Which Museums Are Open In Nyc

Whitney Museum Of American Art

Timed entry is tightly controlled here, and you will get a temperature check before you enter. The best way to view this museum and avoid the crowds is to start at the top floor and work your way down. Take advantage of the outdoor patios on each floor and use the open-air steps connecting them. On each floor, the galleries are relatively empty except for what’s currently “on” like the über-popular Vida Americana: Mexican Muralists Remake American Art Mexican. Don’t miss the first-floor exhibit, hidden on the east side of the building. It changes frequently but is always thought-provoking. No one seems to know this gallery is there, so you’re pretty much guaranteed uncrowded viewing and contemplation. Note that The Whitney books up its limited time slots very quickly.

American Museum Of Natural History

Residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can enter the museum for free. Two things to note about the free entry at his museum.

If you want to get tickets in advance online, you must pay the full price.

Also, when you enter for free, you will not have access to the Hayden Planetarium Show or the IMAX.

See our post on how to visit the American Museum of Natural History.

Intrepid Sea Air And Space Museum

The Intrepid is a great New York City attraction and offers something for the whole family. It was one of my favorite NYC things to do as a kid and I loved it just as much when I visited this year.

Learn what to skip and what to see at: Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

Best For: Kids or anyone really interested in War history and transportation. .

NYC Insider Way: Sorry, but private events, such as weddings and charity balls, are the true insider way to have this spectacular museum to yourself for a night.

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The Metropolitan Museum Of Art Reopened August 29

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is now open Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The museum will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. All visitors over the age of two will be required to wear face masks, and restrooms will have occupancy limits. Because visitor capacity will be reduced and controlled, the museum cannot guarantee that all galleries will be open to the public. Hand sanitizer is provided at entrances and at stations throughout the museum.

/11 Memorial & Museum

Sometimes Im hesitant to mention visiting the 9/11 Museum because its such an emotional experience . However, it truly is one of the best museums in New York City and definitely worth the visit, as long as you can emotionally brace yourself.

Located right next to the moving 9/11 memorial, this New York City museum is thoughtfully made. Youll need to descend down an escalator to reach the interior because its located beneath ground level.

The museums layout is clean and easy to follow, your focus instantly latches on to the intended exhibit. The pace of the visit always feels rightfully slow, as visitors contemplate the gravity of the situation.

This musuem experience is heartbreaking but important, I think everyone should see the 9/11 Museum as least once. Its something you wont be able to forget.

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007

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The American Folk Art Museum

• Location:2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023

• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM

For those born in the 1990s, you might have memories of china dinnerware with vintage patterns or colorful blankets knitted by grandma. If you miss those handcrafted items, you can now find them at the American Folk Art Museum, an institution that honors the creative expression of self-taught artists.

Here, you can peruse more than 8,000 works of art from four centuries and nearly every continent, from compelling portraits and dazzling quilts to powerful works by living artists in various mediums.

Although folk art is more of a documentation of the past culture, the field gets expanded to include artists working in the present. Also, the museum is free to visit.

The American Folk Art Museum.

From Homages To Icons Like Virgil Abloh To Trippy Immersive Experiences Soak In Culture And Shamelessly Flex To Your Followers That You Did

Although a summer spent enduring piles of garbage bags on the street and slowly sputtering AC units doesnt exactly line up with the romanticized idea of the Big Apple, as New Yorkers, we can always count on the citys unmatched art scene to pull us out of any funk.

And as the home of some of the most renowned cultural institutionslike The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Museum of Natural History and The Guggenheim Museumplus a bevy of impossibly cool independent galleries, forgo aimlessly doomscrolling for some IRL inspiration instead.

From a posthumous homage to the iconic designer Virgil Abloh at the Brooklyn Museum to the newest and very trippy immersive show at Artechouse, here are the best art exhibits to check out in NYC right now.

