Like so much of what is out there, you will get out of this site what you put into it. The Center…read moreoffers teachers training as well as printed and digital resources a plenty! It is up to the teacher to properly prepare the class for their mission. The staff is knowledgeable, informative and accommodating. When asked to reflect on their experience, our 8th grade Gifted &Talented students report that this experience was very hands on and realistic and provided a solid introduction to the perils of space travel and the responsibility crew members have to work collaboratively to make each mission a success!

Our group of 5th graders seemed to have a great time. They were taught by trained teacher. Each…read moreperson in the group is assigned a job from take off to landing as they explore the moon. Extremely educational. Small place, but well worth your time.

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.

We recently visited SPYSCAPE and overall enjoyed the concept and experience, but there were some…read morefrustrations that made the visit less enjoyable than expected. The museum itself is very creative and interactive, and the spy-themed activities are fun and engaging, especially for students and groups. The idea behind the exhibits is fantastic, and when the activities work properly, they are exciting and memorable. However, during our visit there was a very large group present, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. Several of the interactive stations were not working. The phone activity was not functioning at all, and most of the lie detector stations were broken, with only two available for use. This created long wait times and limited opportunities to participate. Additionally, we found the staff interactions to be disappointing. Some staff members spoke to adults in a way that felt condescending, almost as if they were addressing children, which was frustrating and took away from the overall experience. SPYSCAPE has a lot of potential and truly is a unique attraction, but maintaining the equipment and ensuring respectful, professional customer service would make a significant difference. With those improvements, it could easily be an outstanding experience.

It isn't very often that I walk into a space and have my breath taken away. This was my experience,…read morehaving walked into the Metropolitan Museum of art in New York City for my very first time. I found the ticket purchasing and overall check-in process very smooth. I happened to go on a very busy day, so it was crowded, but nothing that distracted from my actual experience. There aren't very many words to describe the abundance of international treasures on display. And the amount of history you learn while walking around is truly overwhelming. My favorite sections are the Egyptian and Greek and Roman wings of the museum. I saw many famous piece there that I previously saw in textbooks. As far as some of the cafés there offer really basic American fair, but with a fresh twist. Because it was so close to the lunar new year when I visited, there were special lychee drink s available for purchase. This museum is enormous and really needs a dedicated 5 to 6 hours to truly enjoy it so don't pack in too many other museum visits on the same day. I made that mistake.

There isn't much more I can add to the already gushing reviews about this place…read more It is incredible? Yes Is it overwhelming? Yes Does it require multiple visits? Yes Is it one of the most impressive museums in the US? Yes Does it compare to places like the Louvre? On this side of the pond, yes Do you have any recommendations? Yes Hit one to two sections of the museum hard. The Egyptian exhibit is incredibly impressive and warrants several hours in itself. The collection of global art is also extensive, so hit up one or two regions of the world on top of that. After that, come back another time. This museum is so rich in content you could return 4-5 times before you can say that you have fully been to the Met. I appreciated their collection of American and European art - especially the art from the Impressionist era. Will I be back? Yes, many times. Enjoy your visit!

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.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History is truly one of the most exciting and enriching…read moreexperiences in New York City. My first visit in 2018 was especially memorable because a friend of mine works there, so I was lucky enough to get a bit of a "behind-the-scenes" introduction. Seeing the museum through that lens made me appreciate just how much thought, care, and expertise goes into every exhibit. What I love most about the museum is that every visit feels different. There is always something new to learn, notice, or explore, whether it's a brand-new exhibit or something that has been part of the museum for decades. The entire space is beautifully maintained, and the exhibits are thoughtfully presented so they are engaging for both kids and adults. The fossil halls are always a highlight, especially the incredible dinosaur displays like the towering Tyrannosaurus rex and the massive Titanosaur skeleton. Walking through these halls really gives you a sense of the scale and wonder of prehistoric life. The biodiversity and animal halls are equally fascinating. The famous dioramas in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and the Akeley Hall of African Mammals are stunning and incredibly detailed - each one feels like stepping into a moment in nature frozen in time. The iconic blue whale model suspended overhead is something that never stops amazing visitors of all ages. Another favorite area is the Rose Center for Earth and Space, which explores the universe in a visually stunning and interactive way. The Hayden Planetarium shows are always worth seeing and do an incredible job of making complex science both accessible and awe-inspiring. One of the most enchanting exhibits in the museum is the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium. This is our daughter's favorite stop. Walking into the vivarium feels like stepping into a tropical garden filled with hundreds of live butterflies flying freely around you. They often land on flowers, and sometimes even on visitors - which makes the experience feel incredibly immersive and memorable. It's peaceful, beautiful, and especially exciting for kids, but honestly just as magical for adults. Watching these delicate creatures up close adds a completely different dimension to the museum experience and is something I always look forward to revisiting. What truly sets this museum apart is how it balances education with discovery. You can spend hours wandering through exhibits on everything from human origins and world cultures to climate science and marine ecosystems. It's a place where curiosity is constantly rewarded. Whether you're visiting for the first time or the tenth, the American Museum of Natural History never feels repetitive. There's always another hall to explore, another detail to notice, or another fascinating story about our planet and universe waiting to be discovered. It's one of New York City's most special institutions and absolutely worth returning to again and again.

Definitely worth checking out! I am not the biggest fan of museums, but glad I got to see this one…read more We paid a little extra to see the Milkyway excursion, and that was honestly my favorite part! There are tons of animals and dinosaur exhibits. The planetarium was also very informational and fun to see. This is a spot where you could really spend all day reading every plaque - I'd recommend at least a few hours to walk through and see everything. I do think it's a spot worth checking out, especially if you have kids, but I don't need to go back for a while!

Quite a bit to explore, ages 2-7 is ideal. Clean bathrooms, and decent food menu-- veggie burger…read morewas made well. Fresh fruit available. Usual favorites such as pizza, hot dog, French fries and ketchup. Floor plan allows multiple parties and plenty of space for many kids.

We had heard of Imagine That! For years but never took the time to go. Now that we have visited our…read morekids keep asking "when we're going back?". It's amazing how many areas they have, and how there really is something that each kid wants to do... even if they eventually end up doing it all. Painting, building, playing. They even have a real fire truck, a pirate ship with slides (and costumes), and a grocery store. I love that it's not only fun for the kids, but seems to have a hint of educational components as well. We didn't eat there but it was nice to see that they offered food as well which was really nice for parents and siblings who need a break.