Let your wild side reign free as you explore the many faces of some very unique creatures at this Brooklyn museum of life. Venture deep into the jungle as you see the animals up close. Dare to spend the day with the valor of a lion roaming with his pride. A family spending time together, appreciating nature in all its ferocious glory is what this NYC museum is all about. Take the children to the discovery center where they can try their hand at some basic veterinary skills while conducting check-ups on real live animals. Then, head over to the young naturalist camping area, cook food on a "campfire", and explore using field guides for animals that one might see on a camping trip. Feeling the urge to feed some of the animals’ springtime is the perfect time to head over and feed the sea lions - they just love the attention too. Weekends are an ideal time to visit as you can chat live with the zookeepers and learn how they care for the animals. Maybe even find out what your favorite animal does when you're not there. Overall, this taste of the wild offers a wide variety of things to do, see and learn. Spring/Summer 2012 is a great time to come see this gem.

Since its founding in 1973, Yeshiva University Museum’s changing exhibits have celebrated the culturally diverse intellectual and artistic achievements of 3,000 years of Jewish experience. The Museum provides a window into Jewish culture around the world and throughout history through its acclaimed multi-disciplinary exhibitions and award-winning publications. By educating audiences of all ages with dynamic interpretations of Jewish life, past and present, along with wide-ranging cultural offerings and programs, the Museum attracts young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish audiences.

Just steps from the "Charging Bull" sculpture, Battery Park and The Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation and walking distance from many favorite New York City attractions, lays the home of the greatest tribute to skyscrapers of NYC. Celebrating the great architectural history of the city and boasting many scale models this Manhattan museum houses a vast resource of information in print and via computers, chronicling the architecture, building styles and techniques used to create the great hub that is New York. Saturday mornings are all about family, with a rotating schedule of enticing events that families are sure to enjoy. Explore the principles of urbanism, architecture, and engineering through hands-on activities, a great way to get the family together to learn really intriguing facts and functions. The Skyscraper Museum also shares a building with the Ritz Carlton; so, after your fun-filled day you will surely want to stop by Crumbs Bake Shop and get yourself a taste of awesomeness offering a wide variety of flavors to satisfy any sweet tooth. The s'Mores cupcake will definitely leave you longing for s'more to take home and enjoy! Leave the area satisfied that you have learned most everything about the buildings that surround and captivate you.

Bright displays and unique settings make the scene at Manhattan’s only contemporary art museum in the New Museum of Contemporary Art. This New York City Museum is distinctive, embodying traditional thought processes of those of contemporary artists in an impactful display much different than your traditional plate glass and roped off museum. The museum itself is open to the public with a vast variety of unique pieces and constantly has new things for visitors of all types to see. This Manhattan museum sports all kinds of exhibitions, ranging from sculptures, music and art of all sorts whether traditional or abstract. Contemporary Art is exploding with a creative variety that gives a little bit of something for all art lovers and art novices alike. Visitors under 18 can enter for free, and new exhibits continue to arrive in the Summer 2012. These new exhibits will be including work by Ellen Altfest, Phyllida Barlow, Tacita Dean, and other great talents from overseas. The New Museum of Contemporary Art promises to give a matchless and lasting memory for its visitors and expand our knowledge to a broad spectrum of creativity from around the world.

Home of the Miotte Foundation, is committed to an exploration of “art within a context.” This approach favors a program of exhibitions which reflect contemporary human experience across a broad spectrum of cultural, social, environmental and geographical contexts. CAM’s exhibitions, each supported by a rich series of related cultural events and educational programs, seek to support in both its artists and audiences a sense of creativity, community and cultural exchange.

One of the most serene museum experiences you will ever have is at Staten Island’s own Museum of Tibetan Art. Nestled amongst a rustic complex that resembles a Tibetan monastery, the museum offers New Yorkers and visitors from around the world an opportunity to experience the eastern philosophies while staying in the New York area. The museum itself offers a variety of live Tibetan cultural experiences designed to enlighten those intrigued about the Eastern Philosophies. The exhibits to be experienced include a very in-depth look at the art and music that developed from the Himalayan area including a how and why explanation of the Tibetan lifestyle. Interested in Tibetan food? The museum also has a vast sampling of different foods and drinks inspired y the Tibetan region. Want to expand your mind? Take one of the classes on meditation and Tai Chi, designed to bring one closer to nirvana. The S even includes musical demonstrations such as the concert series in the Summer of 2012. The Museum of Tibetan Art is a great link to another culture and will give New Yorkers a great opportunity to not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also to fully immerse themselves into Tibetan society.

