For centuries, New York City has been a foundry for ideas, movements, innovations and brands that have helped define a nation, even a world. It’s safe to say that food, culture, political and social thought and any number of other categories would not be the same without the City’s many and varied contributions. It’s impossible to name them all, or even a sliver, but we’re going to make a small, representative start—and, like NYC does with its own list of accomplishments, keep adding to it as time goes by. Read on, and continue to check back for more.
National Biscuit Company Building, W. 15th St. & 10th Ave, Manhattan. Courtesy, Library of Congress
Courtesy, Chelsea Market
The Oreo
What it is: A delicious sandwich cookie with crisp chocolate wafers on either side of a vanilla cream filling
When and where it’s from: First produced in 1912 at the Nabisco Factory, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues and West 15th and West 16th Streets, Meatpacking District, Manhattan
The story: The Oreo biscuit sandwich was launched by National Biscuit Company in what is now Manhattan’s Chelsea Market. The world’s top-selling cookie wasn’t quite the first of its kind—Hydrox, a similar product, made its debut as a popular dessert four years earlier—but history has declared a winner. Whether for its intricate embossed design—slightly altered early on but unchanged for nearly 75 years now—or balance of texture and flavor, Oreo is the chocolatey confection cookie that millions twist apart and eat every day.
Where to experience it now: Chelsea Market, full of shops and eateries, retains a few interior wall murals of Oreos from its factory days. The influence of the cookie can also be felt at events like the annual San Gennaro Feast in Manhattan’s Little Italy, where you can find deep-fried examples, and bakeries such as the East Village’s Red Gate, which does its own version.
Did you know? Long before there were limited-edition flavors of the cookie, Oreo had an early lemon variation. It was short-lived and discontinued in the 1920s.
Curve at Brooklyn Terminal, New York & Brooklyn Bridge / Geo. P. Hall & Son., ca. 1898. Courtesy, Library of Congress
Roosevelt Island Tramway. Photo: Brittany Petronella
The First Streetcar
What it is: A mode of public transportation that no longer exists in NYC
When and where it started: November 14, 1832; running between Prince Street and 14th Street along the Bowery and Fourth Avenue, in Lower Manhattan
The story: Public transportation has been a critical part of NYC’s infrastructure for a couple of centuries, with this early development just one example. It was essentially a horse-drawn bus—which had existed prior—but with the added benefit of being on rails, which aided in stability and comfort. These first streetcars had three compartments with separate entrances, upholstered seats and glass windows (a real boon for all those 19th-century lookie-loos). As it turns out, it was also faster and cheaper than regular horse-drawn buses. A trip on the John Mason, named after its benefactor, who owned sizable chunk of Fifth Avenue in Midtown, cost a dime.
Where to experience it now: You can’t. The last streetcar service ended in 1957 on Roosevelt Island, whose tram we have pictured here. But as you probably know, NYC is big public transportation town. With trains, subway, buses, ferries, bikes, rideshares and more, there’s no end of the options when it comes to getting around.
Did you know? It’s unclear how long the first streetcar would have taken back then to get to its final destination, but if you want to walk the route today, know that it only takes around 20 minutes.
Federal Hall, Wall Street, Lower Manhattan. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV
US Congress and Presidency
What it is: You know, the legislative and executive branches of our government
When and where it started: With George Washington’s 1789 inauguration at Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street, in Lower Manhattan
The story: New York City Hall underwent a remodeling to become Federal Hall in time for the first presidential inauguration, as local politicos wanted to establish the City as the capital and seat of US government. That dream (and reality) only lasted a year before the capital moved to Philadelphia and then, in 1800, to Washington, DC, where it remains today. Still, George Washington’s presidency began right here, with an oath taken on the second-floor balcony, a speech and fireworks; Congress met here too, beginning in spring 1789, before moving out of state the following year.
Where to experience it now: The Federal Hall of today, fronted by a statue of Washington, was reconstructed in 1842 and has served as a museum (now under restoration but open to the public). Washington’s legacy can be felt as well at nearby Fraunces Tavern, where he was said to have bid farewell to his officers following the American Revolution. And you can tour the current City Hall, a bit north; it holds what it calls the “largest local government archive in North America.”
Did you know? Pierre Charles l’Enfant, who designed the plans for Washington, DC, got some practice here when overseeing the conversion of City Hall to Federal Hall.
