“The viewing platform atop the Empire State Building is high enough to see the living map of Manhattan, but not so high that the people below are lost.”

“On the north side of the Museum of Natural History, there is a small park that runs the block between Central Park West and Columbus. It’s perfect for both tree and people watching.”

“In Central Park, visit the statues of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. Of all the other statues in the park, the only other female one is the fictional Alice in Wonderland. Otherwise, even the statue of a dog is a guy. And even for those three, the first plan was just Stanton and Anthony. It took a public campaign to keep from having two white women represent the female half of the nation.”

“I love walking in the West 40s in the Theater District, with all the excitement of marquees and people lined up for theater. Though the shows change, the feeling of excitement has endured for generations.”

“I’m the lucky beneficiary of a bench in Central Park that was gifted to me for my 80th birthday in honor of Sojourner Truth. This was before she had a sculpture of her own. It’s high up a hill, a nice place to perch to take in Central Park with the Metropolitan Museum in the distance.”

“You should visit this park because it’s large enough for peace, small enough for safety, and within walking distance of restaurants and office buildings.”

“The National Museum of the American Indian, downtown at 1 Bowling Green, reminds us of the very advanced culture that was here on Mannahatta island long before Europeans arrived.”

“Be sure to check out the Apollo Theater, in Harlem, on 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, with its long tradition of stage and talent shows.”

“Have tea in the Palm Court of the Plaza Hotel. It seems that nothing bad could happen while you are there.”

“I love the amphitheater at the end of West 14th Street that borders the river, a part of Little Island. It’s small enough to feel like a community and big enough for musicals and plays.”