed on a renovated coffee barge and offers a wide range of musical performances up to five days a week, every week of the year. The intimate wood-paneled concert hall has a capacity of around 150 people, providing a truly unique and special experience for concert-goers.
The acoustics of the hall are excellent, making it the perfect venue for chamber music. The venue is praised for its acoustics by both critics and performers alike. Critics have called it "the perfect chamber-music hall" while artists say that it is "unlike any other place in the world to perform." The concert hall also offers stunning views of lower Manhattan, making it an ideal location to enjoy a concert while admiring the Manhattan skyline.
Bargemusic is a unique and exciting venue that offers a wide range of musical performances, from classical to contemporary, and the experience of the concert is enhanced by the wonderful views and acoustics of the hall. The experience of attending a concert at Bargemusic is truly one-of-a-kind, and it is a must-visit destination for music lovers visiting New York City.

Prospect Park is a public park located in Brooklyn, New York. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in Manhattan. Prospect Park covers 526 acres and offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors. The park features several notable attractions, including the Long Meadow, a 90-acre meadow that is popular for picnics and sunbathing; the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 52-acre garden that features a variety of plants, flowers, and trees; and the Prospect Park Zoo, which is home to over 300 species of animals. The park also has several lakes and ponds, including the Lullwater, which is popular for boating and fishing. Prospect Park also offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including bike and boat rentals, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ice skating in the winter. The park is also home to several playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for basketball, soccer, and handball. The park is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Lefferts Historic House, the Prospect Park Carousel and the Brooklyn Museum, which is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings.
Prospect Park is easily accessible by public transportation, with several subway and bus lines stopping at the Prospect Park station, which is located at the park's main entrance. The park also has several parking lots for those who choose to drive.
Prospect Park is a great place to spend a day with family and friends, with something for everyone to enjoy, and is considered as one of Brooklyn's most popular and important public spaces.

Flushing Meadow Corona Park is one of the greatest places in New York City. It has become the keystone park of Queens and a recreation and cultural hub for the region; yet, it was once just a dusty wasteland, "a valley of ashes" as F. Scott Fitzgerald dubbed it in the Great Gatsby. Its poetic, phoenix-like transformation from ash dump to oasis was driven by Queens' residents, the City and 1939 and 1965 World's Fair held in this park. These fairs put this park on the world's stage, and it has stayed there, hosting the United Nations General Assembly for five years, three baseball World Seres at Shea Stadium, and the U.S. Open.

In 1960, the Perkins-Freeman family deeded Wave Hill to the City of New York; Wave Hill, Inc., was formed in 1965 as a non-profit corporation. Today, as one of 33 City-owned cultural institutions, Wave Hill provides an oasis of serenity and offers programs in Horticulture, Environmental Education, Woodland Management and the Visual and Performing Arts. Through the arts and sciences, Wave Hill seeks to foster connections between people and nature.

The Queens Zoo, also known as the New York City Wildlife Conservation Center, is a wildlife park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. It was inaugurated in 1992 and covers an area of ​​18 hectares. Dedicated to showcasing the animals and habitats of the Americas, Queens Zoo features species native to the Americas, including Andean bears, moose, cougars, and emerald tree boas, among others. The zoo is the Chilean flamingo exhibit, home to a large flock of these distinctive birds. In addition to exhibiting a variety of animals, Queens Zoo is also dedicated to educating visitors about wildlife conservation and animal behavior. The zoo offers a variety of educational programs, including animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Overall, the Queens Zoo is a unique and educational destination that offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about America's animals and habitats. It's a great place for families and visitors of all ages to explore and discover the wonders of wildlife.