In today’s society, it is very hard not to see the influence of Chinese culture and how it has shaped everything from medicine to our economy. The China Institute in Manhattan gives a deeper understanding of China through their programs in education, culture, business and art, and gives a strengthening of the global community by enhancing the knowledge of East and West. Inside the building, visitors will find more than your traditional artwork and instead find an education hub dedicated to all forms of communication and education supporting the understanding of China. While there, one has the opportunity to explore performing arts programs, lecture series, short courses, symposia, film screenings and workshops all revolving around China. Spring 2012 has a special focus on Chinese architecture and features a book signing for the novel “Chinese Architecture and the Beaux-Arts.” This event includes an in-depth lecture on this fascinating subject and is to be used as a catalyst to better understanding the development of Chinese architecture. The China Institute is one of New York’s best and only links to our neighbor to the east and should be a destination of anyone looking to expand their minds and better their understanding of the Chinese people.

The Staten Island Children's Museum appeals to the intrepid explorer in every child. Interactive exhibitions and creative workshops offer plenty of opportunities for hands-on, first hand experiences that nurture children's natural curiosity and creativity. Visits to the museum launch children on a voyage of discovery - about themselves and the world around them.

Are you interested in a quirky change to the standard museum experience? The Staten Island Museum is a small but very fun museum located just two blocks west of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The Staten Island Museum has a fun selection of exhibits that document the art, natural science and history that surrounds Staten Island. One great experience includes taking a look at the geological display that allows visitors to gaze through special microscopes that show the intricate designs within the local soil. Another fun fact is that the museum offers a wall of mounted butterflies and wildlife which is larger than any other display on Staten Island. The Ferry system is also extensively chronicled, showing the history of the ferry and how it has benefitted the people of New York. Always conscious of their family atmosphere, this modest New York museum even offers special free days for its visitors, which gives more people an added opportunity to experience the wealth of natural history. Featuring a variety of experiences and exhibits that are both informative and fun, the Staten Island Museum is really a crown jewel in the museum scene.

Do you love trains? Did you ever wonder about how the subway system was developed? Do you love seeing a part of New York that has influenced the world? If you answered yes to any of these questions then the New York Transit Museum is for you. This Cadman Plaza tourist attraction is home to one of the most uniquely vast transportation histories in the world. A visit to this museum gives you an opportunity to experience firsthand what this historic transit system is all about. Housed within ist walls are many different subway cars, engines and displays, all with their own story, and all showcasing the rich history of New York City transit. One can marvel in yesteryear with the ads from the early 1900s or discover the secrets of conduction, filtering and green energy through the interactive displays. The museum also offers full workshops and guided tours where patrons can further their knowledge and experience live the evolution of one of the most written about phenomenon in the world. This free Brooklyn Museum is open to the public and truly showcases how great Brooklyn has become in enriching its visitors and discovering the culture of New York City.

The Noble Maritime Museum is a tribute to maritime culture and displays the people and traditions of the working waterfront in its educational exhibitions. Before even entering into the museum, patrons are greeted by a beautiful array of sun and light overlooking the harbor. This is significant because the museum was built around the houseboat home of John A. Noble, the famous maritime artist and recorder of the past. The Noble Maritime Museum plays host to much of his life’s work in documenting the end of the Age of Sail. It is a beautiful example of the history of Maritime events. Several of the exhibitions include the oil paintings of John A. Noble with special focus on ship models and crew presentations, a look at merchant ships and their effect on New York trade, and a Spring 2012 opening of a Titanic exhibit. Also featured at the museum is the history of Sailors' Snug Harbor, the famous retirement home and the oldest charitable institution in America. This New York City museum is a significant part of Staten Island museums and culture, and continues to bring New Yorkers in to visit a storied part of America’s past.

