Calling all Bibliophiles: if The Morgan Library isn’t on your NYC itinerary, be sure to add it right away. Arguably one of the most beautiful public institutions in the city, this whimsical sanctuary is a book lovers’ paradise, complete with rotating temporary exhibitions and even a handwritten copy of Walt Whitman’s O Captain, My Captain.
Rather than jet-setting to Germany to see this monumental piece of history, you can catch a chunk of the graffitied remnants of the Berlin Wall in the middle of two Manhattan courtyards: one slab in Battery Park, and another located at the UN plaza.
Everyone wants their photo snapped lounging on the steps of the Met or playfully cowering beneath the jaws of a fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex at the American Museum of Natural History. However, if you were to amp up the unconventional factor and scale down the square footage —to the size of one re-purposed elevator shaft to be exact— and you’re left with Mmuseumm, a quirky curatorial experience that seeks to tell the connective narrative of seemingly mundane objects. Entry to the (M)museum(m) is based on a suggested donation.
Central Park is a favorite among tourists and locals alike, but many of the woodland’s most charming attributes go overlooked. Pause your stroll, jog, or picnic and be sure to take a closer look at some of the benches; many of them have been “adopted” and inscribed with romantic quotes. Consider making a scavenger hunt out of who in your party can find the best snippet for some added fun.
Catch a taste of NYC from another decade with a parlor jazz show at the Harlem home of Marjorie Eliot’s. Entry to her legendary weekly concerts is free, but donations are always appreciated.
While we’re still on the topic of Harlem Renaissance-era NYC, throw it back to the prohibition days by visiting one of Manhattan’s many speakeasy-style bars. There’s a myriad to choose from; just ask around or do a little digging online.
Erected in 1913, this stunning building was once the world’s tallest, and was also kept an exclusive venue for the wealthy elite. Times have changed, and though the Woolworth Building now pales in height compared to the city’s numerous skyscrapers, its beauty is, fortunately, open to the public. Architecture enthusiasts will gawk at the Byzantine-inspired mosaic ceiling, soaring lobby, and Gothic Revival exterior; film buffs will delight in recognizing the building as a backdrop for numerous movies.