New York City New York City Queens Museums and Galleries

TAmerican Museum Of The Moving Image. This museum, dedicated to the art of film and television production, features fascinating and fun exhibits explaining television and film production, along with a cool collection of movie memorabilia. Check out the Yoda puppet from The Empire Strikes Back, the chariot from Ben Hur, and the jowl-enhancing mouthpiece worn by Marlon Brando in The Godfather . Start on the top floor and work your way down; the exhibits on behind-the-scenes editing and production here are some of the most fun in the museum. On the third floor, you can create your own animated film sequence, dub your voice into scenes from My Fair Lady or the Wizard of Oz (there’s nothing like hearing your own voice come out of Judy Garland’s mouth), or alter sound effects from movies like Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park . Be sure to check out the section on how live television is edited—you’ll never watch a ballgame the same way again. There’s also an extensive collection of costumes from movies and TV shows like the remake of Chicago and “The Cosby Show,” which was taped next door in Kaufman-Astoria Studios . The museum’s Riklis Theater hosts almost-daily screenings of independent and foreign films. (35th Ave., at 36th St., Astoria. S G, R, V to Steinway St. Walk 1 block down Steinway St., turn right onto 35th Ave. ☎718-784-0077; www.movingimage.us. Open W-Th 11am-5pm, F noon-8pm, Sa-Su 11am-6:30pm. $10, students and seniors $7.50, children ages 5-18 $5, under 4 free; F after 4pm free. Admission includes screening tickets.)

Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum. This stunning, recently restored museum showcases over 240 pieces by the celebrated sculptor Isamu Noguchi, whose works probe the relationship between the natural and the manmade. Works include a variety of stone, wood, clay, and metal installations. The building, a converted factory, encircles a garden. (32-37 Vernon Blvd., at 10th St. and 33rd Rd., in Long Island City. S N, W to Broadway. ☎718-204-7088; www.noguchi.org. Open W-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 11am-6pm. $10, students and seniors $5.)

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center. P.S.1, the first public school in then-independent Long Island City, was converted into an art space in 1971. Even the staircase landings are used as display areas. Rotating exhibits, including large-scale video installations and group shows, keep up the museum’s avant-garde reputation. Be aware that many works include extremely graphic content; bring a strong stomach, but maybe don’t bring young children. The fourth floor offers a spectacular view of Manhattan and the surrounding area. In the summer, P.S.1 holds Warm Up, a Saturday afternoon festival of visual arts and music, with local and international DJs and bands performing in the outdoor galleries. (22-25 Jackson Ave., at 46th Ave. S 7 to 45th Rd./Courthouse Sq.; E, V to 23rd St.-Ely Ave.; G to 21st St./Jackson Ave. ☎718-784-2084; www.ps1.org. Open M, Th-Su noon-6pm. Wheelchair accessible. Suggested donation $5, students and seniors $2. Warm Up runs for 10 weeks, beginning in early July Sa 3-9pm. $10; season pass $100. Check online for details.)

New York Hall Of Science. This concrete hall, built in 1964, offers an array of state-of-the-art scientific exhibits. The museum is largely oriented toward children, but its 225 hands-on displays will keep parents and chaperones occupied as well. Exhibits include Marvelous Molecules, CSI: Crime Scene Insects, and Physics in Sports . In the outdoor Rocket Park, actual rockets tower over the surrounding trees, and children can climb into a replica of a Mercury-era space capsule. The staff does scientific demonstrations throughout the day. Call or check the website for upcoming events. (47-01 111th St., at 48th Ave. S 7 to 111th St. ☎718-699-0005; www.nyhallsci.org. Open July-Aug. M-F 9:30am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm; Sept.-June Tu-Th 9:30am-2pm, F 9:30am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. $11, seniors, students, and children ages 2-17 $8, under 2 free. Free Sept.-June and F 2-5pm.)