New York City Rental Car and NYC Historical Landmarks

A visit to the Big Apple wouldn’t be complete without a look at some of the city’s impressive historical landmarks and monument, so grab a map and gas up that New York City car rental! The Big Apple is currently home to hundreds of historically significant attractions, including everything from statues and monuments, to buildings and parks. These landmarks are both aesthetically pleasing and educationally rewarding, so don’t miss your chance to check them out up close during your New York City car rental vacation.

Recognizing Landmarks in NYC

Since 1965 the Landmarks Preservation Commission has been hard at work ensuring the safety of New York’s precious monuments, designating each within one of the following four categories:

Individual or Exterior Landmarks – i.e. Grand Central Station and the Brooklyn Bridge: these landmarks are fixed structures and/or buildings found throughout the city. Although many of the city’s most important buildings have been restored and preserved, countless have also been destroyed. These buildings include the Astor Theater, Morosco Theater and the old Pennsylvania Railroad Station.
Interior Landmarks – i.e. the Embassy Theater and the lobby of the Chrysler Building: these interior landmarks are open to the public and are considered of special historical significance of the city. Although many of these landmarks have been renovated and reopened as something new, (for example the Embassy Theater is no used as the Times Square Visitors Center), they still represent a unique aspect of NYC’s history.
Scenic Landmarks – i.e. Central Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park – these landmarks are city owned properties considered of irreplaceable value to the community at large.
Historic Districts – i.e. the SoHo-Cast Iron District and the Staten Island St. George-New Brighten Historic District: these communities may or may not contain an Individual or Exterior Landmark and must embody a distinct “sense of space and time”. These neighborhoods often represent a certain period of architectural style.

These four categories are based on the fundamental criteria of landmark laws, meaning that they must embody “a special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation”. Since the New York City’s Landmarks Commission inception in 1965 over 1,100 historical landmarks have been salvaged, along with upwards of 70 important historical districts. These attractions are located throughout the Big Apple, so Prestige reminds you to keep an eye out for unique architecture when driving around in your upcoming New York City car rental!

Exciting Historical Sites in NYC

Prestige Car Rentals encourages you to take the time and check out some of the city’s stunning landmarks, including the following sites:

The Morris-Jumel Mansion: The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest house in New York City. Located in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, the Morris-Jumel Mansion served as George Washington’s command post at one point
Inside the Plaza Hotel: The Plaza Hotel is currently home to eight interior landmarks. These include the Palm Court, the Grand Ballroom, the Terrace Room, the Edwardian Room, the Oak Room, the Oak Bar, the Fifth Avenue Lobby and the 59th Street Lobby

If you’re interested in learning more about New York City’s culturally historic landmarks please feel free to visit the official homepage of the city’s Landmark Commission, which can easily be found one of the city’s government websites, www.nyc.gov. This site currently contains tons of helpful information on the city’s landmarks, along with detailed maps and some answers to frequently asked questions. If you would like to visit the LPC during your upcoming New York City car rental simple stop by the Municipal Building, which is located at the corner of Center Street and Chambers Street (directly across from City Hall).