Visit Many Great Places In New York
Whatever your budget and whatever your interests, theres never a dull moment in vibrant New York. Have a great time by day and by night, visiting cultural icons, world-renowned architectural masterpieces, museums, art galleries, shopping areas, parks, skyscrapers, amusement parks, and more.
With a truly global dining and drinking scene and a wealth of excellent accommodations to suit every taste, you really can cram every moment of your New York adventure with fun.
Tick off these best places to visit in New York for a fun-filled, action-packed, and memorable time in one of the worlds most exciting destinations. When youre done with that, consider grabbing a car and checking out some epic road trips in New York.
What is the best place in New York in your opinion? Leave a comment and let us know!
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The 10 Best New York City Museums
TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media
With hundreds of cultural institutions and historic sites in New York City, it can be difficult to narrow down which ones to include on your itinerary. There are options that will appeal to just about everyone, whether you want to see exhibits dedicated to art and design or history and science.
You should plan to visit no more than two museums in one day, and really one museum is usually more than enough daily. It’s hard to really absorb what the museum has to offer if you’re rushed or have reached saturation. A good plan is to visit one museum in the morning and then choose a neighborhood to explore, a walking tour, bus tour, or a sightseeing cruise to round out the day.
The Best Museums In New York Not To Miss By A Native New Yorker
One of the best things about New York City is the wealth of museums. From the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art to the one-of-a-kind Intrepid Air & Space Museum, whether youre into art, history, or science, its all nestled within this 23-square-mile expanse of land. If youre staying in Manhattan, you could easily spend days visiting museums and still not see them all. A subway ride into Brooklyn or Queens yields even more fun and adventure. This insider guide to the best museums in New York City will show you the best of culture, art, and history in New York City!
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Keep in mind: Many of the Manhattan museums on this list are a short subway ride or even walking distance from each other. Nonetheless, youll find many great museums in the other boroughs of New York. Crossing into Queens and Brooklyn means a longer subway ride or an Uber over the historic Brooklyn Bridge or 59th Street Bridge. You may want to plan to spend a whole day exploring the sights in these boroughs, each with their own distinct neighborhoods.
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The Best Museums To Visit In New York
The best museums to visit in New York City are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The former houses more than 300,000 works of art from ancient times to modern day. The museums The New Contemporary exhibition features pieces from Frank Lloyd Wrights buildings and has a rotating exhibition of pieces from the Roman era. The Metropolitan is another must-see in the Big Apple, with more than two million square feet of collections ranging from Egyptian treasures to decorative arts.
The American Museum of Natural History is located on the Upper West Side, in front of Central Park. This museum is one of the largest in the world and is home to 45 permanent exhibition halls. The museum includes sections on cultures all over the world, including Africa. A screening of Night at the Museum by Ben Stiller will help you prepare for your visit. You may also enjoy the New York Science Center, which is located in Chelsea.
The Brooklyn Museum is an interesting place to start. A visit to this museum will educate you about the history of Brooklyn and its future. There are many models and artifacts on display, and the building is built in a Beaux-Arts style. The museum has over 1.5 million works of art, and its largest collection is of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Its a great place for children to learn about history.
Empire State Building One Of The Most Amazing Places In New York
- One of New Yorks iconic landmarks
- Once the worlds tallest building
- Featured in many movies, including King Kong
- Excellent city views
Why its awesome: With 102 floors and standing proudly at 443 metres tall, the iconic Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for some 40 years. Completed in 1931, it took fewer than two years to design, plan, and build the mighty tower. Almost synonymous with the popular 1930s movie King Kong, the tower has appeared in more than 250 films and TV shows since its creation. Its possibly the best place to go in NYC for a view and a bit of vertigo.
It is often said to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The Art Deco tower is home to numerous offices as well as indoor and outdoor viewing decks, an observatory, a broadcasting station, exhibitions, gift shops, and restaurants.
What to do there: Marvel at the colossal structure before stepping through the revolving doors to enter the main lobby, where youll find bronze depictions of the crafts used to build the tower. Browse in the shops and maybe pick up some souvenirs, enjoy a tasty meal in one of the iconic buildings restaurants, step back in time at the historical Dare to Dream exhibit, and ride one of the elevators to the 86th floor to soak up spectacular views from the highest outdoor observation deck in all of New York.
