Best museums in New York City

New York City's premier museums, from art giants like the Met and MoMA to history, design and science collections.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the world's premier encyclopedic art museums, featuring over 1.5 million works from ancient antiquities to modern masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso.

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American Museum of Natural History

Extensive museum featuring expansive exhibitions on natural history, science, and anthropology, complemented by an on-site planetarium and an IMAX theater.

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Museum of Modern Art

Renowned institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art, showcasing iconic works from the late 19th century to today, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

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National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Underground museum and memorial honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing through historical artifacts and memorial pools.

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Whitney Museum of American Art

Modern and contemporary art museum housed in a striking modern building, showcasing 20th- and 21st-century American works by artists such as Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol.

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Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Historic site and museum set in former Lower East Side apartment buildings, dedicated to exploring personal stories of immigrant life in New York.

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Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Historic museum and memorial located on Ellis Island, documenting the gateway that served as the primary entry point for millions of immigrants between 1882 and 1954.

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Frick Collection

Art museum and gallery located on East 70th Street, presenting a distinguished collection of classic works by internationally renowned artists.

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The Met cloisters

Upper Manhattan branch of the Met dedicated to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages, located in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

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New Museum of Contemporary Art

Contemporary art museum on the Bowery showcasing innovative, forward-thinking art and international exhibitions in a modern architectural setting.

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Brooklyn Museum

Major art museum set along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, housing extensive art collections and rotating exhibitions.

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Cooper–Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Smithsonian design museum housed in the historic Andrew Carnegie Mansion, showcasing historical and contemporary design works.

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Museum of the Moving Image

Media and film museum located in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios, featuring exhibits on multimedia, the moving image, and screen culture.

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New York Transit Museum

Interactive museum in Brooklyn showcasing historical artifacts, transit heritage, and the evolution of the city's subway, bus, and commuter rail systems.