CITYist

Besides the breathtaking views and the reasonably priced food and drinks, (well, for New York City at least), the Metropolitan Museum rooftop is offering yet another reason to head up to the top: Big Bambu.

This intense, ever-evolving bamboo structure is the creation of twin brothers Doug and Mike Starn, best known for their “See it split, see it change” permanent installation at the South Ferry Station 1 line subway terminal. While the gleaming metal and tile works may be only a ghost to the typical commuter, their newest project will no doubt cause even the most hardened New Yorker to take notice. As Big Bambu continues to expand until Oct. 31, the initial 30-foot-high by 50-foot-wide by 100-foot-long structure will grow to an elevation of approximately 50 feet thanks to the assistance of rock climbers.

This imposing behemoth isn’t just something to be admired and inspired by, it’s something to climb and insert yourself into. Thanks to guided tours, visitors are able to traverse the elevated interior pathways relatively 20-40 feet atop the Roof Garden. Tickets are needed for the tours, and are open to the public, but you may need to stake out the ticket booth as they’re only available a various times during the week.