Spa Society

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.

Get an up-close look at the Brooklyn Bridge while you hang out at the 85-acre, waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. The park stretches across the waterfront in the vicinity of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges on land that was overlooked and inaccessible for decades. Although the park is still under construction, the Pier 1 and Pier 6 sections are open to the public – meaning you can enjoy beautiful views of the city right next to the bridge. The park is set to be 66% completed by 2013.

Take an underwater adventure as a family as you explore the attractions at the New York Aquarium. The seaside aquarium is the oldest in the nation and is home to over 350 species, including animals like sharks, sea otters, penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, and octopuses. Some of the exhibitions you'll see are Explore the Shore, Sea Cliffs, Conservation Hall, and Alien Stingers.

The Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center shares the Kaufman complex with the Lucy Moses School and the Special Music School. This performance hall has won awards for adventurous programming and architectural design. Performances at the hall begin at the sidewalk, offering a glamorous experience from the aesthetically pleasing appearance to coat checking and refreshment buying.