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Beyond the iconic, show-stopping displays—the grizzly bear in the Hall of North American Mammals, the 94-feet long blue whale, the prehistoric Barosaurus skeleton rearing up as if to scare the adjacent Allosaurus skeleton—is an expertly curated, 150-year-old museum that fills visitors of all ages with a curiosity about the universe. Whether you’re interested in the world below our feet or the cultures of faraway lands or the stars light-years beyond our reach, your visit is bound to teach you a few things you never knew. With four floors filled to the brim with artifacts, you could spend a whole day just looking at the taxidermied animals that hail from North America, Asia, Africa, rain forests and the ocean. Or, conversely, spend a day like an anthropologist and study indigenous Americans, Asian cultures, African peoples, Pacific tribes, and, before these rich cultures existed, the evolutionary origins of humans and our near (now extinct) cousins, like neanderthals. Also don't miss the new wing called the Gilder Center, which houses a butterfly vivarium, an insectarium and a 360-degree immersive experience, in an architectural masterpiece.

On a random summer night, a bouncer perched outside Bar Snack called out to me and other passersby on the street, luring us with the promise of great drinks, great food and "the best bathroom in the East Village." Reader: I am here to tell you—he was right. But if a disco-fresh bathroom isn't enough to tempt you in, the convivial nature and solid list of tasty cocktails (and snacks!) found at Bar Snack certainly will.  The vibe: After surveying the East Village and its many, many (expensive) cocktail bars, bartender Iain Griffiths and Brooklyn-based bar owner Oliver Cleary decided they wanted to create something—and so they did, serving "dressed-up classics for dressed-down people." The inside gives off '70s lounge—think wood paneling and a dark, walnut-wood bar lined with glittery orange bar stools. Snagging a seat during the nighttime hours can prove difficult as this bar certainly attracts a crowd, making standing room your best bet. But even the daytime can bring a rowdy good time, as rock and throwback hits (hello Spice Girls!) blare through the speakers. The food: Snack is in the name, isn't it? And snacks, they do so well. Fried cheese curds are tossed in pickle dust and hot dogs get a little fancy with onion jam and a hot pickle. But the snack of all snacks is the Spice Bag ($18). Leaning on Griffith's Irish roots, the bag comes to the table in a white paper bag labeled "Spice Bag" fashioned in the style of the Spice Girls logo. As much as you'll want to save it,...

When I was growing up, a trip to Katz's with my dad wasn't an occasion so different than visiting a grandparent; there was a strange, arcane way we had to observe that was clearly the product of another time. And spending the time was rewarded with a real treat, something that felt comforting and maybe a little overwhelming. Back then, there was liable to be a line, but it was never very long, so it was, without question, worth it. Today, the place hasn't changed, but the feeling has. Waiting on a line that stretches down the block is part of the experience, and at every table you'll see tourists more preoccupied with taking photos of the food than enjoying it. I can't begrudge them that–there's no place like Katz's. But the hype now affects the actual experience one has there, which is a funny thing. It doesn’t make the food any less delicious.Katz's sign reads: Katz's that's all! Because at one time it advertised itself as Katz's kosher deli, except it wasn't actually kosher and there was outcry, so they changed the sign. It's just Katz's, that's all. If you're visiting, it's probably on your list. That makes sense: if you've never eaten at Katz's, you want to. The sandwiches are huge, insanely good, and the place is–and I don't use this word lightly–iconic. Mind that the efficiency you're supposed to observe navigating NYC’s streets goes triple here: know what you want by the time it's your turn, and keep things moving. Keep your ticket. Do not lose your ticket. And...

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

If you thought getting a table at Per Se was tough, try getting into Rao’s. On second thought, don’t. Rao’s (pronounced “RAY-ohs”) is really a private club without the dues. To eat here, you’ll need a personal invite from one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. These CEOs, actors, politicians, news personalities and neighborhood old-timers established a long-standing arrangement with the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino, and that's what ensures a seat at one of the ten tables at the Italian-American icon. In fact, reading this review is probably the closest you’ll get to Rao’s.

