25 Best Museums in NYC (in 2024)

Museums in NYC are known as being some of the best in the world. Visiting these attractions should be on every list of things to do in NYC.

There are upwards of a hundred New York City museums. The collections within many of these museums are incredible. Most museums are easily reachable with public transportation. No matter where you stay in NYC, an interesting museum is never too far away.

Both of my parents grew up in New York City. So, I spent the better part of my life frequenting some of these popular museums.In this guide, I’ll help you find the perfect museum for your NYC trip and break down everything you need to know before you go. 

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25 Museums in New York City

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A world-famous foyer leading to the largest museum in the entire country.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $30 Adults, $22 Seniors, $17 Students, Free for Children Under 12 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Sun-Tue & Thu, 10 am – 9 pm Fri-Sat, Closed Wed

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often dubbed ‘the MET,’ is the largest museum in the United States. It’s known around the entire globe as holding one of the most massive art collections around. 

Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’ll find over two million artistic works that have been created over the past 5,000 years. There are so many art history pieces that it’s all divided up into 17 different departments. 

👉 Pro Tip: The MET is located right on the east side of Central Park between 79th and 84th. Since Central Park is also on many itineraries, try to combine both things on the same day. I’d recommend spending the morning exploring Central Park and then making your way to the MET in the afternoon. 

American Museum of Natural History

A family favorite featuring informative exhibits that cover everything in the natural world.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website  | Cost: $28 Adults, $16 Children | Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm Daily

The Museum of Natural History is an informative museum that has all different types of permanent exhibits, such as the dinosaur floor, the ocean life room, and the space section. There are also special, seasonal collections like the sharks and extinct and endangered exhibits. 

The Natural History Museum takes the things that we’ve only seen in books or movies and brings them to life. It’s really fun for most types of travelers. However, if you’re visiting New York City with your family, you’ve got to make time for this museum. 

The American Museum of Natural History was definitely one of my top choices when I was growing up. As an adult, it still manages to carry on that same allure. 

👉 Pro Tip: Be sure to check out the gift shop at the American Museum of Natural History before you leave. There are some really cool souvenirs inside that correlate to their special exhibits.  

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

A distinguished modern art museum in NYC with stand-out spiral architecture .

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $30 Adults, $19 Students & Seniors, Free for Children Under 12 | Hours: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm Daily

This modern art museum is often called “The Guggenheim.” It holds several invaluable works from famous artists. Inside, you’ll from Rousseau’s ‘The Football Players’ painting and Edgar Degas’ ‘Spanish Dance’ sculpture. 

The Guggenheim is also known for something besides the masterpieces inside. It’s recognized for its one-of-a-kind, almost space-like architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright. Between the unique twisty, spiral architecture and the spectacular art pieces inside, The Guggenheim is truly an amazing museum.

The Museum of Modern Art

A midtown landmark with a modern art collection ranging from Warhol to Picasso.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $28 Adults, $20 Seniors, $15 Students, Free Under 16 | Hours: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm Sun-Fri, 10:30 am -7 pm Sat

Many of the art galleries in New York City showcase millennia of art history, but the Museum of Modern Art delves more into artists from after the 19th century. There are over 120,000 pieces inside. 

All of the famous artists that you learned about back in your school days have their artwork showcased in the MoMa.  Pablo Picasso, Henri Mattise, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keefe. The list goes on and on. 

It’s one of those museums that people love, even if they’re not the biggest art fan. It’s a must-see for any type of traveler. Adults and kids alike can have a fantastic afternoon at the MoMA. 

👉 Pro Tip: The MoMa is located only a couple of blocks away from the famous Radio City Music Hall where the Rockettes perform, one of the best NYC music venues. It’s easy to mosey on over after you’ve explored all the contemporary art pieces.

New York Transit Museum

A peek into the history of NYC transportation inside an old subway car.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $10 Adults, $5 Children | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Thu-Sun, Closed Mon-Wed

The New York Transit Museum showcases the incredible impact that public transportation has had on New York history. Public transportation in New York City is a life in and of itself. It makes sense there’s a whole museum dedicated to it!

