Welcome to the electrifying world that is New York City! If you’re a true New Yorker at heart or an avid admirer of the city that’s completely obsessed with everything NYC, get ready to put your knowledge to the test.
In this trivia, you’ll virtually journey through the bustling streets and iconic landmarks of NYC, you’ll dive into the rich history, vibrant culture, and fascinating facts that make the Big Apple truly one of a kind.
We’ve designed this ultimate New York City Trivia to challenge your memory, tickle your curiosity regarding new and noteworthy landmarks, and perhaps even reveal some hidden gems you never knew existed.
So, whether you’re a local looking to prove your street cred or a visitor dreaming of walking those concrete canyons, get ready to explore the city through a whole new lens!
From towering skyscrapers to legendary parks, bustling neighborhoods, and cultural marvels, we’re covering it all. You’ll tackle trivia questions that span from famous movie scenes to historical events, from beloved traditions to the best slices of pizza in town.
Are you up for the challenge? Let’s dive into the New York City trivia questions and see just how well you know this urban wonderland.
* This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful content. Thanks!
Before we get started — we invite you to bookmark or save some of these other travel-related trivia quizzes for later!
- 75 California Trivia Questions To Test Your Golden State Knowledge
- 65 Trivia Questions All About Hawaii
- The Ultimate Europe Trivia Quiz: 125 Trivia Questions All About Europe
- 95 Fun France Trivia Questions: How Well Do You Really Know France?
- 200+ Fun and Challenging Geography Trivia Questions and Answers
Table of Contents
New York City Trivia: Landmarks and Places
Question: What famous event takes place in Times Square every New Year’s Eve?
Answer: The Times Square Ball Drop
Question: In which park can you find the iconic Bow Bridge?
Answer: Central Park
Question: What is the tallest building in New York City?
Answer: One World Trade Center
Question: Which historic bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn?
Answer: Brooklyn Bridge
Question: Can you name the three ‘villages’ of Manhattan?
Answer: Greenwich Village, West Village and East Village.
Question: Which famous musical theater district is often referred to as “The Great White Way”?
Answer: Broadway
Question: What does “SoHo” stand for?
Answer: “South of Houston Street”.
Question: What vibrant cultural district is known for its African American heritage, jazz history, and is home to the famous Apollo Theater?
Answer: Harlem.
Question: What is the nickname of the sculpture at Hudson Yards, comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs, that resembles a beehive if looked at from a distance?
Answer: The Vessel
Which one of New York City’s airports was named after a former US president?
Answer: JFK Airport (John F. Kennedy International Airport)
Question: Which street is home to the New York Stock Exchange?
Answer: Wall Street
Question: Which park in Chelsea was built on an elevated railroad track?
Answer: The High Line
Question: Which famous radio and television studio is known for hosting the Rockettes?
Answer: Radio City Music Hall
Question: What is the nickname of the building complex known for housing various television studios and entertainment companies such as NBC?
Answer: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (30 Rock)
Question: In which museum can you find The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh?
Answer: MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art)
Question: Which iconic statue, gifted to the USA by France, stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor?
Answer: Statue of Liberty
Question: Which zoo is located in the Bronx and is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world?
Answer: Bronx Zoo
Question: Which building is home to the observation deck known as “Top of the Rock”?
Answer: Rockefeller Center
Question: What is the name of the modern art museum designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright?
Answer: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (The Guggenheim)
Question: In which Midtown-located park can you find the historic Carousel, Le Carrousel?
Answer: Bryant Park
Question: In which neighborhood or district can you find the iconic Flatiron Building?
Answer: Flatiron District
Question: Which amusem*nt park area is known for its wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone?
Answer: Coney Island
Question: What is the name of the tower that was constructed in the aftermath of 9/11 and has become a symbol of resilience?
Answer: One World Trade Center, also known as the “Freedom Tower”.
Question: Which museum focuses on medieval European art and is located in Fort Tryon Park?
Answer: The Cloisters
Question: Which iconic skyscraper at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue is known for its distinctive Art Deco design?
Answer: Chrysler Building
Question: In which borough is the neighborhood of Williamsburg, known for its hipster culture?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: What is the name of the park located in the Financial District that features a unique elevated walkway along the waterfront?
Answer: Battery Park
Question: Which iconic Midtown skyscraper features 102 floors, a stunning Art Deco design, and a distinctive spire?
Answer: Empire State Building
Question: In which borough can you find the neighborhood of SoHo, known for its art galleries, expensive apartments, and trendy/high-end fashion boutiques?
Answer: Manhattan
Question: What is the name of the plaza known for its outdoor ice skating rink, which is adjacent to Radio City Music Hall?
Answer: Rockefeller Plaza
Question: In which park can you find the iconic Alice in Wonderland sculpture?
Answer: Central Park
Question: Which park was once a military parade ground and is now a popular gathering spot in Greenwich Village?
Answer: Washington Square Park
Question: The Bryant Park location of the New York Public Library features Patience and Fortitude, two large marble statues of what animal?
