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Quizzes > Geography

New York City quiz: How much do you know?

Quick quiz with instant results. Answer NYC trivia questions in minutes.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Seth Morfin RobertsonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style illustration of NYC skyline on dark blue background with quiz title text and paper cut accents

This New York City quiz helps you test what you know about the boroughs, famous landmarks, and daily life. See your score as you go and pick up a few facts along the way. Want more? Try the real New Yorker quiz, practice with New York City trivia questions, or explore our NYC landmarks quiz.

What popular nickname is given to New York City?
Emerald City
The Windy City
The Big Apple
Sin City
New York City is famously known as "The Big Apple," a nickname popularized in the 1920s by jazz musicians and later by tourism campaigns. The term conveyed the idea of the city being the greatest place to achieve one's dreams. Today, it remains the most recognized moniker for NYC.
Which river flows along the west side of Manhattan and separates it from New Jersey?
Harlem River
East River
Delaware River
Hudson River
The Hudson River runs along the western edge of Manhattan Island, forming a natural border between New York and New Jersey. It has been a vital waterway for trade and transportation since colonial times. The East River, by contrast, separates Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens.
Which avenue in Manhattan serves as the dividing line between the East Side and West Side?
Broadway
Park Avenue
Fifth Avenue
Madison Avenue
Fifth Avenue is the principal north - south avenue in Manhattan and is used as the divider between the East Side and West Side addresses. Streets east of Fifth Avenue are designated East and those west are designated West. It's also famous for its upscale shopping district.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States from which country?
France
Spain
United Kingdom
Germany
The Statue of Liberty was gifted by the people of France to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship and freedom. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The gift commemorated the centennial of American independence.
What entertainment industry is Broadway in New York City most associated with?
Sports arenas
Art galleries
Film production
Theater and musicals
Broadway refers to the theatrical performances presented in the 41 professional theaters with 500 or more seats located in the Theater District of Manhattan. It is renowned worldwide for its high-quality theater and musical productions. Each year, millions attend Broadway shows making it a cornerstone of American theater.
Times Square in Manhattan was named after which newspaper?
Wall Street Journal
New York Daily News
The New York Times
The New York Post
Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the Times Building (now One Times Square). Prior to that, the area was known as Longacre Square. The renaming coincided with the opening of the new subway station, boosting the area's prominence.
Which New York City building was the tallest in the world from 1931 until 1970?
Empire State Building
One World Trade Center
Bank of Manhattan Trust Building
Chrysler Building
The Empire State Building held the title of the world's tallest building from its completion in 1931 until 1970, when it was surpassed by the original World Trade Center North Tower. Located on Fifth Avenue, it stands 1,454 feet tall with its antenna. It remains an iconic symbol of New York City.
Which borough of New York City has the highest population?
The Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Queens
Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City, home to over 2.5 million residents. It is known for its cultural diversity, distinct neighborhoods, and landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge. Queens is the largest borough by area but second in population.
Which bridge, opened in 1883, was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the United States?
Williamsburg Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Queensboro Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the United States and connected Manhattan and Brooklyn. Designed by John A. Roebling and completed by his son Washington Roebling, it was a marvel of engineering in its time. It remains one of the most photographed landmarks in NYC.
The Bronx was named after which early European settler in the region?
Adriaen van der Donck
Jonas Bronck
Peter Minuit
Henry Hudson
The Bronx is named after Jonas Bronck, a Swedish sea captain who settled in the area in 1639. His farm, known as Bronck's Land, gave the region its name. Over time, Bronck's name evolved into the borough name we know today.
Which museum on the Upper East Side is famous for its extensive collection of Impressionist and European art?
American Museum of Natural History
Museum of Modern Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly called "The Met," houses one of the world's largest and finest art collections, including an outstanding array of Impressionist works. It is located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street. Visitors can see masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and more.
Which stadium in New York City is the home field of the New York Yankees?
Barclays Center
Yankee Stadium
Citi Field
Madison Square Garden
Yankee Stadium in the Bronx has been the home of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees since 2009, replacing the original 1923 stadium. It is one of the largest baseball-specific stadiums in the U.S. and sits close to the site of the old ballpark.
In what year did the Statue of Liberty arrive in New York Harbor?
1876
1892
1888
1885
The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor in June 1885, packed in more than 200 crates. It was reassembled on Liberty Island and formally dedicated on October 28, 1886. The arrival marked the completion of a major Franco-American collaboration.
Who were the landscape architects responsible for designing Central Park in the 19th century?
James E. Ware and Walter Hood
Robert Moses and John D. Rockefeller
Daniel Burnham and John Charles Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux
Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after they won a design competition in 1858. Their "Greensward Plan" emphasized pastoral scenery, winding paths, and open lawns. The park opened in stages beginning in 1858 and was completed in 1876.
Which country currently supplies the largest number of foreign-born residents to New York City?
Mexico
Dominican Republic
China
India
As of recent census data, the Dominican Republic is the top country of origin for foreign-born residents in New York City. This demographic trend has shaped cultural, culinary, and social aspects of neighborhoods across the city. Mexico, China, and India also rank among the top sources but follow the Dominican Republic.
Which borough of New York City has the smallest population?
Manhattan
Bronx
Queens
Staten Island
Staten Island is the least populated of New York City's five boroughs, with fewer than half a million residents. It is connected to Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry and to Brooklyn by the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The other boroughs each have populations exceeding one million.
Grand Central Terminal serves as a hub for which commuter rail system?
Metro-North Railroad
Amtrak
Long Island Rail Road
New Jersey Transit
Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan is the southern terminus for the Metro-North Railroad, which serves commuters traveling to and from parts of New York State and Connecticut. It is one of the busiest train stations in the United States by number of platforms. Amtrak and NJ Transit trains do not use Grand Central.
In what year was the Flatiron Building, located at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, completed?
1910
1892
1920
1902
The Flatiron Building, an iconic triangular skyscraper at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, was completed in 1902. Its unusual shape and Beaux-Arts style by architect Daniel Burnham made it one of the most memorable early skyscrapers. It remains a popular subject for photographers and tourists.
In what year did Dutch colonists purchase Manhattan Island from the Lenape people?
1626
1613
1609
1648
In 1626, Peter Minuit, representing the Dutch West India Company, famously purchased Manhattan Island from the Lenape for trade goods valued at 60 guilders. While the details of this transaction are debated, it marked a key moment in New Amsterdam's early history. The purchase laid the foundation for what would become New York City.
The consolidation of the five boroughs into the modern City of New York took place in which year?
1898
1888
1915
1901
The Greater City of New York was created on January 1, 1898, when the City of New York consolidated with Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. This official consolidation established the five-borough structure that exists today. It dramatically expanded the city's size and population.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic NYC Landmarks -

