New York City is a place I have been to many times. I love going there and seeing all the people, enjoying the sights, and taking in all there is to do.
There are many great things to do in the city, and going to museums is one of the many highlights.
Here are three not to miss art museums in NYC:
Metropolitan Museum of Art – Do not miss this one!
Commonly referred to as The Met, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and the fourth most visited art museum in the world.
Located at 1000 5th Avenue on the edge of Central Park in the Upper East Side, this museum is not to be missed!
With collections from some of the most famous artists in history, you can easily spend the entire day here or more.
What I like to do is figure out how much time I have and go from there. Take a look at their map and see what you want to look at first.
Personally, I love impressionism, and always make a beeline there first and then spend my remaining time at other wings that interest me or I haven’t seen yet.
With over 2 million pieces of permanent art spreading out over 2 million square feet, there is a lot to see at the Met.
The best way to enjoy the museum is to find what YOU like. You aren’t going to enjoy or appreciate everything, and that’s okay. Focus on what interests you and spend your time there.
Some of my favorite works include all art by Claude Monet, The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David, Jackson Pollock’s Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), Rembrandt’s Self Portrait, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
The Sphinx of Hatshepsut is really cool as well.
My biggest recommendation is NOT TO RUSH. Take the time and appreciate the art that you really like. You are not going to see everything, so just enjoy, soak it in, and savor what you can.
Their exhibitions and events are usually spectacular. Make sure to see what they have when you are there. If you have time, take a scheduled free tour. It’s so interesting and you’ll be amazed at how much you learn.
Go to the rooftop bar and garden cafe. The food and drinks are awesome, and the incredible views of Central Park are just fabulous.
Admission
If you are a New York resident, or a student from NY, NJ, or Connecticut, the price you pay is up to you. For all others, the admission fee is $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $12 for students.
The Museum of Modern Art
The MoMA is located in the heart of midtown at 11 West 53rd Street and is another not-to-miss art museum in NYC.
It’s one of my favorite museums and houses a mixture of modern and contemporary art.
There are so many incredible works of art which you can see and enjoy all in one day.
Some of my favorites include Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Can. They also have Salvadore Dali’s The Persistence of Memory, Claude Monet’s Water Lillies triptych, Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, and Henry Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy.
As well as modern-day art, the MoMA has an expansive gift shop. In fact, they have a vast selection of modern and contemporary art books, as well as unique gifts that inspire and foster creativity. As a result, you can spend hours alone just here.
Feeling hungry, the restaurants and cafes are just incredible. On a recent visit, I had the pleasure of having the honey ricotta crostini at Cafe 2 that still makes my mouth water when thinking about it.
Admission for adults is $25 and $18 for seniors. Student tickets are $14 and if you are under 16, admission is free.
The Whitney Museum of American Art
This not-to-miss art museum was founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in 1931. The Whitney Museum is located at 99 Gansevoort Street. It’s in the Meatpacking District at the southern entrance to the High Line. It’s such a great area in southern Manhattan with so much to do around it.
The Whitney is a lovely small museum and can be seen in a few hours. This is a not-to-miss New York City art museum that focuses on 20th and 21st-century American art.
Their collection includes works from Edward Hopper, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keefe, George Bellows, and George Luks.
Take your time and wander around and enjoy all this museum has to offer. They have great exhibits.
Stop at the Studio Cafe on floor eight. Grab a coffee and/or some food and step outside and take in the all-embracing views of the city, the High Line, and the Hudson River.
Admission price ranges from $18- $25.
Traveling solo? Check out The Essential Guide to NYC for other must-see activities while in the Big Apple.
All three of these art museums are fabulous and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
The only question is which one to go to first.
Here is a Pinterest-friendly photo so you can pin it on your board.