The New York Transit Museum is actually located inside a subway car that was retired in 1936. Inside, you’ll find a variety of objects that commemorate the region’s transportation. Things like equipment that was used to construct subway tunnels, and directional signs from way back in the day. 

The New York Transit Museum is a top-notch collection for any transit history buff or New York aficionado. 

Brooklyn Museum

A chance to discover modern and ancient art from different cultures around the world .

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $20 Adults, Free for Ages 19 and Under | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Wed-Sun

The Brooklyn Museum is the third largest museum in New York City with over 1.5 million works of art. Namely, it has one of the finest collections of Egyptian art in the world, but there is a wide array of art pieces from different cultures here. 

The sheer size of the collection at the Brooklyn Museum makes it a must-visit. 

👉 Pro Tip: Plan on visiting a bunch of museums during your NYC trip? The best time to visit New York City to see the museums is during the extra hot or extra cold seasons. Otherwise, you might find yourself looking out the window the whole time wishing you were outside exploring the streets. 

Whitney Museum of American Art

A collection of over 25k pieces from thousands of 20th century and modern artists .

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $30 Adults, Free for Children Under 18 | Hours: 10:30 am – 6 pm, Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun, 10:30 am – 10 pm Fri, Closed Tue

Many people see famous art pieces and assume their creator is long gone. At the Whitney Museum, however, you’ll find an enormous gallery of contemporary American art from after the 20th century. Many of the artists whose pieces fill the Whitney Museum are even still alive today. 

If you or one of your travel companions are a budding artist hoping to catch your big break in this century, the Whitney Museum is a fantastic stop. It makes you feel seen and gives you a true sense of what it means to be one of today’s contemporary artists.

👉 Pro Tip: The Whitney Museum is located in the Meatpacking District. The Rubin Museum of Art and the Museum at FIT are all also located in the Meatpacking District within walking distance. So, if you’re in a time crunch, you can fit all these museums into a single day. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

A 52-acre garden in the heart of the Brooklyn borough with 12,000 different types of plants and a yearly cherry blossom festival.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $18 Adults, Free Under Age 12  | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of New York City’s most versatile green spaces. It features thousands of plant species from around the globe and a gorgeous Japanese-style garden. There is even a desert climate room with plants from places like Peru to Madagascar [ source]. The goal of the garden is to help educate people on plants, conservation, and the environment.

The best time to visit this NYC garden is late April when the cherry blossoms come into bloom. However, there is always beautiful foliage here throughout the year and you can find out which plants are currently in bloom on the Museum Website.

👉 Pro Tip: Brooklyn Botanic Garden has a ‘pay what you wish’ policy between December to February. This makes it a solid budget activity in NYC during the winter.

Tenement Museum

A well-preserved 1800s building that tells the stories of NYC immigrants in the Lower East Side.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $30 for Tours | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Thu, 10 am – 6 pm Fri-Sun

New York City has been home to millions of immigrants from all over the world. Today, the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side serves to share and remember the stories of immigrants who built their lives in Manhattan. 

It’s located inside a preserved tenement building from 1863, which makes you really feel like you’re stepping back in time. The Tenement Museum shines a light on the influence the tenement residents had on America’s national identity.

I’d highly recommend that everyone visit the Tenement Museum if they haven’t been before. It really gives you a vivid glimpse into the experience of immigrants that lived in New York City years ago. To get the full experience, I’d recommend embarking on one of the museum tours for $30. 

The National September 11 Memorial Museum 

A touching memorial and museum dedicated to victims and heroes of the 9/11 tragedy.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $33 Adults, $27 Students, $21 Children | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Wed-Mon, Closed Tue

September 11 was one of the most tragic events in recent American history, and it happened right in the heart of New York City.

Thinking about 9/11 might not be at the top of your ‘NYC vacation to-do list’ but it’s important to take time to visit the National September 11 Memorial Museum. To pay your respects and learn a little more about the events of that day.

