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Things to Do in NYC This Week (Wed., Oct. 18-Wed, Oct. 25)

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Looking for what to do in New York? We've got the latest on all the goings-on in NYC, from concerts to museum exhibitions to comedy to the best in city sightseeing. Halloween is creeping closer! Check out our roundup of ghoulish events!

THE BIG EVENT

My Dog Loves Central Park Fair

(10/21) My Dog Loves Central Park Fair. Bring your furry friend out for a day of fun! Come, sit, stay, and celebrate Central Park and its dog community. Tails will be wagging as the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Paws host you and your canine for an afternoon of contests, training tips, games, and more. Open to all ages. (The Fair is an on-leash event.) 12pm-3pm. 

PLUS

Valerie Bertinelli

(10/18) Valerie Bertinelli in Conversation with Alex Guarnaschelli at the 92nd Street Y. The Food Network star shares recipes from her new book, Valerie's Home Cooking: More than 100 Delicious Recipes to Share with Friends and Family. Signing after. 8pm.

(10/19) Grand Central Cinema at Grand Central TerminalKick back, grab some food from Grand Central eateries, and catch some of the most iconic film scenes featuring Grand Central as the terminal does double duty as a movie palace for one day only. 7am-10pm.

(now-10/31) Throughout October, it's Haunted Hollywood at Planet Hollywood. Enjoy a spooktacular exhibition of authentic Hollywood horror film memorabilia—Freddy Krueger’s glove from A Nightmare on Elm Street, the Fluffy mask from Creepshow, the Book of Spells from Hocus Pocus, the Lament Configuration Box from Hellraiser, Leatherface’s chainsaw from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and more!!! 

EXHIBITION OF THE WEEK

 Soulful Creatures

(New! Now-1/21/18) In the ancient burial ground at Saqqara, Egypt, one animal cemetery alone has yielded over four million ibis mummies. The dog cemetery nearby has over seven million, and similar sites are found throughout Egypt. Despite its prominence, this unusual practice of ancient Egyptian culture has remained largely a mystery. The new Brooklyn Museum exhibition Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt sheds light on the religious purpose of these mummies, how they were made, and why there are so many. Animals were central to the ancient Egyptian worldview. Most animals had connections to a particular deity. After death, mummified animals’ souls could carry a message to a god. Drawn from the museum’s extensive collection, the exhibition features choice examples of mummies of birds, cats, dogs, snakes, and other animals. The show also reveals corruption beneath the surface: CT scans displayed in the exhibition uncover empty wrappings, double mummies, and misleading packaging among some of the mummies that the priests sold to worshippers.

PLUS 

(Now-1/28/18) Items: Is Fashion Modern? at MoMA explores the present, past—and sometimes the future—of 111 items of clothing and accessories that have had a strong impact on the world in the 20th and 21st centuries and continue to hold currency today. Among them are pieces as well-known and transformative as the Levi’s 501s, the Breton shirt, and the Little Black Dress, and as ancient and culturally charged as the sari, the pearl necklace, the kippah, and the keffiyeh. Items will also invite designers, engineers, and manufacturers to respond to some of these indispensable items with pioneering materials, approaches, and techniques—extending this conversation into the near and distant futures, and connecting the history of these garments with their present recombination and use.

(Now-10/29) Final weeks! CHIHULY at the The New York Botanical Garden features nearly two dozen breathtaking works of art by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly at NYBG in his first major garden exhibition in more than ten years in New York. *On Thurs-Sat. in Oct., enjoy cocktails, snacks, live music and more during CHIHULY Nights, when the sculptures are illuminated. 6:30pm-9:30pm.

(Now-1/7/18) The photographs in the new exhibit American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times at the New-York Historical Society convey the sensation you’ve seen them before: JFK in the White House, his kids joyfully playing nearby; JFK with wife Jackie at an event, both of them elegant and assured (in truth, many images here have only rarely been shown). It’s part of the famous Kennedy allure, conveying a world that’s simultaneously approachable, glittering, and rarefied. This well-curated exhibition charts  JFK’s trajectory as a politician, as well as the cultural and historical pulse of the times, when photojournalism was at an apex. It’s s a wonderful opportunity to observe a world both familiar and lost, and to reflect on where the country was—and is.

