One of the most dazzling dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History is also one of the oldest.

An eerie diorama that captures the majestic nature of a few prehistoric-looking beasts.

This taxidermy scene brings the struggle for survival in the Indian jungle to a quiet corner of a Manhattan museum.

This morbid scene depicts the Darwinian drama of death on the African savannah.

Creating this diorama spurred naturalist Carl Akeley to begin advocating to protect the apes.

This poignant display is now a memorial to these regionally extinct species.

This impressive scene portrays the elusive forest giraffe of Central Africa.

This magnificent herd of stampeding elephants has been frozen in time for over a century.

The fanciest public restroom in New York City boasts fresh flowers, art, and a classical music soundtrack.

New York City's only radical feminist independent bookstore.

The iconic Manhattan corner that was once the site of the Beastie Boys' fake clothing store.

The competition: breathe deeply as long as you can.

Love, knishes, and best wishes from this legendary Lower East Side bakery.

The oldest surviving synagogue in New York City is now a soaring art space.

Salute the leader of the proletariat.

This former crime corner has been turned into an eclectic community center.

A living archive of urban activism and space reclaimed.

A notorious punk house turned co-op.

Behind a grungy bodega facade, a Poblano family serves rich, home-cooked meals.

Though the case is scorched and the buttons half-melted, this hardy handheld gaming device can still run a game of Tetris.

A beautiful and abandoned New York subway station from 1904, complete with chandelier.

Have a steam and some blini at this cafe in a century-old bathhouse.

Monument to a forgotten NYC disaster that claimed the lives of 1,000.

A reminder to choose water over wine since 1888.