While you’re there, take a few moments to see the 9/11 memorial. It’s a simple but haunting tribute that gives you a real sense of the hole that the tragedy left in New York’s heart. 

👉 Pro Tip: While most New York museums are fun to roam around by yourself, I recommend taking a tour to visit the September 11 Memorial Museum. Such as this One World Observatory plus 9/11 Tribute Museum Guided Tour. You’ll definitely learn more. Plus, this particular tour comes with firsthand accounts and a stop at all 3 observatory levels.

The Jewish Museum 

Explore contemporary and traditional art pieces from Jewish culture .

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $18 Adults, $8 Students, Free for Children Under 18 | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Thu, 11 am – 4 pm Fri, 11 am – 6 pm Sat-Mon, Closed Tue & Wed

The Jewish Museum features an abundance of cultural artifacts and art pieces from Jewish culture. It’s located on the Upper East Side next to Central Park. 

That’s a broad description that includes a bunch of different things. There are more ancient and traditional pieces for religious ceremonies and martial traditions. But, their temporary exhibitions also feature contemporary Jewish artwork. 

Museum of the City of New York

Walk through the history of the Big Apple since its inception.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $20 Adults, Free for Ages 19 and Under | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Thu, Fri, Mon, 10 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Tue & Wed

Museums in New York City cover a lot of different topics, but the Museum of the City of New York will give you a run-down of NYC history itself.

The museum maintains a vast collection of artifacts that establish a clear timeline of New York City since it was founded in 1624. 

There are a bunch of different exhibitions, each dedicated to unique facets of New York. Like “New York at its Core” and “Activist New York”. However, the exhibits can change depending on when you visit. It’s one of the best museums in New York because it gives you a proper introduction to the city. 

Rubin Museum of Art

A stunning display of artwork of cultural pieces from Tibet, the Himalayas, Central Asia, and more.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $19 Adults, $14 Students, Free for Children Under 12 | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thu, Sat, Sun, 11 am – 10 pm Fri, Closed Mon-Wed

The Rubin Museum of Art displays art from a variety of Asian cultures and parts of the world. However, there’s a special focus on art from the Himalayan region in its permanent collection. 

Inside this New York City art museum, you’ll find all mediums of art like paintings, textiles, and sculptures. It does a beautiful job of highlighting artistic works from these cultures.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

This Upper West Side museum offers four floors of educational interactive playrooms and fun classes for ages 0 to 6.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $16.75 Adults & Children  | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon

Visiting the Children’s Museum of Manhattan in the Upper West Side is one of the best activities for families traveling with young kids in New York City. There are four floors of hands-on installations and fun educational experiences that are ideal for children under the age of six. 

Each room has a theme. Think of everything from an H20 exhibition to a superhero experience, and the spaces are changed frequently to keep things interesting. The museum also hosts several early childhood classes focused on things like science, art, language, and more. 

👉 Pro Tip: Discounted admission to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is available for teachers, active duty military, EBT holders, and more. For more info, check out the Museum Website.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

A tribute to American military and maritime history aboard an aircraft carrier on the Hudson River.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $36 Adults (Over Age 13), $26 Children (5-12), Free for Children Under 5 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Daily

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is another great museum option for families with kids. The museum is located on Pier 86 along the Hudson River on an aircraft carrier called the USS Intrepid. It delves into American military and maritime history. 

The museum features other interesting pieces besides the Intrepid. Like the cruise missile submarine called the USS Growler and the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

The Morgan Library & Museum 

A giant Harry Potter-reminiscent library showcasing rare books, manuscripts, and accessories .

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $28.50 Adults, $15.50 Students Free for Children Under 12 | Hours: 10:30 am – 5 pm, Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun, 10:30 am – 7 pm Fri, Closed Mon

The Morgan Library & Museum is one of my top recommendations for people who like reading, books, or even just the experience of being in a grand library. Grand truly is the only way to describe it.

The Morgan Library cares for a collection of over 330,000 literary pieces, medieval manuscripts, reference books, and more. 

After wandering the book sanctuary and maybe snapping a few pictures for Instagram, make sure you stop by the gift shop before you leave. There are a bunch of neat books, reproductions, cards, and other items you can buy here.

