Given that the United Nations is headquartered here, it’s no surprise that culture is multicultural in Midtown East, Kips Bay, and Murray Hill. Watch anime at Japan Society, take in some Nordic jazz at Scandinavia House, enjoy live polka music alongside rock classics at Bierhaus NYC. There’s a world of things to do in the neighborhood.
credit: Susan Q Yin/Unsplash
Three Gutenberg bibles, etchings by Rembrandt, drawings by Raphael, original scores by Mozart, Thoreau’s journals: These are just a few of the treasures that make up the Morgan’s collection. The museum also hosts special exhibits (autumn 2022 will see one dedicated to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry), concerts, lectures, and film screenings. And the buildings, particular the portion completed for J.P. Morgan in 1906, are nothing short of spectacular.
Morgan Library. credit: The Morgan Library & Museum
The United Nations offers hourlong guided tours of its headquarters that include a visit to the awe-inspiring General Assembly Hall. But the 17-acre grounds alongside the East River are worth a visit too. They include sculptures such as Non-Violence (also known as “the Knotted Gun”), a garden with more than 1,500 rose bushes, and the instantly recognizable walkway to the Secretariat Entrance, lined with the flags of all 193 member nations.
UN Non-Violence. credit: United Nations
“Eclectic” best describes the live music hosted at this lounge. Recent shows included jazz ensemble the Dharma Moon Orchestra, party band Shorty Long & the Jersey Horns, soul-pop artist Goldie Scott, and a Steely Dan tribute band. The venue includes a number of small spaces where you can simply sip a few cocktails and enjoy a meal with friends.
Cutting Room. credit: The Cutting Room
Fuller Building Art Galleries
An Art Deco masterpiece, the Fuller Building was designed to house art galleries as well as shops and offices, and even now, nearly a century after construction was completed in 1929, many renowned galleries maintain a presence here. These include Howard Greenberg Gallery, featuring historical and contemporary photography by everyone from Margaret Bourke-White and Walker Evans to Robert Frank and Joel Meyerowitz, and Hirschl & Adler Galleries, specializing in American and European works from the 18th through the early 20th centuries. (There’s also Hirschl & Adler Modern, representing artists from the latter half of the 20th century along with emerging artists.) Other galleries in the building include Alexandre Gallery, specializing in 20th-century American artists; Benrubi Gallery and Keith de Lellis Gallery, which like Howard Greenberg represent photographers; and Jason McCoy Gallery, which exhibits 20th– and 21st-century artists.
Like canines? Then you’ll love this museum. Among its highlights are centuries of artwork depicting man’s best friend, details about each of the American Kennel Club’s recognized breeds, and interactive exhibits that enable you to “train” a virtual pooch and to find your doggie doppelgänger.
Museum of the Dog. credit: The AKC Museum of the Dog