Historic Richmond Town is a living history museum located in Staten Island, New York. It is a complex of buildings and structures that have been carefully preserved to give visitors a glimpse into the past and a better understanding of the history and culture of Staten Island and New York City. The museum features over 30 historical structures, including a colonial-era courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and a variety of homes and businesses that were once located throughout Staten Island. Visitors can experience what life was like in the past through interactive exhibits, tours, and living history demonstrations. The museum is also home to the Staten Island Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Staten Island and its residents. The society's collections include artifacts, documents, and photographs that provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived on Staten Island throughout history.
The museum is open to visitors throughout the year and offers a variety of programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visitors can take a tour of the museum's buildings and structures, participate in hands-on activities, attend lectures and workshops, and explore the museum's gardens and grounds. The Decker Farm is also part of the museum's property, where visitors can enjoy the bountiful harvests of produce from its well-maintained and beautiful organic fields, and learn about the farming practices used in the past.
In Historic Richmond Town, visitors can live vicariously through history and really gain a feel for the true American experience. It's a great place to bring friends and family to create memories that will last a lifetime. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and engaging programs, it's easy to see why visitors keep coming back to this unique and historic museum.

Governors Island is a 172-acre island located in New York Harbor, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The island has a rich history, having been used as a military base, a quarantine station, and a Coast Guard station over the centuries. In recent years, it has been transformed into a public park and recreational destination. The island features several notable attractions, including the Governors Island National Monument, which includes the historic Castle Williams and Fort Jay, both of which date back to the early 19th century and offer a glimpse into the island's military past. The island also has a number of outdoor sculptures and art installations, including "The Hills," a series of man-made hills that offer panoramic views of the harbor and the city skyline. Governors Island is also home to several parks and green spaces, including Hammock Grove, which features over 50 hammocks for visitors to relax in, and the Island's 14 acres of public parkland. It also has several playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for basketball, soccer, and handball. Governors Island is also home to several cultural institutions such as the Figment Festival, an annual arts festival, and the Figment Art Park. It also hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings.
Governors Island is easily accessible by ferry, with a ferry terminal located at the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan and at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The island is open to the public from May to September, with free ferry service from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Governors Island is a unique destination that offers a mix of history, culture and recreation, making it a great place to spend a day with family and friends. Its location in New York harbor makes it an ideal spot to take in the panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

The New York Hall of Science is a place for everyone to explore, question and learn. It is the number one New York's hands-on science and technology center. It occupies one of the few remaining structures of the 1964 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the borough of Queens in New York City, easily accessible by public transportation or by car.
NYSCI promotes science and technology as important tools that help us understand ourselves and the world we live in. Join this unforgettable visit where learners of all inclination and ages can touch, manipulate and interact with more than 450 permanent exhibits, including the award-winning Science Playground, Preschool Place, Life Beyond Earth, Sports Challenge and the new Rocket Park Mini Golf. From mini-golf to microscopes, no matter how you like to learn, you will find opportunities at NYS. In addition to the permanent exhibits, NYSCI features a dynamic schedule of feature exhibitions, events, programs and workshops. NYSCI both creates exhibitions that travel, and hosts exhibitions from other institutions. NYSCI exhibitions have traveled nationally and internationally. NYSCI also offers many opportunities to bring fun-filled learning experiences into your classroom! NYSCI has events down to a science, offering space and services for Birthday Parties, School Events, Private Parties and more, transforming ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.

At the beginning of the 2009 Major League Baseball season the new Yankee Stadium opened its doors when the Yankees hosted a workout day in front of fans from the Bronx community. The first game at this brand new ballpark was a pre-season exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs, played on April 3, 2009, which the Yankees won 7-4. The new Yankee Stadium is located in the Bronx, across the street from the original Yankee Stadium. It is built on a 24 acre area and has a price tag of $1.5 billion, which makes it not only the most expensive baseball stadium ever built but also the third-most expensive stadium of any kind.
Have the time of your life when you participate on the Yankee Inside Experience program, where fans are treated to a game day like never before. Guests attending the program are provided with an opportunity to meet with a player on the Yankees current roster followed by a guided stadium tour and buffet lunch.

The Bronx is a microcosm of the story of America. The only one of New York City's five boroughs that is actually part of the mainland. The Bronx is home to 1.2 million people with a rich diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since colonial days, The Bronx has stood at the crossroads of American History.
The Bronx County Historical Society was founded in 1955 to preserve the heritage of this thriving community. The Society administers the colonial era Valentine-Varian House, which serves as the Museum of Bronx History; The Bronx County Archives; an extensive Research Library; and Poe Cottage, the final home of America's great 19th century poet and author, Edgar Allan Poe. Both historic houses are listed in the National Register of Historic Places