👉 Pro Tip: The Morgan Library and Museum is free every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Reservations are required and can be made on the Museum Website up to one week in advance.

Museum of Sex

An adult-only gallery chronicling human sexuality over time in many eye-catching ways.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $36+ Adults | Hours: 1 pm – 10 pm Mon, Tue, Thu, 1 pm – 12 am Fri, 12 pm – 12 am Sat, 12 pm – 9 pm Sun, Closed Wed

The Museum of Sex is my favorite item on this entire list. Get your giggles out now, but I’m serious! Not only does the Museum of Sex spark up your interest with its attention-catching name, but it’s also just an awesome museum in general.

The Museum of Sex explores human sexuality through the years. It covers just about every facet of the sexual world you can imagine – some of the exhibits are thought-provoking, and others will make you laugh. Then, there will be those that stop you in your tracks. 

This is a super fun museum for a group of friends or young adults. However, it’s not the best option for families with kids. In fact, you have to be over 18 to visit the Museum of Sex. So save it for a gal’s trip!

Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration 

A former immigration processing station with passenger records and other relevant artifacts.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost (Ferry): $25+ Per Person | Hours: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm Daily

New York City’s Ellis Island was the entry point into America for over 12 million people. Today, it serves as a museum to remember this period of immigration and the people who passed through it.

You can find various relevant artifacts and passenger records at the museum. The statue of liberty is also right nearby. So, you’ll get to see two major pieces of history with your own eyes. 

I’d recommend visiting the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration as early as possible. It gets pretty crowded as the day goes on. Also, you’ll only be able to reach Ellis Island by boat. The ferry leaves from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. 

🎨 Love Museums? Check out our guides to museums in DC and museums in Chicago.

Museum of the Moving Image

An inside look at the history behind digital media, TV, and film with costumes and props from your favorite movies.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: $20 Adults, $12 Students, $10 Children | Hours: 2 pm – 6 pm Thu, 2 pm – 8 pm Fri, 12 pm – 6 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon-Wed

Movie fanatics, film students, and anyone who enjoys cinema, in general, will appreciate the Museum of the Moving Image. It’s located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, about 20 minutes away from Manhattan. 

The Museum of the Moving Image takes a look at the history of film in a very unique and interesting way.  As any museum about movie-making should. There are props and costumes from famous cinematic masterpieces. There are also interactive exhibits and sometimes even movie screenings. 

You should try to get your tickets in advance online. The tickets coordinate with specific timeslots based on availability. So, if this is at the top of your list, book in advance!

🍎 Don’t Miss: 21 Things to Know Before Visiting NYC

The National Jazz Museum

A quaint museum in Harlem that hosts live music and talks from knowledgeable figures in the jazz world.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: Pay What You Wish | Hours: 12 pm – 5 pm Thu-Sat, Closed Sun-Wed

The National Jazz Museum is a hidden gem museum in the Harlem neighborhood. The museum dives into Harlem’s rich music history through recorded tapes, photos, and detailed displays. Although it is one of the smaller museums in New York City, there is plenty of intriguing information here for jazz fans. 

The National Jazz Museum regularly holds events like concerts and speeches from music experts. Visitors can find the latest info about upcoming events on the museum’s event calendar.

MoMA PS1

A contemporary art institution and an affiliate of Manhattan’s MoMA in the heart of Long Island City. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $10 Adults, $5 Seniors 65+, $5 Students, Free under 16, Free for New York Residents | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Thu, Fri, Sun, Mon, 12 pm – 8 pm Sat, Closed Tue & Wed 

MoMA PS1 was founded in 1971 as a space for contemporary artists by converting an abandoned public school into an exhibition space. In 2001 it became an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art to promote innovative work by emerging artists.

MoMA PS1 is a hidden gem. This museum showcases performance art, huge installations, and experimental film. It’s known to capture younger audiences, with work routinely displayed by artists-in-residence.

