I was devastated when this place closed a few years ago, and was pleasantly surprised to find out…read morethat they reopened! I went there on a Saturday and it was the same quiet, peaceful place it's always been. You can get so much work (or studying) done there, especially with the free and speedy wifi. They have comfortable chairs, outlets for your electronics, and clean bathrooms. They also have a separate children's room. And the view is nice also, and it's completely free! This is the kind of place I'd give a big donation to if I were in the position to do so, but they do have a donation jar, which I will make sure to add to next time.

I found this spot such a gem! Really great space to study and work - it's quiet and big tables with…read moreplenty of outlets. The natural lighting and proximity to the River is also such a plus. Bathrooms were clean and the staff and other studies were all respectful. There's free and reliable WiFi ... and its free to work here!! After a study session, I'd recommend treating yourself to a lovely walk along the river, explore battery park, or Brookfield mall (there's a food court!)

Local gem and creative events…read more Visited with some family going to see some of the local history. Staff were super welcoming and I was blown away by the photos of the Inwood/Washington Heights before the subway was introduced uptown. The vast swath of farm land and this farmhouse is one place to see how it looks in that bucolic time period. The backyard had a hessian hut of what the military groups used during the historical time period. It is fascinating to think about so much history that took place across the last four centuries in Manhattan and previous to the European arrivals. Thank you for having a local spot for people to learn about history. Great value.

A historical pitstop near our crib. Dutch colonial built in 1785. surrounded by modernity, we sat…read moreat the rear of the farmhouse examining and marvelling the Hessian Soldier hut unearthed in 1916 and subsequently reconstructed. The Farmhouse was closed but it was still worth visiting and mulling over how they farmed on all that rocky terrain.

Lovely space with welcoming staff kind to share in the Italian experience. They have different…read moreexhibits frequently posted. This particular exhibit features dresses created by Italian designers from well known actresses in famous films. Great area you can't go wrong.

I visited the cultural institute last week for an engaging discussion on Romani Bilenchi's book,…read more"The Chill". The reception was especially friendly and polite. They took care to not officially begin until there was a healthy quorum of participants. While waiting, we were treated to complimentary white wine. A nice touch. The discussion began formally with a summary analysis by an invited expert. This was followed by a more informal discussion among everyone present. I was very pleased with the quality of the discussion, the themes discussed, and the general love for Italian literature that was shared by all attending. This was all rather nicely done. The complimentary brochures available at the entrance detailed many upcoming events at the institute, a few of which captured my attention. I will be happy to return. Recommend!

This review is solely for their language classes. I've taken their intensive Japanese Level 1…read morecourse now twice - once probably ~15 years ago in person and recently online in 2026. I love these classes and they are the perfect introductory course to Japaneses. The instructors are always very engaging and break down concepts so it's easy to learn. The intensive classes are exactly that - intense - so the pace may feel quick (especially if you haven't learned a second language before). I'll be hoping to attend some workshops in the upcoming future as well as continue with their language classes. Their online classes are great value for what they deliver!

I visited Japan Society for their curry celebration and discussion, and I'm so glad I went as this…read morewas my first time here, and it was such an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about curry's role in Asian culture, which was fascinating since I'm more familiar with curry in the Caribbean tradition. It was a great mix of education and food appreciation, and it made me want to explore more of what Japan Society has to offer.

I visited Scandinavia House with my mom last weekend when we were in the neighborhood. I had just…read morereturned from a trip to Sweden and was curious about Scandinavia House. I enjoyed my visit, but I think it's important to note that this is less a museum than a cultural center. So it has a great cafe (Bjork Cafe & Bistro), a great gift shop (I picked up a modern take on the Dala horse), and a small gallery space (when we visited, the exhibit was "Nordic Echoes - Tradition in Contemporary Art"), which is free to visit. But it also hosts events - concerts, lectures, workshops, etc. So if you're looking for a quick visit, stop by for a quick visit to the gallery, the gift shop, and the cafe for drink, snack, or meal. But if you're interested in Scandinavian culture, check out this website for interesting events to attend!

I'm waxing poetics here but Scandinavia House is one of those gems that makes the city magical…read more I, quite literally, stumbled upon this place on my way to LES. Walking in, I must've looked visibly confused because the woman at the window called me over to describe the venue. I ended up perusing the first floor with its Nordic goods and picked up some Swedish candy, a few cookies and a macchiato for o go. There is a sit down cafe with Scandinavian fare, and art and movies to explore. Well worth a visit if you'd like something unique!

