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Quizzes > Geography

NYC trivia questions: test your New York knowledge

Quick, free NYC quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ruth FaramUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for New York trivia quiz featuring famous NYC landmarks on dark blue background

Use this NYC trivia quiz to see how well you know the city's landmarks, history, and neighborhoods. Want more practice? Try our New York City quiz for a different mix, explore New York City trivia questions for quick facts, or zero in on icons with the NYC landmarks quiz.

Which iconic statue is known as a symbol of freedom in New York Harbor?
Liberty Bell
Eiffel Tower Replica
Charging Bull
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 and has become a universal symbol of freedom. It stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and welcomes visitors arriving by sea. The statue’s official name is ‘Liberty Enlightening the World.’
Central Park is located in which New York City borough?
Manhattan
The Bronx
Queens
Brooklyn
Central Park spans over 800 acres in the borough of Manhattan and is one of the most visited urban parks in the United States. It stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street and from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 1850s.
How many boroughs make up New York City?
3
6
4
5
New York City is composed of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough corresponds to a county in New York State. The five-borough system was formally consolidated in 1898.
What is the name of New York City’s public transportation authority?
MTA
NYCT
NYSDOT
NYTA
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) oversees public transit in the New York City region, operating subways, buses, and commuter rail lines. It was established in 1965 to coordinate and improve transportation within the metropolitan area. The MTA is one of the largest transit authorities in North America.
Which bridge famously connects Manhattan to Brooklyn?
Brooklyn Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Queensboro Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River. Designed by John A. Roebling, it was an engineering marvel of its time. It remains an iconic symbol of New York City.
What famous square is known for its neon lights and Broadway theaters?
Times Square
Columbus Circle
Herald Square
Union Square
Times Square, often called “The Crossroads of the World,” is famous for its bright lights, electronic billboards, and Broadway theaters. Located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, it draws over 50 million visitors annually. The iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop takes place here each year.
Which building was the tallest in the world when it was completed in 1931?
Empire State Building
Chrysler Building
Bank of Manhattan Building
Woolworth Building
The Empire State Building topped out at 1,454 feet (including its antenna) when it opened in 1931, making it the tallest building in the world until 1970. It is an example of Art Deco architecture and remains one of the most visited attractions in New York City.
On which island is the Statue of Liberty located?
Governors Island
Ellis Island
Roosevelt Island
Liberty Island
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Nearby Ellis Island is the site of the historic immigration station. Liberty Island was originally called Bedloe’s Island before being renamed in 1956.
Which river flows along the west side of Manhattan?
East River
Gowanus Canal
Hudson River
Harlem River
The Hudson River forms the western boundary of Manhattan, separating it from New Jersey. It flows south from upstate New York into New York Harbor. The river has been a key transportation and trade route since colonial times.
Which park is the largest by area in New York City?
Prospect Park
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Pelham Bay Park
Central Park
Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx covers over 2,700 acres, making it the largest park in New York City. It includes playgrounds, marshlands, and Orchard Beach. Central Park is the second-largest at 843 acres.
What are the official colors of the New York City flag?
Black and yellow
Red, white, and blue
Green and white
Blue, white, and orange
The NYC flag features vertical stripes of blue, white, and orange, reflecting the colors of the Dutch flag from the city’s origins as New Amsterdam. A seal in blue sits in the center stripe. The design was officially adopted in 1915.
The Bronx Zoo is located in which borough?
Queens
Brooklyn
The Bronx
Manhattan
The Bronx Zoo, one of the world’s largest metropolitan zoos, is located in the Bronx borough of New York City. It spans 265 acres and houses over 6,000 animals. The zoo opened in 1899 and is operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
In what year did the New York City subway first open to the public?
1904
1924
1913
1898
The first line of the New York City subway opened on October 27, 1904, running from City Hall to 145th Street. It was operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT). Today the system spans 472 stations across four boroughs.
Which avenue is known for luxury shopping and landmarks such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral?
Madison Avenue
Park Avenue
Fifth Avenue
Broadway
Fifth Avenue is famed for high-end retail stores, cultural institutions, and landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. It stretches from Washington Square Park to Harlem. The avenue is often ranked among the most expensive shopping streets in the world.
What nickname is often used to refer to New York City?
The City of Angels
The Windy City
Sin City
The Big Apple
New York City is commonly called “The Big Apple,” a nickname popularized by jazz musicians and a 1970s tourism campaign. The term originally referred to big prizes in horse racing around the city. It symbolizes the city’s prominence and scale.
In which year was the Empire State Building completed?
1929
1935
1931
1940
Construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930 and was completed in 1931, a remarkably fast timeline for its 102 floors. It opened on May 1, 1931, during the Great Depression. The building has since become an enduring symbol of New York.
Which museum is located on the eastern edge of Central Park and houses an extensive art collection?
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
American Museum of Natural History
