Sphere within a Sphere United Nations gift from Italy

Guest Post by: Nancy Hann, Traveling with Purpose

Did you know that the United Nations (UN) Headquarters is in New York City? It takes only about 15 minutes to get there from Times Square by public transit and is well worth a visit the next time you’re in town. My husband, daughter and I had a chance to visit recently when we were in New York. Here are some of the reasons you won’t want to miss a visit to this one-of-a-kind complex.

This world-wide organization was formed in 1945 (comprising only 51 members), as a result of the devastation and divisions of World War II. The NYC headquarters complex was completed in 1952 and has been the busy hub of the UN ever since

You don’t need a ticket to visit the building most anytime, but there are areas that you won’t be able to see or learn about unless you’re on a tour. Reservations are recommended for all tours, since they can sell out in advance.

Take a Tour and Learn About the UN’s Work

As you can imagine, a world-wide organization like this has ambitious goals. Since its inception, the United Nations has played a major role in facilitating communication and cooperation between its members, who now come from virtually every country in the world. The best way to learn about their current initiatives is by taking a guided tour with one of the “UN Ambassadors to the Public” that come from all over the world.

There are four different types of tours offered on weekdays at the United Nations HQ. You’ll generally see the Tour Guides (Ambassadors) in their official uniforms, but they can also wear their national dress to display more color and diversity. Most Guides speak at least 2 languages, and many speak more.

This is a working facility and for security reasons, tours may not be offered during various activities, or may be sold out, so the UN encourages visitors to book online in advance at their website here.

General Tour – Public tours are 45 to 60 minutes long and are offered in six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish). Tours in other languages, such as German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese are also offered upon request, if translators are available. See contact information at the General Tour link above to request a tour in a different language.

Children’s Tours – These tours focus on teaching children to become global citizens. Interactive play and games help young ones understand more about what the UN does and how it impacts their lives and those around the world. The UN Kids Corridor is open to ages 5 to 10 years old, but an adult must accompany their children on the tour also. (Note: Children under 5 are not allowed on the tours.) Kids of any age can sit in on the free story-time in the UN Bookshop every Friday, right before the tour.

Garden Tours – Currently only offered in the summer months until mid-September on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. – visitors can take a guided tour of the North Lawn, see beautiful roses, cherry trees, and learn about the significant outdoor sculptures. 

Private Tour – Groups of 21 or more can schedule a private guided tour delivered in English or 10 non-English languages. Groups taking a private tour can also request a briefing from a UN expert on a variety of topics, from peacekeeping efforts to human rights, an overview of the UN’s current initiatives and its history. Be sure to request your briefing, when scheduling the tour.

As you can imagine this is an organization with high security requirements, so take time to review the arrival and check-in regulations before you head to the complex.

Get Your Passport Stamped

Since the UN is technically an international territory and not legally part of the United States, they’re authorized to issue a unique passport stamp. When you’re at the UN complex, go to their post office within the building and have your passport stamped with the special UN stamp. We read about this before our visit but forgot to bring our passports that day. I was so disappointed! I love getting new stamps in my passport, don’t you?

Learn About The UN’s Purpose

In 2015 members of the UN established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (a 15-year plan) that they have agreed are top priority for our planet going forward. 

 “Quote from UN website about SDGs”

“The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.”

See the World-renowned Meeting Rooms

We had a chance to see several of the Council chamber rooms and the massive General Assembly room. Every year in September, delegates from all 193 Member States meet for the General Assembly session. This is where the international community deliberates and votes on topics like economic development, security, human rights and more. 

Seating arrangements in the General Assembly Hall (which was renovated in 2014) change for each session to allow different countries to sit closer to the front of the huge room. During the 74th Session (2019-2020), Ghana will occupy the first seat in the Hall, including in the Main Committees (followed by all the other countries, in English alphabetical order). Seating in the back of the room is reserved for official General Assembly Observers such as the European Union, and other Intergovernmental organizations that are approved in advance.

One of the other significant rooms that we visited was the Security Council Chamber. The room was designed and furnished by the country of Norway. Norwegian artist, Per Lasson Krohg, created a large mural symbolizing the promise of future peace and individual freedom that fills the east wall of the room.

Some of the most powerful countries are the five permanent members of this council (France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia and China). Ten other elected countries join the Council for two-year terms each. You’ll hear a lot in the news about the Security Council. They’re responsible for deciding on embargoes, UN sanctions, peace keeping missions and military involvement. You can find out more about how the Security Council works here.

Learn About the Spectacular Art

We saw many beautiful art works on the tour. Our knowledgeable guide was able to answer questions about the various pieces that we saw along the way. If you’re interested in learning more about the artwork when you visit, you can also download an app specifically related to the art pieces at UN Headquarters – find the iOS app for iPad and iPhone here and the Android app on Google Play here.

The gorgeous bronze highly polished sphere, with a smaller sphere nestled inside, stands just outside the main entrance of the General Assembly building. The “Sphere Within a Sphere”, created by Arnaldo Pomodoro, measures nearly 11 feet in diameter and was a gift from Italy in 1996. Visitors can form their own opinion of the symbolism, but some say it’s a metaphor promising the rebirth from within our society of a less troubled and destructive world.

Shop in the Bookshop

One reason to visit the bookshop is that all the proceeds from sales help support the goals and initiatives of the organization. You’ll find UN memorabilia with a message on items like coffee mugs, t-shirts, posters and more. You can also browse books by and about the United Nations on topics like peacekeeping, women’s rights, sustainable agriculture and international law at the United Nations Bookshop. 

Buy Exclusive UN Postage Stamps

Would you like to send a unique gift to friends and family back home? Do you know a serious stamp collector? Or maybe this would be a perfect keepsake to send to home to remember your visit. Here’s a fun idea that you can only do at the UN Headquarters Bookshop.

Did you know that the United Nations is the only non-state entity in the world that’s allowed to create and sell its own postage? United Nations Postage Stamps are beautifully designed to bring awareness to the organization and the various humanitarian and environmental issues facing the world. Unique stamps are issued at each of the UN offices – New York, Geneva and Vienna in three denominations: US dollars, Swiss francs, and Euros. They’re valid to be used as postage on mail being sent from those offices. Consider mailing a card to your friends or yourself with these unique stamps. The bookstore also sells postal stationary, cancelled stamps and more.

Eat Lunch in the Delegates Dining Room

Considering the vast number of people working in and visiting the complex each day, it’s not surprising that there’s a restaurant in the United Nations Headquarters. I was surprised to learn that the Delegates Dining Room is open for lunch and accessible to the public (only WITH a reservation). They offer a 3-course fixed-price lunch between 11:30 and 2pm on weekdays. If you can schedule your tour to work around that timeframe, this would be a unique experience to enjoy. The dining room has beautiful views overlooking the East River and offers a variety of international cuisines. 

Find out more details about special events, guest chef programs and dress codes here.

As you can see, the United Nations Headquarters offers some interesting and fun one-of-a-kind experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great place to bring the family to learn more about how to become a global citizen too. I hope you’ll make time to visit when you’re in NYC, even if you can’t take a tour. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Author Bio:

Nancy Hann is founder of the travel and lifestyle blog Traveling with Purpose. She’s been to 48 of the 50 United States (still missing North Dakota, and Kansas can’t be confirmed) and has found things she loves about each place. You’ll usually find her planning or embarking on her next adventure and laughing at her flock of birds (2 chickens and a duck) with her husband in Virginia, walking where our Forefathers walked and exploring the backroads of the U.S., Europe and beyond. You can join in the fun on social media here.