The Museum of Modern Art

one of the biggest modern art museums in America and the biggest in New York City. The Museum of Modern Art is also one of the biggest influences in the world for many reasons. For starters, MoMA has a major role when it comes to collecting and developing modern art in the world. Some of MoMA’s collections include contemporary art, architecture, photography, illustrations, and electronic media.

Amy Sillman: The Shape of Shape

The Museum of Modern Art was made in 1929 mainly by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Lillie P. Bliss, and Mary Quinn Sullivan. The museum was actually quite modest at first and was located in the Heckscher building at 730 fifth avenue. MoMA opened on November 7th , 1929 and had made A. Conger Goodyear the president of the museum. at first the museum was made up of almost exclusively modern art and was the first to show European modernism in Manhattan. During the 1930’s the museum began to gain international fame after its very successful Picasso retrospective. Then in the 1940’s MoMA brought in an exhibition called “Indian Art of the United States” which brought to light what Native American arts was like before the Colonies. On April 15th in 1958 a fire had started due to some construction. When a worker was installing an air conditioner he had been smoking around sawdust and paint cans which started the fire. During the 60s to 80s the Museum of Modern Art had actually come to face some controversy. MoMA had taken down antiwar posters and photojournalism that was opposing the Vietnam War. In 1983 the museum had more then doubled its gallery and added an auditorium, a bookstore, and even a pair of restaurants. Then in 1997 it had expanded even further, now adding teacher training workshops and a few spaces for classrooms, even expanding the library and its archives. Despite all of the controversy and even destruction, through all of its renovating and expansion, the Museum of Modern Art still stands today.

The Museum of Modern Art holds many exhibitions throughout the years. MoMA’s collections include more than 150,000 singular pieces of art and over 20,000 films. MoMA holds various pieces from many different influential European and American artists. Such artists include, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and many more. MoMA also holds one of the most important film collection throughout the United States. This collection includes over 25,000 films, Citizen Kane, Vertigo, and even Andy Warhol’s “Empire”. Then there’s MoMA’s library, which holds a collection of over 300,000 books, 1,000 periodicals, and 40,00 files and over 10,000 artist books. Overall the Museum of Modern Art holds one of the largest collections in the world and is the perfect place to visit for anyone looking to inspire themselves during these times.

The Central Park Zoo

The Entrance to the Central Park Zoo

Located at the southeast corner of Central Park, referenced in movies and shows, the Central Park Zoo is among the most famous around the world. Known for its depiction in Madagascar the Central Park Zoo has become very well known around the world. The zoo is a made up of 4 different zoos and 1 aquarium, all of this is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). While looking among the zoo’s planning or simply having an aerial view it may seem very basic in its design, however this does not take away from its beauty. Its basic design makes it easy for any visitor to enjoy and the very location of the zoo makes it convenient for anyone who wishes to visit, all of these details have been carefully thought over in order to make the Central Park Zoo a phenomenal place to visit.

The Central Park Zoo was founded in 1864 and became the first public zoo to ever open in New York City. it had been remodeled 2 times in 1934 and 1960, in 1983 the zoo was actually closed down in 1983 for a complete reconstruction and was reopened 5 years later. The Zoo was actually not in the original plans of Central Park, the zoo was actually introduced informally during the 1850’s, starting off with exotic animals people would buy as pets and a bear tied to a tree. The original plans for the zoo actually had it located in Manhattan Square at the west side of Central Park where the American Museum of Natural History is currently located. Eventually it was decided to build the zoo on the southeast corner for many reasons, one of these reasons being its close proximity to Lower Manhattan, this made it popular with the working-class. Interestingly enough the Central Park Zoo had declined due to the city government neglecting the zoo in the 20th century.

The Central Park Zoo had grown in popularity after its representation in the movie Madagascar, the movie had depicted a handful of animals escaping the Central Park Zoo and roaming around NYC causing mass panic, funny enough this is not the first time something like this was depicted. On November 9th in 1874 the New York Herald newspaper published a hoax named “Central Park Zoo Escape”. The primary write, J.I.C. Clarke, had claimed that there was a mass escape from the zoo. going on to say a rhinoceros had impaled people and that a handful of other animals had also escaped and had mauled multiple people. Among those animals, a polar bear, a panther, a Numidian lion, multiple hyenas and a Bengal tiger. the lengthy article that was published had cause people to be horrified and made people panic, though at the end of the article it was made clear that all of it was in fact pure fiction.

The Central Park Zoo is among the many attractions in NYC that provide entertainment for any visitor coming either on their own or with a family. While the zoo itself would already be a brilliant place to visit for anyone, the very fact that it is also located in Central Park makes it all the more grandiose. If there were ever any questions as to whether the Central Park Zoo can hold up when compared to other forms of entertainment one should remind themselves that this zoo is not Just located in Central Park but also in the middle of New York City. Considering that My Destiny Limo provides service To or From NYC, going to the heart of the city is a must for anyone wishing to experience NYC before they “kick the bucket”. So if you want a safe and reliable trip to the heart of NYC, book a reservation on My Destiny Limo today!