Answer: Lion
Question: True or false: The Chrysler Building is taller than the Empire State Building.
Answer: False
New York City Trivia: Events, Traditions, and History
Question: What was the original name of New York City before it was named New York City?
Answer: New Amsterdam
Question: Which neighborhood hosts the annual San Gennaro Feast, a celebration of Italian heritage?
Answer: Little Italy
Question: In what borough does the West Indian American Day Carnival take place annually?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: What event commemorates LGBTQ+ pride and hosts a parade in June?
Answer: NYC Pride March
Question: What holiday event features the lighting of a large Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center?
Answer: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Question: What annual event since 2003 allows New Yorkers to explore hundreds of historic sites for free?
Answer: Open House New York (OHNY) Weekend
Question: What annual race attracts participants from around the world and takes them through all five boroughs?
Answer: TCS New York City Marathon
Question: The course of the New York Marathon runs through all five boroughs of the city, but which one of the boroughs does it start in?
Answer: Staten Island
Question: What traditional event marks the official start of summer and involves the lighting of colorful parades on Coney Island?
Answer: Mermaid Parade
Question: In what neighborhood is the Village Halloween Parade, known for its creative costumes and lively atmosphere, held?
Answer: Greenwich Village
Question: What annual warm-weather event involves the temporary transformation of various streets into pedestrian-only zones, encouraging walking and community interaction?
Answer: Summer Streets
Question: What historic event happened at Stonewall Inn in 1969, sparking the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement?
Answer: Stonewall Riots
Question: Which touching event features a lighting ceremony at the World Trade Center site and the reading of the names of 9/11 victims?
Answer: Tribute in Light. The art installation consists of 88 vertical searchlights arranged in two columns of light to represent the Twin Towers.
Question: In 1977, what citywide event saw a massive blackout for 25 hours, leading to looting, arson, and a spike in crime?
Answer: New York City Blackout of 1977
Question: What historic event in 1911 led to significant labor reforms and workplace safety regulations?
Answer: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Question: True or false: The signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 took place in New York City and led to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Answer: False, it took place at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later to become known as Independence Hall.
Question: Where did a lot of Puerto Rican immigrants settle in NYC starting in the 19th century?
Answer: East Harlem. The new migrants settled in great numbers in Northeast Manhattan, in a neighborhood that soon became known as Spanish Harlem.
Question: The attacks of 9/11 left a lasting impact on the USA. What year did it happen?
Answer: 2001
Question: Which small island in New York Harbor was the primary point of entry for immigrants to the United States from 1892 to 1954?
Answer: Ellis Island
Question: Forming in St. Louis in 1925, what precision dance company has performed in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall since 1932?
Answer: Rockettes
New York City Trivia: All About The Boroughs
Question: New York City consists of five boroughs. Can you name them all?
Answer: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island
Question: Which borough in New York City is known as the “Birthplace of Hip Hop”?
Answer: The Bronx
Question: In which borough can you find Times Square?
Answer: Manhattan
Question: Which borough is home to Coney Island and its famous amusem*nt parks?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: The Statue of Liberty is located on an island in which borough?
Answer: Staten Island
Question: In which borough is the iconic Yankee Stadium situated?
Answer: The Bronx
Question: What borough is known for its diverse neighborhoods like Flushing and Astoria?
Answer: Queens
Question: Which borough is home to Prospect Park and Dumbo?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: In which borough can you visit the museum that houses the Panorama of the City of New York, the largest model of New York City made in 1964?
Answer: Queens (Queens Museum)
Question: What borough is known for its historic Brownstone architecture and iconic brownstone-lined streets?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Staten Island to which other borough?
Answer: Brooklyn
Question: In which borough can you find the famous Apollo Theater?
Answer: Manhattan (Harlem)
Question: The United Nations headquarters is located in which borough?
Answer: Manhattan
Question: Which borough is known for its rich Italian heritage, Arthur Avenue, and the Arthur Avenue Retail Market?
Answer: The Bronx
Question: The High Line, an elevated park, is situated in which borough?
Answer: Manhattan
Question: Which borough is home to the St. George Theatre?
Answer: Staten Island
New York City Trivia: TV, Movies, & Pop Culture
Question: In which classic sitcom does a character named Jerry live in an apartment on the Upper West Side?
Answer: “Seinfeld”
Question: What iconic building did King Kong climb in the 1933 film “King Kong”?
Answer: Empire State Building
Question: Which 1979 film features a character named Travis Bickle and is known for its line “You talkin’ to me?”?
Answer: “Taxi Driver”
Question: What does a New Yorker mean when they say “bodega”?
Answer: A corner store or convenience store.
Which celebrity is NOT originally from New York?
- a) Robert De Niro
- b) Jay-Z
- c) Kanye West
- d) Jennifer Lopez
Answer: c) Kanye West
Question: What TV show follows the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda as they navigate relationships and careers in New York City?
