By Seth Fera-Schanes

The equation was simple.  A friend was coming into town and wanted to do something ‘fun.’  Being winter and cold, I didn’t foresee any personal desire to have fun outdoors that day.  The answer was to head to Manhattan’s Upper West Side for a couple hours to walk around the American Museum of Natural History.

This is a great museum for first time visitors to the city, families and anyone who likes stuffed animals….

If you really want to round out your trip, walk over to Shake Shack for burgers, fries and milkshakes once you are done with the museum.  The restaurant is located on 77th and Columbus Avenue which is about a 3 minutes walk from the front steps of the museum.

If you are still hungry (which you won’t be) walk down to 74th and Amsterdam to Levain Bakery to get a few cookies to split with friends.  I have written about this bakery before and if you haven’t gone yet then understand you are missing out on a real teat.