Chamber music has never sounded as good as in the revamped Alice Tully Hall, which was given a complete overhaul as part of the Lincoln Center renovation. Named for the chamber music patron (herself a former singer) who helped with the realization of the hall in 1969, it is housed in the same building as the prestigious Julliard School, where many of the musicians now performing at Alice Tully have studied. (The Hall also hosts the New York Film Festival.) Check out the schedule online and know that you can grab a nice bite at the casual restaurant in the lobby: the menu is conceived by Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster.

The American Museum of Natural History on New York’s Upper West Side is a bona fide paradise for children (and many adults). The extensive space has a number of rotating exhibitions as well as halls dedicated to such topics as biodiversity, amphibians, the earth sciences, fossils and outer space. For an unforgettable adventure, contact the Indagare Bookings Team to arrange a sleepover (and nighttime tour) at the museum.

John D. Rockefeller III founded this international non-profit with the goal of increasing Americans’ understanding of Asia. The organization’s NYC headquarters houses Rockefeller’s extensive collection of Pan-Asian art and hosts a number of contemporary art exhibits, lectures and panel discussions throughout the year.

Long gone are the days where you could discover up-and-coming actors and blossoming writers/directors on Broadway or even off-Broadway. The shows these days are either big-name musicals years in the making, many of which can now also be seen on national tours and in Las Vegas; or plays headlined by celebrities, like Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig and Scarlett Johansson. Some of the shows are still a thrill to attend, if only to see the insides of some of New York’s famous theaters. Find discounted tickets on sale at three locations around the city (Times Square, South Street Seaport and Brooklyn). A good place to keep up with what’s generating buzz is Playbill.com.

This square of green in the middle of Midtown likes to think of itself as New York’s version of a Parisian garden (albeit much-more modestly sized), with wrought-iron lawn chairs and graveled allées. In the summers, HBO hosts a Monday night film series, ranging from classics to rom-coms (arrive early – these events are extremely popular and New Yorkers claim their patch of green with sheets and blankets by mid-afternoon). In the winter, the center transforms into an ice-skating rink.

One of the world’s most prestigious concert venues, Carnegie Hall presides over the corner of Seventh Avenue and 57th Street like a proud grand dame from another era. Clad in red brick, the massive building is impressively made entirely out of masonry (without a steel frame). Inside, the Stern Auditorium is beautifully adorned, and the acoustics are state of the art. The calendar includes every big-name performer passing through New York, from perennial favorites like Joshua Bell and Anne-Sophie Mutter to such world-renowned ensembles as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Built in the 1890s to rival the grand St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown, St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan is the second largest Anglican church in the world (and much bigger than St. Patrick's). Architectural styles include Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic Revival and stunning stone carvings are integrated throughout, courtesy of Italian stonemasons who came to America expressly for this construction. The acoustics are world-renowned and concerts in the cathedral are extraordinary experiences, particularly around the Christmas season.

Despite its location in the heavily visited Central Park, the Central Park Zoo is a small and rather quiet enclave, allowing for a relatively intimate experience. The grounds are home to an indoor rainforest, 4-D theater, and sea lion pool as well as a very popular snow leopard exhibit. Those looking for a full-day activity should head to the Bronx Zoo (www.bronxzoo.com) the world’s largest metropolitan zoo.

Set along the Hudson River Park on the fringes of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Piers is a massive complex that houses a micro-brewery, sports arenas (including batting cages, basketball courts, ice rinks and more), day spa, bowling alley and driving range. The series of piers origianlly served as a passenger ship terminal in the 1900’s, and was meant to be the destination of the RMS Titantic.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan on the Upper West Side fuses learning and playtime. The interactive, five-floor museum is geared toward younger children, with areas designated to infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and all the activities are intended to engage mentally, physically and emotionally. When the winter and summer extremes are too much to bear, the museum is a good indoor activity for families.

The home of the New York Philharmonic (formerly known as Avery Fisher Hall) completes the trinity of theaters at Lincoln Center (the Metropolitan Opera sits to its left; New York State Theater is directly across the plaza). These days the prestigious ensemble is led by music director Jaap van Zweden, though throughout the year there are many guest conductors. There are pre-concert talks, open rehearsals and student rush tickets available.

The Guggenheim name has long been associated with modernity and celebrity. Some might even argue that its birth coincides with the rise in our culture of modern celebrity. When philanthropist Solomon R. Guggenheim founded his first museum in 1939, the “Museum of Non-Objective Painting” in a former car showroom on Manhattan’s East 54th Street, it took him only a few short years to realize that bringing in architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design the museum’s permanent space would also usher in visitors, prestige, and attention to his impressive collection of early modern art.

After nearly two decades of planning and construction, controversy swirled at the Guggenheim’s 1959 opening. What was this new massive, conical structure, seemingly drilled like a giant white bolt into the ground just outside Central Park? It was organic yet cutting-edge, a shade below blinding white; and it was strangely spiritual—or so the architect said. Above all, it was undeniably wrapped in a tinge of Wright’s colorful celebrity. Sadly, he died shortly before the museum’s opening.

