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Better Together Here: Exploring NYC

Better Together Here: Exploring NYC

By: Ashley and Devin Stagg from Better Together Here
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 Your starting point for the perfect NYC trip or exploration—neighborhood guides, things to do, restaurant and bar reviews, and tips on getting around the city! Every two weeks, we explore a topic to help you learn something new about life and travel in New York City. Join us as we help make your next NYC trip unforgettable! 🗽Ashley and Devin Stagg from Better Together Here Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • American Museum of Natural History NYC: What to See, Costs & Tours

    American Museum of Natural History NYC: What to See, Costs & Tours
    Dec 2 2025
    The American Museum of Natural History in NYC is an iconic museum that explores the wonders of the world we live in. While not an “art” museum, it focuses on the sciences and the world around us, including animals, plants, insects, geodes, minerals, dinosaurs, and so much more.Before you go, listen to this episode covering some of the most famous exhibitions, tour options, ticket prices, and must-know tips for your visit to New York’s Museum of Natural History.Quick Links:Buy your ticket in advance to beat the linesAccess the Museum of Natural History + Empire State & 3 other activities for 41% offView the free Highlights Online Guide for the museumFounded in 1869, the museum has been on a mission to facilitate discovery and share knowledge about humanity, the world around us, and the universe as a whole. It’s quite an undertaking, but one they excel at!The Museum of Natural History is nestled into the heart of the Upper West Side of Manhattan.It starts on Central Park West and spans 77th to 81st streets, filling the entirety of those blocks between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.The museum is right near Central Park, making it the perfect complement to park explorations.What are the Popular Things to See at the Natural History Museum?Here are some that are included in the ‘Highlights’ tour offered by the Museum of Natural History:Most of floor 4, including the Megalodon, Mammoth, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus RexA Hardosaur footprint made by a dinosaur over 72 million years ago (floor 3)Komodo dragon (floor 3)Moai Statue (floor 3)African elephants (floor 2)Gorilla (floor 2)Barosaurus and Allosaurus (floor 2)King penguin (floor 2)Climate wall, highlighting our changing climate and its effects (floor 1)Blue whale (floor 1)Giant Sequoia (floor 1)Lucy, a cast of the 3.18-million-year-old fossil of one of the first upright ancestors of humans (floor 1)Giant geodes (floor 1)Star of India, the largest-known gem-quality star sapphire at over 563 carats and about 2 billion years old (floor 1)Our personal favorites are the Hall of Gems and Minerals and the Insectarium.How Much are Museum of Natural History Tickets?The museum offers ticket options for adults, children, students, and seniors. Here are the costs for tickets to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC:Adults – $30Children (age 3-12) – $18Students (with valid ID) – $24Senior (ages 60+) – $24This price is quite standard for New York City museums, and you can easily spend 3-4 hours at the AMNH. I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the museum.If you plan to visit the American Museum of Natural History during your trip and also want to go to an observation deck like the Empire State Building, the CityPass will likely save you money. The pass gives you access to:American Museum of Natural HistoryEmpire State Building Observatory with AM/PM accessPlus, any 3 from the following list:As long as you use your admission within 9 days, you can get a LOT of value from this pass. On average, it saves you about 40% compared to buying 5 attractions individually. Get the New York CityPass here.Does AMNH Offer Tours?Tours are only through the official American Museum of Natural History. No 3rd-party tours are allowed inside the museum. Anyone who claims otherwise is trying to scam you.Luckily, the museum offers many tours. We recommend checking their website to verify there will be a tour on the day you plan to attend. Tara Mor - You'll Have to Check It OutPhenomenal Irish bar near MSG with amazing food. Check it out here.Want even more NYC insights? Sign up for our 100% free newsletter to access:Dozens of Google Maps lists arranged by cuisine and location50+ page NYC Navigation Guide covering getting to & from airports, taking the subway & moreWeekly insights on top spots, upcoming events, and must-know NYC tipsGet started here: ⁠https://rebrand.ly/nyc-navigation-guide
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    21 mins
  • Visiting the Statue of Liberty: Everything You MUST Know + Free Options, Too 🗽