The Negro Motorist Green-Book: 1940. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Apollo Theater. Photo: Lucia Vazquez
The Negro Motorist Green Book
What it is: A now-defunct guide for Black travelers seeking to safely navigate the United States, published during times of deep racial animosity in the country
When and where it started: 1936 in Harlem; the final edition was released in 1966, not long after the Civil Rights Act made discrimination illegal
The story: Though the covers of some editions were indeed its eponymous color, The Negro Motorist Green Book takes its name from its founder, Victor Hugo Green, a postal employee and Harlemite. In the early 20th century, Jim Crow laws made travel dangerous for Black Americans, so Green began compiling lists of gas stations, accommodations, restaurants and other businesses that would serve them without difficulty and ended up printing around 15,000 copies annually. Though travel across the South was particularly fraught, the first edition of The Green Book covered only the immediate vicinity of New York City. The book’s scope later expanded to cover the country, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Where to experience it now: You can browse digital copies courtesy of the New York Public Library, but if you want to see it in person, head to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. For more on the topic, read our interview with photographer and historian Candacy Taylor.
Did you know? The 1936 edition cost 25 cents. In 2015, a copy of the 1941 edition sold for $22,500.
Stonewall Inn, 1969. Photo: Diana Davies. Courtesy, New York Public Library
Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Courtesy of EDG: Architecture & Engineering
The Modern Gay Rights Movement
What it is: The ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights
When and where it started: Though the fight long predates the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, that day at the Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village, marked an inflection point for the United States—and the world.
The story: In the early morning hours of that summer Saturday, the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, the longstanding (and still open) West Village bar, with a warrant to investigate the illegal sale of alcohol. But that action was a mere pretense for the officers—and by extension, the government—to target the community, and a series of sometimes-violent protests erupted. On the first anniversary of the uprising, parades in support of LGBTQ+ people were held in cities across the nation, including, of course, in NYC. Those evolved into today’s Pride Marches, now held in cities everywhere, and in the years since, NYC has consistently been at the forefront of helping to advance the cause. In 2016, President Obama designated the bar and the pocket park outside of it the Stonewall National Monument, the first such monument to the queer community in the country.
Where to experience it now: Pretty much everywhere in NYC. The City’s queer community is active, dynamic and a vital part of our destination’s character. Visitors can get a sense of that every June during Pride Month, but there’s no need to wait a whole year. See our LGBTQ+ section for suggestions. Here’s one to get you started: head to the West Village for a drink at the Stonewall Inn. You can get a sense of what that’s like here. Adjacent is the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, which opened to the public in 2024.
Did you know? In 2019, on the 50th anniversary of the uprising, WorldPride came to the US for the first time. It was the largest LGBTQ+ event in history.
The Cold Crush Brothers at the Dixie Club during the filming of Wild Style, 1981. Photo: Joe Conzo
Notorious B.I.G. mural, Naoufal “Rocko” Alaoui & Scott "Zimer" Zimmerman. Photo: Nicholas Knight
Hip-Hop
What it is: A global cultural force that is far more than just rap music; its original pillars included B-boying, MCing, DJing and graffiti, but it encompasses fashion, art and a whole lot more
When and where it started: On August 11, 1973 at a Bronx house party hosted by Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) and his sister, Cindy Campbell, at 1520 Sedgwick Ave., in Morris Heights
The story: At the party, Herc created “breaks” with records on turntables, repeating specific drum beats in songs. His two-turntable model of taking existing recordings (funk, R&B and such) to make new sounds spread to parks and block parties; DJs became more advanced, MCs developed ever-more-intricate raps over the music, and listeners worked out new breakdance moves. The music and movement spread, with each borough (and cities across the US) creating its own sound and roster of artists—NYC superstars and innovators over the years include Grandmaster Flash (Bronx), Salt-N-Pepa (Queens), Wu-Tang Clan (Staten Island), Jay-Z (Brooklyn) and Kurtis Blow (Manhattan); meanwhile, the culture expanded in all kinds of ways through street art, movies, collaborations, artists turning into entrepreneurs and the like. While NYC has produced lots of different styles of music and influential bands, little can compete with this one; there is really no cultural realm hip-hop hasn’t touched.
Where to experience it now: Everywhere, basically. Shops and restaurants. Art galleries. Street murals. And, of course, in the music you (or at least your kids) listen to every day.
Did you know? Breaking debuted as an Olympic sport in 2024.
Courtesy, St. Regis
St. Regis. Courtesy, Getty Images
Bloody Mary
What it is: A cocktail, typically associated with brunch, that comprises tomato juice, vodka and some assortment of Worcestershire sauce, lemon, pepper and horseradish along with garnishes such as olives, celery or pickled green beans
When and where it started: In 1934 at The St. Regis Hotel, Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in Midtown Manhattan
The story: Did it start here? We choose to believe so, though there is a shred of doubt (at least in terms of the basic idea versus the common interpretation). Bartender Fernand Petiot, who had moved to the City after tending bar in London and Paris, claims to have made the modern concoction that elaborated on a mix of tomato juice and vodka—some reports have Petiot making the NYC version with gin—in the St. Regis’ King Cole Bar. The St. Regis owner, Vincent Astor (of those Astors—he inherited it from his father, John Jacob, who perished on the Titanic), purportedly had the drink renamed for propriety’s sake, and it remains known as the Red Snapper—with vodka, thank you—at the hotel’s bar.
