One thing that will always be true is the beauty and depth, the amazement and the history, the sheer love and passion that is stored in a museum. There is something about seeing old things and new things become something more than what they were.
They become markers of history, plays of love and beauty, tales of a life not known and lives lived and those to come about. These items become a token of a life; they become a story, the story of the person who donated it, who found it and who ever sees it. That's beyond amazing, that a tea cup from the 1500's can bring so many people together and create such a bond through time simply by existing.
Now, not many people would think of it that way- to some it may just be a fragile and useless teacup, but then they look at a painting or a sculpture or a photo, or maybe just the people who are encompassed by these items and a sense runs through them that they might not be able to find anywhere else. That's inspiring and the power of a museum.
However, not everyone is cut out for a museum of the traditional kind, and not all museums are children friendly. So here is a list of museums to visit this summer- some of them for free:
1. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Address: 990 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225
2. Children's Museum of East End
Address: 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
3. Hecksher Museum of Art
Address: 2 Prime Ave Huntington, NY 11743
4. Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Address: Pier 86, W 46th ST & 12th Ave New York, NY 10036
5. Museum of Modern Art
Address: 11 W 53rd St New York NY 10019
6. Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd, Old Bethpage NY, 11804
7. Vanderbilt Mansion and Planetarium
180 Little Neck RD, Centerport NY, 11721
8. Long Island Children's Museum
11 Davis Ave, Garden City NY, 11530
9. Children's Museum of Manhattan
Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd St. New York, NY
10. Children's Museum of Arts
103 Charlton St. New York, NY 10014
11. Dimenna Children's History Museum
170 Central Park West New York, NY 10024
12. American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West & 79th St. New York, NY 10024
A lot of these museums listed do seem to be only for children, however, that is not entirely true. While each museum is child friendly, they're actually more of an "all ages" type of museum. They cater to all who wish to come and visit. No matter how old you are, or what your taste may be, these museum are sure to inspire the love, history, passion and lives for generations to come and an interest in anyone.
*Tickets may be free if you register with a local library by you*
