Spending time at one of the numerous museums in Brooklyn is a terrific activity to do with the kids. Whether it’s a rainy day or you’re seeking a fun family outing, there are all sorts of indoor and outdoor exhibits you can discover here.
There are well known Brooklynmuseums as well as a few concealed gems where you can learn all about the history and culture of the city. If that’s not your thing, there are several art and sciencemuseums in Brooklyn, many of which will appeal to all ages.
To help you plan your visit, I’m sharing the 10 most notable museums in Brooklyn, NY, so you can find the ideal place to go for educational and entertaining purposes.
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1. Bushwick Collective, the best free art museum in Brooklyn
The Bushwick Collective is one of the coolest art exhibits in Brooklyn. This outside gallery is in the creative Bushwick neighborhood and highlights public works by local, nationwide, and global street musicians. Since its inception in 2011, the Collective has expanded and inspired the world of graffiti and street art.
Strolling along Jefferson and Troutman Streets reveals walls covered in colorful sweeping designs, somber black and white portraits, and lighthearted creations tackling social issues amongst other themes. Among famous artists like Banksy and Blek le Rat, you may additionally discover new creators you enjoy.
Additionally, if you visit during the summer season, you can participate in the yearly street art showcase event, a community festival including art, music, cuisine, and vendors.
The Bushwick Collective is considered one of the top free museums located in NYC, but this guided excursion is also worthwhile, especially if you have an interest in Brooklyn`s street art scene. It`s considered one of the top walking trips in NYC and takes visitors past some of the most vibrant murals and graffiti works found within the city.
2. Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the best museum in Brooklyn for kids
Within the Crown Heights neighborhood, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum serves as another premier museum in Brooklyn. It was the first children’s museum established in the country, and it continues to be one of the best hands-on institutions for younger kids.
Through hands-on exhibits, children can gain knowledge about diverse cultures around the world, as well as New York`s history. Distinct areas are also dedicated to toddlers, a giant maze, and an outdoor playground containing elements teaching kids about science and technology.
Up on the rooftop, you can go ice skating and explore the art gallery and participate in creative activities. Overall, this is a fun museum in Brooklyn for a day out with the family, especially if you’re looking for things to do with younger ones.
Additionally, belonging as one of the most excellent museums in NYC, the institute hosts community activities, collectively workshops at its communal garden and greenhouse. It’s too encompassed inside the New York Pass, one of the most excellent NYC attraction passes, and admission is complimentary on Thursdays from 2-5 pm.
3. Brooklyn Museum, a popular art museum in Brooklyn, NY
The Brooklyn Museum is among the largest museums in all of NYC, housed in an impressive Beaux Arts-style edifice with ornamental iron accents and glass skylights. The remainder of the museum is equally striking, containing approximately half a million cultural and historical items from worldwide.
From depictions and sketches to sculptures and photographs, this place possesses some of the most beautiful art exhibitions in Brooklyn. You can see works by modern masters like O’Keeffe, Rockwell, and Rothko, as well as pioneers of the feminist art movement. The museum also has a popular Egyptian collection with classical ancient statues of Egyptian gods and goddesses.
The Islamic art displays also stand out due to the stunning Turkish rugs and tapestries. Here you can find the largest collection of African art within any American art museum, as well as decorative objects that span Europe, Japan, and Oceania.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a four-star resort directly overlooking Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. Truthfully, observing a building of such considerable size, at 34,200 square feet and with 500 rooms, in such a splendid natural setting bothered me.
4. Building 92, an interesting history museum in Brooklyn
Building 92 is a unique history museum in Brooklyn where you can gain knowledge about the city’s industrial growth throughout the years. It’s situated at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, adjacent to the East River, and this waterfront industrial park is home to over 450 businesses.
This location carries much economic influence for Brooklyn and the entire city. Inside the museum, the history of the Navy Yard and its contributions to urban sustainability in NYC are examined. Learn about its past, see what is happening there presently, and discover the plans for its future.
Building 92 at the Navy Yard currently houses a museum that offers visitors opportunities to explore exhibitions, take guided tours, and access archival materials chronicling the site`s history within the local community. This old naval shipbuilding factory has one section located in the former residence of the Marine Commandant. Over the years, various fighting vessels were launched from this structure, such as the USS Maine, USS Missouri, and USS Arizona.
Information about the Building 92 galleries can be found at the location, where visitors will discover art, site-specific installations, and historical artifacts.
5. The City Reliquary, a cultural museum in Brooklyn, New York City
The City Reliquary is another history museum in Brooklyn, characterized by interior spaces with floor-to-ceiling shelves crammed with unique artifacts. Among these curios and hidden gems, one can find all kinds of intriguing objects reflecting the city’s past.
