⛪ The Riverside Church: NYC’s Hidden Gothic Treasure
📍 490 Riverside Dr, NYC | 🚇 *Subway 1/3 to 116th or 125th St* ✨ Why It’s Special: "Sky Cathedral": Funded by the Rockefellers in 1930, inspired by France’s Chartres Cathedral. NYC’s tallest church tower (74 bells!), with a 360° Hudson River view terrace. 🌊🔔 Interfaith marvel: Stunning stained glass, statues, and a 4,200-pipe organ that shakes the soul. 🎶 Secret perk: Climb 145 steps to the bell tower (Wed-Sun guided tours)—play the world’s largest 20-ton carillon if you’re lucky! 🎟️ Visitor Tips: Free entry to the main nave (open daily 9AM-5PM). Tower tours: $20-$25 (Wed-Sun, includes rare access to interfaith chapels + carillon demo!). Best time: Sundays at 3 PM for live bell concerts. Nearby: Columbia University (10-min walk) + Grant’s Tomb (free!). 📸 Photo Ops: Gothic arches + kaleidoscope windows. Top-floor panorama: Central Park + Hudson River. #HiddenNYC #GothicNY #NYCChurches #FreeInNYC #ColumbiaUniversity #NYCViews #TravelDeep