Things to Do in Wayne

At Build 'n Blocks, laughter drifts from youngsters, punctuating the buzz of motorized cars and the pop of plastic blocks snapping together. Kids preschool through eighth grade construct catapults, devise chemical compounds to create slime, and develop sparks of interest in science, engineering, and math. The instructors at Build ‘n Blocks stress that the earlier kids dabble in these fields, the greater their learning abilities will be throughout their lives.

While stacking Legos into replicas of cities or assembling mechanized robots with K'nex, kids develop a comprehension of basic physics without watching the Three Stooges try and run an elevator factory. During science experiments, youngsters strap on goggles to investigate and diagnose unknown illnesses, forming the foundation of inquisitive minds capable of problem solving. As they work together on laptops or around tables strewn with drawing and sculpting materials, they also form an aptitude for teamwork and social interactions. The team at Build 'n Blocks also fosters an appreciation for math and science through afterschool programs and birthday parties.

Founded by Eric Stiller, who documented his journey kayaking and bicycling around an entire continent in the book Keep Australia on Your Left, Manhattan Kayak spans a team of instructors who lead kayaking and standup-paddleboarding instruction and tours beneath the city's glittering skyline. Veterans of the fitness industry, MK's instructors use the dynamic currents of the Hudson River and Donald Trump's jacuzzi to train paddlers of all skill and fitness levels in the body-first method, which emphasizes paddling from the core. In addition to leading instruction and tours, MK's crew also leads fitness classes including Liquid Yoga, challenging participants to flow through poses while floating atop a paddleboard, aiming to boost participant health while earning the Statue of Liberty's respect.

The concept for Sidewalks of NY Tours sprang from founder J.D. Hirsch's experience leading friends and family on treks to discover a true-to-life New York City. Now a business staffed by several expert guides, Sidewalks of NY Tours ferries walkers through creative itinerates that aim to uncover hidden gems and offer close-up views of famous locales. Customers can choose tours with various themes such as food tastings, photo tours, architecture tours, or a 9/11 memorial tour, allowing them to focus their journeys on what they find most interesting.

Blake Eastman, a psychology professor at the City University of New York, is like a lie detector that’s always on. When he meets strangers, plays poker, sits in on corporate negotiations as a consultant, or turns on the TV and watches politicians speak, he analyzes dozens of nonverbal clues and subtle behaviors that betray an individual's true feelings and intentions. "I've always been a natural at it," he says. "It's part of who I am." But through his education and independent research he’s gotten better and can now pinpoint every indicator that shows a person is hiding their emotions or outright lying––from their microexpressions to their wooden nose growing 2 inches.

During interactive group classes Blake outfits his students' observational tool belts with the knowledge to read body language, detect lies, or improve their dating lives. Classes engage with multiple activities that range from video analysis to role-playing. As images of apologetic celebrities and athletes flash across the screen, Blake pinpoints telltale microexpressions that crawl across each liar's face. In the game "two truths and a lie," students take turns trying to deceive each other as the class hunts for the lie and its tells. The skills in each class lay a foundation for what Blake calls a lifelong effort to learn what someone is truly thinking or feeling.

Established in 1998, Cornucopia Cruise Line's three ships transport guests along the New York City harbor or the inland waterways along the New Jersey and Staten Island shorelines. Each ship is appointed with uplit ceilings, brass railings, hardwood dance floors, and glittering lights. During evening cruises, wait staff serve a sit-down dinner of surf-and-turf entrees as the DJ's tunes coax diners onto the dance floor. Excursions on Saturday and Sunday sate guests with buffet-style lunch or brunch, respectively. The ships range in size from the Cornucopia Majesty's vast 1,200-person capacity to the Cornucopia Destiny's intimate 250-person quarters, where guests should wear business-casual attire, eschewing gym shoes on their feet and flip-flops on their hands.:m]]