For a New York City history lesson, skip the text book and head straight to the source at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. The archives were established in an effort to collect, preserve and make available primary information chronicling the social and political history of New York City. The archives serve researchers, journalists, students, exhibit planners and others. Some documents the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives has in its possession include papers of several mayors, the records of the New York City Council, the New York City Housing Authority, the piano maker Steinway & Sons and a Queens History Collection.
Fans of classical music will enjoy seeing a performance at Bargemusic. This classical music venue was founded in 1977 and makes its home in Brooklyn. Bargemusic is unique because it's a converted coffee barge, docked on the East River at Fulton Ferry. The barge is 102-feet-long and can seat 130 people comfortably for performances. The venue hosts about 220 concerts annually in front of the scenic view of the East River and the lower Manhattan skyline.
Stroll through the gardens of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see over 10,000 species of plant life thriving in the city. The BBG sprawls over 52 acres near the Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Park Slope neighborhoods. The garden is occupied by the Steinhardt Conservatory where the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum is located. The conservatory features three climate-themed plant pavilions, a white cast-iron and glass aquatic plant house and an art gallery. Fans of flora and fauna will appreciate the attractions in bloom here.