Best Museums in New York
A major tourist city and distinguished intellectual hub, New York offers some of the most renowned cultural amenities in the world. World-class art galleries, interactive science centers, planetariums, and some of the country’s most significant historic housing make the city well worth the visit. Wherever your interests may lie, New York delivers an astounding range of compelling educational experiences time and time again. If you’re planning a trip, read through our rundown of the best museums in New York to check out whilst you’re there.
Get Inspired
New York City has always been a revered destination for art, so it’s no wonder that its museums reflect this. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art houses one of the finest holdings of modern and contemporary art in the United States. Attracting 3 million visitors each year, the museum’s collection is comprised of 150, 000 artworks as well as 22,000 films. Famous pieces include Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Monet’s Water Lillies, and Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
New York is fortunate to have many creative attractions and activities for visitors and locals alike. For shutterbugs and lovers of captured light, the International Center of Photography offers exceptional exhibitions in visual culture. Holding one of the top photographic collections in the United States, the museum displays over 200,000 pieces stretching from the earliest forms of the medium right through to contemporary work. An incredibly thrilling and unique encounter, the institute works to provide a thorough technological and artistic view of photography. With so much to see, the museum makes for the perfect November rainy day activity.
If film is more your thing, you might want to consider heading over to the Museum of the Moving Image. Celebrating cinema in all its forms, the educational institution encourages learning, curiosity and expression through the preservation, collection and interpretation of motion picture. In its large and eclectic collection, the museum houses historic filming and production equipment, famous film costumes, illustrations and vintage merchandise. An intriguing and enjoyable way to explore the creative process of film and television, you won’t want to miss out on this one!
Soak Up the Culture
One of the coolest things about New York is that it offers a large collection of fine educational institutions. Situated in Lower Manhattan, the National Museum of the American Indian seeks to investigate the history and diversity of Native American culture. The museum is a constituent of the Smithsonian Institution and features a large collection of historical artefacts, including various clothes, utensils and artworks, each divided up per habitat. In addition, visitors can catch dance and music performances, educational programs and film screenings that work to tell the Native American story.
Whilst New York City offers a wide array of art museums, there is only one top contender for literary museums in our eyes. Built into a stunning designated landmark, the Morgan Library houses one of the most cherished on paper collections within the United States. Combining literature with history, the library holds an impressive collection of timeworn manuscripts, early printed books, and various drawings and prints. In addition, the library also holds important pieces of music, drawings and artwork. As beautiful as it is interesting, this place is a total bibliophile’s dream.
A well-recognized cultural mixing pot, New York is home to more cultures than any other city in the United States – so it only makes sense that its museums document the history of immigrant lifestyle. Built into what once served as a residence for new migrants, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum seeks to preserve, protect and showcase the stories of those who once called the historic blocks home. Visitors can choose from a wide array of tours, all of which tell one of America’s most important stories: how settlers became American, and how the United States became a nation. Explore the Lower East Side, sample authentic cuisine, and hear personal stories of life in the past.
Learn Something New
If you love history, then the next item on our list of the best New York museums is for you! Standing as one of the world’s most influential scientific and cultural institutions, the American Museum of Natural History seeks to cultivate curiosity in the world around us. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the museum is comprised of 26 interconnected buildings, which house an expansive collection of over 34 million specimens of plants, fossils and meteorites. Through breath-taking exhibits and educational programs, visitors can learn more about human cultures, the environment, and the universe. Exciting and fascinating, this place makes the perfect day trip for those of all ages.
Another one of our favorite history museums in New York is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Situated in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan, this educational institution presents a stunning display of American military and maritime history. Interesting and fun, the establishment provides a totally unique experience for viewing legendary aircraft carriers, museum ships, and submarines. Expect to be blown away by the fascinating stories behind air, space and watercraft. Such historic manmade wonders include the first space shuttle, the British Airways Concorde, and of course, the USS Intrepid (CV-11).
Whilst many New York museums center around the humanities, the Hayden Planetarium seeks to provide a fun and digestible understanding of the universe for the public. Housed in the American Natural History Museum and run under the direction of Neil Degrasse Tyson, the institute is arguably one of the best of its kind. Highlights include the establishment’s Cosmic Pathway exhibit exploring the known history of the universe, as well as its high-resolution video projection of the night sky. Through spectacular displays and public programs, visitors can investigate the fascinating inner workings of the universe.
A major intellectual and artistic city, New York is home to some of the most diverse museums that can leave you overwhelmed with their fascinating and rare exhibitions. Whether you’re looking to learn about the background of the area or view seminal works of historical and contemporary art, the city is the place to be. When you make a visit, take in new information, see evocative pieces, and most of all, have fun! Hey, isn’t that what it’s all about? To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.