Manhattan is a hub for LGBT history. There’s no admission fee to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art in SoHo. Grab a drink at the Stonewall Inn’s bar, where the 1969 police raid took place, and sit on a bench at Christopher Park to reflect on George Segal’s Gay Liberation statues. While you are in Manhattan, you’ll want to check out the Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar, considered one of the best drag performances in the city. Head across to Brooklyn for more LGBT sites. Stop by the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the world’s largest collection of materials by and about lesbians. Hit the happy hour at Ginger’s Bar, a popular lesbian pub in Brooklyn known for tasty drinks, pool, karaoke and drag queen bingo. In Queens, the Q Center provides essential services, community assistance, and advocacy programs for youth and adults. The Albatross Bar in Astoria features Sutton Lee Seymour, one of the most beloved drag queens around, along with karaoke and Brokeback Bingo, in a friendly, neighborhood bar ambiance.

The Royal Palace of the Hague, also serving as the monarch’s workplace, may not be as exuberant as its counterpart in Amsterdam, but it is an impressive city centrepiece nonetheless. Built as a farmhouse in 1533, it was reformed and repurposed several times over the years, accommodating such pivotal historical figures as Voltaire and notable monarchs such as King Willem I until its most recent extensions in 1984, which have turned it into a working palace, where political and state affairs take place daily. The palace gardens are open to the public throughout the day and make a nice spot for a picnic, where anyone can enjoy the ponds, flowerbeds and marble statues with views of the royal stables, archives and the Dome of Fagel. Look out for the hidden corridors leading to the Old Hague District in one of the corners of the gardens.

Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde's youngest and most active volcano, towers beautifully but menacingly over the island of Fogo. The mesmerising black volcanic soil is reminiscent of similar fiery peaks in Hawaii and Iceland and is used to grow coffee. A small community, Chã das Caldeiras, is precariously located in the caldera very near the peak, and adventurers can hike up the imposing 2,829 metres for unparalleled views of the island.

Day 1 – Manhattan Start at the world-famous Rockefeller Center, where you can tour NBC Studios, meet a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, and browse the shops (including a LEGO Store and a Nintendo Store). Pick up some souvenirs at M&M’s World, the Disney Store, or the American Girl Place in Times Square. Day 2 – Brooklyn People of all ages can enjoy a walk across the upper level of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Finish with a visit to Coney Island, the quintessential boardwalk experience, for amusement park rides, games, and food. Day 3 – Staten Island Kids and adults will love the Staten Island Ferry ride, which operates for free 24/7. Active families can spend time exploring the nature trails at Staten Island’s Greenbelt Conservancy or the beautiful gardens at Snug Harbor. Let your younger children’s imagination run wild at the Staten Island Children’s Museum. Day 4 – Queens A family day in Queens should include a visit to the New York Hall of Science, a hands-on, interactive museum. Spend time outside at the Queens County Farm Museum. Families who love sports can catch a Mets game at Citi Field or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark. Day 5 – Bronx The must-see attraction here is the Bronx Zoo, the largest urban zoo in the country. Stroll through the colorful flora at Wave Hill’s public gardens and enjoy views of the Hudson River. See the 27-time World Champion Yankees play at Yankee Stadium.