Must-see museums in New York City

The Met, the MoMA, the Guggenheim… there are hundreds of museums in New York City. If you ever find yourself in NYC and have a bit of time to spare, make sure to check out one of these must-see museums.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum’s collection is so immense that it would take weeks (if not months) to go through it all. With over 2 million artworks and objects, the Met Museum has an encyclopedic collection of artwork from virtually every culture that is well-represented in North America. The museum works hard to preserve their collections – they even have a huge climate-controlled space for paintings which require extra humidity and stable temperatures!

Museum of Modern Art

Founded in 1929, the MoMA is one of the world’s most influential modern and contemporary art museums. The MoMA is home to works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali, among many others. In addition to its expansive permanent collection, the MoMA also features rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim is one of the most iconic museums in New York City – and for good reason. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum’s distinctive spiral design is a sight to behold. The Guggenheim’s permanent collection is focused on modern and contemporary art, with works by artists like Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. The museum also features rotating exhibitions of modern art.

The Cloisters

If you’re looking for a museum with a more… medieval feel, The Cloisters is the place for you. This museum is located in Fort Tryon Park and is home to an extensive collection of Medieval art and architecture. The Cloisters was specifically designed to recreate a 13th-century French monastery, so if you’re interested in the history of European Christianity, this is a museum you shouldn’t miss!

Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum has been at the center of art and culture in New York City since 1897. The museum’s permanent collection includes an impressive variety of work including ancient Egyptian artifacts, contemporary Native American art, and a stunning number of paintings by European masters.

The Museum of Sex

Located in the heart of Midtown (on 5th avenue and 27th street), this museum is definitely… different. The Museum of Sex hosts rotating exhibitions focused on sex and sexuality throughout history, culture, and art. Because this is a museum about sexuality, visitors must be at least 17 years old.

If you’re looking for something a bit more risque in New York City, the Museum of Sex is the place to go!

9/11 Memorial Museum

This museum is dedicated to telling the story of September 11th, 2001 and its aftermath. The museum is located in the World Trade Center complex and contains artifacts from the attacks, photos and videos of the event, and even recordings from some of the survivors. 9/11 Memorial Museum is open every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden

This free botanical garden is definitely a hidden gem in New York City! Featuring shrubs, flowers, trees, and even a Japanese Garden, this non-profit garden is home to an amazing array of plants. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden also hosts events like plant sales and festivals – the perfect place to bring out your inner nature lover!

Our Final Thoughts

There are countless other museums in New York City that are worth checking out, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Museum, and the New Museum.

Visitors to New York City should not miss the chance to visit one of these museums while they’re in town!