Aire Ancient Baths New York
After a long day of pounding the pavement and touring these exciting museums in the hustle and bustle of NYC, youll certainly want to unwind and relax a little bit. Fortunately, AIRE Ancient Baths New York, is right in the neighborhood. AIRE offers a deep relaxation experience that goes beyond the kind that youll find at a typical spa. With its thermal baths in restored historical buildings, AIRE evokes the holistic mind-body healing experience of the ancient Greco-Roman tradition. Here, youll be able to get a massage, taste their selection of the finest teas and wines, and balance the excitement of NYC with a little peace and tranquility.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
A moving place that is full of history, it is on Ellis Island that immigrants to the United States were processed and their documents were checked to see if everything was in order before they were subjected to a medical evaluation.
The exhibits look at the ancestry and identity of some of the people who made the voyage, the reasons they left their homes, and what the transatlantic voyage would have been like back then. Used as the point of entry between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million people were admitted into the country to begin their new lives, while countless others failed their medicals or did not have the right documents and tragically had to return home.
A poignant place, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is well worth checking out for its interesting look at how many people came to be American.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art: Best For All
With a permanent collection of more than 2 million objects and artworks, covering 5,000 years of art history, and multiple visiting exhibitions showcasing works from around the globe, it would take a week of constant perusing to explore this in its entirety. This makes it the perfect place to spend a day immersing yourself in art from morning to evening.
The museum opens early and has long evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays for those who want to maximize the browsing. In fact, there’s little need to leave the premises until the guards call time the museum is well-appointed with comfy benches, scores of phone charging outlets, information booths, and a tasty café with seasonal delights to help fuel your art marathon.
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Ellis Island National Museum Of Immigration
Usually paired with Liberty Island next door, Ellis Island is a vital and moving part of American history as the gateway for millions of immigrants who made the journey looking to start a new life in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Nowadays, Ellis Island is also home to the excellent National Museum of Immigration which tells the story of these people through interactive exhibits, audio-visual displays, and historical artifacts that document Americas immigration history from the 1500s through to the modern-day.
Make sure to check out The American Immigrant Wall of Honor, and dont forget to take a moment to admire the stellar view of Lower Manhattan as it towers over the harbor.
Tickets include access to both Liberty and Ellis Islands make sure you set aside plenty of time to explore!
New York Public Library Tours
This library is an NYC icon. You will instantly recognize the two lions on the side of the grand staircase up to the entry.
You can explore the librarys exhibits on your own or you can take one of their free tours.
Find out more about their tours here.
The NYPL is a stop on our guided Midtown Manhattan Tour as well as our GPS-led audio tour.
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Immersive Experiences Are Waiting For You In Nyc
Instagrammable moments, or should we say immersive experiences at interactive museums in NYC, are taking over the Big Apple. Whether located in a pop-up space, museum, or major retail store, these photo ops are awfully pretty and fabulous fun to visit. Theres the selfie-friendly Color Factory, cutting-edge art spot ARTECHOUSE, and offbeat picks like Stranger Things: The Experience. Each of these cool museums and experiences will make great fodder for your Insta feed, only in the endlessly photographable New York City.
Morgan Library & Museum
Acting as both a museum and a scholarly research center, this wonderful institution was opened in 1906 to protect and preserve J.P. Morgans private collection. The architecture of the place is stunning, with the library being a particular highlight with its lavish ornamentation and painted ceilings it houses some amazing old manuscripts.
Also on show are some drawings and prints by renowned names such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Regular temporary exhibitions mean that both locals and tourists can return to the museum time and time again to enjoy all that it has to offer.
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Unique Cool Museums In Nyc That Deserve A Stop
| 10 Min Read | Updated: December 09, 2021
New York City has some of the best museums in the country and world, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and MoMA. You can easily spend a whole day at some of the larger ones.
However, the citys cultural institutions have far more to offer than just Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night in MoMA or the giant dinosaur skeleton in AMNH. It is also full of smaller but cooler spots that, though, dont share the fame as their big brothers and sisters, also deserve a stop.
The Frick Collection: Best For Classical Art
This inspired collection is usually displayed in a stunning mansion on the Upper East Side, the former home of the late fine art and decorative art collector, Henry Clay Frick . As well as highlights from Goya, Renoir and Titian, there are paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, works on paper, textiles, clocks, medals, and enamels to explore.
