Museums

Be an Early Bird -- New York is the city that never sleeps, and you shouldn't either -- at least not too much. Get an early start on your day. Check opening times for museums and attractions and be there as soon as they open to avoid the crowds. It's no fun waiting on lines or peering over throngs of people to view exhibits. So remember the early bird gets the worm, and the uncrowded attraction!

Nights at the Museum

No, the exhibits do not come alive once the sun goes down. But on certain nights the usually demure museum atmosphere changes into one of a slightly-less-demure party scene. Here are a few museums that offer a variety of nighttime revelry amongst the art.

Bronx Museum of the Arts (1040 Grand Concourse; tel. 718/681-6000; www.bronxmuseum.org): Party in the house! Or, in this case, the museum. On the first Friday every month, from 6 until 10pm, the museum features live music, poetry readings, video screenings and art performance. Admission is free.

Brooklyn Museum, (200 Eastern Parkway, tel. 718/638-5000; www.brooklynmuseum.org): First Saturday is the Brooklyn Museum of Art's ambitious and popular program that takes place on (you guessed it), the first Saturday of each month. It runs from 5 to 11pm and includes free admission and a slate of live music, films, dancing, curator talks, and other entertainment that can get pretty esoteric -- think karaoke, lesbian poetry, silent film, experimental jazz, and disco.

The Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West, btwn 77th and 81st sts.; tel. 212/769-5100 for information, or 212/769-5200): On the first Friday each month, the museum, open until 8:45pm features "Starry Nights," live jazz, and tapas and wine. The museum's suggested admission covers admission to Starry Nights, but seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1071 Fifth Ave., at 89th St.; tel. 212/423-3500. www.guggenheim.org.): "Art After Dark: First Fridays at the Guggenheim." You can explore the Guggenheim on the first Friday of every month from 9pm until 1am while sipping cocktails and listening to DJs spin their magic. Admission is $25 or free to Guggenheim members.

Whitney Museum of Art (945 Madison Ave., at 75th St.; tel. 800/944-8639; www.whitney.org): Every Friday, between 6 and 9pm, it's "Whitney After Hours" featuring live music and artist appearances with a "pay-as-you-wish" admission.