(Now-10/31) Bring on Archtober 2017. New York’s annual Architecture and Design Month, now in its seventh year, is a celebration of all things architectural. This year’s festival features over 150 events, from lectures to activities to exhibitions. 

(Now-10/15/17)  The New-York Historical Society's Fourth Floor Renovation, now complete, includes a brand new Tiffany Lamps Gallery, in addition to the opening of its Women's History Center.

(New!) At the Museum of the Moving Image, The Jim Henson Exhibition. This permanent exhibition celebrates the life and legacy of the famed Muppet creator, exploring both his prolific career and the enduring effect his work has on pop culture. Visitors will learn more about the creation of such beloved works as The Muppet ShowSesame StreetFraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labryinth, as well as discovering the cutting-edge experimental works Henson made throughout his career. 

(Now-10/29) Drones: Is the Sky the Limit? at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. It's the first major museum exhibition on pilotless aircraft to open in the U.S. The large-scale exhibition, which will be located in a 6,000-square-foot, custom-designed pavilion on the Museum's Pier 86, will reveal the history of drone technology, from its modern-day origins in World War I and its military development to its current applications in solving complex humanitarian challenges.Take $5 off admission with this coupon now!

(Ongoing) The Museum of the City of New York presents NY at Its Core. Ten years in the making, New York at Its Core tells the compelling story of New York’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World.” The exhibition captures the human energy that drove New York to become a city like no other and a subject of fascination the world over. Entertaining, inspiring, important, and at times bemusing, New York City “big personalities,” including Alexander Hamilton, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Emma Goldman, JP Morgan, Fiorello La Guardia, Jane Jacobs, Jay-Z, and dozens more, parade through the exhibition. Visitors will also learn the stories of lesser-known New York personalities, like Lenape chieftain Penhawitz and Italian immigrant Susie Rocco. Even animals like the horse, the pig, the beaver, and the oyster, which played pivotal roles in the economy and daily life of New York, get their moment in the historical spotlight. Occupying the entire first floor in three interactive galleries (Port City, 1609-1898, World City, 1898-2012, and Future City Lab) New York at Its Core is shaped by four themes: money, density, diversity, and creativity. Together, they provide a lens for examining the character of the city, and underlie the modern global metropolis we know todaymcny.org

(New) Chocolate aficionado Jacques Torres presents Choco Story New York, the city's first chocolate museum, in SoHo. Admission includes nine premium chocolate tastings of white, milk and dark varieties; original Mayan hot chocolate freshly ground by hand; and handmade chocolate truffles. There's a kids corner, too. $10-$15. 350 Hudson St. mrchocolate.com/museum 

COMEDY

Pete Correale

(10/20-10/21) Pete Correale at Gotham Comedy Club.

PLUS

(10/20) Jon Laster, Gregg Rogell, Lynne Koplitz, 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander, Keith Robinson, Mia Jackson, and Lenny Marcus at Comedy Cellar. 7pm.

(10/19-10/21) Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin at Carolines on Broadway. 

KIDS

Rockefeller Fall Fest

(10/21) Kids Rock Fall Fest at Rockefeller Center. Catch a FREE day of fall family activities, including a pumpkin patch, face painting, apple cider donuts, a photo booth, and live music, all taking place throughout Rockefeller Center. 10am-1pm.

PLUS

(10/20) Family Astronomy Night at the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. Join Intrepid for a family-friendly talk by Noah Petro, a scientist and expert on the moon at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Stargazing on the flight deck to follow. Doors open 6:45pm, presentation 7:30pm. Free, space limited.

(10/21Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Pooches let their alter egos shine, putting on some of the cutest and most creative costumes you've ever seen at the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Compete for thousands of dollars in prizes. Noon-3pm, rain or shine. tompkindssquaredogrun.com

(Ongoing) Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventures. Sure, you can visit the new Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventures at other times of the year, but why not take advantage of great weather, the opportunity to be outside, and that “it’s summer feeling” and go now? A new tree-high obstacle course features a variety of ways to test your agility and strength, from the 400-foot-long zip line to an aerial adventure park that features seven different courses, from beginner to expert. Swing, navigate and even skateboard; it’ll make a great story to tell in the fall. 7+, 50lbs. and up. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, Bronxzootreetop.com

(Ongoing) Blue Man Group at Astor Place Theatre. Best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows, Blue Man Group combines music, comedy, and multimedia theatrics to produce a unique form of entertainment. The hour and forty five minute show is fun for the whole family. The show recently celebrated its 25th anniversary

(Ongoing) Explore the beautiful interactive exhibit Connected Worlds at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. 

