A rainy day in New York may mean that plans to climb the Empire State Building have to be abandoned. But the city has many indoor attractions to keep visitors busy. Bad weather provides a chance to explore some of New York's cultural and historical highlights and learn a little about its past.
El Museo del Barrio is New York's leading Latino cultural institution, providing a range of collections and exhibitions to keep visitors engrossed on a rainy day. Permanent collections of Caribbean, Latino and Latin American art include modern and contemporary art, graphics, archaeological objects and popular traditions such as masks and devotional arts. El Museo is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
El Museo Del Barrio
1230 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10029
212-831-7272
elmuseo.org
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum reflects the story of immigration in America. It explores the lives of the working-class immigrants who settled at a tenement apartment building at 97 Orchard St. You can take a guided tour of apartments reflecting immigrant life. Some of the homes recreated include those of Jewish families that operated garment shops in the building and of an Irish family coping with the death of a child. Tours of the museum operate from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum
108 Orchard St.
New York
212-982-9420
tenement.org
The Paley Center for Media is at the forefront of discussion about the cultural, creative and social significance of media. It explores the relationships between media and society and offers a permanent media collection containing nearly 150,000 television and radio programs and advertisements. Guided tours of the Center, which is open Wednesday to Sunday, are available.
The Paley Center for Media
25 West 52 St.
New York, NY 10019
212-621-6600
paleycenter.org
The Morris-Jumel Mansion is Manhattan's oldest house and has hosted a number of military leaders. The mansion was headquarters to Gen. George Washington in September and October of 1776. You can explore the stately building between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. Guided tours for walk-in visitors are available at noon on Saturdays. The museum shop also offers a range of gifts, books, colonial games and memorabilia
Morris-Jumel Mansion
65 Jumel Terrace
New York, NY 10032
212-923-8008
morrisjumel.org
