Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave.
Midtown West, NY
(212) 736-3100
The tallest building in New York City, was completed in 1931 during the great depression, and stood almost empty for some time. Today, it's host to millions of visitors a year, most of whom ride to the fenced-in Observation Deck just a short distance from the building's top. The popular New York Skyride is launched from the mezzanine with Star Trek's Scottie (James Doohan) as the guide. The Skyride simulates a rooftop flight over the city.
 

Staten Island Ferry
Whitehall and South Sts.
Lower Manhattan
The city's most celebrated means of transportation offers unsurpassed views of the Manhattan skyline, and it's free.

The Statue of Liberty
The trip to Liberty Island where Lady Liberty stands takes 15 minutes. 

 

The Museum of Modern Art

11 West 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Manhattan

212-708-9400

Following a temporary move to Queens and a total renovation of the Manhattan facility, the foremost collection of modern art in the world is now completely reinstalled for the latest series of exhibitions.  The MoMA draws on both its iconic masterpieces and newly installed contemporary works to explore the birth and growth of modernism.

The 100,000 pieces of art include household objects, photography, graphic design, conceptual art, and industrial design, primarily from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Works of art feature postimpressionists through "Graffiti" artists.  See the early groundbreaking work of Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Monet, van Gogh and many other pivotal artists.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave (At 82d St.)
New York NY (212) 535-7710
Tues.-Thur. and Sun, 9:30am-5:15pm; Fri-Sat, 9:30am-9pm
Admission charged.
"The Met" has been described as a vast city of art. The limestone beaux-arts facade with its impressive steps opens onto whole buildings within. Among these are the Temple of Dendur, the Astor Court, a replica Ming dynasty scholar's courtyard, an American wing containing over 20 period style rooms and courtyards, as well as the entire facade of the United States Bank from Wall Street. In addition, there are about 15 discrete collections from ancient art upward through the ages. An Orientation Theater points the way. On Friday and Saturday evenings, a string quartet entertains

Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Ave (At 75th St.)
New York NY
(212) 570-3600
Tues, Wed, Fri-Sun, 11am-6pm; Thurs. 1-8pm
Admission charged.
The museum has an excellent permanent collection of 20th-century art. Recent acquisitions can be seen in several new galleries which opened in April 1998.