The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other New York City, NY Things to Do Tips

The largest Art Museum in NY and the most extensive collection in the USA. Its collections range from Egyptian antiquities to example of Contemporary Art. Its Arms and Armour Hall is the largest in the USA. There are several special exhibitions each year. Past ones included Matisse, Treasures from the Israeli Museum and of course, Tutankhamen. The museum has a new cafeteria and more new dining facilities are coming soon. Concerts are often held here as well.

Recently reopened are the galleries of Asian Art. Here one can see a wide variety of arts and antiquities from the South East Asia and the Orient, with many wonderful peices from China, Japan and Indonesia.

The New Greek and Roman Halls are now open after being closed off for many years. In addition, peices stowed away for decades are now displayed for all the world to see.

Also, the Halls of Asian Art are open but the Halls of islamic Art are closed until 2010 for renovations.

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Address: Fifth Avenue and 79th Street.
Directions: On Museum Mile

Built in 1931, it was the tallest structure in the world until the construction of the WTC in 1970. Though several other building have gone up in the decades since that are taller, none is as famous or beautiful as the Empire State Building. The building obtained ever-lasting fame when it played a key role in the film, King Kong. Visitors get a sweeping panarama by heading up to the observation deck on th 83rd floor.

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Address: Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street.

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island combine to comprise the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The statue was a gift from the french and was erected in 1888. For nearly 70 years, it was the first thing immigrants saw as they arrived in New York Harbor. There is a museum in the base. Due to security purposes, visitors are no longer permitted in the statue itself.
Nearby Ellis Island was the main entry point into NY and America for decades. Now a museum, visitors can trace the steps of the millions of immigrants who passed through its halls. And Americans can actually search for ancestors in a computer database that is continuously being updated.

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Address: New York Harbor
Directions: South Ferry at Battery Park - Take the #5 train to Bowling Green or #1 to South Ferry

The AMNH is the largest such museum of its kind in the wold. It houses halls devoted to the various fields in Nature and the Sciences.
The museum is perhaps most famous for having the largest collection of dinosaur fossils anywhere. Its 4th floor halls were reopened several years ago after a lengthy restoration and modernization. The museum is also famous for its impressive Rocks and Mineral Hall.
In addition to the regular exhibit halls, the museum houses an IMAX movie theater and has several theaters for various lectures and other events that take place. There is a cafeteria offering an assortment of food items and a fully stocked, multi-floor shop selling everything from museum reproductions to books.

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Phone: 212-769-5100
Address: Central park West at 81st Street
Directions: The Museum is easily reached via subway by taking the C train to the 81 Street Station.
Website: www.amnh.org

Fifth Avenue is the dividing street that seperates the east side from the west side of Manhattan. From 34th street north, it has countless stores and eating establishments.
Also, the Empire State building is on the Avenue as well as St. Patricks Cathedral. From 42nd Street north, you'll find some of the best stores in NYC including Lord and Taylor, Saks 5th Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. Further north on 81st Street are the Metropolitan Museum and several other museums. This stretch is called Museum Mile. So whether its shopping or museums, 5th Avenue has something for you.

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Central Park is the largest urban park in the world. Situated in the heart of NYC, it extends north from 59th street to 110th street. And it spans east to west from 5th avenue to Central Park West. A total of 843 Acres. Within are numerous expanses of green as well as skating rinks, boat ponds and ball fields. There is also the Central Park Zoo and acres of woodland home to myriad species of birds. Also the Shakepeare Theater, where during the summer months, outdoor shows can be seen.

Throughout the park are numerous jogging and walking trails for one to enjoy. The scope of outdoor activities seems nearly endless. In addition, there are muscians to listen to and statues to see.

However, the park is also potentially dangerous at night, especially in isolated areas. So dont walk alone. The park is a great place to enjoy, away from the hustle and bustle.

Photo is one of the many old bridges found in the park.

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Website: http://www.centralpark.org/

This grandiose building built at the dawn of the 20th Century houses one of the largest depositories of books in the world. The library is a museum of period architecture and regularly features free special exhibits. In addition, there are numerous paintings by famous artists (Rembrandt Peale, George Romney, John Singleton Copely, etc)

The picture shows one of the famous lions that guards the entrance to the buiding.

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Phone: (212) 930-0830
Address: Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
Website: http://www.nypl.org/

The New York Aquarium is one of the finest in the US and is located in Coney Island, Brooklyn. One can see a wide variety of marine life here including numerous fish, sharks and marine mammals. There are Sea Otters, Walrus, Beluga Whales and Dolphins. A show is put on daily featuring the dolphins. It shows their high level of intelligence amongst other things. Another show features sea lions.

The aquarium is recommended for all lovers of animals.

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Directions: On the boardwalk, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

Located in Central Park, off 65th Street, is one of Americas finest zoos. Part of the New York Zoological and Conservation Society, the Central Park Zoo has a wide variety of animals despite its small size. It can easily be seen in a few hours. Major attractions include the Sea Lion Pool (See photo), Snow Monkeys, Rainforest Building and the world famous Polar Bear Exhibit. It is a fun and educational place to go to yourself or with the whole family.

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This famous museum housed and named after the Solomon Guggenheim is home to one of the largest collections of Modern Art in the USA. The building itself is a work of art. It was designed by architect and developer, Frank Lloyd Wright. Inside, one can see art from the 20th Century encompassing all the styles from Surrealism to Pop Art. Artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Joan Miro are all well represented.

Photographs are not allowed inside the exhibit halls. Like many museums, the Guggenheim hosts various special exhibitions. Check website for details. Current admissions price is $15.00 USD.

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Phone: (212) 423-3500
Address: 1071 5th Avenue (at 89th Street)
Directions: To reach the museum by subway, take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street. Walk west on 86th Street, turn right at 5th Avenue and proceed north to 88th Street.