Museum of Modern Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the Met, is situated along Fifth Avenue on the eastern edge of Central Park. It was founded in 1870 and hosts over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years. The Met is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world.
Which New York neighborhood is often cited as the birthplace of hip-hop?
Queens
The Bronx
Brooklyn
Harlem
Hip-hop culture emerged in the South Bronx in the 1970s, pioneered by DJs like Kool Herc at block parties. The movement combined elements of DJing, rapping, breakdancing, and graffiti. It has since become a global cultural phenomenon.
What is the name of the busiest airport serving New York City by passenger traffic?
Teterboro Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
LaGuardia Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) handles more international passengers than any other airport in North America. It opened in 1948 and has six passenger terminals. In 2022, it served over 62 million passengers.
Which building replaced the Twin Towers in the World Trade Center complex?
Two World Trade Center
One World Trade Center
Freedom Tower
World Trade Center Tower 3
One World Trade Center, often called the Freedom Tower, was completed in 2014 on the site of the original North Tower. It stands 1,776 feet tall, a reference to the year of American independence. It is now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
What is the name of the oldest standing synagogue in New York City?
Eldridge Street Synagogue
Kahal Adath Jeshurun
Congregation Shearith Israel
Temple Emanu-El
Congregation Shearith Israel, also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, was founded in 1654 and is the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. Its current building on Central Park West dates from 1897. The synagogue follows Sephardic traditions.
Approximately how many miles of track does the New York City Subway system have?
150 miles
310 miles
95 miles
245 miles
The New York City Subway system comprises about 245 miles of revenue track, making it one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world. It spans four of the five boroughs and serves millions of riders daily. The system began operation in 1904.
Which tunnel connects Manhattan to New Jersey and opened to traffic in 1927?
Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel
Queens–Midtown Tunnel
Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel, connecting Lower Manhattan to Jersey City, New Jersey, was opened in 1927 and was the world’s first mechanically ventilated underwater vehicular tunnel. It stretches for nearly two miles under the Hudson River. It remains a critical link for commerce and commuters.
Which building at Rockefeller Center is known as the Comcast Building and houses NBC Studios?
30 Rockefeller Plaza
10 Rockefeller Plaza
50 Rockefeller Plaza
45 Rockefeller Plaza
30 Rockefeller Plaza, originally called the RCA Building and later the GE Building, is the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center. It opened in 1933 and houses NBC Studios and the ‘Top of the Rock’ observation deck. It is an Art Deco landmark.
Which iconic department store opened in Herald Square in 1902?
Macy’s
Bloomingdale’s
Lord & Taylor
Saks Fifth Avenue
Macy’s opened its Herald Square flagship store in 1902 and has since become one of the world’s largest department stores. The building spans an entire city block and features a famous window display tradition during the holiday season.
Which bridge is the longest suspension bridge within New York City limits?
Brooklyn Bridge
George Washington Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island and Brooklyn and has the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the Americas at 4,260 feet. It opened in 1964 and was named after explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano.
Which borough has the largest land area in New York City?
The Bronx
Queens
Staten Island
Brooklyn
Queens covers approximately 108 square miles, making it the largest borough by land area in New York City. It is also the most ethnically diverse urban area in the United States.
In what year were the five boroughs consolidated into modern New York City?
1920
1898
1865
1901
On January 1, 1898, the City of Greater New York was formed by consolidating Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. This expanded the city’s land area and population dramatically. The consolidation helped shape the modern metropolis.
Which Broadway theater is the oldest continuously operating on the Great White Way?
Gershwin Theatre
Lyceum Theatre
Majestic Theatre
New Amsterdam Theatre
The Lyceum Theatre, opened in 1903, is the oldest continuously operating Broadway theater. It was designed by architect Henry Beaumont Herts and has hosted hundreds of productions. The theater retains much of its original Beaux-Arts interior.
What architectural style characterizes Grand Central Terminal?
Gothic Revival
Art Deco
Neoclassical
Beaux-Arts
Grand Central Terminal, completed in 1913, is a prime example of Beaux-Arts architecture, evident in its grand facades, sculptural details, and symmetrical design. It was designed by the firms Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore. The terminal remains a major transportation hub and landmark.
Who was the first mayor of the City of New York after English rule began?
Richard Nicolls
Peter Stuyvesant
Cornelius van Steenwyk
Thomas Willett
Thomas Willett became the first English mayor of New York City (then New York) in 1665 after the English took control from the Dutch. He served again in 1666–1667. Willett was a prominent merchant and landowner in the colony.
Which street in Manhattan serves as the dividing line between East and West addresses?
Fifth Avenue
Park Avenue
Madison Avenue
Broadway
Fifth Avenue is the zero point for east-west street numbering in Manhattan. Streets to the east are labeled East, and those to the west are labeled West. This grid system was established in the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811.
What is the name of the reservoir in Central Park that provides a scenic running track?
Harlem Meer
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Sheep Meadow Reservoir
Bethesda Reservoir
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, completed in 1862 and renamed in 1994, holds over 1 billion gallons of water and encircles a 1.58-mile running track. It is a popular spot for joggers and bird watchers. The reservoir was originally part of the city’s water supply system.
