New York/Newark
Creature Double Feature
“Here there be monsters,” warned ancient mariners’ maps, indicating dark corners of the seven seas where the unknown lurked. And they weren’t always wrong — imagine being the first person to come across a giant squid, or a prehistoric frilled shark like the one that recently popped up off the coast of Japan.
The American Museum of Natural History, opposite Central Park in Manhattan, presents Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids. Opening May 26, the exhibit traces the cultural and natural history of the creatures that have haunted our literature and folklore. Dragons, griffins, mermaids, sea serpents, unicorns, and others are featured in sculptures, paintings, puppets, and masks. Also, specimens and fossils on display will show how real-life creatures might have fostered belief in mythic beasts. After all, one man’s manatee is another man’s mermaid. Narwhal tusks from the North Sea, brought home by Scandinavian traders, were mistaken for the horns of the unicorn, and dinosaur fossils were used to reinforce beliefs in griffins. The organizers were unable to track down a live unicorn or mermaid, but there’s a rumor that Nessie may come over from Scotland for the opening of the exhibit, just to see if she can locate a cousin or two.
The kinder, gentler side of nature takes over in the museum’s Butterfly Conservatory through May 28. Children and adults can explore a magical 1,200-square-foot vivarium housing various tropical habitats while 500 butterflies from all over the world flutter overhead. If you’re lucky, one might land gently on your shoulder. 212.769.5100; amnh.org. — David McDonough
Houston
The Science of Sweets
You might think that nothing would kill a chocolate craving as fast as examining the chemical properties behind everyone’s favorite bean. But Candy Unwrapped, an exhibition at Houston’s John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, tantalizes taste buds with aromas and flavors. From May 26 to September 3, this interactive exhibit stimulates learning about the science of sweets, from the importance of candy in world culture to sugar’s effects on the mind and body.
In an exhibit called Pucker Up, museumgoers taste sour-to-the-max candy while standing before a camera that shows their reactions on a big screen, learning why we wince or pucker when eating sour foods. Romancing the Bean describes how chocolate brings out the Cupid in all of us. The display Delectable Delights offers fried flying ants and a silkworm pupae as tasty treats. Visitors can also explore the biology, chemistry, and psychology of candy at Sweet Memories, where wells of smells jog emotional recollections.
Those who have had their fill of sweets can hop aboard a stationary bike for an Energy Burn, to see how many calories they can go through in a minute. Or they can work off some energy on the Taste Bud Tango, a huge spongy tongue built for bouncing that also teaches about taste receptors and sensory complexity. It all sounds pretty sweet. 713.521.1515; thehealthmuseum.org. — Michele Meyer
Clevelend
Workin’ It for the Weekend
American designers — and a bevy of beautiful people wearing the clothing they create — will be strutting their stuff on and off the runway during Fashion Week Cleveland, May 2–14. The roster features established and emerging designers, models, and Cleveland’s own style elite. An event billed as a mixed-media couture carnival at the Galleria at Erieview showcases wearable art. Visitors can mingle with fashionistas at pre-parties and after-parties all over town. theclevelandfashionshow.com
Even more Cleveland beauties are on display later this month. Weekend in Ohio City, May 19–20, offers gawkers a chance to step inside some of the most gorgeous houses in one of the city’s oldest and hippest neighborhoods. Evening in Ohio City, a food and wine tasting tour, takes visitors through six private residences on Saturday night. Sunday’s Home Tour is a self-guided tour of 10 architectural gems. The events benefit the Ohio City Near West Development Corporation. 216.781.3222; ohiocity.com
— Laura Taxel
Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your vacation, contact Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.
