Photos: 50 reasons why NYC is the greatest city in the world (slide show)
Flip through Time Out’s list of facts that prove why NYC is better than every other city out there, all in one handy slide show.
Tue Mar 5 2013
Our slide show of the 50 reasons why we think NYC is the greatest city in the world is a handy reminder of why New York is unforgettable—thanks to the Empire State Building, the subway and other only-in-NYC icons. Take a spin through these New York photos, and if you think we left anything out, tweet at @TimeOutNewYork with the hashtag #NYCIsTheGreatest to sound off on why you think NYC is the greatest city in the world.
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we have the most iconic skyline
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Photograph: Museum of the City of New York
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because of Manhattan’s grid
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Photograph: Filip Wolak
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because our bars are open until 4am
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Photograph: Krista Schlueter
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because the Manhattan cocktail was invented here, and we’d like to see someone try to make it better than we do
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New Yorkers live longer than almost anyone else
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because, believe it or not, you can still find a rent-stabilized apartment in NYC
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we invented hip-hop and still do it better than any other city
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Photograph: Grace Chu
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because our LGBT scene is actually an LGBT scene
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Photograph: Jon Klemm
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because bands blow up after playing here
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Photograph: Joan Marcus
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New York is the home of the musical—which we still do better than anyone else in the world
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Photograph: Joseph Moran
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because in the summer, you can see tons of world-class music and performance art without spending a dime
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Photograph: Jena Cumbo
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because of bodega cats
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Photograph: Eric H. Brown
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because it’s impossible to feel nerdy here
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Photograph: David Rosenzweig
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because unlike other metros, our subway runs 24/7
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because even though some cities claim to have better coffee, New York has the most coffee
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Illustration: Giuseppe Paolo
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because NYC is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world—and we’re working to keep it that way
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because space constraints mean we get creative with our cultural hot spots
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Photograph: Lizz Kuehl
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because you can eat pretty much anything at any time
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because NYC inspired Bob Dylan—and some downtown movement called punk
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because Sesame Street was invented and takes place here
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Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because there’s room for innovation and tradition to coexist
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Photograph: Krista Schlueter
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because the power of our pizza draws in thousands—including former heads of state—to sample both classic and innovative pies
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Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because, for as little as $50, you can own a piece of New York City. Sort of
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Photograph: Francine Daveta
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because you can see A-list comics for cheap in intimate spaces nearly every night of the week
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Our warhorses take a licking and keep on ticking
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Photograph: Kathryn Kirk
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we have both a publishing capital (Manhattan) and a writers’ residential capital (Brooklyn)
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Photograph: Lance Edmonds
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because the city is in the throes of an independent-bookstore renaissance
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Photograph: Everett Collection / Rex USA
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because, for most New Yorkers, Jean-Luc Picard is just another dude who lives in Park Slope
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New York City is responsible for some of the world’s most useful—and, okay, frivolous—inventions
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because other cities often copy projects that started or were perfected here—look at the High Line
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because the city’s water supply gives New York some of the best-tasting tap water around
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because you can travel the world without leaving the boroughs
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Photograph: Melissa Sinclair
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we have the most theaters in the world—by a long shot
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New York City is the most recognizable pop-culture reference point
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Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because NYC has the second-largest Jewish population in the world—a massive influence on the city’s identity
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Photograph: Filip Wolak
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because our lack of space promotes a creatively willful ignorance
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New York is truly a 24-hour city
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because countless songwriters created their masterpieces here
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Photograph: Jolie Ruben
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because of the breadth of our movie screenings—NYC has an array of venues catering to every different taste
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Photograph: Michael Kirby
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because you can hear first-rate jazz performers—both seasoned veterans and hot contenders—playing live every day of the week, 365 days a year
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because NYC has the best menswear designers
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Photograph: Sean Ellingson
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because you can visit independent shops, high-end designers and legendary department stores in one day
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because the absurd and the mundane coexist harmoniously here
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New York was a pioneer in modern engineering
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because NYC is the media epicenter of the world, with enough room for both staid institutions and innovative publications
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Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because indie and public radio still have a place here
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Photograph: Richard Burrowes
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we have a gay funplex in midtown
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Photograph: Michael Kirby
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we have more culture than anyone could possibly see in one week—maybe even one lifetime
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Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because New Yorkers come together—in ways small and large—after crises
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Photograph: Aurelie Joly
Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
Because we’re arrogant enough to do this list in the first place
You might also like
See more in Things to Do
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50 reasons why NYC is the greatest city in the world
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Editor's letter: Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
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Why notable New Yorkers think NYC is the greatest city
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Photos: 50 reasons why NYC is the greatest city in the world (slide show)
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New York photos: readers' pictures of NYC (slide show)
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Q&A: Delocated star and creator Jon Glaser (video)
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Why NYC is the best city in the world to raise kids
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