Which museum houses Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night?
Whitney Museum of American Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Guggenheim Museum
The Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) acquired Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night in 1941. The painting, created in 1889, is one of the most recognized works in the history of Western art. MoMA’s collection includes an extensive array of modern and contemporary works.
Approximately how many stations does the New York City Subway have?
384
472
432
520
The New York City Subway system comprises 472 stations, making it the largest rapid transit system by number of stations in the world. The vast network serves four boroughs and millions of riders daily. Station counts can change with new openings or closures.
Who designed the Statue of Liberty?
Auguste Rodin
Jean-François Champollion
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
Gustave Eiffel
French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty, while engineer Gustave Eiffel designed its internal iron framework. The statue was dedicated in 1886 and stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy. Bartholdi’s artistic vision shaped the statue’s neoclassical style.
What nickname is given to the area of Manhattan known as the Garment District?
Cloth Drive
Fashion Avenue
Apparel Street
Textile Row
Fashion Avenue is the nickname for the section of Seventh Avenue between 26th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan, known for its concentration of fashion showrooms and design studios. The area has been the heart of the garment industry since the early 20th century. In 1972, New York City officially co-named the street ‘Fashion Avenue.’
Which suspension bridge was designed by John A. Roebling?
George Washington Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
Engineer John A. Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883. It was the first steel-wire suspension bridge and a pioneering feat of engineering. After his death, his son Washington Roebling oversaw completion of the project.
Under what agreement was the New York Stock Exchange formed in 1792?
The Albany Charter
The Federalist Papers
The Liberty Compact
The Buttonwood Agreement
The Buttonwood Agreement, signed by 24 stockbrokers under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street on May 17, 1792, is considered the origin of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). It established rules for securities trading and commission sharing. This foundation led to the formal creation of the NYSE in 1817.
Which park in Brooklyn was designed by the same architects as Central Park?
Wingate Park
McCarren Park
Prospect Park
Sunset Park
Prospect Park in Brooklyn was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same team behind Central Park. Opened in 1867, it spans over 585 acres and features meadows, forests, and waterways. The park’s design emphasizes naturalistic scenery and public enjoyment.
Which battle during the American Revolution took place on Brooklyn’s shores in 1776?
Battle of Long Island
Battle of White Plains
Battle of Fort Washington
Battle of Harlem Heights
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn, occurred on August 27, 1776, and was the first major battle after the Declaration of Independence. British forces outflanked the Continental Army, leading to an American retreat. General George Washington evacuated his troops across the East River.
Which skyscraper was the first in New York to exceed 1,000 feet in height?
Empire State Building
Chrysler Building
Bank of Manhattan Building
One World Trade Center
When completed in 1931, the Empire State Building stood as the first building in New York to exceed 1,000 feet, reaching a roof height of 1,250 feet. The Chrysler Building, completed the same year, reaches 1,046 feet including its spire. The Empire State Building held the title of world’s tallest until 1970.
What was the original Dutch name for New York City?
Fort Orange
Nieuw Haarlem
New Amsterdam
Nieuw Amsterdam
When the Dutch settled the area in 1624, they named the settlement New Amsterdam in honor of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It served as the capital of New Netherland until the English took control in 1664 and renamed it New York.
Which was the first underwater vehicular tunnel built in the United States, opened in 1927?
Lincoln Tunnel
Battery Tunnel
Queens–Midtown Tunnel
Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel, which opened in 1927, connects Manhattan and Jersey City beneath the Hudson River. It was the first vehicular tunnel in the world ventilated by a system of fans to ensure air quality. Its construction set standards for future underwater tunnels.
Who was the first woman to serve as New York City Police Commissioner?
Keechant Sewell
Marie Vullo
Christine Quinn
Loretta Lynch
Keechant Sewell was appointed as the 44th New York City Police Commissioner in 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Before her appointment, Sewell served as Chief of Detectives in Nassau County, New York. Her historic appointment marked a milestone for gender representation in law enforcement.
What is the length in miles of the High Line elevated park?
1.8 miles
1.45 miles
2.3 miles
0.75 miles
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park built on a former New York Central Railroad spur. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street in Midtown. The park opened in phases between 2009 and 2014 and is maintained by Friends of the High Line.
In what year did the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel (now Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) open?
1955
1945
1950
1960
The Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, officially renamed the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel in 2012, opened on April 10, 1950. At the time, it was the longest continuous underwater vehicular tunnel in North America. It connects Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan under the East River.
What is the oldest continuously published newspaper in New York City?
The Sun
The New York Times
New York Post
New York Daily News
The New York Post, founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801 as the New-York Evening Post, is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the United States. It has been published for over two centuries and remains in circulation today.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Iconic NYC Landmarks -

