The Statue Of Liberty & Ellis Island Museum
A gift from France on Americas 100th birthday, Lady Liberty is a shining beacon welcoming visitors to the U.S. Make a reservation to tour the statues interior and climb to the top of the seven pointed crown.
Also stop by Ellis Island, where youll learn about the various waves of immigration, see personal belongings and hear captivating stories of those who made the journey to America. Today the descendants of those immigrants account for almost half of the American people.
Before you write off Ellis Island as a boring history book, make a visit first. I went on a school trip years ago and it was well worth an afternoon.
Location: Take Statue Cruises to Ellis Island, boats depart from Battery Park in NY.
Hours: Ferries 9am 5pm daily, extended summer hours.
Cost: $18 ferry fee + $25 for Ellis Island hospital tour + $3 to hike to the crown
The 15 Best Art Museums In Nyc To Visit Right Now
Youre looking for the best art museums in NYC, but what does that mean? What makes a great art museum?
Whether its the paintings on the walls, the historic halls, or the feeling of having your perspectives challenged, New York Citys art institutions inspire millions of visitors every year. From collections of ancient art and medieval tapestries to contemporary artists and incredible installations, NYC is home to some of the most important art collections on Earth.
You might be planning a trip to the Big Apple or an afternoons cultural browsing in the city. Perhaps you just want to explore the best art museums in NYC from afar. Either way, read on for the official list.
New York Transit Museum
A huge city, it goes without saying that life in New York would almost be impossible without its amazing subway system connecting all the different neighborhoods together. Subterranean tunnels crisscross the city and the New York Transit Museum is devoted to telling the story of the subway.
The museum looks at its long history and what it may look like in the future. With artifacts, art, and models on show, the museum is a surprisingly interesting and worthwhile place to visit.
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The Bronx Museum Of The Arts
Founded in 1971, the Bronx Museum presents innovative contemporary art exhibitions and is committed to promoting cross-cultural dialogues for diverse audiences. The museum reopens September 9 with Codeswitch, the first survey of quilt-based works by the New York-based interdisciplinary artist Sanford Biggers, as well as exhibits such as José Parlá: Its Yours. Admission is free but advanced reservations are required.
New York Museum Of Modern Art
If you have a taste for modern art and artifacts, head to the Museum of Modern Art , it consists of a trail of modern and contemporary artworks comprising of drawings, paintings, works of design, prints, illustrations, books, and electronic media. Archives contain source material that helps the world understand the world and the origins of modern art. Since 1939 the museum has been involved at multiple stages for modern art events and conjunction. The first major drive to prominence came through Picasso retrospective. Between 1983 to 2014, the museum had already doubled up the gallery space and became 630,000 square feet of art space. Like all the other art museums, they indulge in temporary exhibits as well across their period, and you can add this in your list of 10 best museums in New York. An additional 47000 square feet of space will be added. More than 200,000 works will be on display. The motive is to add artworks from women artists, Asian artists, and minority communities. The total cost of expansion is estimated to be around $450 million. General admission is priced at $25.
Few of the highlighted artworks include-
- Paul Cezanne, The Bather
- Vincent van Gogh, The Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background.
- Giorgio De Chirico, Love Song.
Timings- 10 AM to 6:00 PM
Location- 11 West 53rd Street New York, N.Y. 10019
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Metropolitan Museum Of Art
A visit to the Metropolitan Museum in New York is more than just an ordinary visit to an art museum. With more than 2 million artworks that span from more than 5,000 years, visitors will soon realize this institution is very special. Exhibits are spread out over 2,000,000 square feet of floor space. That makes it the largest art museum in the United States. The museum is a must-visit and is perfect for families with kids. The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents the best of art history from around the world.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located at the 9/11 National Memorial and is probably one of the most emotional museums in New York. It is mostly located underground and displays debris from the former Twin Towers in addition to many of the personal belongings of those buried. Among them are fire trucks deformed by heat, a part of the antenna of the North Tower, a scorched elevator motor, the saving stone staircase as well as remains of sidewalks, street signs, bicycles and baby carriages that were in front of the World Trade Center.