    Visiting the Statue of Liberty: Everything You MUST Know + Free Options, Too 🗽
    Nov 18 2025
    Visiting the Statue of Liberty is often at the top of NYC visitors’ lists of things to do, and with good reason. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are two deeply important historical monuments that encapsulate a significant portion of New York City’s history.But is it worth visiting the actual Statue of Liberty when you come to NYC?We’re gonna answer that question and so much more in this article.Here’s what we’ll cover:Brief History of the Statue of LibertyVisiting the Statue of Liberty – Island Access vs Pedestal vs CrownEllis Island Overview + Hard Hat Tour ReviewCommon Statue of Liberty ScamsCheapest Ways to See the Statue of LibertyLet’s look at them all below. 👇Quick Links:Buy a general Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island ticket hereSee if Pedestal Access Tickets are available hereSee if Crown Access Tickets are available hereBook a Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island herePS- See our full Statue of Liberty article with photos and extra info here.A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States, “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.Any ferry ticket that provides access to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty is located, also provides access to Ellis Island and the associated museum.Before riding the ferry, you must pass through security similar to airport security measures, and plan on waiting in line for security screening and boarding the ferry. Typically, you can factor in 15-30 minutes to get through security and onto a boat.The full Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island experience will take at least 3 hours, but can be as long as 5-6 hours depending on crowds, lines, and how fast you go through the museum.One of the most important things to know about purchasing ferry tickets for the Statue of Liberty is that Statue City Cruises is the only official, sanctioned provider. While they offer their tickets through places like Get Your Guide, you must verify that the provider is Statue City Cruises, like this option.You'll Have to Check It Out - The Dead RabbitThe Dead Rabbit was voted the World’s Best Bar in 2016!It strikes the delicate balance of well-crafted, unique cocktails in a no-frills, unpretentious setting.. Think Irish pub meets cocktail lounge.Check out The Dead Rabbit here.Ellis IslandThe main attraction at Ellis Island is the historical museum, which features many artifacts, informational displays, and slices of immigrant history.We’ve found the documentary shown in the museum, “Island of Hope, Island of Tears,” to be one of the best parts. This short movie shows every half hour.We’ve visited the Liberty & Ellis Islands multiple times, and by far our favorite experience has been the hard hat tour of the abandoned Ellis Island complex.Statue of Liberty ScammersAs you walk around Battery Park, you’ll often be approached by scammers trying to sell you Statue of Liberty tickets. They often target people trying to board the Staten Island Ferry (more on that later).The scam is that the tickets they sell don’t actually stop at Ellis Island & Liberty Island (where the statue resides). Instead, you end up on a boat that goes by the Statue of Liberty.Free Ways to See the Statue of LibertyHere are the cheapest ways to see the Statue of Liberty:Staten Island FerryFrom Governor’s IslandFrom Lower ManhattanFerry-Only Ticket – Under $30One World Observatory – $40+Want even more NYC insights? Sign up for our 100% free newsletter to access:Dozens of Google Maps lists arranged by cuisine and location50+ page NYC Navigation Guide covering getting to & from airports, taking the subway & moreWeekly insights on top spots, upcoming events, and must-know NYC tipsGet started here: https://rebrand.ly/nyc-navigation-guide
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    24 mins
  • The Met NYC Guide: What to See, Costs, Tours & Expert Insights with Kylie Brooks

    The Met NYC Guide: What to See, Costs, Tours & Expert Insights with Kylie Brooks
    Nov 4 2025
    The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as The Met, in New York City, is one of the most worthwhile museums to visit while in the city. With 5+ floors and hundreds of thousands of pieces, including paintings, sculptures, historical artifacts, and more, spanning over 5,000 years of art from around the world.Before you go, read this article covering some of the most famous art, tour options, ticket prices, and must-know tips for your museum visit.Here’s what we’ll cover:What is the Metropolitan Museum of Art?Where is the MET?What famous art is at the MET?How much are MET tickets?Does the MET offer tours?What to know before visiting the MET in NYCQuick Links:Get your tickets to The Met ahead of time hereBook a guided tour of The Met hereJoin the newsletter for free access to the NYC Navigation & Transportation Guide + curated Google Maps lists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rebrand.ly/nyc-newsletter⁠What is the Metropolitan Museum of Art?Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as The Met, presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world.Today, tens of thousands of objects are on display at the museum’s two-million-square-foot building. The Met spans four full blocks and features over five floors of exhibitions, making it the largest art museum in the Americas and the third-largest in the world.Where is the MET in NYC?The Met is located on 5th Avenue from 80th Street to 84th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It’s the heart of what’s commonly referred to as Museum Mile, the most diverse art-viewing stretch of mile in the country.What Famous Art is at the MET Museum?With over 1.5 million total works in The Met’s archive, of which tens of thousands are currently on display, there is much to see at this renowned museum.There are certainly experts with much more museum and art knowledge than we possess, but we want to highlight some of our personal favorite collections and works of art at The Met:Temple of DendurCloudy Mountains by Fang CongyiRough Waves by Ogata KōrinThe Horse Fair by Rosa BonheurTapestry Room from Croome Court and any of the exhibitions with tapestries and rugs on displayAutumn Rhythm by Jackson PollockSelf-Portrait with a Straw Hat by Vincent van GoghBridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies by Claude MonetWashington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel LeutzeBouquet of Sunflowers by Claude MonetWheat Field with Cypresses by Vincent van GoghIrises by Vincent van GoghEgyptian Jewelry found in the Egyptian Art areaArms and armor collectionAutumn Landscape by Tiffany Studios, and any of the Tiffany stained glass piecesMusical instrumentsRecommendations by this episode’s guest and museum expert, Kylie Brooks:Temple of DendurThe entire American WingMadame X and all of John Singer Sargent’s worksCostume InstituteHow Much are MET Museum Tickets?Here is the full price breakdown:$30 for adults$22 for seniors$17 for studentsKids 12 and under are freePay as you wish for residents of NY, NJ, and CTDoes the MET Offer Tours?If financially viable, taking a tour will provide you with the best possible experience at The Met.See our full selection of tour options here.Here are some things to know before visiting The Met in New York City:Either come at the very beginning of the day or near the end for fewer crowdsWear comfortable shoesEat before going – See our Afternoon on the Upper East Side mini guideMost visitors will stay for 1-2 hours, but you could spend countless hours hereIdeally, save a museum day for poor weather, although many others will also have that ideaThe Met store has some fantastic gift and souvenir optionsDownload the Bloomberg Connects app and bring headphones to listen to the associated audio guideDo NOT try to see the whole museum in one day, it’s not possible 😁If possible, go to The Met on a weekday and not a weekendCheck out this episode's You'll Have to Check It Out - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir here.
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    27 mins
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