New York City is known for its rich cultural life. From music and the performing arts to stimulating exhibits and an overwhelming number of museums, the city is full of opportunities. Although it is impossible to list every single thing there is to do and see, here are a few highlights to start with in Manhattan. And once you’ve taken advantage of these, continue exploring the never-ending adventure that is New York!
Lincoln Center: Lincoln Center is host to a wide variety of cultural events. It contains a number of venues, most notably Avery Fisher Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House, and hosts numerous cultural organizations which present ballets, operas, classical music, jazz and more. Each season brings with it new shows for a culturally enriching year. Student rush tickets are usually available for events at Lincoln Center.
Broadway: One of the biggest cultural features of NYC is Broadway. With a dazzling array of musicals and plays opening every year and classics that have been playing for years, there is something for everyone. Theaters are within walking distance of Stern, and many shows have student or general rush policies, which can be checked on broadwayforbrokepeople.com (a very handy guide).
Discovery Center at Times Square: Located in the heart of Times Square, the Discovery Center has a constantly rotating schedule of exhibits, which are always equally interesting and informative. Past exhibits have covered the Titanic, Da Vinci, Harry Potter, Pompeii, and more. This is great for both an educational experience and a fun time with friends.
The Art Scene: NYC is home to many great art museums that house vast collections of art from all periods. On the Upper East Side, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frick, and the Guggenheim are all within walking distance of each other. While the Frick and the Guggenheim can be covered in one day, the Met would require a few visits in order to see all it has to offer. If you have a day off and nowhere to go, spending a few hours wandering around the Met is a wonderful option. However, if you want to stay closer to the Stern area, the Museum of Modern Art is in midtown and always has new exhibits opening up.
The Morgan Library & Museum: Just a ten minute walk from Stern, the Morgan is a house museum with an ever-changing lineup of exhibits on art, literature, history, and culture. Past exhibits have included collections of rare drawings by artists such as Rembrandt and Ingres, diaries from notable historical and literary figures, handwritten manuscripts and memorabilia from the likes of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, and more.
The New York Public Library: Conveniently located in midtown, this main branch has historical and cultural exhibits that change regularly and are based on items from the library’s collections.
American Museum of Natural History: This huge Upper West Side museum displays vast collections of natural artifacts and is also home to the Hayden Planetarium, as well as a library.
Joe’s Pub: A gem of a music venue, Joe’s Pub has two shows every night featuring both small bands and larger names. If you’re looking for a low-key and inexpensive way to spend your evening and like discovering new music, this would be the place for you. This intimate venue is also a bar/restaurant, and guests are required to order something, but just as in any lounge, soda is always an option.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: A hot tourist destination, this wax museum near Times Square allows you to get up close and personal with all your favorite actors, singers, celebrities, and political and historical figures. Photography is allowed and encouraged.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum: For a taste of history, experience what it was like to be an immigrant living in a this brick tenement building in the 19th and 20th century. Tours take visitors through restored apartments, where period actors show what it would have been like to live there.
(Next Issue: Jewish cultural destinations around NYC!)