From the lively nightlife of West 4th Street to the world-famous billboards of Times Square, New York City upholds its reputation as the world’s music and entertainment capital. Though many of New York’s prominent locations have changed dramatically, some have withstood the tests of time. West 4th Street was a mecca for folk musicians during the Great Depression and continues to host many musical venues. Times Square continues its colorful tradition of movies, theater, and comedy. From the vaudeville productions of the early 20th century to modern-day Broadway shows, Times Square remains a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. Both locations provide the quintessential New York experience and give the visitor a glimpse of a colorful past.
Culture
New York City is rich in its history of culture. It is home to many great artists and writers as well as theaters and venues. During the Great Depression of the 1930’s and the Great Recession of 2008, culture in different areas of the city changed and developed in unique ways.
Culture in areas of West 4th
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Culture in areas of Broadway/Lafayette
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Entertainment
When times get rough, people turn to entertainment for relief. In New York, Times Square and Coney Island have long provided city residents with entertainment options. After the Great Depression, the neighborhood of Coney Island steadily worsened while Times Square steadily improved. In the past two decades, city and private investment in both areas has resulted in their revitalization, however.
Entertainment in Coney Island
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Entertainment in Times Square
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Food
Despite various economic conditions, people always seem to take an interest in food and flock towards restaurants; perhaps this is why New York City has become arguably the culinary epicenter of the world. Even when the Great Depression hit New York City, high-end restaurants continued to thrive, despite their expensive ($4.95 was a splurge at the time!) prices. Today, food is still an essential aspect in Manhattan’s culture, for it is the home for many iconic restaurants. Whether they were built in the 1940s or the 2000s, restaurants in Manhattan today still continue to lure in both New Yorkers and tourists, and we couldn’t resist visiting nine.
Grand Central
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Jackson Heights
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West 4th
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Union Square & 23rd Street
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Finance and Real Estate
The financial services industry is an integral part of New York City. New York is home to countless banks, some of which were partly responsible for the economic downturn of the national and world economy both during the Great Depression and the Great Recession. Our research focuses on areas where the headquarters of some of the largest financial institutions reside.
125th Street
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Fulton/Nassau
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Rockefeller Center
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Immigration
New York City has long been one of the most diverse places in the United States and a magnet for immigration. Various neighborhoods in the city reflect this multicultural aspect. For example, Jackson Heights has large populations of Asian and Latino immigrants. Canal Street is home to many Chinese newcomers, and Essex and Delancey was once the city’s best known Jewish neighborhood.
Essex Street/Delancey Street
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Canal Street
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Jackson Heights
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Flatbush
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Protests
From the unemployment riots of the 1930s to the ever-changing agenda of Occupy Wall Street, protests significantly shape the attitudes of New Yorkers. The city is a gathering center for groups and individuals who fearlessly voice their opinions and propose changes to the status quo. Their methods may differ and their sanity may occasionally be questioned, but their actions never fail to attract public attention–and bring upon change. Although the social and political landscapes of New York changed throughout the years, protesters have always had one goal in common: a fight for change and acceptance. In an aim to create a free and more accepting society, like-minded groups went out to the streets and voiced their discontent. As we explore the protests and issues of then and now we may, in fact, find more similarities than differences.
Union Sqaure
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Zuccotti Park/Fulton-Nassau
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