Maria Diaz, LMHC

Spend some time as a family, hanging out in Manhattan's Bryant Park. There's lots to do here, like strolling through the various gardens, observing the number of sculptures located in the park, letting the kids take a ride on Le Carrousel, ice skating on Citi Pond during the winter, playing chess, checkers and backgammon near the Fountain Terrace, or dining at one of the many on-site eateries. A day of family fun at Bryant Park is one of the best ways to unwind together in NYC.

Spanish culture has deep roots in the United States, and the Hispanic Society of America shines a light on how deep those roots go. This museum is home to a rare books and manuscripts research library holding 15,000 books printed before 1700. An intrinsic feature of the museum is the Sorolla Room, which displays a vast series of Sorolla paintings created from 1911 to 1919; these paintings illustrate scenes from each of the provinces of Spain. Other art showcased at the museum include works by Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, El Greco, and Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, among others.

While exploring Staten Island, stop at the Alice Austen House for a unique museum experience. The Dutch Colonial style home, often referred to as Clear Comfort, was built between 1690 and 1750, and belonged to photographer Alice Austen until 1945. The home now houses a museum featuring work from Austen and other photographers. The Austen House also offers etiquette classes, art camps and small concerts.

See New York City and its famous attractions through the eyes of a local. Gray Line New York provides tours of New York City by double decker bus, boat cruises and helicopter. Some of the tours offered are: Long Island Wineries Tour, Night on the Town Tour, Manhattan Comprehensive, Downtown Loop, Uptown Loop, Brooklyn Loop, Harlem Gospel Tour, Freestyle New York, Wheels & Water, and Land & Sky, among others.