Are you planning a trip to New York City and some of the places you have in mind is to visit some museums? Well, I would like to inform you that there is a large selection of interesting exhibitions and museums in New York, whether it is science, technology, art or history, there is something for you. The city is the ultimate dream destination for a lot of people because there are various attractions in NYC.
The metropolis has an incredible wealth of sights; it is not only a setting for several famous films and books. Aside the several monuments, squares and curiosities, there are several world famous museums in New York. A part of the 5th Avenue is called Museum Mile, here; there are various world famous museums close to each other. This is good for those that want to visit more than one exhibition in a day.
As you already know, New York is not a cheap place so many of the museums are world-class so the ticket price for each these museums is expensive but on the bright side there are lots of New York passes that includes entry to many of the best museums in the city.
In this article, we have put together some of the most interesting and famous museums in New York as well as important information for each of these museums like their location, ticket prices and opening times.
Living in New York is expensive because place of art; this is the reason why those who love art love this city. There are several art museums and they are all well-equipped. In these art museums, there are numerous world famous artworks and collections. Some of these museums are dedicated to the latest art trends thereby promoting young artists. These museums are all lovely and fascinating. You can choose to go for more than one exhibition in a day if you have the money to pay or if you have New York passes that include entry to several museums. Here are the most fascinating art museums of New York.
Best Museums in New York City
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is often called “the Met”. It is a must visit for those who love art and culture; this world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York receives about 7 million tourists both local and foreign every years. It has a large collection of art and they are divided across three locations; the Fifth Avenue, the Met Breuer, and the Met Cloisters.
To visit these museums, standard ticket price is 25 dollars and is valid for three days only. You can only visit these museums within these three days while the ticket is still valid, after three days, you will need to pay another 25 dollars for another three days if you still want to revisit.
The Met Fifth Avenue
Address – 5th Avenue / 82nd Street
Admission ticket – $25
Metro – 86 St Lexington Av (4,5)
Website – www.metmuseum.org
This is the main building and it is located on the eastern edge of Central Park, on Museum Mile. The building is large so it is better you have your plans laid out (what you’d like to see) before going in because you might be taken by something else and you end up not getting all the information you went there for. Also try as much as you can to see the roof terrace of the museum. It offers a breathtaking view over Central Park and the New York skyline. You’d love it!
On the American art section alone, there are over 4,000 paintings, sculptures and paintings. In the field of handicrafts, there are more than 12,000 exhibits. This is really large so you will have to be particular about what you want to see so you can easily locate it.
Europe is represented with Greek art and Roman art. They have paintings and sculptures from all time periods, this is a large section. Egyptian art, Asian art and Indigenous art are also a large part of the museum. There is just so much to see and learn about. There is a photography section and also collections on historical musical instruments, armor, weapons and costumes.
Met Breuer
Address – 945 Madison Ave
Admission ticket – $25
Opening hours – Mondays closed
Metro – 77th (4,6)
Website – www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/met-breuer
Met Breuer is located on Madison Avenue, it’s about 10 minutes walking distance away from the Met Fifth Avenue. This museum is named after its architect, Marcel Breuer. It is the youngest branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the hall, there are collections of modern and contemporary art; the museum is all about modernity. There are also works of art date from around 1900 to this day.
At the Met Breuer, the main focus is on European and North American art. There are paintings, sculptures and several examples of contemporary design as well as handicraft in the displayed items.
The Met Cloisters
Address – 99 Margaret Corbin Drive
Admission ticket – $25
Metro – 190th street (A)
Website – www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/met-cloisters
The Met Cloisters is located in the north of Manhattan. It is about 40 minutes away from the main building with public transportation. This museum concentrates mainly on medieval art. Almost half of the medieval artwork of the met is housed in this museum, the other half is housed at the Met Fifth Avenue. The Met Cloisters is built just like the medieval cloisters that are seen in Europe. Architectural fragments of French monasteries were used in the construction and some of them are part of the art exhibit.
At the Met Cloisters, several works of art are on display from the European Middle Ages, like stained glass, paintings, manuscripts and sculptures. This is indeed a fascinating museum, there is so much to see and learn about at the Met Cloisters.
Guggenheim Museum
Address – 1071 5th Avenue
Admission ticket – $25
Metro – 86th Street (4,5,6)
Webiste – www.guggenheim.org
This museum is named after the founder of the foundation that manages it, Solomon R. Guggenheim but it’s simply called Guggenheim. It is located on Museum Mile, directly across from Central Park. Guggenheim museum has its distinctive rotunda design. It is dedicated to modern art and shows mainly work of abstract art, Surrealism, Expressionism and Impressionism.
