New York City Times Square And The Theater District

International Center of Photography, 1133 Ave. of the Americas at 43rd St. (www.icp.org), The center hosts exhibitions focused on both the history of the medium and the work of contemporary artists. Curators have a refreshingly loosey-goosey sense of what qualifies as a photographic exhibition, extending their focus to many other forms of culture. A recent exhibition on visual culture of the Civil Rights movement included television clips of Richard Pryor and Tina Turner while an exhibition of current photography included installation art featuring books with photographic images. $12, students and seniors $8, under 12 free. Open Tu-Th 10am-6pm, F 10am-8pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St. (www.roundabouttheatre.org), Built in 1927 as an opera house, the theater changed identities several times before assuming its most famous (and scandalous) form as the hard-partying Studio 54 nightclub in 1976. For a decade, the club was the hottest place in town, frequented by stars of the Madonna and Michael Jackson variety. In 1986, it was closed on account of too much sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Things have come full circle, and Studio 54 is a theater once more, inhabited by the acclaimed Roundabout Theatre Company. Tickets $67-117. Box office open Tu-Sa 10am-8pm, Su 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd St., between 5th and 6th Ave. (www.paleycenter.org), If you are a TV junkie or are rabid for the radio, the Paley Center for Media is not to be missed. The center's crown jewel is a 150,000-program media archive, which you can peruse in the Paley Center Library. Additionally, the center hosts talks and panels with all of the biggest names in sitcoms, news, and drama as well as media experts from around the world. Paley Center guests have included Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Rock, Christiane Amanpour, and the cast of Glee. Cash only when purchasing tickets at door. Admission to archives $10, students and seniors $8. Event prices vary. Open W noon-6pm, Th noon-8pm, F-Su noon-6pm. Wheelchair access.
St. Malachy's Church (The Actors' Chapel), 239 W. 49th St. (www.actorschapel.org), From the early ‘20s to the late ‘60s, St. Malachy's was packed with pious thespians. If you come to mass here, you'll be praying in the same place where Douglass Fairbanks and Joan Crawford were married and Tennessee Williams was blessed for the final time. Since around 1968, the percentage of actors worshipping here has declined, but there is still a mass for actors and stagehands at 11pm on Saturday night. Come and maybe you'll catch a cast member from the show you just saw. Free. Mass M-F 8am and 12:15pm; Sa 5 and 11pm for Actors and Stagehands. Su 9, 11am, and 6pm; Confession W, F noon; Sa 4:45pm.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, Pier 86, at 46th St. and 12th Ave. (www.intrepidmuseum.com), An astonishing adventure into the mysteries of aquatics and aviation, the museum is home to the USS Intrepid, which served as warship from 1943 until its retirement in 1974. Having survived bomb attacks, kamikaze assaults, and a torpedo strike, the Intrepid is essentially the Rasputin of aircraft carriers. The museum also exhibits the British Airways Concorde that holds the record for fastest pond-crossing (2hr. 52min. and 59sec.). Guests enjoy tours, simulations, and exhibitions. Commemorate your visit with a T Space Suit from the gift shop (available in youth sizes, $50). $22, US college students and seniors $18, 3-17 years old and vets $17, active and retired military and children under 3 free. Open Apr-Sep M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm; Oct-Mar Tu-Su 10am-5pm. Last entry 1hr. before close. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.