Think You Know NYC? Think Again
Sure, you might know of New York City (NYC) in bits and pieces. But chances are if you're not a local, there's probably a lot you still don't know about this iconic destination—like how it was once called "New Amsterdam" or how much it costs to sell hot dogs here. Are you ready to test your knowledge? Here are 20 surprising facts you likely didn't know about New York.
1. New York was Once "New Amsterdam"
New York wasn't always called the way we know it now. Back in the 17th century, Dutch settlers had called the city "New Amsterdam". It wasn't until it was under British control that it was renamed New York after the Duke of York.
George Henry Boughton (1833-1905) on Wikimedia
2. The Big Apple Nickname
You might be familiar with New York's nickname, "The Big Apple," but do you know where it originates from? Well, it was actually given by a sports journalist—John J. Fitz Gerald—who used the moniker in his horse-racing articles.
3. Diverse City
New York is one of the most diverse cities in the US, with over 800 languages spoken. Of these, the most popular dialects are English, Spanish, and Chinese, among many others. This technically shouldn't be surprising, given that the city is built by immigrants.
4. Richest City
You've surely heard all about those high-rise apartments in New York, with breathtaking views of the metropolis—and you've most certainly heard about how expensive it is to live in this beautiful city. Given that, maybe it's not much of a shock to know that New York is home to more billionaires—107 in total, to be exact—than anywhere else in the globe.
5. Eighth-Oldest Subway
For all the notoriety that New York's subway gets, most probably don't realize that it's considered the eighth-oldest metro in the world, having opened in 1904.
It's also one of the most intricate and busiest rapid transit systems, with 472 total stations.
6. Most-Filmed Location
New York City is one of the most-filmed cities in the world, appearing in some hundreds of films and only second to that of Hollywood-studded Los Angeles. But Central Park in particular is the metropolis' prized gem: it's deemed the most popular location set in cinema and has been credited in over 500 movies.
7. Empire State Building
At a height of 1,250 feet, while the Empire State Building isn't the tallest in the world, it still stands as the fourth-tallest in New York, and sixth in the entire country. And that's not all: this iconic skyscraper even has its own zip code: 10118.
8. Meet Me At the Clock
If you're not a New Yorker, you probably wouldn't understand the phrase "meet me at the clock". But the expression—which refers to the clock at the famous Grand Central Station—is one that's understood by every local in the city.
9. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses a historical collection of art—from paintings to sculptures and the oldest surviving piano in the world—that spans over some 5,000 years. Along with being the largest museum in the US (fourth-largest globally), it's also one of the most visited.
10. Einstein's... Eyeballs?
If you're an Albert Einstein fan, you may know that after his death in 1955, his brain was sectioned off to scientists around the world, though some pieces remain missing.
His eyeballs, however, are somewhere in New York City, hidden away in a safe deposit box.
11. Foodie Paradise
New York is a foodie's paradise, home to over 20,000 restaurants and numerous cuisines; in fact, it'd take you more than 20 years to eat your way through the city. If you're only up for Michelin-starred spots, though, you're in luck: there are over 70 Michelin-starred eateries here.
12. Toilet Paper Was Invented Here
That's right, folks. That essential tissue roll you need when you do your bathroom business was invented right in New York in 1857 by a fellow named Joseph C. Gayetty. Sold as "medicated paper for the water closet," these sheets were made from manila hemp and infused with aloe. They were also watermarked with his name.
13. Female-Dominated City
New York's population, according to statistics from 2023, is a whopping total of 8.2 million residents. And while that might not come as a surprise, this might: more than half of that number identify as female.
14. Honking Is Illegal
Believe it or not, honking is prohibited in New York when there's no immediate danger. Of course, that rule doesn't stop most people from blasting their horns, anyway. So how do they get caught? Well, there are noise cameras installed around the city, and a ticket can range from $800 to $2,500!
15. The Pizza Principle
Have you heard of the "Pizza Principle"? Known also as the "Pizza-Subway Connection," this is a humorous theory proposed by Eric M. Bram, who noted in The New York Times in 1980 that the cost of a pizza slice seems to always match that of NYC's subway fare.
16. The Statue of Liberty
The full name of this enduring monument is called "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World," and was gifted by France to the US on July 4, 1884, to symbolize freedom and democracy—and friendship between the two nations. It was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, and designated a National Monument in 1924.
17. Expensive Hot Dog Carts
Sure, there are many hot dog carts dotting the streets of New York, but did you know how much permits cost to park such a stand? Anywhere from $700 to a whopping $200,000, depending on where you set up shop!
Frank Schulenburg on Wikimedia
18. Times Square
Before this bustling tourist attraction was renamed to what you know it as now, it was previously called "Longacre Square," after London's carriage trade district, Long Acre. The birth of its new name came in 1904, when The New York Times' headquarters relocated to the Times Building, or present-day One Times Square.
19. Culinary Inventions
New York is home to some of the world's most creative and beloved culinary inventions—think eggs Benedict, the cronut (a crossover between a croissant and a donut), and New York-style pizza. You could probably eat something new every day.
20. Beautiful Waters
If you connected the coastlines of Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston, the combined total wouldn't even surpass the length of New York's shore. Stretching over 500 miles—520, to be exact—this is a paradise for water lovers.
