Page 88 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

86  NE W Y ORK CIT Y & THE MID-A TLANTIC REGION

mid-September to mid- development. This was the
December in the General first commercial project to
Assembly, the closest thing to a integrate gardens, dining, and
world parliament. shopping with office space.
The most powerful body is The number of buildings has
the Security Council, housed now grown to 19, though the
in the Conference Building. more modern structures do not
Here, delegates and their assis- match the Art Deco elegance
tants meet to confer on issues of the original 14. The center’s
related to inter national peace Channel Gardens, named after
and security. In 1988, the UN the English Channel because
Peacekeeping Forces were they separate the French and
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. British buildings, change with
The Trusteeship Council and the the calendar.
Economic and Social Council The centerpiece of the center
The exterior of the United Nations are in the same building. is the 70-story G.E. Building,
headquarters Daily hour-long guided tours headquarters of NBC studios.
show visitors the various council Backstage tours of the network’s
x United Nations chambers and General Assembly studios are a pop ular attraction.
hall, offering a behind-the- The TV show Today can also be
Map E3. 1st Ave at 46th St. Tel (212) scenes view of the organization viewed live every weekday
963-8687. q 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St– morning from the sidewalk in
Grand Central. @ M15, M27, M42, at work.
M50, M104. Open Jan–Feb: Mon–Fri front of the studio. A favorite
only; Mar–Dec: 9:30am–4:30pm daily. c Rockefeller attraction is the Top of the Rock
Closed Jan 1, Presidents’ Day, observatory on the 67th–70th
Memorial Day, Jul 4, Labor Day, Eid, Center floors. Another draw is the
Thanksgiving, Dec 25 (limited Map E3. 630 5th Ave between 49th & 1932 Radio City Music Hall.
schedule during year-end hols). 52nd Sts. n (212) 332-6868. q Once a movie palace, it now
& for tours. 7 8 Mon–Fri in 47th–50th Sts. 7 0 - 8 (212) hosts dazzling events, including
20 languages. Lectures, films. 0 = 664-7174 (reservations advised). Top the annual Christmas and
∑ un.org Easter shows. The center
of the Rock observatory: Tel 877-NYC-
ROCK. Open 8am–midnight daily. houses a skating rink
When New York was chosen ∑ rockefellercenter.com in winter.
as the UN head quarters,
philanthropist and multi- A city within a city, and
millionaire John D. Rockefeller Jr. a National Historic
donated $8.5 million for the Landmark, this urban
purchase of the East River site. wonder is the world’s
This complex was the creation largest privately owned
of American architect Wallace complex. Begun in the
Harrison and a team of inter- 1930s, it was built on a
national consultants. site leased by John D.
The United Nations was Rockefeller Jr. for a new
formed near the end of World opera house he had
War II to preserve world peace, planned. When the
promote self-deter mination, 1929 Depression
and to aid economic and scuttled the plans,
social well-being around the Rocke feller, stuck with a
globe. Currently 193 members long-term lease, went
meet regularly each year from ahead with his own Lovely view of Rockefeller Center

Works of Art at the UN
The UN Building has acquired numerous works of art and reproductions by major artists;
many have been gifts from member nations. Most of them have either a peace or
international friendship theme. The legend on Norman Rockwell’s The
Golden Rule reads “Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you.” Marc Chagall designed a large stained-glass window as a
memorial to former Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld, who
was accidentally killed while on a peace mission in 1961. A Henry
Moore sculpture, Reclining Figure: Hand (1979), graces the
Reclining Figure: Hand (1979), a gift from the grounds. There are many other sculptures and paintings by the
Henry Moore Foundation artists of many nations.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp122–4 and pp125–7

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