The displayed art works are often from private collections unlike what we have in other museums. The building has an extraordinary interior design and state-of-the-art decor. It is one of the most beautiful museums in NYC; it is indeed well arranged and adorned.
Tickets for the Guggenheim museum are sold for $25. With this ticket you have access all day long whether you leave and then go back to the museum again that same day. But if you are not interested in the exhibition and you would like to take a look at the beautiful interior, you can still do that in the foyer without a ticket. The Guggenheim museum is a popular museum so it is better you purchase your ticket in advance to avoid staying in a long queue.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Address – 11 West 53 Street
Admission ticket – $25
Metro – 5 Ave-53 St (E,V)
Website – www.moma.org
This famous art museum is located in Manhattan between 5th and 6th Avenue. It is an ultimate museum for lovers of modern art. MoMA collections are among the most influential and extensive in the world. The exhibit includes art works of Mark Rothko, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol, Van Gogh and Picasso just to mention a few.
At MoMA, displayed items are not just classical art forms like paintings and sculptures but there are also films, photography and designs. The price for ticket is 25 dollars per person and it is sold online. To visit MoMA you must purchase a ticket online and as a popular museum in the heart of the city there is always a long queue.
There is a second MoMA location in Queens, MoMA PS1, and this museum is dedicated to contemporary and experimental art. Admission fee to MoMA PS1 cost 10 dollars per person, the ticket is sold online.
Frick Collection
Address – 1 East 70th Street
Admission ticket – $22
Opening Hours – Mondays to Wednesdays closed
Directions – 86th Street (6), 72nd Street (Q)
Website – www.frick.org
This museum is located in the south of Museum Mile in Manhattan. Frick Collection is for those interested in European art. Almost all the popular European artists are in this museum. From Goya to Rubens to Tizan and Turner etc. From the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century are all represented in this museum. There are rare sculptures, clocks, furniture and textile works of art are exhibited.
The ticket for this museum costs $22 per person. Tickets are sold online on the official website and also on site
Whitney Museum of American Art
Address – 99 Gansevoort Street
Admission ticket – $25
Opening hours – Tuesdays closed
Metro – 14th Street – 8th Avenue (A,C,E,L)
Website – www.whitney.org
Although over the years this museum has relocated several times but since 2015 the location of this museum has been in the southwest of Manhattan. The primary focus of this museum is American art from the 20th and 21st centuries. There are art works from artist that are still very much alive here.
Whitney Museum of American Art has a great roof terrace with a small cafe and a panoramic view of the Statue of Liberty. The museum offers visitors different opportunities to witness the artistic creative process to their permanent and temporary exhibits. One of the special features is the Whitney Biennial. This is a large scale exhibition that happens every two years, it informs interested parties about the latest development in American art
The ticket for the Whitney Museum of American Art costs 25 dollars per person and it can be pre-ordered online.
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Address – 235 Bowery
Admission ticket – $18
Opening Hours – Mondays closed
Metro – Bowery (J), 2nd Avenue (F), Spring Street (4,6)
Website – newmuseum.org
It is located between 10th and 11th Avenue at the height of the Lincoln Tunnel in the Bowery district. This is another New York museum for contemporary art. It is focued on current art trends. AT this museum, young artists and new art movement are given the opportunity to showcase their talent to the general public
At the New Museum of Contemporary Art, there several arts by international artists compared to other museums of contemporary art in the NYC. Ticket costs $18 per person but on Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm you can pay anything you like because of the “Pay-What-You-Wish” deal. Tickets are sold online at the New Museum of Contemporary Art official website.
Neue Galerie
Address – 1048 Fifth Avenue
Admission ticket– $25
Opening Hours – Tuesdays and Wednesdays closed
Metro – 86th Street (4,5,6)
Website – www.neuegalerie.org
This museum is located on 5th Avenue, it is small but elegant. It has a small collection of works of German and Austrian artists from the 1890 and 1940. There are paintings, sculptures, photography and several other art works on view. This museum, Neue Galerie is notable for its original work by Gustav Klimt
Ticket for this museum costs $25 per person; however there are some deals such as Pay-What-You-Wish-Admission which allows you to pay what you have for admission. Tickets are sold online and on site.
