Culture in New York

American Museum all day

Blue whale, dinosaurs, the Hayden planetarium — pick a wing and surrender.

Apollo Amateur Night

Cheer or boo with the toughest crowd alive. Wednesday nights, book early.

Broadway rush ticket win

Cancellation line at dawn, front row by dusk. Worth it once.

Cloisters escape

Medieval halls above the Hudson. Included with Met admission, half the crowds.

Comedy Cellar surprise set

Famous faces test material Mondays. Phones sealed, jaws sore.

Met Fifth Avenue day

Rooftor garden views, Egyptian temple inside, pay-what-you-wish state.

MoMA members morning

Members hour emptiness, Monet water lilies alone-ish.

Smalls jazz late set

The Village basement where the night's last set starts after midnight.

Strand rare book hunt

18 miles of books; rare room upstairs. Give it two hours minimum.

Whitney afternoon

Biennial years are best; terraces face the Hudson. Friday nights run late.