For more kids activities, check out our sister site nymetroparents.com!

SIGHTSEEING

Circle Line Bear Mountain Cruise

(10/21-10/22), plus weekends through Nov. 5, take advantage of Circle Line’s Bear Mountain Cruise, or as it has come to be known by many, the Oktoberfest Cruise. Peak fall foliage, live bands, craft vendors, and the largest pretzels known to mankind all welcome you to a hoppy universe far away from the daily grind. You can burn off all those beer and brats, plus stock up on fresh air, with a gorgeous three-hour hike along one of the 50 hiking trails in Bear Mountain State Park. $65 adults, $52 kids. Boards 8:30am sharp. Pier 83, W. 42nd St. and 12th Ave., NY, 212-563-3200, circleline42.com 

PLUS

National Geographic Encounter Ocean Odyssey

(Now open!) Take a deep dive into an underwater world with New York City’s newest attraction, National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, in Times Square. This experience lets visitors explore the ocean like never before thanks to state-of-the-art technology and a brilliant team of designers. This is not a museum, exhibit, movie, aquarium, or virtual reality; instead, the producers consulted with dozens of scientists to create a new kind of immersive experience that guests can walk through as they share ocean encounters. Blockbuster new science—some of it not even published yet—was used in its creation. Short of a submarine, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to experience life as it’s lived under the sea.

UN Day

(10/24) Celebrate United Nations Day with a visit to the UN Headquarters complex in midtown. Weekday tours provide access to the stunning art and architecture at the newly renovated UN, in addition to insight into the organization's vast array of initiatives. There's even entry to the General Assembly, where all 193 Members States are represented and negotiate.

(New!) The largest VR entertainment center in the Western Hemisphere is New York’s latest attraction: VR World. Get inspired by virtual reality in a diverse space with three floors that bring culture, gaming, and entertainment together. With over 50 experiences to choose from, VR World offers an unforgettable experience that’s yours to create! Fight off droids, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, race Formula One cars against your friends, and create a 3D masterpiece. The adventures are limitless.

(Ongoing) Day or night, the Manhattan skyline is a sight to behold. Circle Line Sightseeing sails year-round and has cruises of varying interests and lengths, including a 3-hour Best of NYC Cruise, a 2-hour Landmark Cruise, and a Harbor Lights Cruise for a romantic spring evening. Last year, Circle Line added its popular Landmark + Brooklyn Cruise. Guests can purchase food and drink from Brooklyn’s famed artisanal vendors, including Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Gin, Brooklyn Cupcake, Blue Marble Ice Cream, and cheesecakes from Junior’s. circleline42.com

(Ongoing) At a time when the planet seems ever more divided, it’s amazing to be reminded that we all share one world. Gulliver's Gate is one of the most ambitious attractions to ever land in New York, a $40 million extravaganza that allows visitors to travel the earth without leaving Times Square. Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, and Europe are all here in incredibly detailed miniature, reflecting craftspeople’s work from around the globe. Through the wonder of 3D printing, visitors can also enjoy the thrill of having themselves (and their families) immortalized in 1:87 scale.

(Ongoing) Giving a shout out to A Slice of Brooklyn Tours, as they celebrate their 12th anniversary. They continue to bring locals and tourists alike the best Brooklyn PizzaChristmas Lights,  Chocolate Tours, and more. Founded by Brooklyn native and travel lover Tony Muia, the company has received Certificates of Excellence from TripAdvisor for the past six years! All tours conveniently depart and return to Union Square! Congratulations! Book your tour today! 

(Ongoing) Take a ride through time and learn about Downtown New York City's rich heritage with THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE Powered by THE RIDE. Enhanced with virtual reality technology (thanks to Timelooper), experience highlight moments in NYC's history like never before! Here's a coupon!