My first time going to the Cloisters. I went with family last week- they went at their pace then…read moresat in the courtyards which had some seating, while I went around at my pace. Good thing I didn't take my boys when they were younger, wouldn't have been for them. A smaller museum compared to the Met but there were still many items to look at. What caught my attention were the details - in the paintings, written books, carved pieces/sculptures (esp the really small ones), tapestries, etc. There were groups having an activity in some areas which blocked us from seeing some of the works of art up close though, like the Unicorn tapestry. I think visits in the spring and summer are better so can enjoy the outdoors. The open courtyards/gardens were lush with greenery and it's nice to spend time out there. The museum has 2 floors. Be ready for going up/down via stairs. It is wheelchair-accessible though I read it is limited. There are a few wheelchairs - free to use, first come-first served. Best to contact them re: the accessible entrance, a shuttle, etc. I learned from another visitor that a staff member has to accompany when taking the elevator. Restrooms are in the lower level, with a wheelchair-accessible one. Took the A train - Dyckman St. station. Entered Fort Tryon Park, then walked uphill a bit then took the stairs (towards the left from the path, steep in some areas). If you have difficulty with stairs, continue on the path or ask about the shuttle.

4/24/26: The Met Cloisters is a must see when in NYC!…read more It's been ages since my last visit. The Cloisters overlooks the Hudson River. It officially opened in 1938. The museum is dedicated to medieval art and architecture. The Cloisters itself is a stunning building. Our first Tour Guide took us around the wonderful medieval statues and gardens. She explained thoroughly about all the herbs and plants that are culinary and for their medicinal purposes. Our second tour guide Valerie was excellent for the "Highlights of the Met Cloisters. A major museum highlight is the Unicorn Tapestry Room (Permanent Display). These 7 tapestries were created approximately 500 years ago. (The Narrative: The Unicorn series tells a story ranging from the hunt's start and the unicorn at a fountain to its defense, capture, and, finally, the famous "Unicorn in Captivity" image). The museum does have a café (The Trie Cafe) on the premises. It's very good for a quick bite along with garden view seating. Museum times as follows: Sunday through Tuesday 10 AM - 5 PM Wednesday- Closed Thursday-Saturday 10 AM- 5 AM. It's best to arrive at the Cloisters upon opening. During the first tour, it wasn't too crowded, but the second tour was extremely crowded. The Met Cloisters is located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive Fort Tryon Park, New York City, NY 10040. Highly recommend visiting the stunning Met Cloisters.

No phones allowed. Slip off your shoes and slowly enter the pulsating space…read more What's the best way to escape the noise in a city so loud you'll never be able to ignore it? Be louder! Bathe in the rhythmic sound waves so loud you'll never be able to hear yourself think. It sounds so scary, but it's really quite calming. It's very meditative and if you have a mind like mine that never stops moving, this might be the only way to keep it still. I, a person who literally can't sit still for 5 minutes, just sat here for 45. All this, no time limit, for only $10. If nothing else, it's a great place to sit and escape the heat.

WARNING: THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE SOUND BATH EXPERIENCE…read more Uh, I just came to the page to confirm the hours, and was sad to see bad reviews from people that didn't know what they were walking into. Felt like I needed to leave a corrective score. It's basically drone music paired with colored lights and a set of rules, which is really interesting if you're looking for that in a city with decreasing amounts of weird stuff.. Someday, this will be replaced by a fancy apartment for a person that lives here 15 days a year. But for someone interested in what it actually is, it's wonderful! Maybe listen to Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music" or John Coltrane's "Ascension" first, to see how tolerant you are of the audio. It's designed to be LOUD. Also, like any concert, earplugs may help you enjoy the volume without giving you a headache, etc TLDR, could be a bummer if you're not trying to be challenged but also a $10 experience that's more interesting than the latte at the identical cost that DOESN'T produce depressing 2 star reviews from tourists.

In 19th century London, a crackpot Victorian engineer named Alexander Stanhope St. George dreamed…read moreup an undersea tunnel to serve as a speedy traffic conduit from London to New York. (He hated travel by boat) His traffic corridor was never realized, but his enterprising great grandson Paul St. George recently discovered the mysterious blueprints of his great-grandfather's incomplete dig. The younger St. George has installed fiberoptic cables running under the Atlantic, through the completed tunnel, from the Brooklyn Bridge to London's Tower Bridge, allowing New Yorkers and Londoners to greet each other in real time, across the pond! St. George's story is so intriguing and fanciful--and it really is quite a marvel to wave at our friends over in London and see them wave back. In fact, it's so much fun to tickle our brains with St. George's fantasy, don't you dare think for a second about skype, cellphones, the internet, streaming video or other inventions of our non-Victorian age, or your creeping doubts may just ruin this enchanting tale. Go see it for yourself, until June 15th.

I wish it would have been here permanently. They could easily make it a paid attraction. It was the…read morefirst time I did anything like this. Since then I have called people and waved from web cams. But this was just too cool and so much fun! I e-mailed people in London to meet me at a certain time in front of the Telectroscope and they did. Look at the picture I have. It is priceless. It is a family in London and see the bridge in the background!. I wish it would come back!