Why is New York City called the Big Apple?
John J. Fitzgerald, a horse-racing writer for The Morning Telegraph in the 1920s was the first to popularize the term "The Big Apple". While on assignment in New Orleans, Fitzgerald overheard stablehands refer to New York City racecourses as "The Big Apple". Fitzgerald loved the term so much that he named his racing column "Around the Big Apple", and the title to the column became synonymous with the New York racing scene. It was a decade later when jazz musicians picked up "The Big Apple" to refer to New York City as the jazz capital of the world. In the early 1970s, the name played an important part in reviving the city's tourism industry. Today, the nickname is known around the world and is synonymous with the cultural and tourist attractions of New York City.

Why are NYC Cabs Yellow?
John Hertz, the founder of the Yellow Cab Company in 1907, chose yellow because he had read a study that indicated it was the easiest color to spot.

How tall is the Statue of Liberty?
The Lady in the Harbor stands 101 feet tall from base to torch, 305 feet tall from pedestal foundation to torch. She weighs 450,000 pounds, has a 35-foot waist and an 8-foot index finger.

Is San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge longer
than New York's Verrazano-Narrows Bridge?
No. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (constructed in 1959-64) has a center span of 4,260 feet and an overall length of 13,700 feet. The towers are a few inches out of parallel to accommodate the curvature of the earth. In conparison, The George Washington Bridge (constructed in 1927-31) is 3,500 feet long.

How big is Central Park?
Central Park's 843 acres makes it more than twice the size of the Principality of Monaco. It was the first landscaped public park in the United States. About 1600 residents of shantytowns in the area were displaced, including Irish pig farmers, and German gardeners. Seneca Village, a black settlement at 8th Ave and 82nd St that had three churches and a school, was also demolished. 20,000 workers blasted out ridges with more gunpowder than was used in the Battle of Gettysburg, removed nearly 3 million cubic yards of soil, and planted more than 270,000 trees and shrubs. 2003 marks the Park's 150th Anniversary with a year-long celebration with something for everyone to enjoy. There will be art, music, sports, sandbox programs, dancing on the Plaza, a film festival, and fireworks.

When does the TKTS booth open?
TKTS has two locations - Times Square (47th & Broadway) hours of sale for discount (day-of-performance) tickets are 3pm-8pm Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat for 8pm performances; Tues 2pm-7pm for 7 o'clock curtains, 2pm-8pm for 8 o'clock curtains; Wed & Sat 10am-2pm for 2pm matinees; Sun 11am-7pm for all performances. The Lower Manhattan TKTS at the South Street Seaport (Front & John Sts, the rear of the building at 199 Water St) is open Mon - Sat for all evening performances: 11am - 6pm; Sun for evening performances: 11am - 3:30pm. PLEASE NOTE: matinee tickets, at this location only, must be purchased the day before. For example, Wednesday matinee tickets must be bought on Tuesday; Saturday matinee tickets bought on Friday; and Sunday matinee tickets bought on Saturday. TKTS accepts cash or travelers checks.

What time does rush hour begin?
Most workers have no choice and have to ride subways and buses at the busiest hours. As a visitor, try to avoid the crush between 7am and 9am, and between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

Where can I find a restaurant that permits smoking?
As of March 30, 2003, smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars. (Some restaurants with outdoor dining may set aside part of that space to accommodate smokers.) Restaurant and bar workers breathe in more second-hand smoke than any other occupational group and, as a result, are more likely to die from lung cancer. Smoke-free workplaces reduce serious health risks to staff and patrons. You cant smoke in taxis or on buses or subways.

How much should I tip?
A tip of at least 15 percent is usual for meals, taxis, and personal services such as haircuts or massages. Bellboys at hotels usually receive $1 per bag. Bartenders - $1 per drink. Many New Yorkers find it easiest to calculate the tip by doubling the tax (8.25 percent) on a restaurant bill.

Where can I find out-of-town newspapers?
Foreign and out-of-town newspapers can be found at Barnes & Noble book stores, Universal News Stand at 234 West 42nd St, or by calling wholesaler, Hotalings News Agency: (212) 974-9419 for the location of a newstand that carries the newpaper you want.