I found Skyscape museum while walking in the area and trying to get out of heavy snow. I wasn't…read morefully sure what to expect but I left really happy we got to experience it. Skyscape is a really engaging and a well designed experience. Theres a lot to see and do, with interactive spy style missions that kept both me and my son entertained the entire time! My son was completely locked in the whole time and I was right there pretending I definitely understood the instructions on the first try. It's mostly a hands on experience, you're not just walking through exhibits, you're actually participating, solving challenges and learning as you go. Even better, it didn't feel crowded, which made it comfortable to move through at our own pace. We were able to go back and redo some of the exhibits we enjoyed, which made the experience even more fun the second (and third) time around. Overall, a great mix of entertainment and learning, especially for kids but enjoyable for adults too. 10/10. My son loved every second. I loved pretending I knew what was going on.

This was such a fun and unique experience! I surprised my boyfriend with this for his birthday, and…read morehe absolutely loved it. The challenges, puzzles, and games really make you think--you definitely have to process the clues carefully! There are multiple levels to complete, and throughout the experience you're asked questions that determine what type of agent you are, which was a really cool touch. It was challenging, but in the best way. Now that I understand how everything works, I definitely want to go back and do it again to see if I can do even better! If you're looking for something interactive, different, and a lot of fun, I highly recommend checking this place out. We'll definitely be back!

Just a few more days until the Raphael exhibit leaves The Met. I'm so happy I had the chance to see…read moreit. The landmark exhibition Raphael: Sublime Poetry runs through June 28 at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 899. It is the first comprehensive exhibition on the Italian Renaissance master in the United States, gathering over 170 of his paintings, drawings, and tapestries from 62 global lenders. The Met is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, museums in NYC. Grand, opulent, rich in history and gorgeous. Raphael exhibit has been running for three months and showcases the celestial beauty of his work. Whether it's his famous portraits or the multiple Virgin Mother and Child paintings, his stunning work will leave you breathless. Raphael, along with Michelangelo and Da Vinci were known as the Supreme Masters of the High Renaissance. Exquisite Master artists. In addition to this gorgeous exhibit which is included in the standard admission, there's always so much to see at The Met. The last day of the exhibit is June 28--catch it!

Fabulous museum! A must see if you're a museum lover like me. Tip: best to visit upon opening…read morehour, as it gets quite busy later in the day. No need to buy tickets online, as they do sell tickets there. But, do plan and set aside a good chunk of time to visit, because this museum is quite large! So much to see and beautiful vast exhibits. This museum held a large collection and we didn't get a chance to explore all, but was able to see our musts. At the time of our visit, Raphael was the special exhibit coming to a close. The exhibit was extensive and interesting, but frustrating because it was over crowded with people. We actually had to bypass many areas, as there were too many people congregated around most of the pieces. Bought some nice souvenirs at their gift shop- Van Gogh neck scarf, beautiful apron, and stickers. Well worth museum visit, we had a great time and they offer a very generous Military discount , thank you!

Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum was established in 1957 by the Blauvelt-DeMarest Foundation. Hiram…read moreBlauvelt was a philanthropist, conservationist and collector. His art museum is focused on wildlife art. The museum is a renovated old carriage house which is about 100 feet from the Blauvelt Estate which is now in disrepair. While you are not allowed entrance to the estate it is nice to wander about and take photographs. The museum has multiple rooms on the first floor with paintings, photographs and sculptures of wildlife. I really enjoyed the sculpture of the wolf as you first enter through the older section of the carriage house. Upstairs has an amazing collection of taxidermy which I was not invited to see. There are permanent exhibits, as well as, rotating exhibits from national artist groups. The art museum also has an artist-in-residence, The museum is open Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sunday. They keep the front door locked but there is a sign that says "ring the door bell". There is no admission fee for this museum and photos are not allowed inside. I did receive a book of wildlife photographs. Some of the photos are displayed below.

the person working there needs a lesson in how treat people visiting the museum. it was the most…read morestressful 20 minutes I have ever had in visiting a museum. if you have children or grandchildren, this is not the place to go. I have been here before with my children and thought it would be great to bring my grandchildren. The person who works there acted as if we were going to misbehave and more less let us know it. NEVER AGAIN!!

New Bridge served as a battleground, fort, encampment ground, military headquarters, and…read moreintelligence-gathering post in every year of the American Revolution. The Steuben House is the only extant building from the 1776 Retreat through Bergen County. For 2 weeks in 1780, the Steuben House was Washington's HQ and it has been the Bergen County Historical Society's HQ since 1939. Open for events. Grounds open dawn to dusk.

