An emerald expanse in the thriving, concrete jungle that is New York City, Central Park lies in the heartland of the Manhattan borough. It commences its labyrinthine stretch from Midtown, all the way to Harlem. It was created in 1857 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who envisioned a sprawling green space in the center of the island. The park spans 843 acres (341.15 hectares) and bustles with life throughout the day, even as the layered, multi-hued fold of the city's skyline unfolds at its hem. The park's 21 playgrounds are speckled with ornate fountains, sculptures, myriad bridges and arches, together forming an urbane respite where several come to find peace from the city's chaotic pace. Attractions within the park include the Bethesda Fountain, the Conservatory Garden, Belvedere Castle and Central Park Zoo.
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.
Iedere bezoeken aan New York zou in ieder geval een paar uur in dit enorme museum moeten doorbrengen. Ontworpen door Richard Morris Hunt in 1895, heeft het meer dan 1.5 miljoen vierkante feet (150,000 vierkante meters) expositieruimte. Europese schilderwerken die er tentoongesteld zijn bevatten onder meer werken van Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Cézanne, Titian en Vermeer. De Egyptische galerij is ongeëvenaard. Aziatische kunst, beeldhouwwerken, wapentuig en fotografie wedijveren ook om jouw aandacht. Als het warm weer is, worden er tijdelijke beeldhouwwerken getoond op het openlucht dakterras. Zie de website voor het tentoonstellingschema, lidmaatschapsdetails, de details voor bezoekers en speciaal Met Holiday Maandag.
The High Line is an urban oasis filled with beautifully manicured landscapes. It sits above the city on old train tracks that were installed as part of the West Side Improvement Project back in 1929. The line was primarily used to transport goods along the Lower West Side, but with the advent of vehicles in the 1950s and more accessible routes elsewhere, the last train eventually ran in 1980. Thereafter, the elevated tracks fell into disrepair, and the whole structure was nearly demolished. It was instead converted into an innovative public park, delighting locals and visitors alike. Today, the High Line is a cherished sanctuary away from the bustle of city life.
This small but beautiful botanic garden features a Japanese garden, as well as the Cranford Rose Garden, herb garden, the Children's Garden, and the Steinhard Conservatory of indoor flowers and plants. In all, there are 52 acres and 12,000 varieties of botanicals, ranging from the tiny bonsai to the towering oak. Self-guided tours, individual classes and certificate programs are all available. Students come with your valid id cards, if you want to avail of a discount.
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.
This Arte Primitivo gallery specializes in pre-Columbian art, as well as Classical, Egyptian and Asian antiques. It has been in existence since 1961. The current owner, Howard S. Rose, acquired the space in 1996. He has auctioned over rare pieces of pre-Columbian art since that time. Information on ongoing auctions can be obtained online at the gallery's website, or by calling for a printed catalog. Admission to the gallery is free.
Joyce Gold, an author and instructor of New York City history, leads vivid and detailed walking tours of the city that go above and beyond the usual. Tours include interesting subjects such as The Vital Heart Of Harlem: Its Spirit And Substance, Macabre Greenwich Village, East Village Culture And Counter-Culture and More Teeming Than Bombay: The Old Jewish Lower East Side. Check the Web site for current tours, timing and the places. Private tours are also available. Call for more details.
Built in 1924 for the American Radiator Company, this building was the first major design in New York by Rockefeller Center architect, Raymond Hood. Its stepped-back pyramidal roof was one of the first of its kind, and the stark black brickwork helps it stand out as a familiar landmark of the New York skyline. At 21 stories, the tower is topped by gold terra-cotta trim. When originally lit in honor of the heating company, the stories were supposed to resemble fired coals.
Offering custom guided tours of New York's top restaurants and food neighborhoods, Savory Sojourns promises a different experience altogether. Covering every inch of Manhattan, from Chinatown to Union Square, from ethnic neighborhoods to 4-star restaurants, you will get a taste of New York from the insider's perspective. The tours feature tastings, cooking demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours. Rates are expensive, but it's worth every penny. Corporate group rates available. Check website for more details.
If you are planning a trip with family or friends, then you can entrust yourself to the services of CIE tour operators. Choose from Italy, Ireland, Britain and many other destinations. During your sojourns, your tour director will enlighten you about the place you are visiting. And if you would rather travel by yourself, without being restricted to any schedule, they will provide you accommodation and a rented car too.
An offshoot of the Longwood Art Project, this gallery at Hostos Community College hosts exhibitions throughout the year. Drop in to check out their varied exhibits and satisfy your artistic appetite. Check their website to find out what grabs your interest. The gallery was set up so as to provide an inherent boost to the work of budding artists from various groups that not represented too well on the basis of race and ethnicity.