The now-iconic structure has become a monument to artistic innovation, and it testifies to a time when New York City was churning in artistic fervor and bursting with new design. Inside, the museum’s collection contains an impressive range of works from the Impressionist era and also continues to acquire contemporary pieces. (Still, many remark from both within and without the museum that the building itself is “the most important object in the museum’s collection,” as architectural critic Paul Goldberger noted in his tribute to the building’s fiftieth anniversary.)

In an effort to beautify Manhattan’s west side, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Governor George Pataki began construction on the Hudson River Park in 1998. The project was the largest park building effort since Central Park, and the 550-acre area now serves a multitude of purposes. The waterside walkway, extending from W. 59th St. to Battery Park, boasts a 5-mile bike path, tennis courts, soccer fields, batting cages, playgrounds and Chelsea Piers. A number of grassy spaces provide space for lounging and soaking in the view across the river.

In the 1990s, contemporary art galleries flocked to the otherwise bare bones neighborhood of west Chelsea, lured by vast warehouse-type space and some of the lowest rents in Manhattan. Today the district is home to the hottest galleries, both blue chip as well as up-and-coming.

There are around 400 white walled spaces between West 18th and 27th Streets and 10th and 11th Avenues and the best way to discover them is by wandering around the area (there is never a charge for entry, and shows are constantly rotating). Thursday nights are popular for receptions and most galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday. Some of the most established galleries to look out for include: David Zwirner (525 W. 19^th St.; www.davidzwirner.com), Gagosian (522 W. 21^st St. and 555 W. 24^th St.; www.gagosian.com), Gladstone Gallery (515 W. 24^th St.; www.gladstonegallery.com), Pace Gallery (534 W. 25^th St.; www.pacegallery.com) and Paul Kasmin Gallery (293 10^th Ave. at W. 27^th St.; www.kasmingallery.com). Indagare members can contact our Bookings Team to arrange for a guided gallery tour of Chelsea.

Military fans love the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, which is dedicated to maritime history. The institution has an impressive collection of ships, including the Intrepid itself, an aircraft carrier used in World War II and the Vietnem War. Opened in 1982, the museum holds a number of “firsts” for the technology and engineering industries: the first space shuttle (Enterprise), the first submarine with missile capacity and the fastest commercial aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean (the Concorde), are among some of the center’s notable features.

In the 1980s, a former student of James Beard purchased the late chef's home to turn it into the headquarters for the James Beard Foundation, an organization that aims to educate chefs and laymen alike about the culinary world. The annual James Beard awards are considered the most esteemed in the industry, and are announced each May following intense deliberation and voting by the food and wine world's tastemakers. The Beard House also hosts regular events open to the public, ranging from tastings to book signings and formal dinners.

Since 2004, this venue is no longer at Lincoln Center but glorious new digs (at the Time Warner Center) with sweeping views of Central Park that more than make up for the confusion. There are three theaters, from the larger Rose Room to the more intimate Dizzy’s Club. Most stunning is the Allen Room, with double-story, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Columbus Circle and the park. Renowned musician Wynton Marsalis serves as the Artistic Director of the programs, which are varied and ambitious.

For dance aficionados, the Joyce in Chelsea has long been known as a more intimate venue to see a host of performances, from classical ballet to cutting-edge contemporary pieces. The theater originally opened as a home for Eliot Feld’s groundbreaking company in 1982, and these days, you can see such companies as Ballet Preljocaj, Limón Dance and Pilobolus, as well as the truly rarefied, like Wendy Whelan’s Restless Creature and the Suzanne Farrell Company.

A focal point of Midtown Manhattan, Madison Square Garden wears two hats: sporting arena and concert hall. The iconic landmark, often referred to as simply “The Garden,” is home to basketball and hockey teams the New York Knicks and Rangers, and is a key venue for any major musician on tour. Host to nearly 320 events a year, the indoor venue serves many other types of functions such as the Democratic National Convention, Disney on Ice and the annual Westminster Dog Show.

The permanent collection of this famed museum contains more than two million works of art. Don’t miss the stunning wings that house the extensive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, American antiques and Islamic Art. The 19th century galleries, home to works by such artists as Degas, Monet and Renoir, contain one of the most comprehensive collections of French Impressionist art outside of the Louvre as well as 19^th-century art movements and styles, including Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, the Pre-Raphaelites, the Barbizon school, and Realism.

If you’re looking for a nice lunch break nearby, consider Sant Ambroeus, the restaurant at the Carlyle or taking a picnic to Central Park. During the summer months, come late on a Friday or Saturday, when the museum is open until 9 pm, and have a drink on the rooftop terrace that overlooks the park and the Upper West Side.