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art, is the oldest and second largest non-profit arts center in the United States solely devoted to contemporary art. Recognized as a defining force of the alternative space movement, P.S.1 stands out from major arts institutions through its cutting-edge approach to exhibitions and direct involvement of artists within a scholarly framework. It acts as an intermediary between the artist and its audience. Functioning as a living and active meeting place for the general public, P.S.1 is a catalyst for ideas, discourses and new trends in contemporary art and its practices.

Housed aboard the 1914 Lehigh Valley Barge #79, a visit to this New York City museum will definitely leave you standing on your sea legs. Take a step into a little slice of history. Learn about maritime heritage and the importance of the great water highway for commerce. With public access to waterfront piers and recreational activities a plenty, there is never a dull moment here, you might even catch a show. Admission is free! This great place strives to make things available free and low cost to the public. With the amount of amazing art, community support, involvement and opportunities that this Brooklyn museum provides, you might consider giving a donation. Across the way, at the nearby Redhook Homeport, stands a beautiful garden, a stunning pier where the ocean seems never ending and the most picturesque view of the sunset over Lady Liberty that you will find anywhere. A must for summer 2012 travelers. Vacation photos will make you the envy of all your friends. So come down today and experience the wonder that is the Waterfront Museum of Brooklyn. On your way home, do not forget to stop by Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie, a true treat just one tenth of a mile away and an easy walk after a beautiful day.

Historic Richmond Town is a living history museum located in Staten Island, New York. It is a complex of buildings and structures that have been carefully preserved to give visitors a glimpse into the past and a better understanding of the history and culture of Staten Island and New York City. The museum features over 30 historical structures, including a colonial-era courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and a variety of homes and businesses that were once located throughout Staten Island. Visitors can experience what life was like in the past through interactive exhibits, tours, and living history demonstrations. The museum is also home to the Staten Island Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Staten Island and its residents. The society's collections include artifacts, documents, and photographs that provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived on Staten Island throughout history.
The museum is open to visitors throughout the year and offers a variety of programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visitors can take a tour of the museum's buildings and structures, participate in hands-on activities, attend lectures and workshops, and explore the museum's gardens and grounds. The Decker Farm is also part of the museum's property, where visitors can enjoy the bountiful harvests of produce from its well-maintained and beautiful organic fields, and learn about the farming practices used in the past.
In Historic Richmond Town, visitors can live vicariously through history and really gain a feel for the true American experience. It's a great place to bring friends and family to create memories that will last a lifetime. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and engaging programs, it's easy to see why visitors keep coming back to this unique and historic museum.

The Godwin-Ternbach Museum is a professional not-for-profit art institution situated on the Flushing, Queens campus of Queens College, the City University of New York. A comprehensive permanent collection of 3,500 objects from all cultures, ranging from the ancient world to the present day, is used to organize exhibitions and programs as cultural and educational vehicles for students, faculty and public audiences alike. Presentations of contemporary and historical significance alternate between showcases of the collection and special exhibitions. Founded in 1981 by art historian Frances Godwin and noted art restorer Joseph Ternbach, the Museum's mission has grown with the changing times from a teaching museum for the benefit of art students to a public museum that reaches out beyond the college campus.

The cornerstone of Brooklyn’s enlightened history and the pinnacle of museum life, the Brooklyn Historical Society takes everything that is Brooklyn and makes it vibrant and tangible for all to experience. The Brooklyn Historical Society is not just a museum; it’s the very vehicle designed to preserve and present the past. Every single aspect of Brooklyn’s history is represented within the Queen Anne styled building and offers something for everybody. If you are a baseball buff then you can relive the days of Duke Snyder and the Brooklyn Dodgers through the sports exhibit. If you are from a Jewish heritage you can learn more about the significant history of the Jews in New York through the Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative. Even the most prominent New Yorkers are featured within the Brooklyn Historical Society, giving you an opportunity to dive into the immense history of New York and how Brooklyn’s populace played its part in setting that stage. Summer 2012 marks the time of remodeling of the Brooklyn Historical Society which will further expand its walls and give even more people an opportunity to see the real Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Historical Society is one of the most awe-inspiring and enlightening experiences available in New York City and needs to be visited live in order to be appreciated fully.