    Pinpoint famous New York landmarks like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park by answering our new york trivia questions.

  2. Recall Historic Events and Figures -

    Summarize key moments and influential personalities in New York City's history through engaging new york city trivia.

  3. Distinguish Famous from Hidden Gems -

    Differentiate between well-known attractions and lesser-known spots to deepen your nyc trivia knowledge.

  4. Apply Quiz Strategies for High Scores -

    Utilize effective tactics such as process-of-elimination and time management to conquer the new york quiz.

  5. Assess Your Trivia Proficiency -

    Gauge your mastery of NYC facts and pinpoint areas for improvement using our ny trivia questions.

  6. Engage in Competitive Fun -

    Share and compare your results with friends to elevate the interactive experience and competitive spirit of the nyc trivia quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Statue of Liberty Origins & Dimensions -

    The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France dedicated in 1886, stands 305 ft tall from heel to torch and was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Remember "93 meters to the sky" as a quick metric conversion (305 ft × 0.3048 ≈ 93 m). This fact is essential for any new york trivia fan!

  2. Brooklyn Bridge Engineering Milestone -

    Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the world's first steel-wire suspension bridge with a main span of 1,595 ft (≈486 m). Use the mnemonic "15 - 95 to unite" to recall its span and uniting of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It's a staple question on any new york city trivia quiz.

  3. NYC Subway System Stats -

    Opened in 1904, New York's subway now has 472 stations across four boroughs (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens). A handy memory trick is "4 boroughs, 7 boroughs? No - just 4, 7, 2!" for "472 stations." The MTA website confirms these vital numbers.

  4. Central Park Design & Size -

    Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and completed in 1876, Central Park covers 843 acres (≈3.41 km²). Think "Oasis 843" to lock in the acreage whenever ny trivia questions turn green!

  5. Wall Street's Buttonwood Agreement -

    In 1792, 24 brokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement under a mulberry tree, laying the foundation for today's NYSE. Recall "Buttonwood '92" to mark this pivotal year in financial history and impress quizmasters with your ny trivia knowledge.

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