History and Culture in the Heart of New York Museums and Attractions in New York
The cultural diversity that weaves in and out of the neighborhoods in New York can make it difficult for a first-time traveler to choose what to see first. Here are a few picks that will give you a good taste of some of the city’s best places to see.
The Museum of Modern Art
MOMA More than 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects are waiting for you to admire and get inspired by. Plus there are media works and an impressive library. Start at the top floor and work your way down. And of course save at least an hour to shop at the
The Statue of Liberty
STATUE OF LIBERTY Get up early, dress like you are going through airport security (you will be screened), and head to Battery Park. The line gets longer throughout the day. Make sure you booked your tickets in advance online or use your City Pass for the Walk-up Reserve Line. The Monument Pass will give you access to the topm pedestal, which is quite a view. When you get on the ferry, make sure you sit on the right side on the way there and the left side on the return trip. At the island itself, the Audio Tours are an additional fee (of course), but the information is really interesting. The boat continues to other destinations—such as the Sports Museum—so pay attention to the announcements.
The MET
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (MET) The vast collection of art to be discovered at this museum is simply worth a full day unto itself. There are fantastic gallery talks, group tours, special exhibitions, and the audio guide to take you through the halls and halls of art that span American Decorative Arts, American paintings and sculpture, ancient near-Eastern art, art of Africa Oceania and the Americas, Asian Art, Costume Institute, Egyptian Art, European Paintings, Sculpture and Decorative Arts, Greek and Roman Art, Islamic Art, Medieval Art, Modern Art, drawings, and prints.
The Cloisters
THE CLOISTERS Assembled from architectural elements dating from 12th to the 15th centuries, this building is simply a marvel of exquisite beauty. The collection of more than 5,000 artworks ranges from medieval Europe’s 9th to 15th centuries. The location is very very uptown, so make it easy on yourself and hire a car service to wait for you. Otherwise, between the trip and the drama finding a taxi or public transportation, you can easily spend 4 hours on this excursion.
Rockafeller Center
ROCKEFELLER CENTER (TOP OF THE ROCK) Completed in 1939, these 14 art deco–style buildings connected by underground passages are home to several large companies, Radio City Music Hall, an ice rink, and rooftop gardens. Every year, the infamous Christmas tree lighting marks the beginning of New York’s holiday shopping season. You can schedule a 1-hour tour, go straight to Top of the Rock and the Rainbow Room for the view, or simply walk around the streets between 48th and 51st between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
The Empire State Building
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING The line to scale the tallest building in New York City can be easily deceiving. That’s because the line is actually the line to the line to the line. Yes, there is a line for multiple access points to the building…starting with the lobby, then to the correct elevator banks, then to switch elevators. The building rises 1,250 feet at the 102nd floor and reaches 1,453 feet at its full height: the observation deck is on the 86th floor. Best tips are to: 1. Check the weather as New York can be foggy that high up on certain days and 2. Go early or as late as possible leaving around 1.5 hours for the full viewing.
Fifth Ave from Central Park
FIFTH AVE AT CENTRAL PARK To get a glimpse of Manhattan’s charm, take a walk down Fifth Avenue beginning at Central Park. First of all, the shopping is outstanding. Second, the array of New Yorkers you’ll see give it such a pulse—from businessmen in suits to hot dog cart vendors, ladies who lunch, media fashionistas, and tourists from every country around the world.
Meatpacking District
MEATPACKING DISTRICT This area of town has been transformed so quickly and dramatically in the past years that walking around the neighborhood is an experience itself. During the day, take advantage of the numerous designer shops and boutiques by up-and-coming designers. At night, the streets come alive, with local New Yorkers spilling onto the sidewalk terraces or restaurants and spending all night in some of the city’s most popular lounges and clubs.
Whitney Museum
WHITNEY MUSEUM This 1966 building, by Hungarian-born, Bauhaus-trained architect Marcel Breur houses a permanent collection of more than 15,000 works by more than 2,500 artists—especially 20th and 21st century American art. The museum has the world's largest collection of Edward Hoppers' Art, nearly 200 works in all media. Its collection of Reginald Marsh works and of mobiles and stabiles of Alexander Calder is as unique. Not to be missed Calder's Circus—or see it online.
The Guggenheim
GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION The cyclical Frank Lloyd Wright–designed building is renowned for its collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern Art, and contemporary art, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009. Its restored exterior was unveiled to the public in July 2008. The Guggenheim is a Manhattan landmark and was featured in many films such as Bye Bye Birdie or Men in Black. Do not miss its online collection of more than 170 artists, making it one of most interesting in the Art world.
Broadway Plays
BROADWAY PLAY (TIMES SQUARE) It’s better to venture to this part of town with a goal in mind. Times Square is definitely not for shopping or a relaxing stroll. However, when you are on your way to see a Broadway play, your perspective quickly changes. You start to feel the real energy that feeds this part of town—and made it so historically important to the city of New York—and less like one of the tourists there to see the bright lights and neon advertisements.
