Growing up in Arizona I loved collecting rocks and was especially obsessed with gemstones. I have a natural affinity for this section of The Museum of Natural History and it’s oddly peaceful and relaxing even when the museum is packed.

Dead Horse Bay is about an hour and a half from lower Manhattan by public transit, but well worth the journey. There is so much glass on the beach that the waves make a soft tinkling sound as they roll in. It’s a scavenger’s dream, and glass isn’t the only thing you’ll find here. There are still plenty of horse bones to remind you where the place gets its name.

Webster Hall is a solid venue, and a frequent stop for many great bands on their rise to glory. If you've only got a few nights in the city, chances are a great act will be playing here.

This marketplace is home to tons of amazing local restaurants, shops, and vendors— from flowers, meat and cheese, wine, and a food court downstairs. There is definitely something for you here.

Housing European Romanesque and Gothic collections, the building itself sits high on a hill offering far reaching views over the Hudson River and Upper Manhattan. A place to bookmark for after the Spring equinox when you can ramble amongst the fragrant herb gardens of Fort Tryon Park and drink in the air of the season.