Empire
State Building
350 Fifth Ave."
Midtown West, NY
(212) 736-3100
The tallest building in New York City, was completed in
1931 during the great depression, and stood almost empty
for some time. Today, it's host to millions of visitors
a year, most of whom ride to the fenced-in Observation
Deck just a short distance from the building's top. The
popular New York Skyride is launched from the mezzanine
with Star Trek's Scottie (James Doohan) as the guide.
The Skyride simulates a rooftop flight over the city.
Staten
Island Ferry
Whitehall and South Sts.
Lower Manhattan
The city's most celebrated means of transportation offers
unsurpassed views of the Manhattan skyline, and it's free.
The
Statue of Liberty
The trip to Liberty Island where Lady Liberty stands takes
15 minutes.
The
Museum of Modern Art
11
West 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Manhattan
212-708-9400
Following
a temporary move to Queens and a total renovation of the
Manhattan facility, the foremost collection of modern
art in the world is now completely reinstalled for the
latest series of exhibitions. The MoMA draws on both its
iconic masterpieces and newly installed contemporary works
to explore the birth and growth of modernism.
The
100,000 pieces of art include household objects, photography,
graphic design, conceptual art, and industrial design,
primarily from the late 19th century and the first half
of the 20th century. Works of art feature postimpressionists
through "Graffiti" artists. See the early groundbreaking
work of Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Monet, van Gogh
and many other pivotal artists.
Metropolitan
Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave (At 82d St.)
New York NY (212) 535-7710
Tues.-Thur. and Sun, 9:30am-5:15pm; Fri-Sat, 9:30am-9pm
Admission charged.
" The Met" has been described as a vast city
of art. The limestone beaux-arts facade with its impressive
steps opens onto whole buildings within. Among these are
the Temple of Dendur, the Astor Court, a replica Ming
dynasty scholar's courtyard, an American wing containing
over 20 period style rooms and courtyards, as well as
the entire facade of the United States Bank from Wall
Street. In addition, there are about 15 discrete collections
from ancient art upward through the ages. An Orientation
Theater points the way. On Friday and Saturday evenings,
a string quartet entertains
Whitney
Museum of American Art
945 Madison Ave (At 75th St.)
New York NY
(212) 570-3600
Tues, Wed, Fri-Sun, 11am-6pm; Thurs. 1-8pm
Admission charged.
The museum has an excellent permanent collection of 20th-century
art. Recent acquisitions can be seen in several new galleries
which opened in April 1998.
Solomon
R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Ave. (Between 88th and 89th Sts.)
New York NY
(212) 423-3500
Fri-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun-Wed, 10am-6pm
Admission charged.
While many art museums strive to make an architectural
statement, few have succeeded as well as the Guggenheim
Museum. This is the only building in New York City that
was designed by the great Frank Lloyd Wright. The Guggenheim's
initial focus was on abstract painting. The museum's scope
has since expanded with acquisitions such as an excellent
collection of art from the late-19th and early-20th centuries
and a contemporary art center, the Guggenheim Museum SoHo,
on lower Broadway. A spectacular new Guggenheim Museum,
designed by Frank Gehry, is being planned for Piers 9,11,13,
and 14 on the East River in Lower Manhattan.
Jewish
Museum
Upper East Side 1109 5th Ave (At 92d St.)
New York NY
(212) 423-3200
Sun-Mon, Wed-Thur, 11am-5:45pm; Tues, 11am-8pm
Admission charged.
Located on Museum Mile, the Jewish Museum is dedicated
to showing work that addresses issues related to Jewish
identity and art by Jewish artists.
American
Museum of Natural History
79th St. and Central Park West
New York NY
(212) 769-5100
Admission charged.
The Museum's exhibition halls house a stunning array of
artifacts and specimens from all corners of the world
and all historical periods. These illuminate the natural
history of our planet and its myriad species, and bring
the world's cultures to life. A major ($45 million) renovation
has restored and enhanced each building and exhibit. Highlights
are the Hayden Planetarium (Rose Center) which now features
a thrill ride through the universe; partially interactive
gigantic dinosaurs; a 94 foot blue whale in the two story
Hall of Ocean Life; the Hall of Meteorites, Minerals,
and Gems; and Nature Max theater featuring a four story
high screen and Friday night jazz and tapas. There is
far too much of significance than can be seen in one day!
Brooklyn
Bridge
Directions: To get to the bridge, take the 4,5 or 6 subway
to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station, the N or R subway
to City Hall or the 2 or 3 subway to Park Place.
Admission Free
A monument to man's ingenuity and creativity, the world's
first steel suspension bridge was designed by architect
John Roebling between 1867 and 1883, with oversight of
the massive project started by his son after Roebling's
sudden death, and completed by the son's wife following
his untimely death. On the Manhattan side, you can get
some great views of this majestic bridge from the top
of Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. From Brooklyn,
Pier 1 at the Fulton Ferry landing provides a beautiful
sunset view of the bridge and downtown Manhattan.
Broadway
Phone: (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250 / group # (212)
239-6262
TicketMaster: (212) 307-4100 / group # (212) 889-4300
Going to the theater is one of the most popular events
for visitors to New York City. Tickets should be purchased
in advance of any show. While many Broadway shows are
presented with adult audiences in mind, there are dozens
of shows that teens and even younger children can enjoy
and appreciate.
Apollo
Theater
253 W. 125th St.
Harlem, NY
(212) 749-5838
Many well-known performers got their start at the theater's
lively amateur nights, which still take place every Wednesday
night.
Bronx Zoo
Fordham Road
The Bronx
(718) 367-1010 Daily 10-5: April-Oct. Rest of the year:
10-4:30
The biggest zoo in the US has 4,000 animals, a children's
zoo , and a monorail. Newest addition: a $43 million Congo
Gorilla Forest.
Brooklyn
Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Crown Heights, Brooklyn
(718) 735-4400 Wed.-Fri. 2-5; Sat., Sun. 10-5
The world's first museum for children was founded in 1899.
There is much to do and enjoy in this museum, including
New York City highlights in miniature and the Totally
Tots toddler playroom.
Children's
Museum of the Arts
182 Lafayette Street
NY, NY
(212)272-0986 Thurs.-Sun. noon-5; Wed. noon-7
Highlights include the Monet Ballpond, Architects Alley,
and the Wonder Theater.
Children's
Museum of Manhattan
21 W. 83rd Street
NY, NY
(212) 721-1223 June-Aug.: Wed.-Sun. 10-5; Rest of the
year: Wed.,Thurs. 1:30-5:30 and Fri.-Sun. 10-5.
Highlights include a chance for children to write and
produce their own TV show
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