13. Stargaze from the Rutherford Observatory
Every other Friday night, the Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach series allows New Yorkers to peek through the smog while standing on a piece of science history atop Pupin Hall, of Manhattan Project fame, with a public lecture series by members of Columbia’s astronomy department, followed by 90 minutes of stargazing if the weather permits. During the summer months, a sci-fi movie and discussion replace the lectures, and stargazing takes place in front of Pupin.