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.
With a name as mystical as Brú na Bó, and a colorful milieu of artworks adoring the window, you are lured to walk into this magnificent art and antique shop. If you have an eye for antiques or love to collect works of regional artists, then you will love browsing through the collection of Brú na Bó. Its ever-changing inventory of paintings, porcelain art, textiles and new furniture reflect the work of talented local painters and craftsmen. The collection of antique furniture found here is extensive, offering a lot of options in products which are handcrafted from reclaimed antique woods. And its association with art is not just restricted to visual artworks, as the shop also arranges special performances by local as well as upcoming national artists or bands, throughout the year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This gallery features works of art from various artists in the fields of painting and photography. But that's not all, their focus is also on mixed media and sound installation. Artists who were otherwise ignored are now being recognized and appreciated. These spellbinding creations are sure to lure every eye. So here's calling all you art enthusiasts, do make a trip and enjoy yourselves.
Having the capacity to hold about 180 people, Elebash Recital Hall is located in the City University of New York Graduate Center. An ideal place for holding cultural events like student concerts and other formal presentations, this venue is quiet spacious. Fully equipped with audio and visual equipments, this hall hosts several special events annually. Catering primarily to cultural events, the hall is commonly known as a culture complex.
Located off New York State Thruway, Common Ground Coffeehouse is a popular venue for music concerts. In addition to hosting concerts in this cozy performance venue, they also host concerts in other locations like Irvington Theater in New York. This cozy venue is a great place to visit for music lovers.
If you want to prepare your kids for the future of science, Dolan DNA Learning Center is an excellent place to start. As the human genome begins to unravel beneath the glare of intense research, there is no better time to be educated on the principles of genetics. There are programs available for college, post-graduate students and the public; teacher training workshops are provided, as are summer day camps and the regular Saturday DNA! class, aimed at making genetics more fun and accessible for the general public. Call or check the website for more details.
Founded in 1998, the Toquet Hall Teen Center is a community space where youngsters can indulge in clean and safe fun. The idea is to provide a secure environment to the teenagers, where they can participate and enjoy different activities. Dance, music, theater and other creative avenues are explored here, thereby, introducing them to a different world. Every event and show held here is sans any drugs or alcohol. The hall can also be rented for events, provided it is in sync with the core values of the teen center.