A bright light on a dark coast, the National Light Museum in Staten Island is one of the newest contributions to American culture and distinguishes an often overlooked part of maritime development. Guest speakers from the museum explain the significance and development of the lighthouse on the east coast. They also speak of the various stories involving the history of shipping and waterways of the State of New York and the application of lighthouses to the modern day maritime world. In Spring of 2012, the National Lighthouse Museum was given a high honor by playing host to the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Titanic to New York. While the museum itself highlights some of the most unique and important developments for lighthouses and boating from the past, the crown achievement of the National Lighthouse Museum has been the development of in-depth boat tours chronicling the different lighthouses along the New York coast. The boat tour, in cooperation with the museum, establishes the history and importance of lighthouses and how they helped in everything from merchant travel to wartime efforts. The National Lighthouse Museum is a beacon, both literally and figuratively, of America’s growth and heritage.

One of the richest human cultures in New York, if not the world, is that of Judaism. With a history dating back over 3000 years, the Judaic culture has developed one of the most treasured and influential civilizations in human history. With The Jewish Children's Museum, Jews and Non-Jews alike have an opportunity to experience hands-on exhibits teaching all about creation, holy days observed, the kosher lifestyle and many other cultural topics. When walking through this vast building, it is quite apparent that much thought and financing went into making an enjoyable learning experience. The museum strives to open minds by offering a experiential programming that enhances the knowledge and appreciation of all Jewish culture. Some features of the museum include a Jewish game show, with audience participation, movies shown in a mini-theater, and many interactive displays that highlight daily Jewish life. As summer 2012 approaches, The Jewish Children's Museum will even be offering craft making to coincide with the approaching Shavuot, or giving of the Torah, holiday. For these interactive learning experiences that opens minds and entertains all, one simply has to visit this Brooklyn museum located in the peak of Crown Heights and easily accessible to everyone in New York City.

As diverse and unique as any structure in Brooklyn, the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum is a part of American Culture that you cannot afford to miss. Revered as the oldest standing building in New York City and a National Landmark, the Wyckoff Farmhouse is a stunning example of America's colonial past, nestled into the beautiful Brooklyn landscape. During its guided tours, patrons are able to learn about the rich history of the Wyckoff Farmhouse, from its use as a Dutch farm to the impact the farmhouse had on African-American culture. There are several different tours to experience including an in-depth look at the construction of the farmhouse and how it compares to today’s society. The more hands-on exhibits are truly the main attraction of the Wyckoff Farmhouse, offering a variety of colonial tasks including butter churning, herbs and sachet making, and crop examination. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Wyckoff Farmhouse in the Summer 2012 you will have the opportunity to see the organic lifestyle surrounding the colonial days and even participate in a scavenger hunt through the on-site garden. For an experience into Brooklyn's treasured culture and a clock-turning look at the past, make sure you visit the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum.

As you approach the New York Hall of Science Museum, you will be awed by the visual appeal of the large, rounded entrance featuring an array of windows, enhancing the open feel. Upon entering, you will be drawn into a quizzical world of wonder, exploration and exhibits for every age level. The fun starts with a Pre-School area where children can make music, play with trains or turn a crank to see the process of a pulley system and leads to hearing a story at the Science and Technology Library. Here, parents and children can bond over many great learning experiences. Sharing in hands-on activities brings a sense of closeness as you watch the wonder in your child’s eyes turn to amazement as they learn a myriad of new things in the educationally stimulating environment this Queens’ museum offers. Occupying one of the few remaining structures of the 1964 New York World’s Fair, it stands alone as New York’s only inter-active science and technology center. Other features of the museum include the Science Playground and Rocket Park Mini Golf. Bring the family out for a fun filled day on Long Island of learning, fun and quality time.