The Studio Museum In Harlem
Reopening in 2023
Harlems Studio Museum has come a long way. Opened in a space above a liquor store by a group of dedicated artists, local business owners, and Harlem residents in 1968, the Studio Museum is one of the best museums in the United States dedicated to Black culture and artists of African descent.
Having found its place at the table with NYCs best art museums over the years, it needed a for-purpose home worthy of its status, and work continues on the Studio Museums multi-million dollar site on 125th Street.
The museum celebrates the work of established artists as well as up-and-comers. The permanent collection boasts thousands of pieces, including everything from drawings and prints to photographs and installations, all by Black American artists and members of the African diaspora.
The museums renowned artist-in-residence program offers three 11-month residencies each year, and many of these artists have gone on to forge hugely successful careers.
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Museum Of Chinese In America
MOCA is housed in a spacious former machine shop redesigned to represent a traditional Chinese house with a central courtyard and radial rooms and screened space.
Begun as a Chinatown History Project, the museum traces the development of the Chinese community in America, from the early stories operating laundromats and restaurants, to Chinese stereotypes and the humiliation endured by Chinese Americans in World War II.
Theres also a small wing showcasing temporary exhibitions and Chinatown walking tours to explore the best of the areas food and history.
Location: 215 Centre Street
Hours: Open Tues Sun: 11am 6pm, Thurs: until 9pm, Mon: Closed
Cost: $10 adults
The Famous Nyc Museums
There are many famous museums in New York City. The five on our list are probably best-known. If this was a popularity contest, one of them would definitely be crowned as the best museum in NYC.
However, all of them have their particular charm in the way they are designed and organized. Depending on your interests, you might disagree with the majority of museum visitors. But, you are sure to find at least one museum you like among these.
The American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world. It has 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain over 33 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts.
Its one of the best-known museums in the world. Only a portion of its collection is displayed at any given time. This guarantees that your visit will be a unique experience.
Planning to go? You can get your tickets in advance here.
The MET Metropolitan Museum of Art
The MET is the largest art museum in the United States. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among seventeen curatorial departments.
Lines to get into the MET can be long, especially on the weekend. Not to worry, you can skip them by getting your ticket in advance.
MoMA Museum of Modern Art
Dont wait in line, get your ticket in advance here.
The Guggenheim
Whitney Museum
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Museum Of The Moving Image
Housed in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios, Museum of the Moving Image is the only museum in the U.S. that is devoted exclusively to the history, art, and technology of movies, television, and video. In addition to many significant artifacts, there are panels held frequently to discuss current movies.
If you are a Muppets fan, there is also an ongoing exhibition about Jim Henson, featuring historic puppets, cool old TV footage, drawings, and even some interactive projects where you can try your hands at being a puppeteer.
Overall, its not a huge museum, so you wont feel overwhelmed. Plus, there is a modern cafe and gift shop, where you can take a quick break and bring home one or two gifts.
Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum is the only floating museum in NYC. You will find a wide array of historically significant military and maritime vehicles as well as a collection of museum ships on this aircraft carrier which is docked on the Hudson River. This is great for kids and adults alike as it discusses and shows a wide variety of artifacts regarding the US military and maritime history.
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The Jewish Museum is more than 100 years old and contains an impressive collection of art and religious exhibits from the past 4,000 years. With 27,000 exhibits, the museums significance is the most unique in the United States for the Jewish community and people of all cultural backgrounds.
New Yorks smallest museum and an absolute insider tip: Here a freight elevator was converted into a museum. The exhibits are treasures from all over the world that present their view of life. In short: Small miracles more really doesnt fit in the elevator. A view through the window is possible at any time of the day or night but this museum is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 6 pm.
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The New York City Fire Museum
Found at a former firehouse in SoHo, this unique 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 here, 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.
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Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students, seniors, and children over two. Buy your tickets here.