The Bronx Zoo

Welcome! To the Bronx Zoo, known for its diversity in animal collection and award winning exhibitions. located at 2300 southern Boulevard Bronx Park, the Bronx Zoo is actually a combination of 4 different zoo systems and even one aquarium. This is all managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society and is verified by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums. all of this is accumulates what is known as the entirety of the Bronx Zoo and one of the most entertaining experiences for any visitor.

The Bronx Zoo had opened its doors originally in November 8th 1899 and was home to 843 animals and had 22 exhibits. interestingly enough, in December 17, 1902 The Bronx Zoo was one of the seven zoos in the world to hold the now extinct Thylacine. unfortunately they only lived until September 13, 1919. The Bronx Zoo has been remodeled numerous of times and has been fixed up for even more animals from around the world.

The Bronx Zoo holds 2 types of exhibits, there are free exhibits that are able to be viewed by anyone, and there are premium exhibits which require additional fees. some of the exhibits include the African Plains, Baboon Reserve, Congo Gorilla Forest, Himalayan Highlands, Mitsubishi Riverwalk, and many many more. The Bronx Zoo has also been featured in some popular culture. In 2013 a comic series “Tales of the Night Watchman” titled “The Night Collector” a comic book published by “SO What?”.

the Bronx Zoo may not have the same grandiose effect on visitors that something like the Central Park Zoo may have. However, to say that the Bronx Zoo does not hold its own against any other zoo would be a lie. holding over 22 different exhibits and more than its fair share of animals any visitor can have a great experience with their whole family included. 265 acres of park lands and habitats with the Bronx River going right through the middle, over 3,000 animals and 650 different species. The Bronx Zoo is a fantastic place for anyone to visit and we can take you there today!

Prospect Park

The Park Slope Entrance to Prospect Park

covering an area of 586 acres, Prospect Park is one of the biggest in Brooklyn and continues to show how beautiful nature can be even among the urban environment in Brooklyn. Prospect Park is surrounded by 5 different neighborhoods, it’s adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum and even contains its own botanical garden on top of also being right next to the Brooklyn Public Library. Needless to say Prospect Park holds more than its fair share of activities for its visitors to do!

One of the Many small waterways scattered around Prospect Park
One of the many small waterways scattered around Prospect Park

Prospect Park is an urban park that was established between 1867 – 1873 however the park itself was actually proposed 8 years prior in 1859 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Interestingly enough both Olmsted and Vaux where the same people who also helped design NYC most famous park, Central Park itself. Throughout the next decade and a half the park under went numerous redesigns and refurbishments in order to both modernize the park and clean it up. redesigns included the addition of the Prospect Park Zoo, a picnic house, a concert grove, The Boathouse, and even the Litchfield Villa. The Prospect Park also host constant outdoor Concerts and Parades during the summer. The new modernization of the park also added new facilities such as basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, The Prospect Park Tennis Center, and even an ice skating ring for winter.

The Lafrak Center at Prospect Park being used as a Ice skating ring during the winter.
The Lafrak Center at Prospect Park during winter

Prospect Park has an area of 526 acres in central Brooklyn and consists of waterways, ravines, lakes, and watercourses. The waterways in Prospect Park are actually apart of a singular man made watercourse that leads throughout the park. The watercourse makes use of the preexisting ponds and the lowland out-wash plains in order to make a drainage around the waterway itself. The waterway is also lined with vegetation around the borders that absorb precipitation and help water flow. interestingly enough, two thirds of the lake evaporates annually, however the water is restored throughout the rainy season.

The artificial lake at prospect park being enjoyed by two people
Prospect Park Lake

The Prospect Park Lake is artificial and covers about 60 acres of the park itself. The lake itself holds over 20 different species of fish and even several different islands inside the lake. visitors are also allowed to kayak and use pedal boats in the lake and sometimes even fish, however the lake does hold a catch and release policy. Prospect Park also has 146 acres of Ravines and a long meadow that goes down the western side of Prospect Park.

Prospect Park is also filled with landmarks and structures that scattered around the land. The entrance to Prospect Park is one of these major landmarks, two columns outside the entrance of Bartel-Pritchard Square. Grand Army Plaza also contains The Soldiers’ and The Sailors’ Arch, a large arch that is located on an oval in the middle of the park. The park also holds many monuments and statues, such as the Mozart Monument, a bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln, Dongan Oak monument, and many more scattered around the park.

Prospect Park may not be as big or as famous as Central Park but that does not mean that it does not have its own visual spectacles or entertainment opportunities. The natural landscapes in the park combined with the monuments and man made structures make it a sight to see for any visitors who wish to be blown away by the marvelous beauty of the park. Visitors who prefer to take a more active role when it comes to entertainment can attend any one of the parades and concerts held at the park or even bring friends to some of the soccer fields or basketball courts in order to stay on the active side. Overall Prospect Park is a perfect place for any visitor who wants to experience what Brooklyn has to offer, and luckily for you My Destiny Limo can take you there today!