This non-profit museum details the history of NYC’s five districts through cultural artifacts, memorabilia, and local relics. Some highlights include an exhibit dedicated to Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers, a collection of various Statue of Liberty figurines, and original objects from the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
Additionally, the City Reliquary hosts community events like workshops, film screenings, and artists’ talks, along with temporary exhibits throughout the year. Plus, this Brooklyn museum is in Williamsburg, one of the top neighborhoods in Brooklyn, so you can explore other attractions after visiting the Reliquary.
6. Jewish Children’s Museum, another great museum in Brooklyn for kids
The strong>Jewish Children`s Museum is situated in the focal point of Crown Heights, inside the Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidic local area. It`s the ideal spot for this Brooklynmuseum, which is the greatest of its kind in the U.S.
The museum aims to cultivate an inclusive environment that promotes understanding, acceptance, and awareness of Jewish heritage, culture, and way of life. Through exhibits and activities designed for children, visitors can learn about Jewish principles and traditions, such as Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Families can spend the day walking through a replica old-fashioned shtetl, exploring the calendar of Jewish holidays, and discovering intimate narratives from the Holocaust.
The museum additionally has a kosher dining establishment and cafe, a theater, and an arts and handicrafts center. Without uncertainty, this is among one of the superior museums in Brooklyn since it`s replete with data that can teach kids and grown-ups, as well as entertaining activities like a mini-golf course, rock climbing, and a game show studio.
General admission is $15, and kids under 2 are free. The museum is accessible Monday through Thursday from 10 am – 4 pm, and Sunday from 10 am – 5:30 pm.
7. Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, another top museum in Brooklyn
Within the Fort Greene neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) can be found. This Brooklyn museum is uniquely positioned as the initial institution of its kind in New York and aims to advance social change and shared values, amplify Black voices, and educate the public on sociopolitical issues within the African diaspora.
MoCADA achieves its goal through youth programs and community events, like the Soul of Brooklyn art performance series. The institute also hosts resident artists and features contemporary art galleries, including paintings, murals, audio recordings, and installations.
The displays at MoCADA span from vibrant celebrations of African culture to solemn social commentary on the Black Lives Matter movement, and much more. Individuals can take a guided tour of the museum or explore the exhibits independently. Admittance is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-17, and free for kids under 6.
8. Coney Island Museum, a fun museum in Brooklyn, New York City
Coney Island is one of the finest spots in NYC, but if you required another cause to visit, it’s to inspect the Coney Island Museum. This non-profit arts company was created to assist revitalize the Coney Island economy while promoting its history and culture. Inside, you’ll discover an enjoyable Brooklyn museum with all kinds of artifacts and leisure memorabilia. It’s one of the must-visit sites in Coney Island.
The artifacts chronicle the history of the Coney Island neighborhood, shoreline, and amusement pier. Some of the exhibits you’ll see feature carousel components like painted horses and animals, as well as vintage boardwalk signs, rare postcards, funhouse mirrors, and a mid-century photo booth.
The venue also has a theater where circus performers and acrobats showcase unusual stunts in their “Sideshows by the Seashore” presentation. This museum located in Brooklyn is open seasonally during the summer months, but merits a visit. Admission is reasonably priced at $5 for adults and $3 for children, and the museum also hosts the annual fanciful Coney Island Mermaid Parade.
9. New York Transit Museum, the best museum in Brooklyn for families
The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn is another cool museum that will appeal to children and adults. It’s located in Brooklyn Heights, in the old Court Street subway station, which is an ideal place for a museum of this kind.
Here, one can become acquainted with the New York City subway system, transport services, and rail routes through interactive displays, historical galleries, and tunnel souvenirs. Among the most impressive relics in this place, the collection of vintage buses stands out. You can also view the first air-conditioned bus in the U.S., a series of historic subway turnstiles, archival photographs, and old advertisements from prior buses and subway cars.
Overall, this is an excellent cultural center in Brooklyn to explore as a family unit, and it’s included in the New York Pass.
10. Weeksville Heritage Center, another history museum in Brooklyn, NYC
Another museum worth visiting in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood is the Weeksville Heritage Center. It specifically highlights Weeksville, which was one of the first free Black communities in the U.S. during the 19th century.
As one of the last continuing pre-Civil War Black communities, Weeksville played an important role in the abolitionist movement, with several organizations and associations. Today, you can take a guided tour through this preserved community, exploring the schools, churches, and residential buildings, some of which date back to eighteen hundred sixty.
This Brooklyn history museum also offers public programs and galleries featuring photographs, illustrations, sculptures, and a digital and oral historical collection. General admission is a mere $6, so be sure not to miss out.
That piece of writing covers the most excellent galleries situated in Brooklyn. Do not overlook to take a gander at the guide underneath so you can see accurately where each exhibition hall is found.
Of course, if you have any questions regarding these Brooklyn museums, or you’d like to share your experiences, feel free to leave me a comment. I’d appreciate hearing from you. Until then, have a fantastic trip!