The museum often changes its program schedule to give visitors a chance to see a range of contemporary art exhibitions. You’ll love MoMA PS1 if you’re a fan of unique art designed to promote emerging artists!

New Museum

A fascinating box-shaped museum hosting contemporary and modern art by lesser-known artists.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $22 General, $19 Seniors, $16 Students, Free for Members | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon

⚠️ Closure Note: The New Museum is temporarily closed and will be reopening in early 2025.

The New Museum is a contemporary art museum located between Bowery and the Lower East Side. The building’s unique architecture looks like stacked boxes, making it a hidden gem and one of the most eye-catching museums New York City has to offer. 

The New Museum was founded in 1977 and was the first museum in New York City devoted to contemporary art. It has since expanded to include public events, film, television, education, and performance works. 

You can catch different exhibits throughout the year. The most recent exhibit is the “Screen Series,” which is a platform to present new work by contemporary artists. The extensive digital archive allows you to enjoy past work in the form of publications, images, and exhibition descriptions. The museum is perfect for anyone who admires thought-provo.

SPYSCAPE

A fully interactive and immersive museum that explores the world of surveillance and spy technology.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $44 Adults, $37 Children, $79 Two Adults (Check website for ticket packages) | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm Mon-Sat, 10 am – 8 pm Sun

I visited SPYSCAPE recently and I was pleasantly surprised by how unique, fun, and interactive it was—even for adults! The museum is far more “new age” with a focus on technology compared to more traditional museums.

SPYSCAPE is my top recommendation for anyone interested in the history of spy technology. The museum is fully interactive, so you can enjoy thought-provoking “spy games” alongside learning.

One thing I enjoyed about this museum is how easy it is to spend hours here. There are interactive games like brain teasers and personality tests in addition to educational exhibits. Although this museum is kid-friendly, I do warn you—the games are challenging and designed for complex problem-solving!

Museum of Broadway

An interactive museum in the heart of Times Square that celebrates the rich history of Broadway. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $37-$47 General, $31.57 Children/Students | Hours: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Mon-Wed, 9:30 am – 6:30 pm Thu, Fri, Sun, 9:30 am – 8 pm Sat

The Museum of Broadway is a collaboration of designers, art historians, and artists to bring Broadway’s rich history to life. This fully immersive museum in Midtown Manhattan is perfect for anyone curious about what it takes to put on a Broadway show.

The museum has many different forms of art installations and takes you back to 1732 when Broadway had its first performance. You can expect to be presented with groundbreaking history through special exhibits. I highly recommend checking out The West Side Story Room, which has original pieces from the show.

The Museum of Broadway also has vintage photos, original costumes, and behind-the-scenes displays. There is so much to see here, so set aside 1-3 hours if you decide to visit. The museum sits next to The Lyceum Theatre, another famous NYC landmark worth checking out.

Fotografiska Museum

The New York City branch of the famed Swedish photography museum in Gramercy Park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Cost: $28 Adults, $18 Seniors/Students/Vets, Free Kids Under 12 | Hours: 10:30 am – 9 pm Sun-Thu, 10:30 am – 11 pm Fri & Sat

Fotografiska is one of the most beautiful buildings in New York City—it’s located in a Renaissance Revival building that’s sure to catch your eye. This is my top museum pick for anyone interested in photography, as the gallery is extensive. 

Contemporary art and photography are showcased at Fotografiska, and music plays throughout the galleries. There’s also a rotation of exhibits, which gives new artists the chance to show their work. 

Fotografiska is open much later than other NYC museums, so this is a great place for a date night. I recommend trying their restaurant Veronika for an incredible meal and gorgeous interior. Fotografiska is definitely a hidden gem!

👉 Pro Tip: Check site for early bird prices

FAQs About NYC Museums

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Thanks for checking out my guide! If it’s your first time visiting the state of New York, make sure you read our complete New York state travel guide. You’ll find lots of places to see, stay, and eat there.

Have fun exploring the history, culture, and contemporary art at the museums in New York! 

(Featured Image Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock)

– Lea Rose Allbaugh and Niamh Hayes contributed to this post