New York City is a city with a variety of science events and exhibits, all a short subway ride away. Here are 5 of the top science events and exhibits in New York City going on this summer.

1. New York Hall of Science

Avenue of Science
New York, NY 11368
(718) 699-0005
www.nyhallsci.org

New York Hall of Science has renovated its space exhibit, the outdoor Rocket Park. It features two icons of the United States space program: an original Titan II booster with a replica of the Gemini capsule and an original Atlas booster with a replica of the Mercury capsule. You can climb inside the Mercury capsule allows visitors to climb inside and play astronaut. You can even play miniature golf and launch a space ship. Indoors, you’ll find over 400 hands-on exhibits.

2. Sony Wonder Technology Lab

550 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
(212) 833-8100
www.wondertechlab.sony.com

The Wonder Tech Lab combines technology and creativity in order to make learning entertaining. A visit to the Lab is free, and you can perform virtual surgery, build a game, make a movie -- even animation. A section called “how devices work” details the the inner workings of a cell phone, a PSP, and a digital camera.

3. Lucy's Legacy

226 W. 44th St
New York, NY 10036
(866) 987-9692
www.lucyexhibition.hmns.org

Lucy’s Legacy helps you understand evolution. Lucy is the oldest and most complete human ancestor retrieved from Africa. Visitors will be able to see her skeleton and the other earliest known members of our species --- along with many relics of the rich heritage of Ethiopia, where Lucy was found. There are fossils, historical manuscripts, paintings, musical instruments. , and so much more featured in the exhibition.

4. Bodies... The Exhibition

11 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038
(888) 926-3437
www.bodiestheexhibition.com

Bodies….The Exhibition features actual human bodies and displays that go beyond anything you would see in a textbook. It is divided into different sections based on body systems. One of the most popular exhibits, in the Respiratory section, shows a good lung versus a lung damaged by smoking – and a bin of discarded cigarette packs. Even very young children find Bodies engrossing. Also see our separate review of the exhibit.

5. American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5150
www.amnh.org

The American Museum of Natural History has dinosaurs and “extreme mammals” – the biggest, smallest, and most amazing mammals of all time. But don’t miss the Rose Center for Earth and Space, the place to visit to learn about the universe and its origins. The all-new space show, Journey to the Stars, is intensely enlightening, revealing lots that you never knew about the universe. The show is not only educational, but usually stunning, giving you a realistic experience you won’t soon forget.

Produced, directed, and written by Jesse Medalia-Strauss, Julian Cohen-Serrins, and Austen Saltz.
Production assistants: Timothy Chen, Betty Diop, and Rosalee Washington.