If you want an alternative view of the New York skyline then consider a trip to Jersey City.
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The New York Transit Museum
If you enjoy riding the Holiday Nostalgia Train every year around Christmas, you will love the NY Transit Museums extensive collection of vintage subway cars, which sit inside a real subway station in Downtown Brooklyn.
Here, you can walk among cars built in 1903, peruse vintage ads from the 1940s, and try to spot celebrity cars that have been featured in films or TV shows.
The museum also boasts a vast collection of vintage train tokens, photos of historic trains, trolleys, and buses, and interactive street furniture, which includes a 12-seat bus cab and walk/dont walk signs you can play with.
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Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages two to 12.
A vintage train car at the New York Transit Museum. New York Transit Museum
The Leslie Lohman Museum Of Art: Best Lgbtqia+ Art Museum
This cozy neighborhood gallery in Manhattans Soho is lesser-known but it packs an impressive cultural punch. Covering more than 22,000 works by historic and contemporary LGBTQIA+ artists, its collection is nothing short of legendary.
Items include contributions from iconic queer artists ranging from Andy Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe to David Hockney and Berenice Abbott, and hundreds more in between. Located on a quiet cobblestoned street, this outwardly unassuming museum is an important community builder and outstanding collection all in one.
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The 10 Best Museums In Nyc Youve Never Heard Of
The list of the best museums in NYC is long and hotly debated. Whatever youre looking for, New York probably has a museum dedicated to it, no matter how esoteric. While were used to hearing about the most classic ones like the Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art , and the Guggenheim, the city is also jam-packed with lesser-known gems. These New York museums are often devoted to niche subjects or local interests. They are perfect for those looking for unique experiences in a city where everything has been done or for those with a deep interest in the history and culture of the city itself.
The Museum Of Modern Art
Home to world-renowned paintings like The Starry Night and Water Lilies in addition to works by Warhol, Basquiat and Dali, its no wonder the MoMA is constantly crowded with museum-goers.
You dont have to be an avid art connoisseur to appreciate the real-life paintings you grew up studying in school. The painting are well curated and displayed in a modern and airy environment for an experience anyone can enjoy.
Must see at MoMA: The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhols Campbell Soup Cans, Frida Kahlos Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, Monets Water Lilies, The Persistence of Memory by Dali, and Picassos work.
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
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Soho A Great Place In New York If You Love To Shop
- Trendy and arty neighbourhood
- Famous for its excellent shopping scene
- Lots of interesting cast-iron architecture
- Plenty of classy restaurants
Why its awesome: Located in Lower Manhattan, SoHo earned a reputation for being a cool and arty part of the city. While there are still a good number of artists lofts and galleries, the area is more famous for shopping today offering almost everything you could ever want to buy! Establishments cater to all budgets and tastes. The architecture is pretty unique too SoHo has the biggest amount of cast-iron buildings of anywhere in the world! Going back in time, the land was once farmland given to freed slaves, and it was the first free settlement of black people in Manhattan.
What to do there: Walk around the neighbourhood, today featured on the National Register of Historic Places, and see the numerous cast-iron buildings. Admire the intricate and decorative details, such as lavish window frames and railings. Discover the areas art heritage and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the excellent eateries before hitting the shops. Give your credit cards a workout as you hop between the chain stores and boutiques. Take a walk along Spring Street, Broadway, and Prince Street and browse the stalls brimming with knickknacks, cheap t-shirts, souvenirs, and accessories.
Ground Zero Workshop Tour
The museum is located at the archaeological heart of the World Trade Center site and retells the story of 9/11 through multimedia displays, archives, narratives and artifacts.
Its a haunting but moving experience. Photographer Gary Marlon Suson has over 100 images on display, including the Frozen Clock pointing 10:02am, when the South Tower collapsed.
Location: 180 Greenwich Street
Hours: Open daily from 7:30am 9pm Museum: Open Sun Thurs 9am 8pm, Fri Sat: 9am 9pm
Cost: $24 admission, $44 for admission + tour
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Get Insured For Your Trip To New York
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If theres one insurance company I trust, its World Nomads. To find out why I use World Nomads, check out my World Nomads Insurance review.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!
