New York Venue Directory
Museums & Cultural Spaces
Architects, the larger room has full-length windows and is lined with library shelves; it holds 150. The smaller 20-seat room has a conference table and can also seat 30 for a lecture or presentation without the conference tables. (148 West 37th St., 13th Floor, 212.757.0915) LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER5
vessel is 149 for corporate meetings. No private parties or receptions are permitted, and no alcohol is allowed on the premises. (290 Conover St. at Pier 44, Brooklyn, 718.624.4719)
SCIENCE & NATURAL HISTORY SPACES AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY5
This museum has 45 event spaces. The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life holds 1,200 for receptions. The Rose Center for Earth and Space seats 450 or holds 1,500 for receptions and also contains the Hayden Planetarium, which seats 425. The 5,000-square-foot Powerhouse holds 550. The Arthur Ross terrace, just outside the Powerhouse, offers a view of the Rose Center and holds 400. Catering by Restaurant Associates is the exclusive caterer. (Central Park West at 79th St., 212.769.5350) BRONX ZOO5
In all, this zoological park occupies 265 acres and includes such exhibits as the Congo gorilla forest, which has monkeys, gorillas, and okapi. The gorilla forest space holds as many as 150 for receptions. The Dancing Crane Pavilion seats 750. The Monkey House holds 125 for receptions. A new banquet hall, the Madagascar House, opened in 2008 and holds 240. (2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, 718.741.3836) CENTRAL PARK ZOO5
Animals inhabit their own park within Central Park, a 5.5-acre area that includes the rain-forest building, where tropical birds roam and which holds 175 for receptions. There is also the penguin building, which seats 40 or holds 70 for receptions; the zoo gallery seats 50, or 80 auditorium-style. The entire zoo holds 1,200 for receptions. (64th St. at Fifth Ave., 718.741.3836) NEW DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE EXPOSITION
This 60,000-square-foot facility—a joint venture between the Discovery Channel and Running Subway Productions—is in an old printing press area of The New York Times. Housing rotating exhibits, the Discovery Times Square Exposition is open for events with a dedicated space managed by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs. (226 West 44th St., 866.987.9692) HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
The society moved in 2006 to its new home, with two event spaces available. Designed by Marpillero Pollak
Following a nearly two-year, $109 million renovation, Jersey City’s science and technology museum reopened in 2007 with a 20,000-square-foot center and all-new exhibitions. The entire venue is available for events; among the usable areas are 11,000-squarefoot Governors Hall; a fourth-floor space with views of Manhattan; a lawn; and a 400-seat Imax Dome theater. Catering by Restaurant Associates is the exclusive on-site caterer. (222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, 201.253.1384) NEW YORK AQUARIUM5
On the shore at Coney Island, the aquarium’s Oceanic Deck has a large reef exhibit. The deck is an outdoor space in the warmer months and is encased in glass walls during the colder seasons. It seats 200 or holds 350 for receptions and is the only space that can be rented during the day. The Sea Cliffs space includes a large rocky coast exhibit, and viewing tanks line the wall; it seats 150. Each exhibit is available for events in the evenings. (Surf Ave. at West 8th St., Brooklyn, 718.741.3836) NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE5
The New York Hall of Science has a new miniature golf course. The museum’s 70,000-square-foot Science Playground holds 750 for receptions. The oval-shaped Viscusi Gallery has 42-foot ceilings and holds 325 for dinner and dancing. There are more than 400 handson exhibits throughout the museum. (47-01 111th St., Queens, 718.699.0005 ext. 371) QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM5
This open-air farmland museum features planting fields and a cornfield maze. The barn accommodates 120 people with a dance area. The orchard holds 1,000 for receptions or seated events and may be tented. With a covered top and open sides, the pavilion is available May to September and holds 85. (73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Queens, 718.347.3276 ext. 10) SONY WONDER TECHNOLOGY LAB
Within the Sony Plaza Public Arcade, this venue has four floors with several recently renovated and new interactive exhibition spaces. There is a 73-seat high-definition theater and a small adjacent reception area that overlooks the arcade. Food and beverages are limited to the reception area, and events of more than 75 guests often rent the arcade as well. (East 56th St. at Madison Ave., 212.833.7875)
Outdoor Spaces BATTERY PARK
All events at this 23-acre park on the southern tip of Manhattan require a permit from the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. With its sweeping views, expansive lawns, and waterfront esplanades, Battery Park often hosts open-air concerts in the summer and offers all of its spaces for events, including the Castle Clinton National Monument (which holds 1,200 for receptions) and its garden. Tenting is permitted. (Broadway and Battery Place, 212.408.0226) BRYANT PARK
Home to HBO’s summer film screenings, Bryant Park’s eight-acre venue is behind the New York Public Library and bordered by promenades and perennial gardens. Events must be coordinated with the Bryant Park Corporation and generally require a city permit. Events also typically require negotiations with the park on details such as tents, security, and caterers. A 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, called the Pond at Bryant Park, is installed each winter. (42nd St. between Fifth Ave. and Ave. of the Americas, 917.438.5119) BRYANT PARK—LE CARROUSEL
Designed by the Brooklyn-based Fabricon Carousel Company and featuring 14 fanciful animals, the carousel in Bryant Park turns to the sounds of French cabaret music. The carousel is on the south side of the lawn, and its use is subject to approval from the Bryant Park Corporation. Party packages and group rates are available. (25 West 40th St., 212.768.4242 ext. 129) CAROUSEL AT PROSPECT PARK
Built in 1912, this carousel was designed by Charles Carmel and was originally at Coney Island. It moved to Prospect Park in 1952, and the Prospect Park Alliance restored it in 1990. Now, the carousel is available for two-hour private rentals after public hours. It holds 60 guests. (Willink entrance at Empire Blvd. and Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, 718.287.6215) CENTRAL PARK—CONSERVATORY GARDEN
These six acres make up Central Park’s only formal