The Best Museums in New York City

The Best Museums in New York City

New York City is filled with curious minds, diverse cultural experiences, and world-class museums. For visitors from around the globe, the museums in New York City are second to none. The diversity in size, style, and scale means that there really is something for everyone. From the small, tucked away hidden gem of a museum, to the largest collections in the world, these are the museums of New York.
New York Transit Museum
New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is housed in a former subway station near Brooklyn's Borough Hall. Kids love this museum and it's small, so you can pass through it in about an hour and see the cars of a vintage subway train, or sit in the driver's seat of a city bus. The museum walks you through more than a century of transportation history in New York City.
99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This world-class museum has one of the most in depth collections of art, spanning more than 5,000 years and representing cultures from around the globe. This is one of the largest museums in the world and it features a wide variety of topics. Everything from fashion to photography, and ancient times is represented. For the best price and the least crowds, visit the museum early on a weekday.
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10028
Interested in more travel advice for New York City? Check out The Best Amusement Parks Near New York City and Religious Sites, Cathedrals, and Synagogues in New York City.
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is an American military and maritime history museum. It has an impressive collection of museum ships and they also offer planetarium shows as well as Astronomy Family Nights. The museum is located at Pier 86 at 46th Street, along the Hudson River, in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan.
Pier 86, W 46th St, Upper West Side, New York, NY, 10036
Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island, which is now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, was the primary entry point for immigrants coming to the United States from 1892 to 1954. The island consists of a park area and several buildings. The main building, which was the immigration port of entry, is now a museum which showcases the history of immigration into New York. Visitors can browse through the museum and see a variety of exhibits about the immigration experience and the history immigrants in New York and the U.S. The island can be reached as part of the ferry service that takes visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island that departs from Battery Park.
New York City, New York
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
This is one of the largest museums in the world and it is made up of 28 interconnected buildings that house 45 permanent exhibition halls. There's also a planetarium and a library. The museum's collection includes more than 33 million specimens of animals, plants, minerals, fossils, rocks, and more.
180 Central Park West, Lincoln Towers, NYC, New York, 10024
9/11 Memorial and Museum
9/11 Memorial and Museum
This memorial commemorates the tragic loss of life felt on September 11, 2001 when suicide-piloted planes flew into the two towers of the World Trade Center. More than 3,000 people were killed as a result of the attacks on that day. The memorial is designed with a series of cascading waterfalls, recessed pools, and bronze panels that show the names of those killed during the attacks. The museum shows photos, videos, and artifacts from the events. It is recommended you purchase tickets in advance to visit the memorial. You can also visit for free on Mondays between 3:30 and 5:00, but reservations are still required.
180 Greenwich Street, NYC, New York, 10007
The Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
This unique Long Island museum combines a grand mansion, a beautiful park, and a marine and natural history museum, as well as a planetarium. In addition to shows in the planetarium, there is also a rooftop observatory viewing every Friday night.
180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, Long Island, NY, 11721
Alice Austen House
Located in what was once the home of Alice Austen (1866 to 1952) this museum features about 8,000 photographs taken by this renowned photographer. The museum teaches visitors about her life's work and shows examples of her different styles of photography.
2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY, 10305
Interested in more travel advice for New York City? Check out Free Activities in Manhattan and Things to Do Just Outside of New York City.
The Skyscraper Museum
This museum focuses on the architecture and engineering of tall buildings. The exhibits educate visitors on the history, construction, and design of some of the city's most unique skyscrapers. There are also family programs and educational resources available.
39 Battery Pl, New York, NY, 10280
New York Hall of Science
This hands on science and technology museum has more than 400 exhibits that focus on biology, chemistry, and physics. It's perfect for kids and adults who are interested in engineering, math, and science. There are exhibits about robots, outer space, design, and light.
47-01 111th St, Queens, NY, 11368
Tenement Museum
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum located in a historic tenement house. Tours are available and visitors will learn about the personal stories of the individuals who once resided here. There are also neighborhood walk tours that teach about the Lower East Side community and how it was evolved through the years.
103 Orchard St, New York, NY , New York, NY, 10002
Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
MoMATH offers kids the opportunity to visualize math and engineering in a fun and playful way. There's a laser "wall", a Math Square, a Jumbotron, and more. Whether your kids love math or need a gentle nudge, this museum will bring it all to life.
11 E 26th St, New York, NY, 10010
The Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center
The Cradle of Aviation Museum is an aerospace museum that educates visitor's on Long Island's role in the history of aviation. The museum also has an attached planetarium, the JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium, which shows educational films that cover a number of topics including pre-historic sea monsters and galactic journeys. This museum is in Garden City, Long Island.
Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, Long Island, NY, 11530
Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town is an authentic town and farm museum on Staten Island. It's a living history museum that's part of La Tourette Park and it brings everyday life from the 19th century into today. Many of the buildings are historical structures and the staff make up the community of a 19th century small town, each representing a different trade.
441 Clarke Ave, Staten Island, NY, 10306
Interested in more travel advice for New York City? Check out The Best Science Museums in New York City and The 17 Best Children's Museums in New York City.
Staten Island Museum
This museum has a new facility in Snug Harbor that offers a number of art and natural history exhibits. This is the oldest museum on Staten Island, dating back to 1881 when it was begun by 14 environmentalists.
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY, 10301
DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New York Historical Society
This museum is designed with kids in mind. There are hands-on displays that take you back in time 350 years to learn about the history of NYC. Kids are encouraged to climb and interact with the exhibits that look at the lives of historical figures. There are also family programs available including cooking classes, scavenger hunts, games, and story time.
170 Central Park West, Upper West Side, New York, NY, 10024
The Morgan Library & Museum
This institution began as the private library of J. Pierpont Morgan and it was donated to the city. It includes drawings by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Picasso. There are three Gutenberg Bibles, and a copy of Frankenstein annotated by Mary Shelley, as well as manuscripts by Dickens, Poe, Twain, Steinbeck, and Wilde. There's also sheet music handwritten by Beethoven and Mozart.
225 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10016
Dyckman Farmhouse Museum
Dating back to 1785, this is the oldest remaining farmhouse in Manhattan. It's located in a small park in the Inwood neighborhood.
4881 Broadway, NYC, New York, 10034
Garibaldi - Meucci Memorial Museum
Located in a Gothic Revival cottage, this museum was once home to the inventor and candle maker, Antonio Meucci. Later, the Italian revolutionary and politician, Giuseppe Garibaldi lived here.
420 Tompkins Avenue, Clifton, NYC, New York, 10305
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
This historic house dates back to the mid 1800's, and was built on the land which Thomas Pell purchased from the Siwanoy Native Americans in the 1700's to form the Bronx. Now the estate and its gardens are owned by the city and are open to the public. Visitors can tour the house which features a Greek-Revival style, as well as the beautiful formal-style gardens which are home to a variety of sculptures, sculpted landscapes, flower beds, and more. Events, children's activities, classes, group trips, and other festivities can be experienced here, too.
1 Orchard Beach Road, NYC, New York, 10464
If you're looking for more information about New York City, read The Best Art Museums in New York City and Things to Do In New York City on a Rainy Day.
Castle Clinton
This monument, previously Fort Clinton and Castle Garden, is a sandstone fort that is found in Battery Park. It once served as the first immigration station between 1855 and 1890 before Ellis Island.
NYC, New York
The City Reliquary
This museum focuses on the history of New York City's five boroughs.
366 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, NYC, New York, 11211
The Frick Collection
Located in the early 1900s mansion of Henry Clay Frick, this museum houses artwork by Monet, Rembrandt, Bellini, El Greco, and many more. There's also a covered garden with tropical plants and pond.
1 East 70th Street, NYC, New York, 10021
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Young children appreciate this walking tour that has animatronic dinosaurs and a number of kid friendly exhibits.
1114 New County Road, Secaucus, New Jersey, 07094
Terrain Gallery
This gallery was founded on the philosophic basis: the ideas of Aesthetic Realism and the Siegel Theory of Opposites.
141 Greene Street, NYC, New York, 10012
Ward-Nasse Gallery
This gallery highlights, visual, spoken, and performing artists.
178 Prince Street, NYC, New York, 10012
Planning a trip to New York City? You might also be interested in An Art Lover's Guide to New York City and The Best History Museums in New York City.
Weeksville Heritage Center
During the 19th century, Weeksville was one of the country's first free black communities. The community had its own schools, churches, and community associations. The Heritage Center offers tours and activities that serve to educate the public on the history and significance of this community.
1673 Bergen Street, Ocean Hill, NYC, New York, 11233
Wave Hill
Once a private estate with a beautiful garden dating back to 1843, this home is now owned by the city and is open to the public, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can tour both the gardens and the house for a small admission fee. The gardens consist of a variety of flora along with a few spots with magnificent views over the river. Also on the premises is an art gallery and gift shop. An entry fee is normally charged, but it's free before noon on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
665 West 252nd Street, Riverdale, New York, New York, 10471
Merchant's House Museum
This is the only historic house museum in the Greenwich Village, Soho, NoHo neighborhoods.
29 East 4th Street, NoHo Historic District, NYC, New York, 10003
New Museum of Contemporary Art
This museum is dedicated to featuring contemporary art from around the world.
235 Bowery, NYC, New York, 10002
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
This interesting museum located in the Museum Mile on the Upper East Side is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum showcases design aesthetic, creativity, contemporary design, and showcases other interesting related works of art and design.
2 East 91st Street, NYC, New York, 10128
Lewis Howard Latimer House Museum
This museum was once the home of the African American inventer Lewis Howard Latimer and today it is a museum that educates visitors on his work.
34-41 137th Street, Linden Hill, NYC, New York, 11354
Liberty Science Center
This is an interactive science museum and learning center that is found in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It was New Jersey's first significant science museum and it also has a planetarium and a number of educational resources.
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07305
How much does it cost to visit the museums in New York City?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $8 to $519. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $91. A few of the best options are below.

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