This was an amazing exhibition. I am start struck ( no pun intended). I attended the planetarium…read morefor public night it's open to the public free or charge. Really informative and the graphics are beyond amazing.

Still star struck by the wonderful display at Leitner's. Funny thing is, I have lived near this…read moreplace for years and didn't even know it existed. BEST KEPT SCERET IN NEW HAVEN! Leitner's is nestled away behind the Divinity School at Yale. When driving on Prospect Street, you have to go up a long driveway to even see it. Out of curiosity, I decided to see what was up the hill one day, and wha-lah, I stumbled onto a whole planetarium. Neat! The planetarium is open to the public on Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons (check out the schedule here http://bit.ly/1tEK7PT) for FREE shows. The current shows focus on Black Holes. Our moderator, Angelo, walked us through all of the constellations visible from earth on a clear night, and even tied in some Greek mythology. Interesting presentation. The coolest part was the special effects that allow the audience to zoom into stars, it felt like I was whizzing through space. That was the first half of the presentation, about 30 minutes long. In the second part, they show a movie that delves into the mysteries of black holes. On clear nights, after the show, they offer free viewings of the night sky through their massive telescopes. It was a little hazy on the night I went, but I was still able to see Saturn. It was a great outing for the bargain price of... Free! This would be a great experience for families with children or for lovebirds to hold hands while gazing into the stars (gentleman, tell your lady no star is as radiant as she is and your guaranteed a smooch... You're welcome.). An out of this world experience! I'll be back.

I love this place…read more During the first time we came, around November, it was a full moon and we were told that conditions weren't so optimal. However, there were a lot of people out and the place was hopping. There were stargazers who had set up their own telescopes on the lawn, the domes were manned, and monitors were displaying what they were focused on with such amazing views. We went inside and queued up to be able to go upstairs to the big telescope (they bring up 15 people at a time), and the waiting area had a piano player that provided a lovely ambiance. There were a couple of staff members speaking and answering questions, and really learned quite a bit from them. Here's where it gets even better...it's run by volunteers and is free. There is no other place like it. They operate on donations from visitors (5 bucks), and dues from those who decide to become members. We fell in love with the experience that night and became members ourselves. I even had my girlfriend become a volunteer We returned on 12/21 for the Winter Solstice where they had a lecturer out front on the lawn with a laser pointer and he gave a talk about what was visible in the night sky. Bonus: it was completely dark. No moonlight. They served coffee, tea, hot cocoa, desserts and cookies from Erica's Rugelach, and there was quite a crowd that night despite it being 19 degrees out. No piano this time, but a very good guitar player provided lovely music. I don't know what it is about this location, but the stars seem much clearer, like they want to come out and show off. Spent quite a bit of time at the big scope, got to see Jupiter and its moons, Orion's Nebula, Mars, it's always a fantastic time here if you're into stargazing. If you want to do something off the beaten path on a Saturday night, this is the place. In my photos, you'll see the difference from when there was a full moon, and the night of the Winter Solstice.

Everyone that works here is very knowledgeable, it's cool to see the passion that they all have in…read morethis hobby. Unfortunately when my boyfriend and I went it was a cloudy day so we didn't get to look up at the stars, but we got to tour the building. Will be back again!

A beautiful place for a picnic, events, and weddings. It's huge, with lots to do. Even if you get…read morelost, it will be a fun experience with lots to do and discover. I look forward to going back next year.

I work here, and aside from the 1.5-hour plus commute, it's a glorious place to work. Stunning…read moregrounds, fragrant air, wildlife galore. It's also inspiring to be in the company of some of the finest scientific minds of our time.

Top of the Rock at night. It was just magical. I loved how the city just lit up…read more It gets cold up there, so bring a jacket. I loved the cute cafe where you can sit, relax, and drink. Great spot to check off from your bucket list if you want to see New York from a bird's eye view.