Answer: “Sex and the City”
Question: Which NYC-themed song includes the lyrics “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothin’ you can’t do”?
Answer: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Question: What song begins with the line “Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today”?
Answer: “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
Question: In the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” Kevin stays at which famous hotel?
Answer: The Plaza Hotel
Question: What classic movie musical features the song “America” and portrays tensions between rival gangs in New York City?
Answer: “West Side Story”
Question: What superhero’s secret headquarters are located in the Baxter Building in New York City?
Answer: Fantastic Four
Question: In “Ghostbusters,” what building serves as the headquarters for the Ghostbusters team?
Answer: Hook and Ladder 8 Firehouse
Which brewing company is NOT originally from New York?
- a) Goose Island Beer Company
- b) Sixpoint Brewery
- c) Chelsea Brewing Company
- d) Other Half Brewing Company
Answer: a) Goose Island Beer Company
Which pizza shop/franchise is NOT originally from New York?
- a) Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
- b) Di Fara Pizza
- c) Lombardi’s Pizza
- d) Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Answer: d) Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Question: In “Friends,” what coffee shop do the main characters often hang out at?
Answer: Central Perk
Question: Which Broadway musical is about one of the founding fathers of the United States?
Answer: Hamilton
Question: Which Marvel superhero, known for his superhuman strength and unique abilities, grew up in Queens, New York?
Answer: Spider-Man
Question: Which actor played Sully in the 2016 movie about an emergency landing on the Hudson River?
Answer: Tom Hanks
Question: In “How I Met Your Mother”, at which university does Ted Mosby teach?
Answer: Columbia University
Question: Don Draper is the main character in which TV show set in New York?
Answer: Mad Men
Question: In the TV show “Gossip Girl,” what is the name of the neighborhood that a majority of the characters within the show called home?
Answer: The Upper East Side
Which coffee roaster originated in New York?
- a) Philz
- b) Joe Coffee Company
- c) Stumptown Coffee Roasters
- d) Starbucks
Answer: b) Joe Coffee Company
New York City Trivia: Picture Round
Picture Round Answers:
- Times Square
- Dumbo
- Flatiron Building
- Central Park
- Rockefeller Center
- One World Trade Center
- Charging Bull, or the Bull of Wall Street
- Grand Central Terminal
New York City Trivia: True Or False
True or False: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States.
Answer: True.
True or False: Central Park is the largest park in New York City.
Answer: False. (It is the fifth-largest park. Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx is the largest park.)
True or False: The Brooklyn Bridge was the first suspension bridge built in the United States.
Answer: True.
True or False: The Empire State Building was once the tallest building in the world.
Answer: True.
True or False: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is the oldest art museum in New York City.
Answer: False. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art is older.)
Broadway is the longest street in New York City.
Answer: False. (Pelham Parkway is the longest.)
True or False: The New York City Subway system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Answer: True.
True or False: The Flatiron Building was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Answer: False. (The Flatiron Building was designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick Dinkelberg.)
True or False: The “Charging Bull” statue is located in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
Answer: True.
True or False: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located in Prospect Park.
Answer: False. (The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a separate location.)
Thanks for playing! We hope you scored spectacularly on this NYC trivia quiz.
If you enjoyed reading this article, check out some of our other travel-related trivia topics and quizzes!
65 Earth Day Trivia Questions And Answers To Help You Celebrate Our Planet
Earth Day is an important time to take a moment and celebrate the planet we call home. Every year on … Read more
130 California Trivia Questions To Test Your Golden State Knowledge
Are you a true California native, or just a fan of this West Coast gem? Whether you were born and … Read more
100 Travel Trivia Questions To Inspire Wanderlust (Multiple Choice + Picture Rounds!)
Do you love to travel? Do you love learning new things about all the places that exist in this beautiful … Read more
100 Asia Trivia Questions To Spark Wanderlust (Multiple Choice + Picture Rounds)
Asia is the world’s largest continent, so it’s no surprise that there’s a LOT to learn about it! Test your … Read more
100 Camping Trivia Questions To Celebrate The Outdoors
If you’re a camping enthusiast or just someone who can never really get enough of the great outdoors, we have … Read more
75 Fun Paris Trivia Questions To Spark Wanderlust
Ah, Paris! The city of lights, romance, and undeniable charm. Whether you’ve strolled along the Seine River, marveled at the … Read more
65 Las Vegas Trivia Questions and Answers (With Picture Round!)
If you’re a fan of the dazzling lights, world-famous entertainment, and rich history of Las Vegas, you’re in in the … Read more
All About Oregon: 75 Trivia Questions And Answers (+ Picture Round)
You’ve probably landed on this quiz because of your curiosity or love for Oregon, right? Well, get ready to test … Read more
100 Fun France Trivia Questions: How Well Do You Really Know France?
Are you a lover of all things French? Do you dream of strolling through the streets of Paris, sipping espresso … Read more
225 Geography Trivia Questions and Answers
The world is a big, big place. There’s literally too much to see in just one lifetime! One fun way … Read more
