Planning a trip to New York City? If you’re an art or history junky you’ve come to the right place. New York has museums for all art tastes: history, modern art, science – you name it you can find it in New York.
Check out these New York City museums and you won’t be disappointed with the surprising wealth of culture this modern city has to offer. While this is nowhere near a complete list of all the great museums in New York, it will at least get you started.
Museum of the City of New York — If you’re looking to kill an hour or four and learn something new while you’re at it, this is the place to do it. Located at the northern end of Museum Mile, this attraction radiates the pride of its New Yorker supporters. The museum houses many pieces that depict the culture and history of the city and its growth through the decades. While somewhat off the beaten path of New York City tourism, this attraction is one that history lovers will not want to miss!
American Museum of Natural History — Perhaps one of the most famous museums in the country, this attraction draws thousands to its doors each year. With over 36 million specimens, from the Hall of Human Origins to the Rose Center and Planetarium and constantly changing special exhibits, the AMNH has something to fascinate even the toughest critics. Guaranteed to be a winner with kids of all ages.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) — The MoMA is the first museum dedicated to the modern era, this treasure trove houses nearly 150,000 masterpieces from renowned artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. Although it’s a little on the pricey side ($25 for Adult ticket) art enthusiasts everywhere will tell you it’s worth every penny. The permanent collection includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, architecture, film, and performance art.
The Frick Collection — Once a private mansion, the spacious Frick now houses incredible pieces by masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Renoir, and many special exhibits. Admission also includes the ArtPhone audio guide so you can have a personalized tour of the artwork at your own pace. Two things you should know: 1) children under 10 aren’t permitted in The Frick because of the sensitive state of many of the pieces; and 2) Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. are free—a great way to save a little cash in the Big Apple!
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum — a Frank Lloyd Wright classic, the building itself is stunning. The permanent collection includes works from the masters of the height of French Impressionism, while the rotating exhibitions showcase the work of more contemporary artists. Guided tours are also available with a discount for large groups. There is also open admission Saturdays from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Museums in New York have so much rich culture just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for art, culture, history, or science, don’t miss out on these museum attractions during your next visit. And if you don’t get to all of them in your first visit to New York, at least you’ll have a reason to come back again to catch what you missed.
