NEW YORK THRILLS

The city turns 400 this year, which is just one more excuse to go and lap up the celebrations!

- LAURA MILLAR

WHY GO?

Get the birthday balloons ready - while the United States of America might be turning 250 in 2026, one of its most exciting cities is set to mark its 400th anniversary this year. New York City was originally founded by the Dutch as New Amsterdam in 1624 - a year later they built Fort Amsterdam, which formally established the new settlement. So what can you expect if you head here this year?

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

Celebrations will take place throughout 2025 at a variety of events under the banner of 'Founded by NYC', a year-long series of tributes to the city's history, culture, innovation and creativity.

You'll get all the inspiration you need at nyctourism.com, where you'll also find a timeline of the most significant moments in New York City since 1625. Tw to must-visits are the site of the first-ever presidential inauguration — Federal Hall on Wall Street - and one of the city's mos t historic restaurants, Fraunces Tavern (frauncestavern.com), where George Washington bid farewell to his officers in 1783 after the Revolutionary War.

DISCOVER NYC'S RICH HISTORY