    After completing the trivia questions about New York, you'll be able to name famous landmarks and summarize their historical significance.

  2. Identify Cultural Hotspots -

    Use the NYC trivia quiz insights to recognize key cultural institutions and their roles in the city's diverse landscape.

  3. Discover Hidden Gems -

    Spotlight lesser-known New York City attractions and neighborhood secrets revealed through engaging trivia challenges.

  4. Apply Fun Facts in Conversation -

    Leverage fun facts about New York gathered from the quiz to enrich discussions and impress friends with your knowledge.

  5. Assess Your Knowledge Level -

    Gauge your familiarity with NYC trivia questions and pinpoint areas for further exploration about the city.

  6. Navigate Quiz Strategies -

    Develop effective approaches for tackling New York City quiz formats, enhancing your success in future trivia challenges.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Big Apple's Etymology -

    New York's iconic nickname, "The Big Apple," was popularized in the 1920s by sportswriter John J. Fitz Gerald to refer to major horse-racing venues (NYPL archives). Remember it as the "apple" of countless trivia questions about New York - just like horses racing toward a juicy prize!

  2. Mastering the Five Boroughs -

    New York City comprises five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Use the mnemonic "MAY QUEeN BRO" to recall each one in order, a staple trick in any NYC trivia quiz. Each borough functions like its own county, with unique culture, landmarks, and local government.

  3. Subway System Milestones -

    The NYC Subway, launched in 1904, is the oldest and one of the busiest in the U.S., with 472 stations and over 20 lines (MTA reports). A fun fact: more than 1.7 billion rides occur annually, making it a frequent question in new york trivia quiz challenges!

  4. Statue of Liberty Facts -

    Gifted by France in 1886 and standing 305 feet tall, the Statue of Liberty is managed by the National Park Service. A common new york city quiz question asks: "What metal is used in Lady Liberty's frame?" (Answer: wrought iron.)

  5. Central Park's Design & Stats -

    Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and opened in 1858, Central Park spans 843 acres and attracts over 40 million visitors annually (Central Park Conservancy). A neat trick: remember "8-4-3" acres to ace any fun facts about New York questions on its size!

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