New York City – what else captures the essence of this legendary metropolis other than the famous pop song, “Empire State of Mind?” For New York flights, the Big Apple holds possibly everything and anything, from the old-fashioned to the uber-modern, the chic to the bohemian, the classy to the near-squalid, and so on. The city is a huge melting pot of various cultures, traditions, social classes, ethnicities and activities that would render a newcomer speechless with awe.
Because of the diversity of life in New York City, it stands to reckon that it is home to some of the most famous art galleries and museums around the world. People coming off New York flights will be delighted to visit some of these historical and cultural venues that are sure to be a treat not only for the eyes and ears, but for the mind and soul as well.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – more commonly called “The Met,” no trip to New York City would be complete without a tour of this distinguished museum, perhaps New York City’s most popular and one of the world’s largest. Founded in 1870 and first opened in 1872 on 681 Fifth Avenue, the original museum began with John Taylor Johnston’s personal art collection, growing in number and relocating twice until reaching its present address on the eastern portion of Central Park. The Met has more than two million works of art from all time periods and across a great number of past and present cultures, and is divided into nineteen departments. Its extensive collection include antiquities from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, artwork from the Renaissance masters, musical instruments, weapons, costumes, modern art and medieval art in its secondary location, The Cloisters. Indeed, The Met is a marvel for anyone, young and old, to learn and appreciate more about humankind’s past and present.
The American Museum of Natural History – those travelling on New York flights to this place will recognize it from the popular “Night at the Museum” movies, which featured the various “inhabitants” and displays found here. Abbreviated to AMNH, this museum, like The Met, is one of the world’s largest and most eminent. The AMNH is a sprawling complex of 25 buildings on the Upper West Side across Central Park, with 46 exhibition areas and a planetarium. The museum is known not only for its extensive collections of animals, insects and other specimens, it also serves as one of the most advanced fields for research and the natural sciences.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – one of New York City’s youngest yet finest landmarks, The Guggenheim Museum is a sight to behold. Designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this imposing and intriguing structure can be found on the Upper East Side, on Fifth Avenue. Built to look something like a layered teacup or an inverted set of terraces, the Guggenheim is an enjoyable walk as it is reachable by a spiraling ramp. This museum is known for its collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern art by some of the greatest masters like Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh. Social events and other cultural activities are held here as well. Visitors from New York flights and natives alike will find the Guggenheim a masterpiece in itself.
