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.

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.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of busy midtown Manhattan lays a tribute to the history of television and radio known as the Paley Center for Media (formerly known as The Museum of Television and Radio). Far from your typical museum, you will not find artifacts hidden behind glass enclosures or many “do not touch signs” here. Instead you will be delighted to find screening rooms, and a vast media collection from which you can choose an actual program and view it. Visitors are allowed to a selection of up to four programs per visit. There are also two, full-sized theatres which often feature public programs, so check the schedule and make sure you time your visit to catch one. This Manhattan museum also offers many family and educational programs. The “Re-Creating Radio Workshop”, teaches children (over 9) and adults to produce and re-create old time radio dramas, with the use of scripts, music and a variety of sound effects. This is a fun way for parents and children to experience media in the way that their grandparents used to enjoy the new world of multi-media. And if you remember the early days of broadcasting, come and reminisce the magic of your youthful imagination. The Paley Center really has something for everyone!

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.

Children, as much as anyone, need a place to go where they can experience the world and explore the possibilities of science, art and society. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan gives families an opportunity to not only have a fun-filled and interactive museum experience but also to help jumpstart their child’s education. Located on the upper west side, the museum features some of the most unique and diverse exhibits in New York City. Children may find themselves in the EatSleepPlay center which allows them to build healthier lifestyles by experiencing hands-on the various functions of the human body. The family can then go to a live performance from a variety of top flight Broadway artists that all have a positive and enhancing message. In Spring 2012 the Children’s Museum celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by looking at various artists and writers who have helped shape the Pacific Asian culture. These artists and writers will be presented in such a way that children will grasp the concepts behind the work and help further stimulate their own thirsts for knowledge and understanding. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a great time for the kid and the kid at heart and welcomes all families to their door.

Many Americans can trace their ancestral roots to immigration through the New York system. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum offers an opportunity to understand directly what their families went through. This Manhattan museum delivers a remarkable re-creation of New York City’s past. Apart from the traditional glass-housed displays, the museum goes above and beyond, featuring several reconstructed apartments that show the day-to-day life of New York immigrants. Complete with actors and actresses, these apartments allow visitors to assume the role of a newly arrived immigrant and interact as if they were really there. The tours of the apartments even give visitors the opportunity to handle the household objects and completely blur the line between yesterday and today. Summer 2012 goes a step further with a walking tour of the Lower East Side, providing a firsthand account of the when’s, where’s and why’s of immigrants in Manhattan. Another feature during the summer will be a series of educational lectures from today’s immigrants, providing a fresh perspective on the reasons for immigration and the hardships of migration. Unlike many more traditional museums, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is a fully interactive experience that must be seen to be believed. Easily accessed from all of New York, one must make the time to find out exactly where their families came from.

A state of the art Fire Safety Learning Center located adjacent to Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
At the Fire Zone you can learn about the power of fire. At the Fire Zone you can climb on a real fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, feel a "hot" door and learn to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway, even in the dark. At the Fire Zone you can learn to identify hazards in your home, and help your parents make an escape plan. At the Fire Zone you will have a first-hand experience in respecting fire and learn what to do in an emergency.

The Whitney Museum houses one of the world's foremost collections of twentieth-century American art. The Permanent Collection of some 12,000 works encompasses paintings, sculptures, multimedia installations, drawings, prints, and photographs—and is still growing. The Museum was founded in 1931 with a core group of 700 art objects, many of them from the personal collection of founder Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney; others were purchased by Mrs. Whitney at the time of the opening to provide a more thorough overview of American art in the early decades of the century.

Upon entering, a copious amount of art speaks to your eyes, ushers you through the doors and into a world beyond your wildest dreams. Bringing to life some of the most amazing and detailed art you have ever seen, plan to come early and stay all day at this New York City museum. Paintings and sculptures entice you through the gallery, as your traverse the myriad of colors, textures and avant-garde esthetics. You are bound to find a few pieces that will stay engrained in your mind for years to come. As your vision returns to day-to-day Manhattan culture, prepare for some of the other facets of the artistic world that are offered here, such as classes, family oriented activities and even a “brown bag lunch lecture”. Throughout spring and summer of 2012, runs an exhibit titled “Murals for the Museum of Modern Art”. There could not be a more perfect time to gather the family and head over for a day filled with beauty and analytical thinking. Around every corner there lies something to be enjoyed and commended. The emotions that are encased within the art are themselves something one must feel for themselves to truly appreciate.

