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