New York City

🖼️

Museums and Galleries

Art museums, historic exhibits, and galleries showcasing NYC's diverse cultural and artistic heritage.

Sections

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)

  • Category: Art (Ancient to Contemporary)
  • Highlights:
    • One of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world.
    • Collections include ancient Egyptian artifacts, European paintings (Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt), and modern American art.
    • Don’t miss the Temple of Dendur in the Egyptian Art section and the Rooftop Garden for stunning views of Central Park.
  • Location: 1000 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan (Upper East Side)
  • Ticket Costs:
    • General Admission: $30 (adults), $22 (seniors), $17 (students), free for children under 12.
    • Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Sunday–Tuesday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
    • Friday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
    • Closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
  • Reservations: Not required but recommended for special exhibitions. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.
  • Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible; free manual wheelchairs available.
  • Nearby Attractions: Central Park, The Guggenheim Museum.
  • Transportation: Subway: 4/5/6 to 86th Street, then walk west to Fifth Avenue.

2. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

  • Category: Modern and Contemporary Art
  • Highlights:
    • Iconic works by Picasso, Warhol, Van Gogh (e.g., The Starry Night), and more.
    • Cutting-edge exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
  • Location: 11 West 53rd Street, Manhattan (Midtown)
  • Ticket Costs:
    • General Admission: $25 (adults), $18 (seniors), $14 (students), free for children under 16.
    • Free admission on Fridays from 5:30 PM–9:00 PM (advance reservations required).
  • Operating Hours:
    • Open daily: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
    • Extended hours on Fridays: 10:30 AM–9:00 PM
  • Reservations: Recommended for free Friday evenings; otherwise, walk-ins are welcome.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible; assistive listening devices and wheelchairs available.
  • Nearby Attractions: Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square.
  • Transportation: Subway: E/M to 5th Avenue/53rd Street or B/D/F/M to 47th–50th Streets.

3. American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

  • Category: Natural History and Science
  • Highlights:
    • Famous for its dinosaur fossils, the Hall of Ocean Life (with the iconic blue whale model), and the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
    • Great for families and science enthusiasts.
  • Location: Central Park West at 79th Street, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
  • Ticket Costs:
    • Suggested Admission: $28 (adults), $22.50 (seniors), $16.50 (students), free for children under 3.
    • Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Open daily: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
    • Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • Reservations: Recommended for timed-entry tickets; book online in advance.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible; sensory-friendly maps and resources available.
  • Nearby Attractions: Central Park, The Dakota (historic building), Lincoln Center.
  • Transportation: Subway: B/C to 81st Street–Museum of Natural History.

4. The Whitney Museum of American Art

  • Category: Contemporary American Art
  • Highlights:
    • Focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American artists, including Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe.
    • Rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the High Line.
  • Location: 99 Gansevoort Street, Manhattan (Meatpacking District)
  • Ticket Costs:
    • General Admission: $25 (adults), $18 (seniors, students), free for children under 18.
    • Pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 7:00 PM–10:00 PM.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10:30 AM–6:00 PM
    • Friday–Saturday: 10:30 AM–10:00 PM
    • Closed on Tuesdays.
  • Reservations: Recommended for timed-entry tickets; book online.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible; free wheelchairs and assistive listening devices available.
  • Nearby Attractions: The High Line, Chelsea Market, Hudson River Park.
  • Transportation: Subway: A/C/E to 14th Street or L to 8th Avenue.

5. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

  • Category: Modern and Contemporary Art
  • Highlights:
    • Iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building.
    • Features works by Kandinsky, Picasso, and other modern masters.
  • Location: 1071 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan (Upper East Side)
  • Ticket Costs:
    • General Admission: $25 (adults), $18 (seniors, students), free for children under 12.
    • Pay-what-you-wish on Saturdays from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Sunday–Monday, Wednesday–Friday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
    • Saturday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
    • Closed on Tuesdays.
  • Reservations: Recommended for timed-entry tickets; book online.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible; wheelchairs and assistive listening devices available.
  • Nearby Attractions: Central Park, The Met.
  • Transportation: Subway: 4/5/6 to 86th Street, then walk west to Fifth Avenue.

6. The Frick Collection

  • Category: European Art and Decorative Arts
  • Highlights:
    • Housed in a historic mansion, featuring works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Goya.
    • Intimate setting with beautifully decorated rooms.
  • Location: 945 Madison Avenue, Manhattan (Temporarily relocated to Frick Madison at 945 Madison Avenue during renovations).
  • Ticket Costs:
    • General Admission: $22 (adults), $17 (seniors), $12 (students), free for children under 10.
  • Operating Hours:
    • Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
    • Closed Monday–Wednesday.
  • Reservations: Recommended for timed-entry tickets; book online.
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible.
  • Nearby Attractions: The Met, Central Park.
  • Transportation: Subway: 4/5/6 to 86th Street.

Tips for Maximizing Your Museum Experience

  1. Plan Ahead: Many museums offer free or discounted admission on specific days or times. Check their websites for details and book tickets in advance.
  2. Arrive Early: Popular museums like The Met and MoMA can get crowded, especially on weekends.
  3. Use Public Transportation: NYC’s subway system is the most efficient way to get around. Consider purchasing a MetroCard for unlimited rides.
  4. Combine Visits: Many museums are located near each other (e.g., The Met and Guggenheim), making it easy to visit multiple in one day.
  5. Check for Special Exhibitions: Temporary exhibitions often feature rare or unique works not part of the permanent collection.
  6. Bring Comfortable Shoes: Museums in NYC are large, and you’ll likely be walking a lot.

Enjoy your cultural journey through New York City’s world-class museums and galleries!