It’s refreshing to see these delicate, rare, and renowned works in a more intimate setting as opposed to the larger public museums and this elegant home does not disappoint. For now, however, the mansion is being renovated and the collection has been temporarily rehoused in a modern building at Madison Ave and 75th St . It’s due to return to its original premises once the work is complete but it’s still a very impressive collection.
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Where: Upper East Side
El Museo del Barrio specializes in Latin American and Caribbean art, focusing on works from Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community of East Harlem, where the museum was originally located. The permanent collection spans pre-Columbian art and artifacts to contemporary art, examining the diasporic history of Latinx culture. The En Foco collection of street photography documenting Latino life in New York since the 1970s is a beautiful visualization of the barrio of East Harlem over time. The Representing Latinx section reevaluates Latinx identity through various lenses, from queer and trans identities to Indigenous and African roots.
New York Hall Of Science
New York Hall of Science or popularly known as NYSCI is a museum dedicated to science exhibits focusing on education for children aged 1-17 years. Being one of the first science museums in the modern era, it has drawn crowds exponentially over the years. This has led to massive expansion schemes. The Hall has earned the status of a New York City cultural institution granted to a few numbers of organizations. To see this Hall, add this museum to your list of 10 best museums in New York. NYSCI has more than 400 exhibits focusing on chemistry, biology, and physics. It has several permanent and temporary exhibits. General admission is priced at $20. There are a 30,000 square ft of science playground, which serves as an interactive area for students to engage in multiple hands-on activities and understand the contribution of science to the modern world.
Every Friday and Sunday is free entry to all customers for general admission. However, general admission does not include the science playground.
Some of the exhibits include-
- Connections- The Nature of Networks
- Feedback
- The Search of Life Beyond Earth
Location- 47-01 111th Street Corona, New York
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The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
Art Museum
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Guggenheim Museum first opened in 1939 its body of art was heavily acquired through the acquisition of numerous private collections. In 1990, the Guggenheim was honored as a New York City Landmark. More than 15 years later, it received federal recognition with a designation as a Historic Landmark.
Highlights
Here are some of the “must see” items at The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
- Homme aux bras croisés
- Landscape with Factory Chimney
The New York Hall Of Science
Corona, QueensOne thing Manhattan lacks is a bona fide science museum, but if youre on the hunt for tech, engineering and math activities, make the trip to the 111th Street 7 Train stop for the NYSCI. It has been educating and entertaining visitors since the Worlds Fair in 1964, and now houses more than 450 exhibits.Adults $20, children $15
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National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Financial DistrictHere, youll find a moving recollection of the 2001 tragedy, presenting a terrifying selection of salvaged artifacts and a sensitive narrative of events. The 9/11 Tribute Museum tells the story of the tragic day from the perspective of the people who experienced it, with regular live talks by volunteers.Adults $26, teens $20, youth $15
Museum Of Jewish Heritage
Depicting the stories of Jewish life and culture around the world, the Museum of Jewish Heritage is considered one of Lower Manhattans most important cultural institutions, showcasing immigration and culture over the centuries, and providing a sobering look at the never-again events of WWII, in what is officially the third-largest Holocaust museum in the world.
Located in Battery Park City, visitors can explore permanent exhibitions on topics like the American Jewish experience, Ancient Israel, Yiddish Theater, Holocaust survivors, and even embark on virtual tours of places like Krakows Jewish quarter
With talks, workshops, and screenings happening on a near-daily basis, theres always something new to learn at this fascinating, eye-opening museum.
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The National Jazz Museum In Harlem
A toe-tapping trip through time sure to put a smile on any music lovers face, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem in Central Harlems cultural and entertainment district is one of the coolest places to visit in NYC.
Established in 1996 as a Smithsonian Affiliate to preserve and celebrate Americas unique musical heritage, specifically Harlems rich musical roots, the museum offers a range of rotating exhibitions, and hundreds of live performances, educational programs, and events throughout the year all with the sweet melodies of jazz at their core.
Even if you dont consider yourself a jazzy history buff, youre sure to find something to enjoy here whether its watching a live band play in the performance space checking out artifacts like Eddie Lockjaw Davis nightclub cards, contracts, saxophone or set lists or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere of this historic neighborhood.
Hot tip: in the summertime, dont miss the Jazz Swings and Jazz in the Parks events!
Museum Of Food And Drink
It sounds as generic as they come: a museum of food, the most basic human need. However, the Museum of Food and Drink is different in that it seeks to change the way you think of food or drink by showcasing how it impacts our culture, politics, economy, history, and more.