A very intriguing throwback to the past is the Queens County Farm Museum. Located on the largest undisturbed tract of farmland, the museum is the only continuously worked farm site left in New York City. Visitors have an opportunity to forget the busy life of the city and instead enjoy the rural atmosphere through a variety of activities designed to give patrons an idea of how farm life used to be in New York. The museum itself is rich in activities, as visitors can do just about anything involving farm life. Interacting with livestock, a working greenhouse and guided exploration of the historic farm buildings are all part of the experience. The museum also plays host to many guest presentations, including representatives of the Native Americans originally in New York, the Queens County Fair and several antique car and motorcycle road shows. Starting in Spring 2012, the farm is offering hayrides which encompasses the entire compound and make you feel like one of the farmers back in the agricultural heyday. For a chance to experience New York’s past in one of the most beautiful parts of New York City, plan a visit to the Queens County Farm Museum.

The Bronx Museum of the Arts (BxMA) is re-envisioning the role of museums in contemporary society: it addresses the changing needs of its diverse constituencies, while standing at the forefront of scholarly discourse, museum practices, and innovative public programs. As such, BxMA is recognized as "an important player in shaping New York art of both the present and the future" (The New York Times).
The Bronx Museum was founded in 1971 by a group of local residents to bring the visual arts to the Bronx. It has remained the only fine art museum in the Bronx. In its first decade, it was housed in the public rotunda of the Bronx County Courthouse located on Grand Concourse and 161st Street. In 1982, it moved five blocks north on the Concourse to 165th street into a former synagogue purchased and donated by the City of New York.

If you are looking for more than just a museum and instead are looking for an educational center that inspires minds and promotes creativity, then look no further than Queens own Museum of Modern Art. The Museum of Modern Art is a short drive from anywhere in New York and provides an impressive look at a wide variety of modern art ranging from portraits to digital media with the concept of providing a bridge between the established social norms and the wildly experimental. Much of this museum promotes first-hand experiences with the artwork and gives the patrons a direct link to the artists. In summer 2012, the museum will be featuring another sampling of modern art with work set to be featured by Alighiero Boetti, the Quay Brothers, Alina Szapocznikow and more. The beauty of these incoming works is that each other pushes the boundaries of what typical art is and instead provides the catalyst for an acceptance of something new and exciting. The Museum of Modern Art is one of the few museums in the world that promotes something different as well as offering you the opportunity to witness, close up, the evolution of art.

The American Civil War has fascinated historians and the general public alike for generations. One of the most discussed and researched topics from this time period is the anti-slavery movement and how certain individuals utilized their abilities to help spearhead change in the country. The King Manor Museum is a Queens museum dedicated to Rufus King and shows the ramifications his life had on reshaping a nation. Located in the preserved home of King, the King Manor Museum is a step back in time as you experience the life of a foregone era. Inside, visitors are greeted by a variety of interpretive programs designed to enlighten them on the King family life, from the signing of the constitution to the struggles of post-Civil War America. Spring 2012 offers a unique opportunity to visitors as the King Manor looks to further enhance its grounds by allowing them to participate in the planting of the very first garden since the days of Rufus King himself. With over 1400 unique pieces of memorabilia and a dedication to informing about the past, the King Manor Museum is sure to impress and engage all who go.

Also known as The Fort Schuyler Museum, this Bronx museum is housed on the campus at SUNY (State University of New York). Visitors enter through the Fort’s sally port, a tiny door that leads you back into maritime history. Once you step through this time portal, you can almost hear the wind in the sails, with a few “Aye Aye Captain” hollers thrown in. This museum is filled with one of the largest collections of maritime materials. The chronologically displayed exhibits provide a great experience of the history of the maritime industry. The underwater exhibit is filled with artifacts recovered from sunken ships around New York. On the second deck, you will find a bounty of art, paintings and artifacts from the early days of sea travel to the most recent merchant marine. The Promenade entrance offers the visual appeal of models of the Reliance, Hansa, Breman and many more. A perfect place for a father-son outing, or a day of maritime education and adventure for any interested in the history of trade, travel and sea adventure, this is a real treasure chest of knowledge. The interesting gift shop called the “Slop Chest” offers many unique treasures and trinkets to commemorate your adventure.