The New York City Traveler

Located in the beaux-arts Alexander Hamilton Customs House on the Battery, the National Museum of the American Indian houses some of the Smithsonian’s collection of Native American art and artifacts. 
The permanent collection spans more than 10,000 years of native history, a significant portion of which is dedicated to the natives of North America and Hawaii.  Also represented are the indigenous cultures of Central and South America.  The museum also offers a range of public programs—including music and dance performances, films, and symposia.    
The exhibitions are all conceived and designed by Native American artists.  Currently on exhibit:

Listening to …read more

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This is your last weekend to catch the Whitney Biennial, the majority of the exhibition ends June 1st.  Here is the rest of my short list on other notable exhibitions and shows that are ending in June.  Be sure you catch these events before they’re gone!
“Geometry in Motion” | MoMA   Tracing the transformation of the art object.  Through June 23.
“Darwin’s Garden” | The New York Botanical Garden  Explore the untold story of Darwin’s botanical influences, his research, and his contribution to our understanding of plants.  Through June 15. 
“Olafur Eliasson”  | MoMA and P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center  This comprehensive two …read more

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The Whitney is so much more than just a biennial.  The Whitney Museum of American Art is the leading collection of 20th-century American contemporary art located right in the heart of Manhattan on the Upper East Side.   
The Whitney was founded in 1931 with the donation of 700 objects from Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.  Whitney, herself a well regarded sculptor, initially attempted to make the donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but the donation was declined, leading Whitney to be the founding member of the Whitney Museum of American Art. 
Currently, the permanent collection consists of over 12,000 works, …read more

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Memorial Day weekend is just beginning and New York is preparing for the summertime influx of visitors to the Big Apple.  The city can be a pricey destination, but with careful planning, substantial discounts can found to top attractions.  The New York CityPass is one of best the deals in New York City tourism.   
The New York CityPass gives you admission to six of New York’s top attractions:

Empire State Building Observatory
American Museum of Natural History & Rose Center
Guggenheim Museum
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Metropolitan Museum of Art & Cloisters
And your choice of Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises -or- Statue of …read more

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Met Holiday Mondays returns to the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Monday, Memorial Day.  The Met is usually closed on Mondays, but with the support of Bloomberg, the Met and all of its galleries are open on select holiday Mondays. 
This is your chance to catch temporary exhibits that are currently on display:

Jeff Koons on the Roof
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
American Landscapes
Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum
Tiepolo Drawings from the Robert Lehman Collection
Anatomy of a Masterpiece: How to Read Chinese Paintings
Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
Beauty and Learning: Korean Painted Screens

All …read more

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Just a couple weeks ago Manhattan added yet another new museum to its growing list: Sports Museum of America (SmA).  The three-story, 45,000-square-foot museum features 600 artifacts, 1,100 photographs, and 20 original films within 19 galleries, celebrating the sports that American love.  
The floor plan takes visitors through eight galleries dedicated to single-sports, each full of artifacts and memorabilia from each sport: football, hockey, tennis, golf, soccer, basketball, auto-racing, and baseball.  There are also several galleries devoted to sports themes, such as “Breaking Barriers” which highlights the achievements of athletes like Jackie Robinson, a gallery dedicated to the Olympics, …read more

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At last count there are well over one hundred museums in New York City.  They range from the well-known and world famous (Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art) to the provocative (Museum of Sex) to the virtually unknown (African American Wax Museum).
In an attempt to make sense of all of the museums in the city, and based on The DC Traveler’s immensely popular postings entitled “Monument Monday,” I am starting a regular weekly post featuring a different museum… so think of it as “Museum Monday!” 
Housed in an impressive 5-floor Neo-Georgian-Colonial style brick and limestone building, Museum of …read more

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Fashion designers have always been fascinated by the idea of how clothing can transform the body, and even the perceived character, of the wearer.”  Giorgio Armani 
Fashion is inspired by many things and art is not just two-dimensional objects for your viewing pleasure.  The newest exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and part of the museum’s Costume Institute, looks as how movie and comic book superheroes have inspired fashion.  Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy displays over 60 clothing ensembles, including movie costumes, active sportswear, and couture.
The exhibit is divided into very eight very distinct themes that discuss …read more

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New York doesn’t have to be expensive.  The city has some great bargains– if you know where to find them.  At least once a month, there there are dozens of museums and galleries that are free or nearly-free, asking you to “pay what you wish.”  
Always Free

Public Art Fund
Center for Book Arts
The New York Public Library: Humanities and Social Sciences Library
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Forbes Galleries
Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
National Museum of the American Indian
Museum of American Illustration
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Tuesday

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Wednesday

Bronx Zoo
New York Botanical Gardens

Thursday

Museum of Arts and Design …read more

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Visit the rainforest of Brazil without leaving the jungle of New York City.  Amazônia Brasil has a four-part exhibit that provides insight into the complex Amazon of Brazil.  Learn about how climate change is affecting the diverse ecosystem of the rainforest, visit a re-creation of an Amazon village, and meet indigenous artisans and shamans.    
Amazônia Brasil – Main Exhibit:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17
South Street Seaport has been transformed into a re-creation of the Brazilian rainforest.  In the 13,000-sq.-foot experience, visitors can see the sights and sounds of the Amazon and walk through a replica of a Amazon village.  Lending …read more

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