wish i could be there, working that weekend. will look out for the next one!

It was a pretty dark, creepy, musty, and run down place. Even the exhibits were decaying (like the stuffed grizzly bear with peeling fur). It really needed the upgrade. I can’t wait to see the new museum.

It certainly used to be. If it is somehow less cool after spending 3 years and $160 million to renovate it, I would count that as a pretty massive fail.

It's not that long a train ride to NYC and the American Museum of Natural History. Boston is a but further but they have great museums and an aquarium. You landed in a great spot if you love museums. Ps. Yale has a few that are worth checking out as well.

Yes. It was very cool before, just needed some modernization (except the new gem hall, which was already new and beautiful). It's been a bummer to have it closed for years but I'm excited to see the update!

I am in complete agreement!

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is pretty damn neat as well. Especially the glass sea creatures and flowers- you'd swear they were perfectly preserved specimens and NOT man-made.

Nyc people are blunt and direct because so many people live close together. But NYC people are often pretty good natured and have good senses of humor under those exteriors. Try asking for directions sometime or even making small talk with people in a bar or restaurant.

And honestly - before i lived in LA for a while - i was as scared of LA as you are of nyc. If you can handle LA - you have nothing to worry about in nyc.

You’re welcome!

it’s just so busy and there’s so much going on 😭 i’m from LA so i’m kinda used to it but still.. it was very overwhelming lol. definitely wanna try again though, thanks for the tips!

https://dailynutmeg.com/2021/12/02/pitkin-tunnel-stop-and-go-redux/

You’d be safe during the day. You can always take a cab from grand central to the natural history museum if you want to avoid the subway - but again - during the day - in crowds of people - you’d be fine. Or go with a friend. Sorry i don’t know of any - but if you hear about a bus tour there and back - you could do that too.

nyc scares me, i’ve only been there once 😂

The tunnel goes under the Federal Building and Federal Courthouse. If you commit a Federal felony, you might get a free trip through the tunnel, but you won't see much.

tl;dr: Federal Marshalls say no, you can't go through the tunnel.

Soon, I hope! Check out Marudigi on instagram. She is a conservator there and shows a lot of the behind the scenes work going on. It is a really fun account.

Sounds awesome, I’ll check it out.

Please tell me you actually think it’s “isint”

‘Lay of the land’ Do you mean she’s applying to universities?

I used to go about 4 times per year. For like, 20 years. Every time I found at least one new thing to be super dorky and excited by.

I cannot wait to have a museum like that in my backyard again.

ohhh thanks! haha i guess i just haven’t been there early enough to know

I think it’s open for some period of time but not exactly sure when. I know it’s closed by 9 am so it might be open from 6 am to 9 am. There is a sign on the Elm Street entrance that lists times but they’re definitely wrong.

Ah I see. Thanks for the link. I guess google maps just doesn’t know this tunnel isn’t open for public use.

It’s wonderful, I can’t wait to go when it opens back up!

There's a security gate at either end. I've only ever seen city or government vehicles able to go through the whole tunnel. But the State St entrance is how you get to the 360 State / Elm City Market parking garage, you have to turn before the security gate.

If natural history museums are what you are in to:

The indian museum covers natural history of CT since the ice age and of the history of the pequots. Many town libraries have discount coupons - you check them out with your library card.

Other than that - take the train into nyc and visit the natural history museum there. The boston museum of science is not bad either.

i’ve been to the art gallery i love it!