As NY1’s Feature Reporter, I get to see the best that NYC has to offer. Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the great cultural institutions across the five boroughs are closed.

Luckily, many have stepped up their virtual presence for New Yorkers staying at home. Here is some of what they have to offer:

New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden has closed its gates in the Bronx, but its virtual gates are wide open. Take a spring walk through the Cherry Blossoms via video. There are also plant guides, events, and recipes for kids, not to mention some beautiful Zoom backgrounds you can download for your next meeting.
 

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

As the father of a 9-year-old, finding things to do inside once he is done with virtual classroom lessons can be challenging. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is helping to make it easier for parents with "CMOM at Home." Museum educators have been working to create interactive activities to engage kids, including videos, sing-a-longs, and games. Children can learn to make slime and even food coloring fireworks in milk. Each day has a different theme, too: "Magical Monday," "Move and Groove Tuesday," "Our World Wednesday," and so on!
 

Ballet Hispanico

Ballet Hispanico is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Facebook Watch Party at 7 PM featuring “Tiburones,” a piece choreographed by Annabelle Lopez and performed by the Ballet Hispanico Dance Company. The virtual performance will be followed by “Choreographers and Cocktails,” a live chat with Ballet Hispanico’s CEO and artistic director. The company is also offering online dance lessons on Instagram if you need to brush up on your Samba moves in your living room.
 

Other Recommendations

Indoor Recess with Hesta Prynn:

The popular DJ Hesta Prynn is like many of you, sheltering at home with a child, her 6-year-old daughter. She is hosting daily dance parties called “Indoor Recess."

Get in on the fun on her Instagram page at 12 p.m. daily.

The Morgan Library and Museum:

The exquisite library of J.P. Morgan is closed, but you can take virtual tours of the splendid interiors and the many works in its collection, in some cases dating back thousands of years.