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.

Created by Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), The Noguchi Museum opened in 1985, presenting a comprehensive collection of the artist's works in stone, metal, wood, and clay, as well as models for public projects and gardens, dance sets, and Akari Light Sculptures. The Museum--chartered as The Noguchi Museum--is housed in thirteen galleries within a converted factory building and encircles a garden containing major granite and basalt sculptures.
After a two-and-a-half year long renovation, the Museum re-opened in June 2004 with the addition of an education center, a new cafe and shop, more adequate handicap accessibility, and a heating and cooling system that allows the Museum to remain open year-round. Besides launching its first-ever program of temporary exhibitions, the Museum has created a special gallery devoted to Noguchi's celebrated work in interior design.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are you familiar with the work of Alice Austen? Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, her photography and cultural impact is second-to-none and continues to be the definition of stunning work. The Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island pays homage to Austen’s work by showcasing her vast talents and restoring her home to an era gone by. When visiting this Staten Island museum, patrons will find themselves admiring the beautiful gardens and simple Victorian design that defines the house that was Alice Austen’s life. By stepping between the doors, you enter in to the private life of this powerfully observant woman and the chronicles of how Austen led her own life via her own testimonials and the documentations of those around her. Hundreds of pictures that Austen took in her lifetime surround you and demand your attention at every turn, complimented by the works of those inspired by her. In Spring 2012, this Staten Island museum featured “Foreclosed” which was a documentation of the American housing crisis. A stunning look between Austen’s work and the modern pieces, “Foreclosed” is a great example of what New York City museums offer, a slice of life.

Do you love TV? Movies? Digital Media? The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is the quintessential hub of information and instruction dedicated to all things revolving around the moving picture. This sprawling museum is home to an enormous collection of exhibits that give the visitor an opportunity to feel like they are a piece of the bigger picture. The museum’s offerings include firsthand looks at the making of TV and Movies, make-up work, digital presentations and lectures from some of the most revered artists, actors, producers and directors in the moving image community. On top of this, the museum offers special film screenings dedicated to the evolution of TV and film with sneak previews of upcoming attractions. Spring 2012 will bring even more into the museum as the featured attraction of “Aliens, Gadgets and Guns” will be displayed coinciding with the release of Men in Black 3. This exhibit is a tribute to master special effects and make-up artist Rick Baker, demonstrating the painstaking labor put into developing the gadgets, aliens and make-up required for a movie of this magnitude. The Museum of the Moving Image is a Queens’ charm with dedication to make people smile with awe at the vastness of the moving image community.

The first of its kind, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum paved the way for many to follow. Slated to be New York City’s first “green” museum, it integrates environmentally responsible building materials. Actively engaging in the education of sustainability and energy conservation, a fair amount of the hands-on exhibits encourage the appreciation of the bounty of plants and animals that surround the Brooklyn area and beyond. In addition, some of the green features of this NYC children’s museum also make for awesome visual appeal and presentations. Focusing on energy efficiency and a reduction in waste by using many recycled building materials, the grounds are awe inspiring. While browsing around, be sure to check out all of the interesting exhibits where a substantial amount are also made of recycled materials; also, here you will find Indian artifacts, a weapons and armor collection, and a doll collection that any little princess would be sure to enjoy. A little bit of something for everyone. Grab the family and head on down for a day of learning and culture, and then head on over to one of the many nearby parks for some relaxation. Nearing the end of your fun-filled day you might want to head over to the Brower Park Branch Library for some family reading.

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.

One of the crowning points of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the centerpiece building which houses the Queens Museum of Art. Easily accessible from all of New York City, the museum was constructed with the intent of presenting high quality visual art to the people of New York and helping to achieve a better understanding of the city’s diversity and magnitude. When you visit the museum, make sure that you allow yourself time to enjoy one of their many activities in a frequently changing roster of exhibitions. Long term exhibitions include The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, A Watershed Moment, which looks at the New York City water supply system and of course the Partnership Gallery which gives aspiring cultural and non-profit partners space to mount their own works and exhibitions. The Queens Museum of Art is also a museum dedicated to helping the community and giving back to those around them by offering several school-based tours and lectures to enhance young minds. If you care about enriching New York and having an opportunity to enjoy the finest work Queens has to offer, then you must take a trip into the Queens Museum 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.

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.

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.

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.