Bryant Park
Bryant Park, behind the New York Public Library, is reminiscent of Paris, with gravel pathways, green folding chairs and a manicured lawn. It is extremely popular during summer, especially as it offers free outdoor concerts and comedy shows. During Fashion Week, tents concealing the hallowed runways are set up for the seasonal haute couture fashion shows.

Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Tel: (212) 768 4242.
Website: www.bryantpark.org  
Opening hours: Daily from 0700. Closing times vary each month; check the website for details. There is a free ice rink Nov-Jan 0700-2200.
Free admission.

New York Public Library
The opulent, 1911 beaux arts design is a national landmark. Two marble lions, nicknamed Patience and Fortitude, grace its grand Fifth Avenue entrance. The bronze front doors lead to the magnificent, marble Astor Hall. The library houses 6 million books, 12 million manuscripts and 2.8 million pictures. Visitors may tour the impressive reading rooms and literary exhibitions.

Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
Tel: (212) 930 0800/30.
Website: www.nypl.org
Opening hours: Mon 1100-1800, Tues-Wed 1100-1930, Thurs-Sat 1100-1800, Sun 1300-1700.
Free admission.

Grand Central Terminal
Visitors to New York should take the opportunity to tour Grand Central Terminal, familiar to many as Grand Central Station. Situated in Midtown, just one block east of Bryant Park, the world's largest railroad station has historical and architectural importance and the celestial ceiling is remarkable. Free tours take place every Wednesday and Friday at 1230. The Wednesday tour is run by the Municipal Arts Society (donations appreciated) and departs from the information booth of the Grand Concourse, while the Friday tour, run by the Grand Central Partnership, meets in front of the Phillip Morris/Whitney Museum on 42nd Street. No advance reservations are necessary. You can download an independent walking tour via the website below. The station also boasts a fine dining concourse and a number of shops, including the Grand Central Market.

42nd Street, at Park Avenue
Tel: (212) 340 2583 or 935 3960 or 697 1245 (tours) or 340 2210 (event hotline).
Website: www.grandcentralterminal.com
Opening hours: Daily 0530-0130.
Free admission.

Museum of Sex
It is a bit out there, but this unique venue seeks to present history, evolutions and cultural significance of human sexuality as well as examining contemporary attitudes toward permissible and taboo pleasures. Ongoing exhibits include the ‘Spotlight on the Permanent Collection', featuring many of the nearly 10,000 items in the museum's permanent collections, and ‘Stags, Smokers and Blue Movies', a retrospective on American pornographic films, dating from the early 1900s to the present day.

233 Fifth Avenue at 27th Street
Tel: (212) 689 6337 or 1 866 667 3984/MOSEXTIX.
Website: www.museumofsex.com  
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 1100-1830, Sat 1100-2000.
Admission charge.

The Jewish Museum
The 1908 greystone mansion houses one of the world's largest collections of Judaica. The two-floor permanent exhibition, ‘Culture and Community: The Jewish Journey,' traces the history of Judaism with artwork, ceremonial objects, photography, interactive screens and audio. Special art presentations focus on Jewish art and history. Daily tours on different exhibits run on the quarter hour starting at 1215. Located across from Central Park on the ‘Museum Mile'.

1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street
Tel: (212) 423 3200.
Website: www.thejewishmuseum.org  
Open hours: Sat-Wed 1100-1745, Thurs 1100-2000.
Admission charge.