There are some amazing museums in New York that is about nature and technology, they are;
American Museum of Natural History
Address – Central Park West & 79th St
Admission ticket – $23 to $33
Opening Hours – Mondays and Tuesdays closed
Metro – 81st Street (B,C)
Website – www.amnh.org
This famous museum has been around since 1869, it is a classic in the New York museum landscape. The American Museum of Natural History offers mind-blowing exhibits from outer space, deep sea to natural history to climate change. It welcomes both old and young people to know our planet better. It exhibits, virtual experiences, interactive activities etc. Some of the main attractions are the gigantic dinosaur bones and the life-size model of a blue whale.
Events at the museums are constantly changing with experts from different sciences. At this museum, tickets are in three categories. In general admission ticket costs 23 dollars per person but this doesn’t give you access to the temporary exhibits such as Hayden Planetarium Space Show or IMAX film. But with the “General Admission + One” ticket that costs 28 dollars can give you access to one of the three additional exhibits. The “General Admission + All” ticket which costs 33 dollars gives you ultimate access to all parts of the museum. All tickets are sold online at the official website.
New York City Fire Museum
Address – 278 Spring Street
Admission ticket – $10
Metro – Spring Street (C,E)
Website – www.nycfiremuseum.org
This museum is located at the same place where the former fire station of SoHo was. The museum houses several display items on firefighting from many centuries ago. At the New York City Fire Museum, you would see historical fire engine from the 18th century to the most recent protective clothing. Temporary exhibits on special topics as well as permanent exhibits tell of the world of the New York City Fire Department. Visitors get information on fire safety and emergency procedures and they are taught the correct actions to take during a fire incident at home with a member of the fire department.
Admission ticket costs $10 and they are sold on the official website of the museum
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Address – Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street
Admission ticket – $33
Metro – 42nd Street (A,C,E,N,Q,R,S,1,2,3,7)
Website – www.intrepidmuseum.org
This museum is primary focused on space, seafaring and aviation. It is located on the banks of the Hudson River, on the converted aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid. The main focus of this museum is on four exhibits and their histories;
1. The Space Shuttle Enterprise,
2. The aircraft carrier itself,
3. The Concorde which set the record for the fastest flight across the Atlantic
4. The USS Growler submarine
Admission ticket costs 33 dollars per person. There are flexible entrance tickets At Get Your Guide, these tickets can valid for a whole month from the date it was issued so you can choose to visit the museum any day you like.
New York Transit Museum
Address – 99 Schermerhorn Street
Admission ticket – $10
Opening Hours – Mondays to Thursdays closed
Metro – Borough Hall (4,5), Jay Street – Metro Tech (N,W,R,), Hoyt Street (2,3).
Website – www.nytransitmuseum.org
This museum is located in the center of Brooklyn, in a closed subway station, at the former Court Street subway stop. This museum has an authentic setting that is perfect for an exhibition space, it is also used to movie shots.
At the New York Transit Museum, you will find several historical vehicles from the history of New York public transportation such as trains, buses and subway cars. Also there are always temporary exhibits on public transportation.
Admission tickets for the New York Transit Museum costs $10 per person and it sold on location
New York has a large selection of historical topics to choose from. From recent history of the city to artifacts from ancient Egypt. Let see the history museums in New York;
9/11 Tribute Museum
Address – 92 Greenwich Street
Admission ticket – $15
Opening Hours – Mondays closed
Metro – Rector Street (N,R,W), Wall Street (4,5)
Website – www.911tributemuseum.org
This is a smaller museum close to Ground Zero. At the 9/11 Tribute Museum, you will get to learn about individual stories of those that witnessed the attacks in Manhattan as it happened. These stories include rescue team, local residents and families of the victims.
The unique thing about this museum is that eye witnesses of the events of September 11th work there and they share their memories with visitors. There are tours offered along the pools of the 9/11 Memorial. These tours are led by witnesses or relatives of the victims of 9/11.
9/11 Memorial Museum
Address – 180 Greenwich Street
Admission ticket – $26
Metro – Fulton St (A,C,J,2,3,4,5), Park Pl. (2,3), World Trade Center (1)
Website – www.911memorial.org
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located on Ground Zero where the former World Trade Center was located. The museum mainly focuses on one of the darkest days of New York history. In the exhibition, there are objects, artifacts and artwork that are connected to the events of September 11th. There are also comprehensive information and documentation about the attack.
