New York City is known for its rich cultural history and diverse population, which has contributed to a vibrant and dynamic culture. New York museums are world-renowned, and so are its galleries and cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Overall, the museums in New York City are a major part of the city’s cultural landscape and offer something for everyone, whether you are interested in art, history, science, or culture.
How long should I spend in each New York museum?
Here is a list of some museums in New York City and the average suggested time to spend in each. Note: make sure to double check most up to date ticket price on each museum website.
| Museum | Main Theme | Average Suggested Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | Art | 3 hours | Suggested donation |
| American Museum of Natural History | Natural history | 3 hours | Suggested donation |
| Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | Modern art | 3 hours | $25 |
| Guggenheim Museum | Modern and contemporary art | 2 hours | $25 |
| Whitney Museum of American Art | American art | 2 hours | $25 |
| The Museum at FIT | Fashion | 2 hours | Free |
| Brooklyn Museum | Art | 3 hours | Suggested donation |
| New York Historical Society | History | 2 hours | Suggested donation |
| Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum | Design | 2 hours | Suggested donation |
| New York City Fire Museum | Firefighting | 1 hour | Suggested donation |
| The Frick Collection | Art | 2 hours | $22 |
| The New York Botanical Garden | Botany | 3 hours | $28 |
| The New York Hall of Science | Science | 3 hours | $22 |
| The New-York Historical Society Museum & Library | History | 2 hours | Suggested donation |
| The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum | Military history, aviation, and space | 3 hours | $33 |
| The Museum of the City of New York | New York City history | 2 hours | Suggested donation |
Please note that these are just suggestions and the actual amount of time you spend at each museum may vary depending on your interests and how much time you have available. It’s also worth noting that some museums may have extended hours or special events that could affect the amount of time you spend there.
The top museums of New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or “the Met,” is the largest art museum in the United States, and one of the most visited in the world. Founded in 1870, the Met’s collection contains over 2 million works of art, spanning 5,000 years of world culture. The museum’s collection is divided into 17 departments, including American Decorative Arts, European Paintings, and the Costume Institute.
One of the Met’s most popular exhibits is the Costume Institute, which is home to over 35,000 costumes and accessories. The institute’s collection is considered one of the most comprehensive in the world and includes clothing, accessories, and textiles from the 15th century to the present day. The Met also regularly hosts special exhibitions, such as the Costume Institute’s annual exhibition, which focuses on the work of a specific designer or theme.
The Met offers a variety of tours, including daily tours, theme tours, and audio tours. Visitors can also download the Met’s mobile app, which provides self-guided tours and information about the museum’s collection.
The American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the oldest and largest natural history museums in the world. Founded in 1869, the museum’s collection contains over 34 million specimens and artifacts, including fossils, minerals, and cultural artifacts. The museum’s collection is divided into several departments, including Anthropology, Paleontology, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the Rose Center for Earth and Space, which is home to the Hayden Planetarium. The planetarium offers visitors an immersive experience of the universe, including a space show that explores the latest discoveries in astronomy. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions, such as the Butterfly Conservatory, which allows visitors to observe live butterflies from around the world.
The American Museum of Natural History offers a variety of tours, including daily tours, theme tours, and audio tours. Visitors can also download the museum’s mobile app, which provides self-guided tours and information about the museum’s collection.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is one of the most important museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. Founded in 1929, the museum’s collection contains over 200,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. The museum’s collection is divided into several departments, including Painting and Sculpture, Drawings, and Prints and Illustrated Books.
One of the MoMA’s most popular exhibits is the painting and sculpture collection, which includes works by some of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Warhol. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions, such as the annual contemporary art exhibition, which focuses on the work of emerging artists.
The MoMA offers a variety of tours, including daily tours, theme tours, and audio tours. Visitors can also download the MoMA’s mobile app, which provides self-guided tours and information about the museum’s collection.
The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum, also known as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, is an internationally renowned art museum located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Founded in 1939, the museum’s collection contains over 7,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The museum’s collection is divided into several departments, including 19th and Early 20th-Century Art, and Contemporary Art.
One of the Guggenheim’s most popular exhibits is the collection of works by the famous American artist, Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum’s building, designed by Wright himself, is considered an architectural masterpiece and is a popular attraction in its own right. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions, such as retrospectives of famous artists and thematic exhibitions.
The Guggenheim offers a variety of tours, including daily tours, theme tours, and audio tours. Visitors can also download the Guggenheim’s mobile app, which provides self-guided tours and information about the museum’s collection.
A 3 day tour of New York museums, for Museum enthusiasts
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 3-day trip to New York City focused on museums:
Day 1:
- Morning: Start your day by visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spend some time exploring the museum’s vast collection of art, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern masterpieces.
- Afternoon: After visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, make your way to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Spend some time exploring the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by artists such as Van Gogh, Warhol, and Monet.
- Evening: In the evening, head to the Whitney Museum of American Art for a tour of the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary American art.
Day 2:
- Morning: Start your second day in New York by visiting the American Museum of Natural History. Explore the museum’s vast collection of natural history specimens and artifacts, including dinosaur skeletons and meteorites.
- Afternoon: After visiting the American Museum of Natural History, make your way to the Guggenheim Museum for a tour of the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art.
- Evening: In the evening, head to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum for a tour of the museum’s collection of decorative arts, design, and technology.
Day 3:
- Morning: Start your final day in New York by visiting the Brooklyn Museum. Explore the museum’s collection of art and cultural artifacts, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary art.
- Afternoon: After visiting the Brooklyn Museum, make your way to the New York City Police Museum for a tour of the museum’s collection of police artifacts and memorabilia.
- Evening: In the evening, head to the New York Transit Museum for a tour of the museum’s collection of subway and transit artifacts.
Overall, this itinerary will allow you to experience some of the city’s top museums and cultural institutions, while still leaving room for flexibility and personal exploration.
