The
Art of New York
Day 1 - Guggenheim Museum
This afternoon, discover some of the finest works of art from
the last 150 years at the famed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
on New York’s Upper East Side. Your
 knowledgeable guide
shares insights into the museum’s finest pieces. The
building itself is a work of art--designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright. Two tower galleries house the museum’s permanent
collection, which includes the works of Jackson Pollack,
Alberto Giacometti, Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro.
Afterwards, relax with a coffee at one of the Upper East Side’s
great cafes. You can continue to another of New York’s
magnificent museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Here you
can appreciate the talents of El Greco and Ruebens just two
of the great masters on display in the museum. As you explore
the museum, you will be transported back 2350 B.C.E. as you
discover a temple from ancient Egypt.
Your visit to New York’s monumental museums also puts
you in the heart of some of the city’s best shopping.
Stroll along Madison Avenue’s many boutiques, featuring
the fashions of Burberry, Hermes, Ralph Lauren and Bottega
Veneta, to name just a few.
 Tonight, return to the comfort of your hotel. Your dinner
is included at one of Manhattan’s fine restaurants. Don’t
expect to find its name in your tourbook--we’ll take
you to the places New Yorkers keep to themselves.
Optional activities available on this day:
Day 2 - D.U.M.B.O.
No, not the elephant--the part of Brooklyn known as “Down
Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” or D.U.M.BO. Largely
deserted until the 1970s, this area has bounced back as artists
moved into the neighborhood’s low-cost lofts. Today,
D.U.M.B.O. is home to more than 700 artists who part of the
New York art scene. Your guide escorts you as you visit local
galleries and the D.U.M.B.O. Art Center--a non-profit organization
that promotes local artists.
Besides the artistic community, the area has grown by leaps
and bounds economically. Along with its spectacular views of
the Manhattan skyline, there is much to do along this waterfront
strip. Visit Jacques Torres’ chocolate shop or take a
short walk to Fulton’s Ferry Park, which sits in the shadows of the city’s most historic bridge--the Brooklyn
Bridge.
 Enjoy some homemade ice cream as you continue to Brooklyn
Heights. Stroll along the Promenade, which overlooks the East
River and provides spectacular views of the cityscape. In 1965,
Brooklyn Heights was the first area designated as a New York
City Landmark District and you will understand why as you see
Federal style homes built in the 1820s, brick and brownstone
homes from the 1830s and 1840s, two Italianate mansions that
overlook Pierrepont Street, and spectacular churches in the
Gothic Revival style.
Return to Manhattan and the comforts of your hotel. Enjoy
an early dinner, so you have time to take in a Broadway or
off-Broadway show. If you prefer, we can help arrange the perfect
evening.
Optional activities available on this day:
Day 3 - Chelsea
If you have time, visit one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Manhattan - Chelsea. The area has something for everyone: mid-19th century brownstones (visit Cushman Row), the Chelsea Hotel (former home to Eugene O'Neill, Lenny Bruce and Sid Vicious), quirky shops and large loft size exhibition spaces and art galleries. In the mid-1990's many galleries moved to Chelsea, due to the large amount of space left from the abandoned warehouses. These galleries have brought new life to the neighborhood.
Visit the Sonnabend Gallery, known for big name contemporary American and European artists. See the Paula Cooper Gallery with sculpture, painting, drawings and other media. The Dia:Chelsea is a four floor space with all media imaginable, well worth going to see for those interested in contemporary art.
Besides art, Chelsea is great for shopping, walking and people watching. Stop by Chelsea Piers along the Hudson River, which offers all kinds of activities, from bowling to roller skating to golf. Be sure to enjoy one of the great restaurants in the meatpacking district in the southern part of Chelsea.
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