Prospect ParkExhibition: Figures of SpeechWorld renowned for his experimental style and visionary creations, late designer Virgil Abloh is the focal point of the Brooklyn Museums latest crowd-puller. Curated by Antwuan Sargent, Figures of Speech includes artwork clothing video and audio clips architectural sketches and more, that speak to Ablohs legacy as an iconic figure in fashion and contemporary culture. Highlights include a full-size wooden house collaboration projects with artist Takashi Murakami and musician Kanye West plus pieces from Off-White and Louis Vuitton.How to buy tickets: Admission from $25

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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.

The Morgan Library & Museum

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a multi-millionaire? How about a multi-millionaire with a passion for books? If so, I have the spot for you.

The Morgan Library & Museum allows visitors to step inside the private library of J.P. Morgan. The library is quipped with three floors of metal-enclosed walnut bookshelves, chock full of rare books.

Like an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, a handwritten score from Bach, and a plethora of books worth more than some of us will make in a lifetime.

J.P. Morgans will was to open the library to the public after his death and we are all so much better for it.

Must see: Frederick Douglass letter to his former master Hugh Auld, Johann Sebastian Bachs Prelude and Fugue in B Minor and Morgans vault.

Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

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National Museum Of The American Indian

The collection of Native American Indian artifacts is outstanding. This museum is kid-friendly as well.

The museum is housed in the historic and stunning Beaux-Arts building, the former Alexander Hamilton Customs House.

Click here for more information on the museum.

TIP: This museum is located in Lower Manhattan, an area that has so much more to see. Our Guide to Lower Manhattan lists the multitude of activities, many of which are free.

Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center

• Location: 4900 Independence Ave, The Bronx, NY 10471

• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

If you dont mind a little bit of travel, check out Wave Hill, a 28-acre outdoor museum in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River. If you depart from Times Square to the parks entrance at West 249th Street, it takes about an hour by subway and 30 minutes by car.

Once inside, you can head straight to the main outlook under the pergola for spectacular views of the Hudson River. Or stop by the Wave Hill House, built in 1843 in the style of an English country residence. There, you can grab some food at the cafe or shop at the gift shop for items like handcrafted soaps, ceramics, glass, and jewelry.

Looking for a spot to rest? Sit on the Wave Hill Chairs, which are a signature item of the park and protected as part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

• Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors above 65, $4 for children above 6, and free to members and children under 6.

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New York City Fire Museum

• Location: 278 Spring St, New York, NY 10013

• Hours:Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Located inside a former firehouse in SoHo, this 2-story museum contains a vast collection of historic firefighting memorabilia dating back to the 1600s, with highlights including vintage FDNY uniforms, ornate hand pumpers, a horse-drawn ladder wagon, and a 1921 American La France engine.

During your visit, dont forget to pay a quick visit to the citys first permanent memorial dedicated to the 343 FDNY members who died in the attacks on September 11.

• Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and children over two. Buy your tickets here.

Free Museums For New Yorkers

Being a New Yorker comes with many perks. Not only do you get to experience the atmosphere of the city that millions of people pay a fortune to see on a daily basis, but you can also enjoy free admissions to many museums! How? Get yourself a library card! Head to either Brooklyn, Queens or the New York Public Library and apply for a card. To be eligible for a library card you must live in New York state or either work or study in New York City.

Your library card entitles you to reserve dozens of museums, institutions, and gardens across New York for free thanks to the Culture Pass program. To see a list of all participating institutions, check out the map and list. The card allows you to reserve tickets online and for free.

Do you live in Chinatown or Two Bridges?

Then the Museum of Chinese America could also be free for you since it offers pay-what-you-wish admission to all its residents.

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Museum Of Reclaimed Urban Space

The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space is a volunteer-run small history museum of grassroots activism. We tell the story of efforts to create community spaces on the Lower East Side, especially efforts that reclaim space taken over by city bureaucracies or corporations. We highlight the political implications of how social structures shape and control our space and take a long-term historical perspective on how the urban landscape evolves through cycles.

More Info: morusnyc.org.

The New Museum Founded in 1977, the New Museum is a leading destination for new art and new ideas. It is Manhattans only dedicated contemporary art museum and is respected internationally for the adventurousness and global scope of its curatorial program. Lower East Side

The Ukrainian Museum open Wed-Sun. Collections of Ukranian folk art, fine art, and extensive compendium of archival materials. Afterwards, browse the small are of “Little Ukraine” on 6th and 7th Streets b/w 1st and 3rd Aves and wander the East Village.