Where To Stay In Corning
Looking for somewhere to stay in Corning, New York? I enjoyed my stay at the Radisson Hotel Corning, which is located near downtown and a short walk from the museum. The Hilton Garden Inn and Staybridge Suites hotels are located even closer to the museum.
Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out the waterfalls near Ithaca, Hector Falls, TripEnd Brewing, and Taughannock Falls.
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Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
Founded in 1897, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is home to innovative exhibitions, educational programmes and online resources.
The Smithsonian museum boasts one of the worlds most diverse and comprehensive design collections, with more than 210,000 objects spanning 30 centuries. These include drawings, prints, graphic design, product design, decorative arts and textiles. Located in New Yorks Carnegie Mansion, this top museum covers four floors of galleries dedicated to design.
Carolyn Royston, chief experience officer of Cooper Hewitt, spoke to blooloop about merging digital and physical elements to create an integrated visitor experience.
The Best Art Exhibitions In Nyc
With all of these museums in mind , theres a constant calendar of exhibitions that you wont want to miss in NYC. Some of these temporary displays last for long periods, while others are more fleeting events.
With rare opportunities to see artist retrospectives and loans from institutions worldwide, its always worth checking whats on before deciding on which New York art museum to spend your money on. Check out the list below for an up-to-date collection of New Yorks best exhibitions.
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New York Historical Society
Nearby is the New York Historical Society, an unlikely name for a museum. The Museum focuses on exhibitions that showcase New Yorks rich history and is currently running Holiday Express trains and Superheroes in Gotham features. I meant to come here last year for an event but had a conflict. So, Ive never been in person but its definitely on my list!
Location: 170 Central Park West
Hours: Open Tues Thurs, Sat: 10am 6pm, Fri: until 8pm. Sun: 11am 5pm
Cost: $20
Intrepid Sea Air And Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space museum focus on American military and maritime history and consists of a collection of ships in New York. The primary showcase includes the USS Intrepid Aircraft carrier, USS Growler submarine, a Concorde SST, and a Lockheed A 12 Supersonic plane with a Space Shuttle Enterprise. The museum is one of the few modern-day museums started in the year 1982. The Space Shuttle Enterprise was shifted in the year 2011. Several selected exhibits include planes like F16, MiG 21, British Airways Concorde, MiG 17, US Navy exhibits used since World War II. The museum also serves as a place for annual Fleet Week events, and space is used for various community and national events, including the 2014 Super Bowl. Add this museum in your list of 10 best museums in New York to visit the collection of ships and to know more about maritime history.
Timings- 10 AM to 5:00 PM
Location- 12th Avenue and 46th Street, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
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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.
The Morgan Library & Museum
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a multimillionaire? Lets take it a step further, are you also a bookworm who knows how to appreciate rare books? If yes, then I have the spot for you.
The Morgan Library & Museum allows visitors to step inside the private library of J.P. Morgan, equipped with three floors of metal-enclosed walnut bookshelves, the fact that Morgan made this public after his death bewilders and excites me immensely.
Inside the confines of this breathtaking library is one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, handwritten score from Bach, and a plethora of books worth more than some of us will make in a lifetime.
Must see: Henry David Thoreau, 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
Image courtesy: Graham Haber
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Museum Of The City Of New York
The Museum of the City of New York , a history and art museum in Manhattan, was founded in 1923 by Henry Collins Brown. The museum was originally housed in Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City. MCNYs current home on Fifth Avenue was completed in 1932.
This top New York museums collection contains approximately 750,000 objects, including prints, photographs, decorative arts, costumes, sculptures, toys and paintings.
Whitney Donhauser has served as director and president of the Museum of the City of New York since 2016. I think our ability to capture the excitement of New York and to be a thought leader for everything around New York, is all building towards that celebration, she told blooloop.
Header image courtesy of MoMA
Bea Mitchell
Unique Cool Museums In Nyc That Deserve A Stop
| 10 Min Read | Updated: September 18, 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.
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