As a fan of the clean aesthetic known as the 'American Craftsman' or 'Mission' style that was…read moreestablished over 100 years ago but still feels modern today, I had long wanted to visit the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms in Parsippany-Troy Hills but drove past the signs on NJ Route 10 for the museum hundreds of times without stopping to see what it was all about. Gustav Stickley, a key voice in the 'American Craftsman' movement, held very progressive retailing views for his era - launching a magazine as well as a chain of retail stores (including a 12-story flagship showroom and restaurant in New York City) that showcased his 'Arts and Crafts' design ethos of home furnishings with simple, unadorned, and comparatively plain designs. Think of Gustav as the IKEA of the early 20th century. The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms began as another of his innovative ideas that never came to fruition - a trade school for boys to teach them farming and vocational skills that was located on a 640-acre plot of land in Morris County, New Jersey. When the school failed to materialize, the Stickley family lived here in his Log House, designed and constructed by Stickley to reflect the epitome of the Arts and Crafts aesthetic, for several years. Facing financial challenges from his failing retail empire, Stickley sold the property in 1915 and it remained in private hands until 1989 when Parsippany-Troy Hills Township acquired it to preserve this historic landmark as a museum rather than letting it fall to the wrecking ball in favor of another townhome community. The Log House is only accessible to the public via 60-90-minute long docent-led guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors; $7 for students with valid ID; and $5 for children up to age 12. Our docent Joan was very knowledgeable about the Stickley family, the original and reproduction artifacts in the home, and the other tiny details that make all of Stickley's creations unique. If you appreciate the Craftsman movement or just want to see where a design legend lived, this is a must-visit historic site. PRO TIP #1: Leave young children at home. With lots of fragile and irreplaceable artifacts within a toddler's reach throughout the museum, this isn't a child-friendly environment. PRO TIP #2: Renew your library card and check whether your local library offers complimentary museum passes for the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms or other local museums.

Emerging in the U.S. primarily between 1900 and 1929, American Craftsman style was a backlash…read moreagainst the Industrial Revolution and Victorian architecture. Craftsman construction spread across the country in part thanks to American furniture designer Gustav Stickley. The most identifiable feature of the home is a low-pitched roof with overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. Another characteristic trademark is a large front porch with sturdy tapered columns. Located off the beaten path of Route 10 inside a 30-acre country estate in Morris Plains, my partner and I had the chance to tour as first-timers this 1911 house of Gustav Stickley, internationally known for his multiple roles as a philosopher, publisher, social critic and associated today with his straightforward furniture, sometimes called "mission" or "Craftsman" furniture. A reservation was made on their website. Upon entering the Museum/Gift Shop, we were greeted by the staff. The tour of 12 people began with a short 5-minute intro video about the family in their renovated kitchen and through the house from the main floor and the second-floor bedrooms. The centerpiece is Stickley's massive Log House, restored to its 1910-1917 appearance, which exemplifies his philosophy of building in harmony with the environment by using natural materials. The tour ran only 1 hour but was packed with so much information and sights of historical background regarding Gustav Stickley and really brought what we were viewing to life. The docent tour leader husband/wife duo Bob and Jan were excellent. The price didn't dent one's pocket, which we could recommend for woodworkers, craftsmen, antique enthusiasts, and children over 10.

*** 5,500th review ***…read more I don't know what took me so long to check out the Hudson River Museum. The views, alone, would be reason enough to visit. I was initially drawn to the impressive dollhouse, but there are also so many other cool paintings, sculptures, and photographs here. The museum building itself is very bright and welcoming. Check out the courtyard, too, where there were some lawn games over the summer. We also explored the education center, which seems to have an ongoing activities for kids. Next time I visit, I'll check out the planetarium!

Mark Twain called the late 19th century the "Gilded Age." It saw the creation of a modern…read moreindustrial economy, a national transportation and communication network. In the HBO drama "The Gilded Age," the characters are keenly aware that they live in interesting times, and this establishment was featured as Mrs. Astor's home. Built for millionaire banker John Bond Trevor and his family, Glenview Mansion has been painstakingly restored by the Hudson River Museum, which is a hidden gem located in Yonkers. Guided tours are offered to six fully restored rooms (Great Hall, Sitting Room, Parlor, Dining Room, Ebony Library, and Billiard Room), which my partner and I had the pleasure of today at $20 per adult and can be purchased on their website. Since his primary residence was in NYC, this 19th-century seasonal home was used from April to December each year and sits on a 23-acre estate. The owner commuted into his office on Wall Street in New York City, about 23 miles away. Upon entering the mansion, it showcases late Victorian with the colorful tiles on the floor, the high ceilings, and the furniture and fixtures such as the Tiffany and Co. grandfather clock, a Victorian recliner chair, or the storybook tiles over the fireplace in the Great Hallway. The original home featured a wraparound balcony that could be accessed through the Sitting Room, but it was later removed in order to lower maintenance costs. Besides the mansion, the museum is a complex of galleries that present changing art exhibitions, a permanent Hudson River School collection, a planetarium, an amphitheater, and educational spaces for all ages. The staff was friendly. The interior was very well kept and organized. With great views of the Hudson River, this is a relatively short day trip, which we can recommend.

It's like a book that makes your feet hurt…read more Though the museum is undeniably thorough, the curation relies so heavily on dense, text-based presentation that it ultimately feels less like an impressive journey through history and more like an encyclopedic book that you read with your feet. There's some incredible stuff, like the blue whale model, dinosaur skeletons, popular culture items (like Jesse Owens' gold medal), giant geode, the animal scenes, and the impressive and hypnotic miniature dioramas, but is a college-educated, book reading, trivia absorbing teacher allowed to admit it's a little dull? Just a little. Probably because I much prefer art museums or Smithsonian types with pop culture, inventions, political history, etc. Dull might be too strong a word because I did spend over four hours there and didn't see everything. Let's say it's yawn-adjacent.

The absolute best museum i have ever been to! So many amazing things to discover around every…read morecorner. You can spend all day in here, it's quite spectacular!