Museum Of American Finance

• The museum is currently closed as it is seeking a new home

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 be a finance expert 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 and the $100,000 bill to the room of Alexander Hamilton, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

You are welcome to join 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.

• Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for kids six years old and younger. Also, note that the museum no longer offers free admission on Saturdays.

The inside of Museum of American Finance.

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The Museum Of Modern Art

Home to world-renowned paintings like Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night, Claude Monets Water Lilies and notable works by Warhol, Basquiat and Dali, its no wonder MoMA is constantly crowded with happy visitors.

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

Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture

Located in Harlem, this is one of the worlds top institutions devoted to the preservation and exhibition of materials focused on African American and African experiences.

They have over 10 million objects, artifacts, documents, recordings, art pieces, and more.

Find out more information here.

The Shomburg Center is a stop on several of our tours of Harlem, including our GPS-led audio tour.

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Alexander Hamilton Grange National Memorial

This house dating from 1802 was the home of Alexander Hamilton, one of Americas Founding Fathers and founder of the U.S. Treasury system.

You can see historically furnished rooms either on a ranger-guided tour and talk or on your own.

See their website for more information.

TIP: To see where he is buried, and hear about his duel with Aaron Burr, you can join our pay-what-you-wish Lower Manhattan Tour or explore on your own with our GPS-led audio tour.

New York City Museums The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art contains more than 2 million works spanning 5,000 years and is the number one attraction in New York City, counting over 5 million visitors annually. Even those who think Art or Museums are not their thing can spend days here and still not experience a small portion of their art collections, famous exhibits, special events, multiple restaurants, rooftop garden, live music, museum tours and much more!

As of 2018, the Met Suggested Contribution policy only applies to NY State residents as well as NY, NJ, CT students.

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Unique Cool Museums In Nyc That Deserve A Stop

New York City has some of the best museums in the country and world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the 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 enormous dinosaur skeleton in AMNH. It is also full of smaller but cooler spots that, though they dont share the fame as their counterparts, also deserve a stop.

National Museum Of Mathematics

• Location: 11 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010

• Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

For parents who want to build a strong mathematical foundation for their kids, spend a day or afternoon at the National Museum of Mathematics, or MoMath by Madison Square Garden. Through hands-on interactive exhibits, your little ones will learn concepts like pi, kinetics, shapes, hyperboloids, fractals, and parabolas.

Highlights in the museum include a square-wheeled trike, the Twisted Thruway and Hoop Curves!, one of our favorites. It asks you to use statistics to help a robotic basketball shooter put a ball into the hoop.

• Admission is currently $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, students, and children over two. Members can visit for free.

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Updates And Changes To Museum Galleries And Facilities

Galleries Open for Visitors

• New York Metropolis HallThe World Trade Center, Henry DiSpirito: Stonemason to Sculptor, Ice Ages, Black Capital: Harlem in the 1920s, Art for the People: Decorated Stoneware from the Weitsman Collection, and more!
• Adirondack HallAdirondack Wilderness, Beneath the City: An Archaeological Perspective of Albany, a small fort, which our people call Fort Orange, Artifacts for Activism, Minerals of New York, and more!

Museum Store In New York Ny

Open daily 10 AM5 PM

For more than 20 years, the Museum Store of the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian has served as New York Citys premier destination to purchase authentic Native American merchandise. The store features items from a wide representation of Native groups, offering apparel, art, literature, jewelry, food, and more for all ages. Members of the museum receive a 10 percent discount for purchases made at the store. Selected books, music, and gifts are also available via our online bookstore and the Smithsonian Store.

The site of the Museum Store historically served as the Cashiers Office of the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, now a city landmark. The renovation of the space preserves original details like antique metal dividers for the cashiers cages, and design flourishes, such as intricate crown molding, grand chandeliers, and even the original vault used by the cashiers.

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