Visit New York: Top of the Rock

The Top of the Rock is an option ticket on the New York CityPASS.

We arrived at the Rockefeller Center on a Saturday morning just before 8:30am.  We stood in a very short line to exchange our CityPASS tickets for the next available time slot, which was fortunately at 8:30am.  The Top of the Rock admits guests on a timed ticketing system. You can request a future time-slot of your choice, based on availability, at any time within the 9-day CityPASS validity period.   

Once we got our tickets, went through security, and rode up a very cool Sky Shuttle (elevator), we were eager to soak in the majestic views from the three different levels of observation decks.

From the Top of the Rock, we had incredible views of the city, including Central Park, the Empire State Building, 432 Park Avenue (the largest residential building in the world), the Chrysler Building, and so many other points of interest.

Observation decks are located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors.  The 70th floor has no metal or glass enclosures, offering unobstructed viewing.

There are interactive exhibits and displays, as well as a theater, but the views are really what people spend most of their time on.

The views are simply stunning!

Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center
30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, NY 10020
(212) 698-2000

Mahalo to CityPASS for the New York CityPASSes!

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Visit New York: Empire State Building

A visit to New York just wouldn't be complete without visiting the Empire State Building.

With New York CityPASSes in hand, we were excited for the Empire State Building Experience.

I had originally wanted to visit just before sunset, but I forgot that the sun sets a lot later in New York than in Hawaii, and it would be past my kids' (and my!) bedtime.  So I checked the Empire State Building website to find out how long it was to get to the view on a Friday evening, and the website stated 20 minutes.

By the time we arrived at the Empire State Building, it was 6pm, and there was no line.  From the time we arrived at the Lobby, went through security (we did not have to exchange our CityPASSes for tickets, as the tickets in the booklets were the tickets to be scanned), and looked at the Sustainability Exhibits, it was mere minutes before we arrived at the 80th floor and the Dare to Dream Exhibit (you can take photos through the windows on this floor), and then another few minutes before we reached the 86th floor Observation Deck.

The weather was perfect, and the views were just stunning.

It was simply amazing to see hundreds and hundreds of buildings and New York's landmarks from the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building.

There is a fence surrounding the outdoor observation deck with large holes so you can take clear pictures. There are security personnel at the deck to help ensure everyone's safety and to help prevent accidents.  I observed a security personnel quickly react to a mom who had put her baby against the fence for a picture (it was very possible for the baby to fall through the large holes) - he immediately told the mother to take the baby down.  Whew!

Visitors can also download the Empire State Building Observatory Experience App for a self-guided tour.  The app helps to point out popular structures throughout the city.

New York CityPASS holders can return the same night to see the city light up!

Whether you visit during the day or night, the views are sure to be extraordinary!

Empire State Building
350 5th Ave

New York, NY 10118

Mahalo to CityPASS for the New York CityPASSes!

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Visit New York: American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is the biggest natural history museum our family has visited.

The enormous museum consists of 45 permanent halls (45!!), in addition to temporary exhibitions, and we couldn't wait to start exploring.

The Mammal Halls were some of our favorite exhibits.  The dioramas of animals big and small from all across the world were just amazing!

Animals from Africa, Asia, North America, and even right in New York were on display.  At times we expected the animals to move - that's how life-like they were!

There were even halls for birds, reptiles, and amphibians.  These displays were on a smaller scale, but just as remarkable.

The Fossil Halls were very impressive.  I have never seen such an extensive collection of fossils anywhere else.  From dinosaurs to turtles, mammoths to elks, the number of fossils at the American Museum of Natural History is just huge.

My personal favorite exhibits were those in the Human Origins and Cultural Halls.

In these halls we got a closer look at various cultures throughout the world and learned about different aspects of their lives.  There were displays of clothing, tools, monuments, and other artifacts, some of which were thousands of years old.

Relics from Mexico, India, Africa, Japan, and Brazil, to name just a few places, were on display in all sorts of colors and materials.

It was such a great way to get a peek into the lives of these ancient peoples from centuries ago.

One of my favorite exhibits was the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins.  It was fascinating seeing the different displays detailing human evolution.

In the Earth and Planetary Science Halls, we viewed all sorts of meteorites, gems, and minerals.

While at the American Museum of Natural History, we also watched The Dark Universe planetarium show (the best planetarium show I've ever experienced), and were fortunate to view The Mummies exhibit (temporary exhibit through January 8). It was simply mesmerizing to actually see real mummies and learn about the mummification process.

There were just so many interesting displays at the American Museum of Natural History. It was very easy to get lost in this giant museum, but you can download the museum's Explorer app to help you navigate through all of the exhibits.

A visit to the American Museum of Natural History will enlighten and educate.  It's a fantastic place for families to visit while in New York!

For ticket prices and more information, visit here.

The American Museum of Natural History is a preset ticket in the New York CityPass.

American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West & 79th St

New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5100

Complimentary admission was provided for my family.

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Visit San Francisco: California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is three attractions combined into one. A visit to the California Academy of Sciences is a visit to an aquarium, planetarium, and a natural history museum!

Unfortunately, the Planetarium was closed during our visit, but that didn't stop us from enjoying our time there to explore all of the engaging exhibits which focus on life and sustainability.

The Steinhart Aquarium is home to the world's deepest indoor living coral reef, an albino alligator, and thousands of other animals.  

Tusher African Hall in the Kimball Natural History Museum is where amazing dioramas feature beautiful animals in African landscapes.

At the end of the hall you'll find African penguins. My littlest was so excited seeing the little creatures waddling around amongst the life-like dioramas - "Look, mommy, the penguins are moving!"

The Shake House, an earthquake simulator, is also a part of the Kimball Natural History Museum. It was a popular attraction, with a bit of a wait, as visitors experienced what it may have been like during the earthquakes of 1989 and 1906.

In a 90-foot glass dome is the four-story Osher Rainforest. We walked through the rainforest amongst flying birds and fluttering butterflies, and saw numerous displays of the creatures that call the rainforest home.

Gems and Minerals Unearthed showcases almost 400 colorful and magnificent stones and solids of all colors of the rainbow.

The Living Roof, consisting of seven hills, is lined with biodegradable vegetation trays created from tree sap and coconut husks that are filled with millions of plants.  The roof also provides insulation and helps to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen.

There are many displays and interactive exhibits where we can discover and learn about human evolution, the role of color in life, how animals adapted to life in water, and so much more.

One of my favorite shots of a coral reef from above - no filter, no app - just the wonders of science creating such a neat photo!

At the California Academy of Sciences there are all sorts of activities, special events, as well as docents educating visitors, all of which to further a visitor's experience even more.

The learning never ends at the California Academy of Sciences.  Whether you have a couple of hours or an entire day, the California Academy of Sciences will enlighten and intrigue.  It truly is a place of wonder!

The California Academy of Sciences is one of several San Francisco attractions that is offered through CityPass San Francisco and the Go San Francisco Card.  Click here for hours and ticket information.

California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr

San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000

Complimentary tickers were provided for our visit.

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