Come Visit Us in
New York City
New York City is known for a lot of things, including iconic landmarks, stunning cultural diversity, world-class shopping and entertainment, and, of course, its historically revered jewelry district, a pocket of Midtown Manhattan that attracts jewelry buyers and sellers from around the globe. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
It might be one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, but New York City is more than just a place to visit. It’s a place to explore and immerse yourself in, with an endless array of things to do, see, buy, and engage with. It’s no wonder then that the city attracts people of all backgrounds, and certainly no accident that 64 million visitors per year make their way there per year.
If you’re looking for reasons to visit, or even move to New York City, you won’t have to look very far. We’ve put together a helpful guide to all that makes NYC so special, including can’t-miss landmarks and a quick look at where to go, what to do, and how to get around in The Big Apple.
New York City History & Beginnings
Modern-day New York City has its roots in the 1624 arrival of the Dutch on the southern tip of present-day Manhattan. These settlers named the area New Amsterdam after the largest city in the Netherlands, a name it would maintain for nearly half a century until the settlement was taken over by the English in 1664, who renamed it New York City. It was at this time that the city began to grow rapidly, quickly establishing itself as a hub for foreign trade and intelligence.
Much of the city we know and love today came about in the early half of the 19th century, with New York City claiming the title of largest city in the U.S. as early as 1835 (a title it still holds almost two hundred years later). This growth was fueled by unprecedented levels of immigration and industrialization, as well as the city’s early recognition as a haven for music, art, food, and architecture.
Now, New York City covers approximately 300 square miles in the southeastern region of New York state, bounded by five distinct boroughs each with its own unique style and sights. Perhaps F. Scott Fitzergerald said it best in The Great Gatsby, when he declared the city holds “the wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world.”
Boroughs of New
York City
The boundaries of New York City are defined by five boroughs:
- Manhattan, known for its skyline and bustling commercial economy
- The Bronx, home to the New York Yankees and birthplace of hip hop
- Brooklyn, site of the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, and around 70 unique neighborhoods
- Queens, known for being one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse urban areas in the world
- Staten Island, one of the best spots for viewing the Statue of Liberty and exploring the city’s parks
Together, these boroughs form the core of New York City’s character, each with its own distinct identity, yet all contributing to the energy and complexity that define the city.
- Long Island, extending east from the city, includes both Brooklyn and Queens (part of NYC) as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties (not part of NYC), and offers beaches, suburbs, and historic towns.
- New Jersey, just across the Hudson River, is home to many who work in New York City and offers easy access via bridges, tunnels, and public transportation, making it an essential part of the greater metropolitan area.
Schools and Job Opportunities
The New York City Public School District is the largest in the country, maintaining more than 1,800 schools and serving the needs of more than a million students every year. The district includes both public and private institutions, plus a variety of international and special interest schools.
Some of the best K-12 schools in NYC include:
- Riverdale Country School, considered the best private high school in New York
- Stuyvesant High School, a renowned public college-preparatory school in Manhattan
- NEST (New Explorations into Science, Technology, and Math School), a K-12 STEM academy ranked among the best public elementary schools in the city
New York City also has its fair share of exceptional colleges and universities, among them New York University, Columbia University, Fordham University, and Yeshiva University.
On the job front, NYC’s burgeoning economy offers opportunities in all sorts of sectors, in particular financial services, healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. There is also a huge hospitality industry serving the city’s many millions of yearly tourists.
New York City Public Transportation
NYC has one of the world’s oldest and best public transportation systems. And it’s the largest on the continent, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) stretching across 665 miles of subway tracks alone and servicing more than a billion people per year. In addition to the subway, the city maintains an extensive network of buses, ferries, and trams.
Those who prefer to get around in their own car can easily traverse the city via several main highways, including I-95, I-87, the West Side Highway, and the Trans-Manhattan Expressway. Just leave some extra time to get to your destination, while roadways in New York City may be ample, they’re also the world’s most congested.
Landmarks and Must-See Sights
There’s something for everyone in NYC. What you choose to explore depends on where you’re staying and what you’re drawn to, though even then you’ll likely have a tough time narrowing down what to do.
- For architecture lovers: Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, New York State Supreme Court Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center
- For museum lovers: American Museum of Natural History, Museum of the City of New York, New Museum, Tenement Museum
- For art lovers: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, Rubin Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art
- For sightseers: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Washington Square Park, Broadway, Coney Island
- For nature lovers: The High Line, The Met Cloisters, Little Island, Bryant Park
- For foodies: Michelin-starred Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Le Pavillon, Jungsik
Qollateral: Located in the Heart of NYC’s Diamond District
Our office is located in the Diamond District at 50 W 47th Street, Suite 319, New York, NY 10036, just steps away from the Rockefeller Center subway station.
The Diamond District, stretched along a single block in Midtown Manhattan, is New York City’s jewelry mecca. And rightfully so: 90% of the diamonds that come into the United States pass through NYC. Get transported back to the city’s sparkling past, and meet with our collateral loan experts while you’re here to sell or borrow against high-end assets like:
- Luxury watches
- High-end jewelry
- Designer handbags
- Rare collectibles
- Gold and precious metals
- Collectible art
- And of course, diamonds.
You can reach us easily via the B, D, F, and M trains. Please note: the B and M lines operate on weekdays only, while the F train runs during rush hours in the peak direction.
If you’re driving, a parking lot is available just around the corner at 55 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036.
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