Typically, it’s hard not to notice a gigantic mastodon skeleton. But at the American Museum of Natural History, looming fossils often get overlooked as guests explore five levels of seemingly infinite rooms, all packed with eye-catching exhibits. So, what might you be missing in favor of that famous blue whale? We reached out to Brad Harris, the senior director of visitor services at the museum, for his list of six unfairly overlooked gems. Here they are, from the fourth floor down to the first.
The Warren Mastodon
Paul and Irma Milstein Hall of Advanced Mammals, 4th Floor
This poor mastodon met its untimely end in a bog in what is now New York. Its death was fortuitous for scientists, however—this is the first entire mastodon skeleton ever found in the US, and every bone that you see is real.
Komodo Dragons
Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd Floor
The fearsome lizards in this diorama once reigned over the Indonesian island of Komodo. They were brought to the museum by an expedition team in 1926, and are now forever posed in predatory victory over a wild boar.
Chinese Wedding Chair
Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples, 2nd floor
Adorned with tassels, embroidery, and tiny figurines galore, this chair would have carried a Chinese bride-to-be on her way to meet her husband for the first time. The chair was not only decorative, but practical: it kept the bride’s feet from touching the ground once she had dressed to be married, thereby saving her from bad luck.
Roosevelt Murals
Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, 2nd floor
These murals tend to play second fiddle to the huge barosaurus skeleton in the middle of the room. If you look past the rearing dinosaur, though, you’ll see the major life milestones of President Theodore Roosevelt, which were painted by William Andrew Mackay in 1935.
Giant Squid and Sperm Whale
Irma and Paul Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life, 1st floor
Because it mimics the darkness of the deep sea, this diorama can be tough to make out at first. Once you get closer, you’re treated to a zoomed-in view of two underwater titans engaged in battle. Although mankind has yet to witness such a duel, sucker marks on sperm whales confirm that they do indeed take place in the inky depths.
Star of India
Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems, 1st floor
Walk through the Hall of Meteorites and the Hall of Minerals to get to the Hall of Gems, and you’ll find one of the largest star sapphires in the world. The 563-carat Star of India proves that some things only get more wondrous with age: it’s approximately 2 billion years old. For a smidgen of that time in 1964, it was stolen from the museum by legendary cat burglar Jack Murphy. Authorities recovered the gem months after Murphy’s arrest, finding it in a Miami bus-station locker.
Photos courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History.
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Allegria Hotel
Chic Beachfront Hotel Outside Manhattan
Beach resort outside NYC set along a scenic boardwalk; has an ocean-view seafood restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar
Long Beach, NY
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Property Location
When you stay at Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, you'll be on the beach and convenient to Long Beach. This 4-star hotel is within the region of Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and Belmont Park.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Digital programming provides entertainment, and wired and wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge. Private bathrooms with showers feature handheld showerheads and makeup/shaving mirrors. Conveniences include laptop-compatible safes and desks, as well as phones with voice mail.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
DonÃât miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness facility, and bicycles to rent. This hotel also features wireless Internet access (surcharge), a concierge desk, and babysitting/childcare.
Dining
Enjoy a satisfying meal at a restaurant serving guests of Allegria Hotel. While enjoying a refreshing dip in the hotel pool, you can order your favorite drink at the poolside bar.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include high-speed (wired) Internet access (surcharge), limo/town car service, and currency exchange. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference/meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Secure parking is available onsite.
80 West Broadway
Long Beach,
NY
US
It was the back pain that convinced Clint Bigham to give up a promising career in golf—he competed in junior tournaments against greats such as Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia, going pro at age 20—and begin exploring the world of yoga and Pilates for the healing he sought. Now a certified personal trainer and the founder of We Fit Gym, Clint spends his time helping people shrink waistlines and feel energetic enough to perform superhuman feats, such as attending a nudist convention fully clothed. His gym is an oasis that tradition and innovation happily share; conventional equipment and classes work in tandem with ROM (Range of Motion) machines, TurboSonic, and HyperGravity vibration trainers, and an infrared sauna whips bodies into shape with low risk of injury and maximum efficiency. Before clients begin building strength and setting calories afire, Clint consults with them to develop a custom fitness program, covering nutrition basics, recommending workout routines, and exposing the sad, sad truth about motivational posters.
54 W Park Ave.
Long Beach,
New York
US
Melanie has been active in the health community—as a fitness consultant, personal training, and yoga and Pilates teacher—for more than 14 years. But it wasn’t until she discovered pole fitness while mining that she was able to combine all her passions into one activity. As she started experimenting with pole fitness, she felt her experience with yoga, Pilates, and fitness classes coming together into one comprehensive workout. She knew that with her background in health and fitness, and passion for pole fitness, she would be able to help students achieve their fitness goals. And so PoleFIT Revolution was born. Today, she and a team of instructors teach a variety of classes, such as pole fitness, aerial yoga, boot camp, and stretching classes to ensure all students are receiving the workout that best suits their body.
4160 Industrial Pl.
Island Park,
New York
US
Chefs at George Martin's Strip Steak stand guard at roiling broilers, anticipating the exact moment when each dry-aged Angus steak within has perfectly browned. Ladles of béarnaise and au poivre sauces in hand, the kitchen staff sends each order—flanked by ramekins of sautéed vegetables or hand-cut french fries—out into the cozy, candlelit dining room. Wines and signature cocktails, such as ginger cosmopolitans, pair with each entree, including the restaurant's eponymous steaks, free-range chicken, brazilian lobster tails, and veal chops. George Martin's Strip Steak also caters special events, from small gatherings in its private dining rooms to onsite celebrations for up to 100 tuxedoed mannequins.
152 E Park Ave
Long Beach,
NY
US
A seasoned watersports enthusiast from Fort Lauderdale, J.M. Kostallas transfers his wealth of aquatic knowledge to beachgoers along the temperate waters of Long Island. The certified lifeguard and safety instructor leads all inaugural paddleboarding lessons, which emphasize form, balance, and the art of seagull intimidation in a supportive environment with only a few students at a time. Students can put their newfound skills to use in an eco-tour of the surrounding area or give paddleboard yoga a try. Kostal Paddle leads yoga sessions in the open water and at a Jewish Community Center pool.
16 Suffolk Road
Island Park,
NY
US
Coyote Restaurant's recently revamped menu focuses on small plates and tapas, although bigger entrees are available to stockpile in secret Swiss bank accounts. Chef Alexis Trolf cooks up starters such as frites served with curry aiolo ($5) and fry bread panzanella, a bread and salad sea of grapes, celery, and goat cheese tossed with artichokes, tomatoes, and vinaigrette ($9). Sandwiches, tacos, and paella are available in addition to the tiny yet mighty small plates, which include skirt-steak skewers with grilled olives and chimmi-churri ($9) and jumbo crab with vine-ripened tomatoes, avocado, and herb vinaigrette ($11). Large plates such as braised Monkfish ($22) ease miniature-phobics into the cool waters of tasty tidbits.
104 Waterview Road
Island Park,
NY
US