Some of the highlights here include the Flavor: Making it and Faking It exhibit, a smell synth that allows you to mix a variety of aromas from vomit to pancakes to create endless combinations, or Chow, which digs into how Chinese restaurants began and evolved in the U.S. in a period of intense anti-Chinese immigrant sentiment.
There is also tasting at the end of the exhibits.
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Admissions are $14 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $7 for children. Buy tickets here.
Flavor: Making It & Faking It exhibit at MOFAD. LinYee Yuan, the founder and editor of MOLD.
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Avoid The Hassle Book An Airport Transfer
Youre on vacation, after all, so why kickstart your journey with the stress and hassle of deciphering the enormous subway system or waiting for what seems like an eternity for your rideshare or taxi? Why add that unnecessary stress?
Instead, savvy travelers who want to spend more time enjoying their holiday and less time waiting at the taxi rank opt for a pre-arranged airport transfer.
With a range of options to choose from, a pre-booked airport transfer is convenient, with the driver meeting you at the arrivals lounge enjoyable, because youll be greeted with a placard with your name on it (who doesnt love a little VIP treatment, right? affordable, especially when traveling in groups and efficient, with no waiting time at the rank.
Plus, the friendly drivers are all locals, meaning they can offer some great tips and insights on the city, as well as point out landmarks along the way something you might not get from your average yellow cab.
So, if youre looking for a seamless, stress-free start to your New York City vacation, look no further than an airport transfer!
The American Numismatic Society
Coins document the beautiful and historically significant past, which makes them appealing for many people to collect. If you are one of them, you will love the American Numismatic Society, which is dedicated to the study and collection of coins and currency.
However, unlike the coin collection you had growing up with, the museum strives to include all civilizations based on a tangible monetary system. Here, you can peruse over 800,000 objects dating back to 650 BCE and stop by the numismatic library, which houses approximately 100,000 books, documents, and artifacts.
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Admission is $50 per person, and free for members and students with valid ID. If you are visiting in a group, mail curatorial@numismatics.org for reservation. Also, don’t forget to bring your government-issued photo ID.
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Museum Of American Finance
Finance impacts everyone. As a socially relevant organization, the Museum of American Finance seeks to educate the public through exhibits, financial literacy programs, and events, so we can all strive toward financial independence.
You dont need to know anything about finance to find interesting facts and objects at this little gem on Wall Street. The museum isnt big but filled with fascinating items, from the 18-karat solid gold Monopoly set, the $100,000 bill to the room of Alexander Hamilton, who is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
You are welcome to join in the Lunch and Learn series to learn about modern finance from business leaders of all industries. Also, be sure to rub the horn of the iconic Bull & Bear bronze statue that has been thought to bring luck since it was sculpted over 100 years ago.
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Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for kids 6 years old and younger. Also, please note that the museum no longer offers free admission on Saturdays.
The inside of Museum of American Finance.
Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian New York
A wonderful look into the culture and heritage of the Native American people, the National Museum of the American Indian New York is the local branch of the esteemed Smithsonian facility over in Washington D.C.
Housed in a beautiful building in Lower Manhattans Bowling Green, this museum tells the story of Native American history from a national perspective highlighted by a permanent collection of 700 works of Native art from North, Central, and South America as well as specific to the New York area, with exhibitions that explore everything from traditional crafts and tools to modern-day movements.
Regularly hosting musicians, dancers, artists, and elders, guests can also watch films, listen to music, and attend talks at this museum a perfect spot for anyone interested in learning more about a hugely important part of American history.
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Ripleys Believe It Or Not
Ripleys Believe It or Not is not just a single museum, but a worldwide franchise and museums all over the worlds major cities. Robert Ripley founded it. The entire collection includes bizarre events, strange items, and unusual and questionable claims. The details have been adapted in various formats like book series, videos, radios, and comic books the total artifacts around 100,000 include photos and cartoon panels. The annual attendance across the globe is 12 million.
A series of books have been published since 1931. It features unusual events, facts, news stories, and photographs.
The Times Square museum facility is a one of a kind attraction where you can even witness thrilling and interactive exhibits apart from the historical artifacts. It is the largest Ripleys in all of North America.
Dont miss the famous Black Hole interactive exhibit while you are at Ripleys. You can feature this museum in your 10 best museums in New York to see strange items and bizarre items.
Timings- Mon-Wed 10 AM to 11 PM, Thu-Sun 10 AM to 1 AM.
Location- 234 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036
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