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Tucked away in the shadow of the Queensboro Bridge, the small but charming Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden seems out of place surrounded by the sleek high rises and parking garages that loom over its well-manicured grounds. Previously known as the Abigail Adams Smith Museum, the building was erected as a carriage house in 1799 and converted into a day hotel (similar to an old-fashioned country club) in 1826. The present caretakers have reinterpreted it in the image of the old hotel, fashioning it with early-nineteenth-century furniture and historical objects donated by its members. The house is full of quirky, gilded artifacts, including an impressive vintage bar and a few stunning old desks and musical instruments. The heart of the museum experience, however, is the leafy, classical garden out back and compulsory guided tour--show up early, and there's a good chance it will be one-on-one. The earlier summer months are filled with fun outdoor activities. — Mike Sanfilippo

Guided tours range from 45 minutes to an hour; free with admission.