Five of The Best Museums in New York City

The most memorable museums in New York City tell how waves of immigration, sustained wealth creation, and tragedy has shaped the identity of the city. These emergent phenomena continue to influence New York’s history giving rise to an extremely creative community with real verve and appreciation for art, in all its forms. 

With hundreds of museums open to the public, New York is recognized globally as a hub of culture, learning, and a place where there’s simply too much to do.

The museums on our shortlist were selected for their universal appeal and ability to mesmerize all audiences, whether part of a family holiday or a city break for two in New York City.

Metropolitan Museum of Art | The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, known to New Yorkers as ‘The Met’, is up there with the largest and most dignified museums in the world.

In the middle of the relative tranquility of Central Park, off Fifth Avenue, The Met exhibits 2 million works of art spanning a period of more than 5,000 years. The collection includes artifacts of great importance from the ancient civilizations that gave rise to western culture; Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  

You’ll find art from Asia, Oceania, and Africa as well as examples of Islamic art. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to wander The Met’s echoing corridors and galleries. We don’t really build buildings like this anymore.

Once you’re finished with The Met on Fifth Avenue you might be interested in seeing The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s other branches. The Met Breuer (Upper East Side) focuses on modern and contemporary art, whilst the Met Cloisters (Manhattan) shows the art, gardens, and architecture of medieval Europe.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

New York’s history is probably best understood through a boat ride to Ellis Island. A free guided tour of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is the way to learn about the successive waves of migration that shaped New York and The US at large.

The museum gives a visceral insight into the migrant experience; starting in the ferry dock, you walk to the Baggage Room, then pass through the Great Hall, down the Stairs of Separation, and out to the Kissing Post. 

Although most migrants to America were driven by the catastrophe at home they all arrived on Ellis Island with hope in their eyes. Some would leave in tears, giving Ellis its other name; The Isle of Hope & Tears. 

The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Take some time to visit the beautiful memorial site & museum dedicated to the memory of those who tragically lost their lives in the attacks of September 11th, 2001. The 9/11 Memorial Museum examines the implications of the events of 9/11, looking at the wider impact of one of the most consequential events of the 21st century.

At the 9/11 memorial plaza, twin reflecting pools offer a poignant place for people to reflect and contemplate. Other memorial sites include St. Paul’s Chapel and The Fireman’s Memorial which commemorates the emergency workers and first responders who lost their lives in what was the largest mobilization of emergency services in US history. 

The Museum of Modern Art | MoMA

It started to put in 1929 as an educational program with a mere 8 points and a single sketch, now MoMA exhibits over one hundred thousand works of modern art!

MoMA’s permanent collection includes works such as Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Contemporary and modern artists are also regularly featured in exhibitions and other immersive events. 

One of the most popular galleries at MoMA is the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. This outdoor space sets sculptures amongst trees, seasonal plants, and relaxing water features. 

If you’re feeling inspired and fancy picking up art supplies MoMa operates a number of design & book stores throughout New York City.

American Museum of Natural History

Another museum at New York’s Central Park is the American Museum of Natural History. Not only is the museum one of the world’s foremost scientific-research institutions, but it’s also one of the great natural history museums too.

It’s a museum experience that takes you on a journey from the Big Bang all the way up through early life on earth, to our growing understanding of the natural world and human cultures. 

The north side of the museum is where you’ll find the Rose Centre for Earth & Space which is set in the incredible Hayden Planetarium sphere. The Hayden Planetarium is an astounding structure, a glass cube, that houses a spherical theatre and the popular Heilbrunn Cosmic Pathway.

The pathway is an interactive exhibit in the form of a physical journey. A spiraling 110-meter walkway that takes you through the thirteen billion-year history of our universe.

At the helm of the Hayden is well-known astrophysicist and educator, Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is also an active researcher in the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Astrophysics. Basically, the museum is in good hands. 

There are many more notable museums in New York City that deserve a mention on this list, but that’s the thing with New York: so much to see, so little time…