George Motz’s smashed patties are making all the best new burger lists–and for good reason. We especially love them for a cheap weekend brunch, since a single burger, made with fried onions and gooey American cheese, rings in at just $7.25. (Although it doesn’t come with fries, which are another $4.25.) A hot ham or tuna sandwich is $7, and perhaps most importantly, a Miller High Life is $6. Grab a seat at the bustling counter to watch the burgers get smashed, crack open a beer, and enjoy a Sunday morning for less than 20 bucks.

With a name that translates to “The Head of Gold," La Tête d’Or by Daniel Boulud is truly something to discover. The deep-red entryway with soft glowing amber fixtures leads you to the bar, a sultry corner of bronze mirrors and velvet armchairs. It all pours into the soaring, high-ceiling dining room with elements of dark woods, leather and plush banquettes and elegant bouquets that sit above them. The 120-seat dining room is framed by the open kitchen with its opulent hood that calls to the Art Deco era.  Seafaring adventurers can dip their toes in Scallop Crudo and Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, an import from his eponymous restaurant, Daniel. But naturally, the meat is the draw. Eleven steaks grace the menu, from Bavette to a 45-day aged Rib-Eye to Prime Rib Trolley that wheels right up to the table. Playing to Boulud’s love of American ice cream shops, desserts include swirls of soft-serve served with a plate of goodies—sprinkles, coca nibs and cranberry meringue kisses—to make your own sweet treat.

If you’re tuned into bar culture, you may already know Juliette Larrouy and Moe Aljaff. The two self-proclaimed schmucks made their name at Two Schmucks, the award-winning, five-starred dive bar in Barcelona. After citing professional differences, the team disbanded—but fate had other plans. These two schmucks came stateside with keys to a space in the East Village. Marked by teaser pop-ups and marred by construction delays, schmuck. became one of our most highly anticipated openings in 2024… and 2025. But it seems the build-up paid off: Almost a year after opening, lines continue to stretch down 1st Ave every night. Much less punk than its predecessor, schmuck.'s front room reads like your most artistic friend's gussied-up lounge, with handsome leather seating, a commanding steel bar and a blue-tiled corner room that somehow gives spa. Cool kids pull up a chair and chat over highballs bursting with tomato sweetness (Bread with Tomatoes) and peanutty tipples that hum with a chili-oil spiked heat (Larb Gai). But it’s a popular hang, and showing up without a reservation will almost certainly mean a wait. Luckily, the back room is ready for all. The walk-in back bar is designed to feel like the natural gathering hub of any house party: the kitchen. The cocktails are just as thoughtful, though the massive wooden table in the center tends to squeeze people into corners if they don’t snag one of the few seats. Still, no matter how laid-back the vibe, these schmucks will take...

If you and your significant other enjoy knocking boots with a writhing mass of sexy strangers, look no further than this club in Queens. And if you want more information on boots, here’s a fun fact: The actual first name of the Roman emperor commonly called Caligula was Gaius—caligula means "little boots" in Latin, and Caligula picked up this nickname (which he hated) when he accompanied his dad, Germanicus, during his military campaigns in Germany.

There’s been much written about how Billy Durney’s Red Hook Tavern draws inspiration from New York institutions. The font used for the restaurant’s name could be mistaken for Minetta Tavern’s from afar, and there are two ales dedicated to McSorley’s. But once we secured a seat (if you manage to score a prime-time reservation, play the lottery), we quickly realized the experience here is its very own thing.After an affable employee leads you down the narrow dining room or to one of the 18 bar seats, your first priority is to order the Dry Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger ($24). This pub-style burger is hefty but manageable. The simple dish—a dry-aged patty cloaked in American cheese and topped with raw white onions, then sandwiched between sesame rolls—is cooked to a perfect temperature. This juicy burger is one of the best we’ve tasted in the city.It’s no surprise that the burger and the menu’s other meat options are also expertly executed. Durney showed off his expertise with proteins at Hometown Bar-B-Que, a popular destination despite its location in difficult-to-get-to Red Hook, that’s known for its ribs, brisket, sausages, pastrami and other barbecue dishes with global touches.Executive chef Allison Plumer interprets the nostalgia that Red Hook Tavern strives for with an unfussy approach that results in plates you’ll want to devour on a cold winter day. The country-ham croquettes ($10), which are filled with white cheddar and sit atop a swath of dijonnaise, can be popped...