Ranking right alongside San Francisco and Los Angeles, New York is recognized as one of the leading art capitals of the United States. For many years, curious travellers have flocked to the city to visit the renowned cultural amenities housing some of the country’s most significant and expansive art collections. Whether you’re looking to view contemporary masterpieces in beautiful spaces or quirky smaller repositories, we’ve got you covered with the best that the area has to offer. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, have a read through our list of some of the top art galleries to check out whilst you’re there! We promise you won’t leave disappointed.
See the Classics
We couldn’t write an article about the best art museums in New York without mentioning the Guggenheim. Almost as famous for its structure as it is for its collection, the bold swirling building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959 and stands as an emblematic city landmark. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy special exhibits of impressionist, post-impressionist, modern and contemporary pieces by artists from across the globe. Presenting world-class artworks in a beautiful space, this internationally renowned institution provides a profound cultural experience for you and your loved ones.
If modern art just isn’t your thing, then head over to the Cloisters to take a fascinating trip back in time. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this highly-revered a long-established institute seeks to display European medieval art and architecture in all its glory. Visitors can view beautiful carvings, awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, and intricate tapestries, all housed inside a medieval-inspired space overlooking the Hudson River. Come for the magnificent artworks and leave with a deeper sense of how the world around you came to be.
Another one of our favorite art galleries in the city is El Museo del Barrio. Since its founding in 1969 in a public-school classroom in Spanish Harlem, the museum has grown to become one of the leading Latin Cultural Institutions of the United States. Standing out among other elite establishments in the city, the museum specializes in Latin American, Caribbean and Puerto Rican art. There’s no doubt you’ll be wowed by the institute’s impressive permanent collection, which features over 10, 000 paintings, sculptures and photographs and more. Through interpreting works across different cultures, the museum provides a unique educational and visual experience for those of all ages.
Get Cultured
New York owes its development and celebrated heritage to generations of influential creatives and distinctive social facets, all of which are displayed in the city’s top galleries. Combining art with culture, the Africa Center documents the contemporary African experience through a range of outstanding exhibitions, events and lectures. Upon entrance, visitors can view evocative paintings, and exhibitions on fashion, furniture, ceramics, and more. What we love most about this place is that it’s virtually impossible to leave without having learned something new.
One of the coolest things about New York is that it presents such a fantastic array of things to see, no matter where your interests may lie. Situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Folk Art Museum seeks to preserve, present and interpret the artworks of contemporary self-taught artists from America and abroad. Walking around the institution, visitors can view a first-class collection of over 8,000 objects spanning over 300 years. It’s undoubtedly one of the more unique and interesting experiences that the city has to offer.
The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art is one of the top places to visit in New York for creative types. Situated in Downtown Manhattan, the institute is dedicated to collecting, preserving and spotlighting art concerning LGBTQ+ themes, issues and people. Standing as the only museum of its kind in the world, the museum displays an outstanding collection of 22, 000 works. However, the establishment’s main draw is its fantastic permanent collection, featuring works by David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Berenice Abbott. The perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon, the repository delivers a unique visual experience like no other.
Try Something New
Whilst many of the city’s top museums focus on still pieces, the Museum of the Moving Image explores the art, history, technique and technology of digital media in all its facets. A total cinephile's dream, the institute presents a wide range of topics, from every stage of the development, promotion, and showing of moving images. Through interactive exhibitions, animation workstations, and a full schedule of screenings, visitors can learn more about the transformative impact of image and sound technologies on our lives. Featuring a broad collection of technical equipment, film prints, and costumes, this place will leave you mesmerized for hours.
The city presents an impressive wealth of cultural institutions across all creative expressions. Since its founding in 1974, the International Center of Photography has become known as the world’s leading establishment for lovers of visual culture and captured light. Visitors are sure to be dazzled by the various styles of photography held at the museum, ranging from black and white pieces and vintage film stills to paparazzi snaps and social media uploads. In addition, the institute offers various classes and workshops for those who are interested in picking up a camera. As inspirational as it is fascinating, the institute provides a comprehensive look into the history and development of this particular artform.
Those who are looking for something a little different might want to check out the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum. A constituent of the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile, the institute stands out as America’s only repository devoted solely to historic and contemporary design. The museum delivers a fun and fascinating experience with its extraordinary collection of over 210,000 design objects spanning over thirty centuries. With so much to see and learn, spending an entire day here certainly wouldn’t be out of the question.
New York is well-recognized for its vibrant and inimitable creative scene. Whether you’re interested in viewing medieval carvings, contemporary sculpture, or vintage film stills, the city’s most revered cultural institutions and hidden gems should keep you busy for hours on end. Choose from a wide range of diverse spaces to maximize your sense of discovery and wonder. And now, you don’t have to miss a thing - to get the most out of your trip, try Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.