For opera lovers, there’s only one Met (and it’s not the Upper East Side Museum). With its red-velvet staircases, gilded banisters, two massive Chagalls and ritual of slowly rising Swarovski chandeliers, the city’s opera house holds on to old-world glamour even while it’s trying to forge a future for this endangered art form. Under the direction of Peter Gelb, the Met has pumped a ton of money into PR campaigns, live HD transmissions (which have been very successful) and more modern productions. And while every season now has some stunt casting of Broadway or film directors attempting to lend themselves to opera scores, the house still draws the world’s most acclaimed singers, musicians and conductors. Tip: The higher you sit, the better the acoustics.

During the late spring and early summer, when the opera is on hiatus, American Ballet Theater (www.abt.org) has its guest run in New York at the Met, so for a few glorious weeks, you can catch Giselle, Swan Lake and La Bayadere at the Met and New York City Ballet’s more modern fare across the plaza.

Shrouded in a forest of trees, two one-acre square pools occupy the gaping and emotionally charged space where the Twin Towers once stood. The solemn monument, opened in 2011, features the name of the victims who died in the terrorist attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. The memorial is a peaceful, sanctuary-like space, intended to encourage reflection.

The National September 11 Museum opened in 2014, joining the memorial to form a personal, moving tribute to the lives lost in the terror attacks. The heart of the museum is, of course, the September 11 exhibit, which chronicles the fateful day in tremendous detail, most excruciatingly experienced through the audio distress calls. The Memorial exhibition is dedicated to the lives of the nearly 3,000 victims, whose portraits line the room; visitors can search through the images to learn more about each individual. The North and South galleries chronicle the day’s events and aftermath in each tower.

While the museum, which features over 23,000 images, 500 hours of video and 10,300 artifacts, could be explored for a long time, one can do a comprehensive tour of it in roughly two hours. Given the emotional material, it is important to take one’s time and not to put pressure on yourself to see everything; simply visiting the poignant museum is a profound experience, whether or not one makes it to each exhibit.

Note: Visitors must purchase timed tickets in advance. While entry is for a specific time, one should still be prepared to wait in line outside for up to 15 minutes.

The company founded by Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine in 1948 is one of the world’s top five ballet ensembles (the Kirov, Bolshoi, Royal Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet round out the upper tiers). Of these, it is also the most unique in style. Balanchine, who emigrated first to Europe, then to the U.S. from Russia in the 1920s, developed a distinct ballet technique, stressing extreme speed and musicality. (Balanchine dancers are trained to anticipate the music and dance almost a hair of a second ahead, creating incredible energy and excitement for the viewer). Watching a ballet like Concerto Barocco, written in 1941, is like seeing Bach’s incredible concerto come to life through steps.

The company has a repertory of more than 400 pieces, many created by Mr. B. First-timers should catch such classics as Serenade, Symphony in C, Agon, Apollo and Vienna Waltzes. The annual Nutcracker is a New York City tradition for many families, though the summer performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream are almost even more special (many children of the company’s official School of American Ballet perform in these shows). Every season, the New York City Ballet performs newly commissioned work to varying degrees of success. Look for soloist Justin Peck’s name on the program: he is the dance world’s newest “It” choreographer (and rightly so).

Inside a nondescript SoHo building, The Broken Kilometer  is artist Walter De Maria’s permanent installation—on view since 1979, maintained by Dia Art Foundation—featuring 500 polished brass rods arranged in parallel columns along the floor. In total, the rods measure a combined length of one kilometer. The installation is open Wednesday through Sundays, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 - 6:00 p.m., with free admission. It’s a great spot to duck into for quiet reflection while in the area.

Opened in 2006 (and still expanding), the High Line is one of the West Side’s biggest attractions. Spanning tens of blocks from the Meatpacking District to Midtown, the elevated park, set on refurbished train tracks, offers unobstructed views of the Hudson, plus gardens, art installations, lounge chairs and a curated selection of food vendors. The attraction certainly draws crowds, but should nevertheless be experienced.

After nearly 50 years on the Upper East Side, the Whitney Museum of American Art reopened its doors in the Meatpacking District in mid 2015. The pioneering contemporary art museum is now a must-visit on the museum circuit, and thanks to the building’s designer Renzo Piano, the exterior (and its permeable glass walls) is as much a work of art as the pieces that line the eight floors. The museum houses an expertly curated selection of 20th- and 21st-century American art by more than 3,000 iconic artists, including Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, Cindy Sherman and Mark Rothko. The expanded space has also made way for larger works, such as Michael Heizer’s Actual Size: Munich Rotary. Contact the Bookings Team to arrange a guided tour.

Many argue that the view from the top of the GE building (aka 30 Rock) is better than the one from the Empire State Building's observation deck, as it includes that famed skyscraper in all its lighted, spired glory. En route up to the 70th floor, visitors will pass informative exhibitions describing the construction process and the city's skyline.