
Temple Emanu-El, New York
Established in 1845 as New York's first Reform synagogue, this temple, which was completed in 1929, stands as one of the world's largest Jewish houses of worship. Embracing both long-standing Jewish families and newcomers to the city, it has become a cherished place of gathering for the Jewish community.
Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the temple boasts an impressive Romanesque design, stretching over 175 feet in length and standing at a towering height of 100 feet. Resembling a European cathedral, it can easily be mistaken for one, with its array of stained-glass windows portraying Jewish imagery. Notably, the wheel-like window on the facade showcases the traditional Magen David, the six-pointed Star of David.
Overall, the sanctuary boasts over 60 stained glass windows and a breathtaking glass and marble mosaic arch framing the bimah. Its magnificent ceiling, meticulously hand-painted with intricate gold details, adds to the grandeur.
To ensure a smooth visit, it is advisable to call in advance, as the synagogue occasionally closes for funerals and other events. However, services held on Fridays at 6 PM and Saturdays at 10:30 AM warmly welcome all who wish to attend.
Tip:
If you go to the side entrance (1 East 65th), get yourself buzzed in and tell them you want to tour the sanctuary. Since it's self-guided, it might be a good idea to download a self-guide brochure from their website. You may also wish to take an elevator to the small museum upstairs that features a permanent and rotating exhibits of Judaica – historical objects from the 14th-20th centuries, as well as art installations relating to Judaism.
Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the temple boasts an impressive Romanesque design, stretching over 175 feet in length and standing at a towering height of 100 feet. Resembling a European cathedral, it can easily be mistaken for one, with its array of stained-glass windows portraying Jewish imagery. Notably, the wheel-like window on the facade showcases the traditional Magen David, the six-pointed Star of David.
Overall, the sanctuary boasts over 60 stained glass windows and a breathtaking glass and marble mosaic arch framing the bimah. Its magnificent ceiling, meticulously hand-painted with intricate gold details, adds to the grandeur.
To ensure a smooth visit, it is advisable to call in advance, as the synagogue occasionally closes for funerals and other events. However, services held on Fridays at 6 PM and Saturdays at 10:30 AM warmly welcome all who wish to attend.
Tip:
If you go to the side entrance (1 East 65th), get yourself buzzed in and tell them you want to tour the sanctuary. Since it's self-guided, it might be a good idea to download a self-guide brochure from their website. You may also wish to take an elevator to the small museum upstairs that features a permanent and rotating exhibits of Judaica – historical objects from the 14th-20th centuries, as well as art installations relating to Judaism.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in New York. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Temple Emanu-El on Map
Sight Name: Temple Emanu-El
Sight Location: New York, USA (See walking tours in New York)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: New York, USA (See walking tours in New York)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in New York, New York
Create Your Own Walk in New York
Creating your own self-guided walk in New York is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Best of Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
Every part of Manhattan is terrific, but if you are looking for one that showcases the best overview of New York City’s history and architectural styles, it’s Lower Manhattan. This is where it all started, where New Amsterdam was founded, where Canal Street used to be a canal, and where Wall Street used to be a wall marking the end of town. It’s also where the city has seen the most tragedy,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Midtown Manhattan Shopping Tour
Midtown Manhattan, alongside other things, is also the shopping hub for New York City. Attesting to this are the ever-busy Times Square and Rockefeller Center areas replete with designer goods offerings and street vendors at every corner.
The famed Fifth Avenue has long been synonymous with a shopper's paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, ranging from the affordable... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The famed Fifth Avenue has long been synonymous with a shopper's paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, ranging from the affordable... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Grand Central Station to Union Square
Despite being smaller than almost everything around it, including the humongous MetLife Building that dwarfs it from behind, the Grand Central Terminal is just so gorgeous and palatial-looking that it still manages to be the centerpiece of the whole East Side of Midtown Manhattan. Passing from here to Union Square, our self-guided tour is bound to introduce you to some of New York City’s most... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour
Welcome to the iconic New York City that so many tourists dream about before they visit – spectacular skyscrapers, iconic public buildings, large neon flat screens above ground level and the non-stop activity on city streets.
They say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, and Times Square, Broadway, is definitely a part of that slogan. Day time or night time, it’s one of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
They say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, and Times Square, Broadway, is definitely a part of that slogan. Day time or night time, it’s one of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Brooklyn New York Walking Tour
Named after the Breukelen village in the Netherlands, Brooklyn, one of New York City’s five boroughs, occupies the western tip of Long Island. Its history began in the 17th century as a small Dutch settlement on the East River shore; Brooklyn Heights, or Clover Hill, is where the village was founded, in 1646.
By the 19th century, Brooklyn had grown into a sizable town. The iconic Brooklyn... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
By the 19th century, Brooklyn had grown into a sizable town. The iconic Brooklyn... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Columbia University Walking Tour
Established in 1754, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of New York and the fifth-oldest in the United States. A member of the prestigious Ivy League, this renowned institution boasts a diverse campus designed along Beaux-Arts planning principles. Columbia's main campus occupies more than six city blocks in Morningside Heights, New York City, and is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
NYC Beer Tour
There are many great places to drink in New York City. Still, discerning connoisseurs are likely to find themselves awash in a sea of mediocre beer without first gaining a proper lay of the beer land. For those whose curiosity and taste buds urge them to venture beyond ubiquitious draft staples like...
NYC Souvenir Guide: 15 Authentic New York City Products to Take Home
In keeping with the song, one might think that, if they can make it in New York City, they can make it anywhere. Well, not always... Some of the things made in New York City aren't made anywhere else, and you'll definitely want to try or keep at least some of them to prolong your NYC...
NY Villages Best Tea and Coffee
This is a guide to the best tea and coffee shops and houses in the East, West, Washington Square and Greenwich Villages of Manhattan. None of these are chains, so tourists looking to avoid Starbucks can find sanctuary in this app. All of these run the gamut between W and E 14th Streets, and down 1st...
7 Best Drinking Places in Upper West Side, NY
With “Bar Tour of the Upper West Side” sample a cross section from NYC’s great gamut of drinking establishments, including a Belgian Brasserie, a wine bar, Irish pubs, and one dive — just for fun! These spots offer something a little extra, like craft beers, inspirational artwork, a chance...
Bar Tour of Lower East Side, New York City
The Lower East Side has been described the most livable neighborhood in NYC. Unique and dynamic, LES has boutique shops, cafes and restaurants alongside great bars and museums.In this historic neighborhood, residents strive to preserve its roots. Here, you can find young professionals who challenge...