96 ideas for 96 hours in New York

Hidden among the skyscrapers, the city lights, and the bustling streets are some of the world's finest, and most unique restaurants, nightclubs, dive bars, theaters, cabarets, pool halls, parks, boutiques, and coffee houses. This exclusive Artexpo guide to New York City explores 96 ways to spend your four days in the city: from karaoke bars, to street vendors, celebrity-stalking, to everyday people watching.

1. CELEBRITY STALKING

The Canal Room

285 West Broadway

212-941-8100

Interested in celebrity-stalking while staying in New York? The Canal Room is the place for you. A-list stars from P. Diddy to Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, make The Canal Room a regular stop while they are staying on the East Coast. The Canal Room just had a seven-figure makeover, making it the perfect destination for America's favorite celebs.

2. MASTERFUL MARTINIS

Beleman's Bar

35 East 76th Street

212-744-1600

Tired of just drinking beer? Hankering for a unique alcoholic creation? Beleman's is New York's home of the creative cocktail, with a seasonal menu that is updated frequently. And for those who enjoy the classics, Beleman's has mastered the classic martini.

3. SMOOTH JAZZ

Le Jazz Au Bar

41 East 58th Street

212-308-9455

If you are interested in relaxing among the smooth-sounding voices of New York's best jazz singers, look no further than Le Jazz. With a plush decor, Le Jazz is the perfect setting to absorb the best of New York jazz.

4. MR. PIANO MAN

Pianos

158 Ludlow Street

212-505-3733

The owners of Pianos understand the high demand for New Yorkers to spend a good night without spending a lot of money. From an old piano shop comes Pianos, where the drinks are well-priced and the entertainment is exceptional. And, there's no cover on the weekends.

5. LAUGH IT UP!

Eating It at Luna Lounge

171 Ludlow Street

212-260-2323

Spend an evening laughing so hard that your stomach will hurt. At the Luna Lounge you'll find top comedic talent mixed in with comedy circuit newcomers, and every once in a while A-list comedians like Dave Chappelle will surprise the crowd. The $7 cover also includes a free drink. No joke.

6. GET YOUR GROOVE ON!

Sullivan Room

218 Sullivan Street

212-252-2151

Late nights abound at one of New York's best dance floors. The floor doesn't get crowded until after 1 a.m. Get ready to groove to the techno and house beats spun by the Sullivan Room's DJs.

7. KILLER KARAOKE

Congee Village

100 Allen Street

212-941-1818

Like to sing your heart out? All of us do, but some are bolder, with a willingness to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and belt it out. Congee Village is the perfect place to let your voice run wild as you test your Karaoke skills amongst New York's best.

8. SECRET GARDEN

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden

1000 Washington Avenue

718-623-7200

Located in the center of Brooklyn, next to the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Although it is smaller than the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, it has several beautiful gardens to relax in, like the Shakespeare garden, featuring foliage found in the literary master's plays and poems. $3 for adults. $0.50 for children.

9. SHARKTALES

New York Aquarium

Surf and West 8th Street (Coney Island)

718-265-3474

If you want a taste of the ocean in the middle of the city, the New York Aquarium is the perfect place to see sharks, whales, penguins, walruses, seals, and sea creatures of all kinds. The sea creatures featured at the aquatheater will guarantee that you leave wet after the show. $9.75 for adults. $6 for seniors and children under 12.

10. SEE THE WORLD UNDER ONE ROOF

United Nations

First Avenue, between East 42nd and East 48th Streets

212-963-1234

Housing the headquarters for the world's largest governing organization, the United Nations is a great place to take a tour and understand the mission of the organization designed to promote global peace, security and economic development. Interestingly enough, because the headquarters is considered international territory, the United Nations has its own safety forces and postal service.

11. PREHISTORIC PLAY

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street

212-769-5100

As one of the largest natural history museums in the world, the American Museum of Natural History has much to explore, including the Hayden Planetarium where you can catch a unique look at the stars.

12. ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The Guggenheim Museum

1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street

212-423-3500

An architectural masterpiece in itself (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), the Guggenheim houses works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including pieces from Picasso and Van Gogh. $15 for adults. $10 for students and seniors.

13. RUB ELBOWS WITH THE STARS

Madame Tussaud's Wax

Museum 42nd Street

800-246-8872

Rub elbows with world-famous celebrities and dignitaries, or at least life-like replicas of the real things. Madame Tussaud's is famous for the life-like wax renderings of celebrities and politicians. Get your picture taken with George W. Bush or Marilyn Monroe. $25 for adults. $19 for children.