by Melody P. on Planetarium... Awe-some! Never seen anything like it! I got a little dizzy, but they tell you it may happen. The line snakes around the building. You enter the room and realize how big the "screen" is. Lights are dim, similar to a nightclub or lounge. The guy speaking has a very soothing voice and tells you bits of info, what you'll see, etc. Beware of the "speedy" elderly who want to go to the very top of the stadium for a seat. You'll be waiting a while. The middle section was great! They use 3 projectors to create the images during the show, which, at times, makes it feel like a spaceship ride. Cooool! Your inner child will come out and the adult side of you will appreciate sunrises even more. The Rain Forest: get your camera, sweat rag, wear your quick-wicking clothes and head in. It's hyoooo-mid. Humid. You are damp and sweating at the same time. So many butterflies to photograph. Little birds are everywhere! You may need to duck and dodge every now and then. The Amazon (parrot) does not like photos, maybe the camera flash. He really hides! I was outside of the exhibit, taking photos without the flash and he was running away. Even covering his face! Cute, magnificent and colorful. This exhibit has frogs, snakes, fish. Look down as you go up the spiral walkway to see the gigantic catfish-- and people's faces as they gaze up. These are downright the biggest fish I've ever seen. An elevator offers some relief from the humidity as you go up floors and to exit. 5+ stars for this place! There's a tortoise exhibit toward the north side of the museum. One baby tortoise likes to stand tall and "run" laps along the perimeter of the enclosure. Often mowing over and burying his little buddy that stands his ground. We watched this go on for a long time. There are benches in front of the section. He reminded us of our turtle, Samson. Huge personality! Check out my photos. The aquarium was super! I spent a good chunk of time in there. My camera was taking hundreds of photos. Love aquariums! You must see this place! Penguins! They seem to interact with the visitors. They people-watch just as we watch them. A must-see. They have the penguin neoprene suit that was custom-made for one elderly penquin that couldn't regulate body heat. He wore it while swimming and now has a new suit. Cute story. A children's book is available at the gift shop. (sigh!). Words cannot do this place justice. I wasn't impressed by the living roof, but the concept is great. I expected more than little shrubs and ground cover. Where I live, it's called weeds. I suggest getting membership because the exhibits and shows change. Discounts too. Well worth the $99 for a couple because one person has the membership and a guest, any guest, can go for free. Plus, it's all tax-deductible. You must go here! Let me add the chicken buns from the eateries. $3.00, worth it! The lemonade sucks! Be ready for a sour stomach. The coffee bar was cool. An unexpected surprise. OK... Enough reading this and start planning your visit. Get there early for parking and expect to pay $22+ for the parking garage (worth it after a day of wandering the museum).
by Kirby Dyron on Is this really what they turned my beloved Culture Club into??? Oh well, so is the way of trendy dance clubs in NYC. Pluses: Green, surrealist, Alice in Wonderland-esque design with moss walls, droplet rain like ceiling design, and astroturf makes this a nice visual away from the white, chrome, and black of most other venues. The place is small, with most of it's area dedicated to high priced tables and roped off areas for VIPs., so dancing area is limited, and yeah, they will over pack that place in a heartbeat. If you ever want to go to this place, try to get a free RSVP that offers open bar. It will make it hurt all the less if you have a good/bad time.
by Carmen B. on When I first walked up to the Rite Spot Cafe to see a friend's show, I was sure I was in the wrong place. Standing across from the front door, I felt as though I was about to walk into either some kind of condemned warehouse rife with stolen goods or the kind of extreme-dive bar where a normal-looking young woman would turn every head in the place - and not in the fun, "I feel sexy" kind of way... But once I got inside I was pleasantly surprised. It's pretty spacious and dark in there, but in a cozy way with candles lighting the long bar and many tables. It took my friends and I a while to notice, but all of the art is sock monkey themed. (And I was wearing my sock monkey socks... an interesting coincidence...) I've been twice; once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday. I think it was on the Wednesday that happy hour lasted all night - good deals on house wines and draft beers. I am always excited about happy hour! And the food is more than decent for a dive bar/live music venue - nothing spectacular but I enjoyed both the fried calamari which wasn't too greasy and spinach salad with it's nice, light dressing. (No desserts though... sad.) One note: when there is live music they sometimes enforce the $6 (or was it $10?) per person rule. The woman working during the week has been great both times I've been, being very attentive and going out of her way. The man working during my second visit was a little... let's say "different", but he got the job done. All in all, I like this place. It's a nice venue for watching a friend play while having drinks and/or dinner, even if I wouldn't want to be walking around after dark in the neighborhood by myself. Find yourself a ride home and check it out sometime. The sock monkey art is even for sale.
