In 1978, New York's finest cultural institutions located on Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 104th streets formed a consortium called Museum Mile, the name New York City officially gave to the stretch several years later. The "mile" begins at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and moves north to El Museo del Barrio. However, even the smallest museums along this stretch require some time, so don't plan on just popping into a few as you stroll along, or you'll be sorely disappointed by what you're able to see. Your best bet is to head directly to the museum that's tops on your list first, and then proceed to your second choice along the mile if you have time. If you're heading to the Metropolitan, forget trying to squeeze in anything else -- as it is, you'll only see a portion of the collection there in a full day.
If you're traveling with the kids, also consider the museums listed under "Especially for Kids," which include the Children's Museum of Manhattan, the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, and the New York Hall of Science.
Also, don't forget to see what's on at the monumental New York Public Library, which regularly holds excellent exhibitions.
Evenings at the Met -- On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Met remains open late not only for art viewing but also for cocktails in the Great Hall Balcony Bar (5-8pm) and classical music from a string ensemble. A slate of after-hours programs (gallery talks, walking tours, family programs) changes by the week; call for this week's schedule. The restaurant stays open until 10pm (last reservation at 8:30pm), and dinner is usually accompanied by piano music.
Art After Hours -- Many of the city's top museums -- including the Natural History Museum, the Met, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney -- have late hours on Friday and/or Saturday nights. Take advantage of them. Most visitors run out of steam by dinnertime, so even on jam-packed weekends you'll largely have the place to yourself by 5 or 6pm -- which, in most cases, leaves you hours left to explore, unfettered by crowds or screaming kids. The other option as I've stressed throughout the book is to come early; preferably when the doors open.