We went to the Top of the Rock on Jun 24, 2025 as part of the Road Scholar's "American Mosaic - An…read moreNYC Exploration" program. Entry to the top is through the "Observation Deck" entrance on the north side of the building (on W 50th St). Tickets were provided by our group, apparently one per family. After it got scanned, we went up the stairs to the mezzanine level and into an enclosed area. This area had a wide screen similar in size to the Immersive Theater in the Statue of Liberty Museum. A 5-minute film was shown summarizing 30 Rock's history, glitz and glamor. It culminated with a Christmas segment accompanied by a literal shower of snowflakes on us from the ceiling. "Now that's immersive," I thought. The door at the other end opened. We continued on until we entered the Welcome Gallery. At the far end, a staff member stood before a hall of elevators that would take us to the 67th floor. To our left was a miniature model of Rockefeller Center with light show and music. We were then directed a few at a time by the staff member to a specified elevator. Inside the elevator, an audio/visual material played from the ceiling almost like a fanfare to what was coming next. At the 67th floor, a staff member directed us to head right. I took in the view of the city skyline through the windows. Taking pictures was difficult due to limited field of view behind the walls. The unobstructed balcony view would be found on the 69th and 70th floors. Wife and Son weren't comfortable with heights so they hung out in the Weather Room. I was similarly acrophobic but that didn't stop me from taking the escalator to the 69th. After I got off the escalator, I saw the Beam to my right. Situated entirely on the deck and a maximum elevation of 10 feet from the floor, it didn't look as scary as the people sitting on it made it out to be. My attention quickly turned towards the balcony. From left to right as far as the eye could see, the unobstructed view was overwhelming. Reigning in my acrophobia - which was increasing the longer I remained at the Top - took effort. I proceeded to take pictures of the skyline. The 70th floor above me was accessible by stairs. The view was better. The Beam looked a lot less scary from the 70th floor. As I approached the windows, my breaths got slower and heavier. Taking each picture was laborious because the sunlight made it difficult to see my phone while managing the acrophobia at the same time. Yet I got through it and promptly went down. The experience at the Top of the Rock was much more enjoyable than that at the Empire State Building (ESB) back in Sep 2008. The wait line was much shorter (45 minutes alone just waiting for the elevator to get on top of the ESB). Top of the Rock didn't feel rushed. It offers a lot more space and more time to take it all in. I definitely recommend this place. If I ever return to New York City, I would like to try a different skyscraper (definitely not the ESB) for the next view from the top.

I highly recommend taking your friends here visiting the city or looking for a place to go to! It…read morewas an overall fun experience. Was there for about 2-3 hours to explore and relax. We were there in cinco de mayo so I ended up getting a chips and quac was 10$ it was delicious but for the price I wish I could get more Quac. Now, the drink was outrageously expensive and I question why I even got it. In my opinion it was NOT worth it. The taste was OK. Price was 21$!! Never again. I get it it's the city and tourist but let's be real. . Lastly I got a horchata and hands down one of the best I've had so to me it was worth the price me and my friend split it. Overall, the experience is a 10/10 5 stars but the food/drinks I give it a 3 stars. The view is very nice though. This is the second time I've been here next time I'll be coming at night to experience it.

On every trip, if my husband can find an adventure that involves heights, he's all in. Me? Not so…read moremuch. I've mentioned in other reviews that I'm definitely afraid of heights, so going into this, I was a little nervous. But honestly -- this ended up being such a beautiful experience. The views are incredible, and each room offers something a little different, which keeps it interesting the entire time. I thought I'd be anxious the whole way through, but instead I found myself actually enjoying it. It's immersive, unique, and surprisingly calming despite being so high up. If you can, I recommend going during the week when it's less crowded. Later in the day is also a good option if you want to avoid heavier traffic. That said, if you're aiming for sunset and want to grab a drink at the rooftop bar, that's definitely a great experience too. We went the day after Valentine's Day, so they still had their Valentine-themed drink menu, which was a nice bonus. Overall, it's absolutely worth it -- even if you're a little nervous about heights like I am

In 19th century London, a crackpot Victorian engineer named Alexander Stanhope St. George dreamed…read moreup an undersea tunnel to serve as a speedy traffic conduit from London to New York. (He hated travel by boat) His traffic corridor was never realized, but his enterprising great grandson Paul St. George recently discovered the mysterious blueprints of his great-grandfather's incomplete dig. The younger St. George has installed fiberoptic cables running under the Atlantic, through the completed tunnel, from the Brooklyn Bridge to London's Tower Bridge, allowing New Yorkers and Londoners to greet each other in real time, across the pond! St. George's story is so intriguing and fanciful--and it really is quite a marvel to wave at our friends over in London and see them wave back. In fact, it's so much fun to tickle our brains with St. George's fantasy, don't you dare think for a second about skype, cellphones, the internet, streaming video or other inventions of our non-Victorian age, or your creeping doubts may just ruin this enchanting tale. Go see it for yourself, until June 15th.