Metropolitan Museum Of Art
As the largest art museum in the world, it is fair to say that the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must-see when in New York. With over two million artworks housed within its confines, its enormous catalog of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts really does beggar belief.
Wandering its never-ending galleries is a breathtaking experience, as priceless paintings and artworks look down upon you from every angle the sheer variety of pieces on display mean that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Countless masterpieces are exhibited and among the many highlights on show are The Temple of Dendur, which dates all the way back to 15BC, and Autumn Rhythm by Pollock.
With ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artworks and artifacts on show, the Metropolitan Museum of Art needs to be seen to be believed, such is the extent of the beautiful artwork on display. Located in Central Park, the museums sumptuous architecture and delightful exhibition halls are just the cherries on top of a wonderful experience.
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The High Line A Beautiful And Scenic Place To Check Out In New York
- Quirky park
- Great views
- Public art installations
Why its awesome: What better way could there be to make use of a disused railway line than by turning it into a cool public park? Open since 2009, the High Line sits on an old 1.4-mile-long section of track in Manhattan. Theres lots of lush greenery and the elevated position offers terrific views over the surrounding areas.
A masterpiece of modern urban architecture, the park has brought a whole new lease of life to the area, helping to raise property prices, providing a place for locals and visitors to relax and enjoy being outdoors, and helping to instil a sense of local pride in nearby residents. There are various things to see and do in the park and it has featured in several TV shows and films.
What to do there: Walk along the elevated park and admire the views of the Hudson River and the cityscape, and pause to relax at one of the benches as you enjoy the vistas. Your stroll will lead you through different gardens, including the enchanting Diller von Furstenberg Sundeck, complete with its enticing water feature that is great for a quick paddle to cool down on a warm summers day.
If you want to support the great work carried out by the park you can adopt a plant. At dusk, you can watch informative videos in 14th Street Passage. Feeling peckish? Grab a bite to eat from one of the mobile vendors or from the stalls in Chelsea Manning Passage.
Museums Included In Tourist Passes
Entry to some number of ticketed museums is included in most tourist attraction discount passes, which bundle several tours and attractions, including museums, into one pass at a flat rate price.
Also, having a pass saves you time because you dont have to wait online to purchase tickets and some passes offer skip-the-line privileges.
Buying a tourist pass makes a lot of sense if you are planning on visiting several museums, especially those that required a paid ticket.
With the major art museums costing $25 each, youd be wise to consider a pass if you plan on going to 3 or more such museums.
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The Morbid Anatomy Museum
This one is a little out there. With artifacts, writings, and discussions centered around death, funeral ceremonies, medicine, and more, this is the perfect NYC museum for anyone interested in the morbid details of humans and the vast array of cultural practices surrounding the end of life. There are plenty of skulls, taxidermied animals, weird biology, and books to make your spine tingle, too.
Insiders Tip: The museum hosts a film series and podcast online, so if you want to get a sense of what the museums is like before going, be sure to check it out.
Hours: Daily , 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: 424-A 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Admission: Adults: $8 Seniors and Students: $6 Children 12 & under: FREE
Website:
The Museum Of The City Of New York
On the prestigious upper 5th Avenue by Central Park, The Museum of the City of New York is a celebration of what makes New York City great.
The current permanent exhibition is New York at Its Core, the first show to cover the full history of New York. The museums handsome building of red brick with marble trim and white pillars was built in 1930 in the neo-Georgian style.
The extensive collection of paintings, drawings, and Currier and Ives prints, focuses on 19th- and 20th-century items. Theres also a major representation of the decorative arts including furniture, plus costumes and antique toys. A theater collection has artifacts from the golden era of Broadway, and theres also a formidable photo collection with vintage photos of New York by photographers Berenice Abbot, Percy Byron, and film director Stanley Kubrick.
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Museum Of Modern Art Moma
11 W. 53th St. Open Sunday to Friday 10:30 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission based on age, Kids Under 16 Free. Timed entry tickets required.
If your kids have short attention spans, head straight for the Fifth Floor. I did this with my teen son. Thats where I found Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh and Dance by Henri Matisse, along with works from Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso.
Kids under 16 get in free and the MoMA hands out guides for family visits. Walk through the gift shop for unique souvenirs.
