New York City is known for its museums and art galleries, and it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit. From contemporary art to historical artifacts, there is something for everyone. To make things easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of the top must-see museums you should visit in NYC.
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1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met as it’s commonly known, is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. With over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, you can easily spend an entire day here. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and artifacts from ancient civilizations.
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Operating Hours: Monday–Thursday 10 am–5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am–9 pm, Sunday 10 am–5:30 pm
Contact Details: (212) 535-7710
2. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is a must-see for contemporary art lovers. The museum’s collection features some of the most famous and influential works of modern and contemporary art, including pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, and Pollock. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions and film screenings.
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Operating Hours: Monday and Wednesday–Sunday 10:30 am–5:30 pm, Friday 10:30 am–8 pm
Contact Details: (212) 708-9400
3. The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is as much a work of art as the pieces it houses. The museum’s iconic spiral architecture was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. The museum’s collection includes modern and contemporary art, with a focus on European and American art from the mid-20th century.
Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Operating Hours: Sunday–Wednesday and Friday 10 am–5:30 pm, Saturday 10 am–8 pm
Contact Details: (212) 423-3500
4. The Whitney Museum
The Whitney Museum is known for its collection of 20th-century and contemporary American art. The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs from artists such as Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and events.
Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014
Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10:30 am–6 pm, Friday 10:30 am–10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am–6 pm
Contact Details: (212) 570-3600
5. American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most comprehensive natural history museums in the world. The museum’s collection includes fossils, specimens, and artifacts from various scientific disciplines, including anthropology, paleontology, and zoology. Visitors can also see the famous dinosaur exhibits, including a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024
Operating Hours: Daily 10 am–5:45 pm
Contact Details: (212) 769-5100
6. The Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States, featuring an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum’s collection includes works from ancient Egyptian and African civilizations, as well as contemporary art and photography. Visitors can also see the famous feminist art exhibit, “The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago.
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Address: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 6 pm, Thursday 11 am – 10 pm, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Contact Details: (718) 638-5000
7. The Morgan Library and Museum
The Morgan Library and Museum is a museum and research library that houses one of the world’s greatest collections of artistic, literary, and musical works. The museum features rare books and manuscripts, drawings, prints, paintings, and other works of art from the medieval era to the present day. The collection includes original works by notable artists such as Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Rubens.
Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 10:30 am–5 pm; Friday, 10:30 am–9 pm; Saturday, 10 am–6 pm; Sunday, 11 am–6 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Contact Details: (212) 685-0008
8. New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of public transportation in New York City. The museum is housed in an authentic 1936 subway station and features exhibits that showcase the evolution of the city’s subway and bus systems. Visitors can explore vintage subway cars, buses, and other vehicles, as well as see photographs and artifacts that document the city’s transportation history.
Address: Boerum Pl & Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am–4 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am–5 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Contact Details: (718) 694-1600
9. Museum of Broadway
The Museum of Broadway is a museum dedicated to the history of Broadway theater. The museum features exhibits that showcase the evolution of Broadway from its early days to the present day. Visitors can explore original costumes, scripts, photographs, and other artifacts from famous Broadway productions.
Address: 145 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 am–6 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
Contact Details: (646) 828-9190
10. Neue Galerie New York
The Neue Galerie New York is a museum dedicated to early 20th-century German and Austrian art and design. The museum features works by famous artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Franz von Stuck, as well as decorative arts and furniture from the Art Nouveau and Bauhaus movements.
Address: 1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Operating Hours: Thursday to Monday, 11 am–5 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Contact Details: (212) 628-6200
11. The Met Cloisters Museum
The Met Cloisters Museum is a museum dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The museum features medieval art and artifacts from the 9th to the 16th centuries, including illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and tapestries. The museum’s architecture is inspired by medieval cloisters, and visitors can explore peaceful gardens and courtyards.
Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
Operating Hours: Daily, 10 am–5:15 pm.
Contact Details: (212) 923-3700