The Museum Mile
To discover how dense the cultural experience is in New York, head over to the Museum Mile” along 5th Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Museum goers will have an enriching time walking between 82nd Street and 105th Street alone. Along that stretch, you’ll be able to find historical museums like the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) and the Jewish Museum. For art, you can visit the Africa Center, El Museo del Barrio, the National Academy Museum, the Guggenheim, and the Neue Galerie New York. The Museum Mile is also the home of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met. From ancient artifacts to 20th century Austrian art, there will be something for you to ponder within the Museum Mile.
Nuyorican Poets Café
New York has nurtured some of the most important American poets of this age. Among them are Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Emma Lazarus, Allen Ginsberg, Frank O’Hara, John Ashbery, and Audre Lorde. But where should visitors go to encounter New York’s rising talents in poetry, as well as in music, comedy, and visual art? Nuyorican Poets Café is a hub for artists and art enthusiasts in Alphabet City of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It’s where you should be to feel the pulse of NYC’s art scene. Through slam poetry contests, musical performances, and the like, you’ll discover homegrown NYC artists from all walks of life.
The Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens will be a treat to cinephiles. This museum is known for its excellent program showcasing the best of New York cinema, as well as the best of world cinema at large. Here, visitors can enjoy special screenings, live concert films, and interactive exhibits. If you love movies, you should definitely put the Museum of the Moving Image on your list of places to visit.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music
The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a multi-arts center dedicated to the performance and appreciation of music. Its offerings are very diverse; a visitor can go here for a contemporary music launch or the latest rendition of an opera. In addition to musical performances, the Brooklyn Academy of Music also hosts interactive showcases, exhibits, and artist talks. Check out BAM’s calendar of events and choose the ones you’re most interested in attending!
The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx, is included in the National Register of Historical Places. The land it’s built on was acquired by its namesake, Thomas Pell, as early as 1654. The property was opened to the public as a museum in 1946. Going here will mean paying tribute to the 19th century history and architecture of New York. You’ll also be able to see exhibits, watch shows, join in workshops, and take part in special dining experiences like afternoon tea.
Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town, in the borough of Staten Island, is a museum complex that houses some of New York’s old-world treasures. It’s jointly overseen by the City of New York and the Staten Island Historical Society. There’s an excess of 30 historic buildings that date back to the 17th century, as well as land long given to farming. If you visit Historic Richmond Town, you’ll be able to see what life was like for the craftsmen that made it famous. Plus, you can attend events like the Richmond County Fair and take part in traditional activities like quilting, pumpkin picking, and English Country Dancing!
These are just a few locations on New York’s expansive cultural map. Which of them are you most excited about visiting?
Article written by Briana
(Photo by jnc via Flickr)