(Ongoing) Read here for more about the Best NYC Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours!

(Ongoing) King Kong has made his way back to New York, the city he once terrorized (at least in the movies!), but this time, it's in wax form. The famed Madame Tussauds New York in Times Square welcomes a wax replica of King Kong’s head to its collection, providing visitors not only with a perfect photo op with the notorious gorilla, but an entire KONG: Skull Island experience.

(New) Every year, at 11:59pm on December 31st, people from all over the world are focused on the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball. Millions of voices unite to count down the final seconds of the old year and celebrate the beginning of the new. Now you can get up close and personal with the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball at Ripley’s Believe It or Not—Times Square! Press the button yourself and ring in the New Year every day of the year. A home to rare artifacts and thrilling interactive exhibits, Ripley’s is for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the unexpected and the unbelievable. Here is a coupon

(Ongoing) Grab a date or friend and enjoy the most incredible views of NYC at Top of the Rock.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

First Aid Kit

(10/18) Swedish duo First Aid Kit with J.S. Ondara at The Town Hall.

PLUS

Explore the Magic Hour Rooftop bar atop the brand new Moxy Times Square Hotel. It's NYC's largest rooftop bar!

(10/19) Starry Night Masquerade Ball for Puerto Rico Fundraiser. CareOne presents The Starry Night Masquerade, a fundraising event to help those devastated by Hurricane Maria. Organized to support the Puerto Rico relief effort by the Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Charitable Fund of CareOne, the event will feature cocktails and entertainment as well as performances by music superstars Pitbull and JoJo. Individual tickets are $1,000; 100% of the ticket and sponsorship proceeds will be made immediately available through the Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Charitable Fund for Puerto Rico relief efforts. Look for appearances by Olivia Palermo, Johannes Huebl, Joan Smalls, Danielle Brooks, Victor CruzOdell Beckham, and Jason Pierre-Paul. Event hosted by Jason Carroll. Venue: Skylight Clarkson North, 570 Washington Street. 7pm-11pm.

(10/20) Paula Cole at City Winery.

(10/21) El DeBarge at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. 

(Ongoing) Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic at New World Stages. For seven years a certain boy wizard went to Magic School. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs…who happened to be there too. Wayne is an average boy from New Mexico who discovers he’s a wizard. In this Potter-inspired comedy, he and his new friends try to keep their heads down and get a basic wizarding education while a certain famous boy wizard sets out to make life at school increasingly...eventful. 

(Ongoing) don’t tell mama can be found on Restaurant Row, smack dab in the middle of all the theater action. The establishment boasts a restaurant, a piano bar, and two cabaret showrooms. The waitstaff and bartenders at the Piano Bar have credits both on and off Broadway, and from 9pm onward (after the live piano music from 5pm to 9pm and happy hour from 4pm to 8pm), the singing waitstaff is there to keep you entertained.

(Through 10/29) Richard Hoehler stars as RJ Bartholomew, an Everyman with answers for those questioning Everything. With humor, dignity, and grace, I of the Storm is a thrilling riches-to-rags story about achieving success by letting everything go. Find it at The Gym at Judson in the Village.

SNEAK PEEK, NEXT WEEK 

Halloween

While Halloween falls on Tuesday, Oct. 31, many events will be taking place the weekend prior this year! Click here for our spooky roundup of Halloween events! Check here for events especially for the little ones! Click here for Halloween shopping ideas!

PLUS

(10/23) Imagine Dragons at Barclays Center.

(10/28) The Upside Down: A Costume Bar Crawl at Floyd NY, Fawkner, & Union Hall. Calling all Stranger Things fans, as season 2 gets underway on Netflix! $10 early bird/$15 general admission tickets get you one Beer or Bloody Mary at each bar! They'll have 6 different delicious beers on tap from partners Sixpoint-2 lines at each bar! Plus amazing Bloody Marys made with Tito's Handmade Vodka! DJ upstairs at Union Hall, 5pm-8pm. Cash prizes for costumes.

(10/28) Dennis Quaid & The Sharks at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

(10/31) 2nd Annual Halloween Funkdown with George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.

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