Where to experience it now: The King Cole Bar just reopened after a facelift, so you can sip the drink in the regal surroundings of its creation—complete with a famous mural as a backdrop (see below). Still, nearly any NYC brunch place worth its celery salt will do one; consider as well the offering at Greenwich Village’s Dante, with cold-pressed vegetables and house-made pickles.
Alexander Hamilton Grave. Photo: Marley White
Hamilton, The Musical. Photo: Joan Marcus
Hamilton
What it is: A wildly popular contemporary musical and the country’s first Secretary of the Treasury
When and where it started: The musical premiered on February 17, 2015, at the Public Theater in Lower Manhattan. Alexander Hamilton was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis on January 11, 1757 (or 1755—his birthdate remains unclear)
The story: Lin-Manuel Miranda based his musical on Ron Chernow’s celebrated 2004 biography of the famed founding father. The story follows Hamilton’s trials and tribulations through the American Revolution right up to his sensational demise following a pistol duel with US Vice President Aaron Burr. Among the musical’s ingenious inventions is the use of hip-hop in its music and book, along with casting non-white actors as the principal players. The musical is also our official partner of Founded By NYC—our ongoing celebrations of the 400th anniversary of New York City and 250th anniversary of the United States.
Where to experience it now: Richard Rodgers Theatre, on West 46th Street in Manhattan. We highly recommend seeing the show—there’s good reason for all the hype. For those who are more interested in the historic figure, see our guide to real-life Hamilton locations across NYC.
Did you know? Hamilton’s grave is located at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan. Miranda, meanwhile, continues to create NYC-influenced work: his latest is a musical adaptation of The Warriors, the classic 1970s cult film. (It’s just an album. For now.)
Luna Park. Photo: Irving Underhill. Courtesy, Library of Congress
The Cyclone. Photo: Julienne Schaer
The Roller-Coaster as Amusement Ride
What it is: The Switchback Railway was the first roller coaster to be built in the US specifically for use as an amusement park thrill ride; it traveled at a speed of 6 miles per hour
When and where it started: June 1884, at Coney Island, in Brooklyn
The story: Lots of people and places lay claim to the roller coaster, with some saying its origins date back to icy slides built in Russia centuries ago. But it was La Marcus Thompson, known as the father of the modern roller coaster, who obtained a patent for his “gravity switchback railway” in 1884 and fashioned it in Coney Island, NYC’s summer waterfront resort. It was slow and short by today’s standards, but it helped Coney Island become even more of a destination for summertime pleasure seekers, paving the way for the development of the original Luna Park in 1903 and the 1927 construction of the Cyclone, one of the oldest extant wooden roller coasters in the world.
Where to experience it now: Well, it’s still Coney Islan, with the thrill-inducing Cyclone and the relatively new (2014) Thunderbolt, which has a near vertical climb (and descent).
Did you know? Coney Island had three coasters built during the 1920s: the original Thunderbolt, the Tornado and the Cyclone. The Tornado was badly damaged by fire in 1977 and then demolished, and the Thunderbolt closed in 1982; the last one standing, the Cyclone, was rescued from demolition and refurbished in the mid-1970s and again in 2016.
Flushing Remonstrance. Courtesy, National Park Service - Federal Hall NM
Freedom of Religion
What it is: One of the US Constitution’s bedrock principles and a hallmark of democracies around the globe, not to mention a good reason why New York City has remained a flourishing business center for four centuries
When and where it started: On December 27, 1657 (so yes, nearly 120 years before the founding of the United States), in Flushing, Queens
The story: Admittedly, this is a far more complex tale than can be rendered here. Essentially what happened was that the Dutch, part of whose New Netherland colony eventually became NYC, brought to the five boroughs an abiding sense of religious acceptance (this in contrast to the period’s other major European powers, who were locked in perpetual religious conflict). But Peter Stuyvesant, director-general of New Netherland, disagreed with that approach, taking a hardline stance against any immigrants who weren’t part of the Dutch Reformed Church. After his policies resulted in the persecution of Quakers, among others, a group of fed-up citizens signed what became known as the Flushing Remonstrance, a petition condemning intolerance. The original document was lost, but a contemporary copy is located at the New York State Archives in Albany. (For more on the topic, we recommend Russell Shorto’s article “The Importance of Flushing.”)
Where to experience it now: Flushing is a good place to start, as is the rest of NYC. The City has a dizzying array of faiths—it’s among the most religiously diverse places in the country.
Did you know? Even given the anachronistic language, the Flushing Remonstrance is an unequivocal barn burner. It reads, in part: “…if any of these said persons come in love unto us, we cannot in conscience lay violent hands upon them, but give them free egresse and regresse unto our Town, and houses, as God shall persuade our consciences….for we are bounde by the law of God and man to doe good unto all men and evil to noe man.”