I wish it would have been here permanently. They could easily make it a paid attraction. It was the…read morefirst time I did anything like this. Since then I have called people and waved from web cams. But this was just too cool and so much fun! I e-mailed people in London to meet me at a certain time in front of the Telectroscope and they did. Look at the picture I have. It is priceless. It is a family in London and see the bridge in the background!. I wish it would come back!

A great experience. Look for any coupons. I did pay full price right at Hudson Yards. Located…read moreinside the mall. After a short interactive elevator experience, you enter the indoor space. Lots of photo ops here from different angles and in the outdoor section, there's some balcony seating. There's a glass floor window to the bottom, nerve wracking if you have a fear of heights. On a windy day, terrifying! I couldn't even sit on it. Overall, a great experience. There seem to be a few more of these high view point experiences besides the Empire State Building popping up in NYC. Definitely check it out while you are visiting.

We paid extra for sunset hour, and was it worth it? Debatable. Cloudy weather has been the villain…read moreof this entire trip, so sunsets felt like a gamble. We lucked out and still caught a decent one. Small victory! One of the highlights was the see-through glass floor. Absolute chaos in the best way. The height-averse members of our group bravely stepped onto it, screamed a little, laughed a lot, and walked away with the cutest, silliest photos. 100% core memory material. The outdoor platform is super crowded, especially around sunset, so bring patience if you're hoping to get a decent spot for photo-ops. You'll probably have to wait your turn. Once you get that shot, it's worth it.

Visited One World Observatory and it was definitely a highlight of our trip! The views are great,…read moreseeing the entire city laid out in every direction gives alot of appreciation for the city. Totally worth it for the views alone. We also had dinner there and the setting was gorgeous. We both left impressed from the experience. If you're visiting NYC, this is a must-do!

One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, and it stands out as…read moreone of the most impressive observation experiences in New York City. Located at the summit of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the observatory offers sweeping panoramic views that capture the full scale of the New York skyline. The atmosphere begins building even before reaching the top. The elevator ride itself is part of the experience, featuring a visual timeline that shows the transformation of New York City's skyline over several centuries as you ascend the tower. By the time you reach the observation level, the sense of height and perspective is already striking. The observation deck offers unobstructed views in every direction. From the windows, visitors can see landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River, and Midtown Manhattan stretching into the distance. The indoor design keeps the environment comfortable year-round while still delivering dramatic views of the city. The experience also includes interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that help visitors understand the geography, neighborhoods, and history of New York. These elements add context and depth rather than simply presenting the skyline as a visual spectacle. Service throughout the observatory felt organized and professional. Staff guide visitors efficiently through the entry process and help maintain a smooth flow even during busy periods. From a global travel perspective, One World Observatory ranks among the great urban observation decks I have visited in cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Dubai where skyline views become a defining part of the travel experience.

The Shepaug Eagle Observation Area is a wonderful place for visitors to observe Eagles, and view…read moreexhibits. The program is managed by volunteers from the Connecticut Audubon. Volunteers can assist viewers, provide information, and answer questions. Admission is free but reservations are required. This season runs from 12/21 through 3/15 on Wednesday, Saturdays, and Sunday. Christine's Critters was there on the day I went giving a very detailed presentation, and bringing the audience face-to-face with rescue birds of prey. This is a wonderful place that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Amazing time watching the eagles! Definitely need a better lens! We were able to see two eagles…read morein the trees as well as juveniles. They offer free binoculars, but it's best to bring your own. It's chilly, so make sure you are dressed properly during the winter months

This place is awesome and always being improved. Aside from being an artist's dream air bnb, you…read morecan hold an event here. The owner, Micha, is hospitable and helpful with a great attitude and positive outlook. The bathrooms are always spotless no matter what size gathering. There are comfy couches and piles of floor pillows and a beautiful outdoor covered (rain) and uncovered (star-gazing)seating areas.