There are three sections at the museum, one is for the times before September 11th, the second is for the day itself the attack happened and the third is its aftermath. Admission ticket costs $26 per person. It is one of the most visited museum in New York and there is almost always a long queue so it’s best you purchase your tickets online in advance.
On Tuesdays from 4:00 pm, there are free entrance tickets but they are limited so it is best you get there on time before 4:00pm and get in line. The 9/11 Memorial is freely accessible and there are two large square pools built on the exact location where the towers once stood.
9/11 Ground Zero Museum Workshop
Address – 420 West 14th Street
Admission ticket – $25
Opening Hours – Sundays to Tuesdays closed
Metro – 14th Street (A,C,E,L)
Website – www.groundzeromuseumworkshop.org
This museum is located in the Meatpacking District of New York, it focuses mainly on the reconstruction after the attacks. There are documentation that tell you the work of firefighters during the rescue operation. Admission ticket is sold for $25, it can be purchased online at the official website or on site at the museum.
Brooklyn Museum
Address – Eastern Parkway of Brooklyn
Admission ticket – $16
Opening Hours – Mondays and Tuesdays closed
Website – www.brooklynmuseum.org
This is the oldest museum in the united states and it is the second largest museums in New York. It is located on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The building dates far back to the 19th century. Collections at his museum are diverse from Egyptian artifacts to Asian collections and ancient and Middle Eastern art. All these items are well arranged in their their own sections.
On the third floor, you would find the American way of life and daily object from past centuries while the upper floor is dedicated to modern American and European art.
Admission ticket costs $16 per person and it is sold at the museum counter.
New York Historical Society
Address – 170 Central Park West
Admission ticket – $22
Opening Hours – Mondays and Tuesdays closed
Metro – 81st Street (B,C0, 78th Street (1)
Website – www.nyhistory.org
This is the leading institute for scientific research into New York history and that of the United States. New York Historical Society museum is located close to Central Park, and there are numerous documents and exhibition objects from the history of the city. At the museum, there are a collection of art works and an extensive research library.
There are special exhibitions for historical and social topics like the American Revolutionary War, the history of the women’s movement and New York living conditions for the past centuries. There are exhibits that are dedicated to American politicians, writers, artists, etc.
Admission ticket costs $22 and these tickets can only be purchased on site.
There are fun museums for kids in New York, although the Intrepid Museum and the Natural History Museum can be really exciting for kids but there are several other as well. If you are traveling to New York with family or you are already in the city and you want to check out some of the museums in the city, your kids should not be left out. There are child-friendly museums that are fun and interactive.
National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
Address – 226 W 44th St
Admission ticket – $39.50 for adults, $32.50 for kids
Metro – 42nd Street Station – Times Square (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R & S), 42nd Street, Bryant Park Station (B, D, F & M) 42nd Street, Port Authority Station (A, C E)
Website – www.natgeoencounter.com
This museum is located at Times Square, it is a huge, virtual aquarium and it is as though you are practically walk through the deep sea making you feel as though you were in the middle of the ocean. There are giant squid, sharks and sea lions and a large variety of underwater worlds.
A tour takes about 90 minutes. The interactive media tell you everything you need to know on the topic of ocean, marine line and environmental protection.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Address – 234 West 42nd Street
Admission ticket – $32 for adult, $24 for children
Metro – Times Sq-42 (1, 2, 3) 42 St – Port Authority (A, C, E)
Website – www.ripleys.com/newyork/
This museum is named after the American reporter and cartoonist LeRoy Robert Ripley. It is located at Time Square and there are several flashing lights at the front of the building point at the direction of the museum. This museum is also called the “Odditorium”. There are unique, strange and unusual exhibition object from around the world
Admission ticket is sold for $25.60 on their official website but onsite it is sold for $32.
SPYSCAPE Spy Museum
Address – 928 8th Ave
Admission ticket – $39 for adults, $32 for children
Opening Hours – Mondays and Tuesdays closed
Metro – 50th Street (c, E); 59th Street Columbus Circle (A, C, B, D); 557th Street (N, Q, R, W)
Website – www.spyscape.com
This is really a fun museum where both old and young can try out being secret agents. This interactive museum is located near Times Square. There are identification wristbands, interactive mission and personal profiles, you can enter into the role of an agent and test your skills during the interactive tasks at this museum
There are individual exhibits that tell you about the history of espionage. Internet espionage, encryption and popular espionage cases are part of the topic covered.
