Top United States living and tourism tricks and tips? The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1870, and is one of the most famous museums in the United States. The permanent collection of The Met contains more than two million works of art, spanning a period of 5,000 years. Although the museum has three sites, the centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue. Highlights of the collection include American decorative arts, arms and armor, costumes, Egyptian art, musical instruments, photographs, and much more. Exhibitions bring some of the world’s most famous works to the public. If you are serious about your visit to the Met, consider a VIP: Empty Met Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and see this incredible museum with just 25 people before it opens to the general public in the morning. The Met Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan, is another extremely popular New York museum. This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, housed in an outstanding structure, built around medieval cloisters, chapels, and halls, focuses on the medieval art and architecture of Europe. See extra information at 10 fun things to do in astoria.
The Apollo is celebrating 30 Years of House Party in a virtual evening featuring performances, conversations and highlights from the musical and comedy cult classics House Party (1990) and House Party 2 (1991) on Saturday, February 27 at 7pm. R&B/hip-hop group Full Force, Lisa Lisa, and DJ Wiz will perform and some of the film’s key players including Kid ‘N Play, A.J. Johnson; Darryl “Chill” Mitchell; writer and director Reginald Hudlin; producer Warrington Hudlin, and other special guests will make appearances and have a conversation about the films. This ultimate 90s throwback is a celebration of a pivotal moment in Black cinema and hip-hop history, the Apollo says. Tickets for the event are $15.
The idea of memorializing celebrities with stars embedded into sidewalks was conceived in the 1950s as a way to keep the glamour of Hollywood alive. More than 2,500 stars have been added since the first permanent installation at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street in 1960. Operated by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the program has been a huge success. Each year, around ten million visitors stroll along the mile-long stretch of sidewalk in search of their favorite actor, singer, musician, director or television personality. Closely associated and right in front of part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is the famous Chinese Theatre, which has seen some of Hollywood’s most glamorous movies stars and premieres.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art lays claim to being the largest art museum in the western United States, with almost 130,000 pieces spanning from antiquity through to modern times. Of particular note are the outstanding collections of Asian, Latin American, and Islamic Art. The huge complex consists of a number of separate buildings that have been acquired and renovated over the years.The most recent expansion, known as the Transformation, saw the opening of several new buildings on the western half of the campus, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Venice Beach deserves its reputation as a place to see and be seen, making it perfect for people walking, although the vibe here is a little unusual. This stretch of golden sand and the Venice Beach Boardwalk are always thronged with people walking, cycling, rollerblading, and jogging. Eclectic shops and street performers of all kinds line the walkway. The Skate Park, also just off the beach, is frequented by some of the area’s best skateboarders, and nearby are a number of creative art installations. At the appropriately named Muscle Beach, people pump iron in the hot California sun. Food stalls selling everything from shaved ice to kettle corn and funnel cakes make you feel like you’re walking through fair grounds. This is not a typical family beach, but it’s well worth a visit.
Just south of Santa Monica lies bohemian Venice. A stroll down the iconic Venice Boardwalk provides gorgeous ocean views, shopping opportunities, food, bars and eclectic street performers. Key spots in the area include Venice Skate Park and Muscle Beach Venice. Enhance your stroll with a coffee from Groundwork Coffee Company or Menotti’s Coffee Stop. Rodeo Drive is synonymous with luxury and affluence. Though the Beverly Hills street itself is two miles (3.2 kilometers) long, the Rodeo Drive tourists flock to is a much shorter section bounded by Wilshire Boulevard to the south and Santa Monica Boulevard to the north. High-end stores like Louis Vuitton, Versace and Dior call this area home. Visitors may also want to stop by the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the exterior of which was prominently featured in the film Pretty Woman(1990).
Featuring an array of stunning beaches, nature preserves, a choice of activities and romantic restaurants, Newport Beach is a fun weekend destination. Take in the scenery at Corona del Mar State Beach, go for a walk along the Newport Pier, visit the Orange County Museum of Art and enjoy the beautiful Sherman Library and Gardens. Here are the best things to do in Newport Beach, California. Hours/availability may have changed.
Philanthropists John and Adolph Spreckels donated a large pipe organ to be part of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Harrison Albright designed the semi-circular Italian Renaissance-style pavilion housing the musical instrument. A self-taught architect from Los Angeles, Albright also designed downtown San Diego’s U.S. Grant Hotel. The ornate vaulted pavilion features highly embellished gables. Located in Balboa Park, the building faces north to protect the 80 ranks of more than 5,000 pipes from the sun’s UV radiation. It is the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. The pavilion hosts free concerts Sunday afternoon and other concerts throughout the year.
No vacation in the Golden State is amazing without a walk to San Diego. The “Birthplace of California” is home to numerous attractions and places to visit, but you won’t be able to see them all via public transportation or taxi. See every inch of America’s Finest City with a cheap San Diego. When it comes to San Diego attractions, Balboa Park is the one you should not miss. As the city’s most important cultural destination and America’s biggest urban cultural park, it’s home to wonderful performing arts centers, as well as California’s best collection of museums. There are 16 of them here, including the Fleet Science Center, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, the San Diego History Center, and the Botanical Building. At the Museum of Man, climb 125 stairs into the iconic 200-foot-tall California Tower to get to its top deck, where you can see all the way to Mexico. Balboa Park also has wonderful outdoor spaces—the gorgeous Japanese Friendship Garden, five children’s playgrounds, three dog parks, tennis courts, a golf course, lawn bowling, and hiking and biking trails.
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on East Bay Avenue on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. Built in 1936 by Al Anderson, the attraction began with a small beach and a Ferris Wheel. The area was rebuilt in 1986 but went into decline until a new owner began reviving the Fun Zone in 1994. Today the area includes Balboa Village with its beach, boardwalks, hotel, restaurants and shops. Amusement rides include an 18 foot tall bungee ride called Ocean Motion, the Ferris Wheel, Fish Pipe, Burt the Bull Shark, and many others. Other attractions include the historic 1905 Balboa Pavilion, arcades, harbor cruises, and more.