With a permanent collection numbering over two million individual works of art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is not only a New York City landmark, it is the United States' largest art museum and the fifth-most visited museum of any kind in the world. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the museum encompasses more than 1.5 million square feet (139,355 square meters) of exhibition space. European paintings on display include those by world-renown masters like Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Titian, and Vermeer. The vast collection has been split between several galleries, arranged by geographic origin and other thematic schemes. The Egyptian art gallery is especially enticing, as are the Met's repositories of Asian, African and Medieval art. Others include Islamic, Roman, and Greek art, the Arms and Armory section, the Costume Institute, and European Decorative arts. When weather permits, contemporary sculptures are displayed at the open-air roof garden. Apart from being a treasure trove for art lovers, The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a fun-filled and educational experience for all ages.
Tucked away in Queens is an old-fashioned testament to film and television. The actual studios of the one-time Paramount East Coast production house are closed, but the museum provides tours about film making where you can see makeup, costumes and well-known movie sets. There are several theaters for film screenings and a gift shop for souvenir hunters.
The Lincoln Center for Performing Arts is a massive venue when it comes to live entertainment. The Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors has something for everyone: internationally recognized dances, high-level performances, special events and jazz. Watch out for Live From Lincoln Center, a program that has famous orchestras and artistes performing. Lincoln Center holds about 400 live performances a year, ranging from classical to modern productions. And as if that wasn't enough, the Center also hosts many events put on by the Film Society at Lincoln Center. There are guided tours on a daily basis that explore the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, the New York State Theater (home of the New York City Opera) and the Vivian Beaumont Theater. During the tour, your guides will entertain you with fascinating stories and give you a glimpse of a rehearsal in progress.
Home to the legendary dance company The Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall is one of the most spectacular and famous performance venues in the United States. Its locale in the heart of the Big Apple has made it a cultural center, particularly during the Christmas season. Originally opened in 1932 and nicknamed "The Palace for the People," Radio City was renovated in 1980. Anybody who is anybody has performed here - New York legends Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis, Jr. are just a few that spring to mind, and to this day, the stage remains a showcase for entertainment royalty.
The American Museum of Natural History is a popular attraction and one of the largest natural history museums in the world. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, displays and exhibits, all geared to reveal secrets of the beautiful natural world. The visit begins with skeletons and life-size replicas of elephants, dinosaurs and other extinct creatures, which welcome you as you enter the main hall. Other points of interest include the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution, the Hall of Meteorites, a vast collection of gemstones, an IMAX theater and the Rose Center for Earth and Space planetarium shows (at extra cost), as well as a research library. The museum offers a number of specially customized public and group tours as well as educational programs and trips, enabling visitors to explore the exhibits in detail.
This powerhouse in the modern art world doubles as one of the best-known museums on the globe. Its galleries burst with intriguing exhibits showcasing mediums ranging from painting and drawing to print and illustration. Photography fans will also find a lot to love at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). Classic artworks closely associated with the museum include Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe and Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Should your appetite for food begin to compete with your appetite for art, there is a charming restaurant on site, as well as a gift shop to browse on your way out.
Located in a historic building since 1892, the Arts Students League has nurtured artists for over a century. Offering classes and studio space, the history of the New York art world is ever present here past students, instructors and lecturers have included Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Roy Lichtenstein, Childe Hassam and Georgia O'Keefe. The second floor gallery houses their permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibitions. The concourse exhibits works by League students.
This Manhattan museum is housed in a modern building with a resemblance to that of a Tetris game. All aspects of design, and every medium of art, are represented at this impressive museum. Whether it's architecture, interior design, fashion or folk crafts, the collections here encompass much of American object art. The museum also offers a wide range of workshops, programs and tours, giving anyone a chance to join in, whether you're an art student or a casual visitor.
The Weill Music Institute is located in one of New York's most prized touristy attractions, the world-famous Carnegie Hall. This institute provides enriching music education programs to all those who are interested. World music as diverse as Indian and Turkish rhythms are also part of the offerings here, and the best part is that students of all ages are encouraged to enroll. A number of events, festivals, workshops and concerts are held regularly too so check website for more details on those.
PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown is the perfect example of classic decor meeting metropolitan. This rooftop bar is what most city folks would love to head to in the evening to unwind with friends. Treat your taste buds with creative cocktails like Wet Dream, Blackberry Smash, Sparkling Dream Girl or local brew or one can even make a selection of wine from their collection of red and white. Complement your drinks with bar food such as kale artichoke dip, shrimp cocktail or mini pretzel bites. Add elegance to your celebration by hosting your guests at this venue as they offer rental services.
Located on the south of Central Park in Manhattan, The Park Central Hotel is a sophisticated hotel. It houses ballrooms of varying sizes. Spread across an area of 15000 square feet (0.13 hectares), these ballrooms can accommodate hundreds of guests. These spaces are perfect for hosting conferences, conventions, weddings and other such events.
Built around the theme of covering the lesser-known field of spycraft, the Spyscape is a one-of-a-kind museum. Visitors to the Spyscape can now enjoy sitting in interactive interrogation rooms, walking through laser tunnels and even receiving an analysis of the kind of spy work they are meant to do based on their profile. Other activities that one can indulge in the museum include browsing through spy artifacts and learning about historical stories like how the Enigma Code was cracked and about the security breach at the CIA website by a teenage hacker. If you are in the mood to experience something different, then a visit to the immersive Spyscape will certainly not let you down.