This list includes only the museums I have personally visited in New York City. It also features a few galleries that, due to their beauty, fame, and significance, can be considered on par with museums.
Museums visited: 83
Paid for the museum admission $1,732 (doesn’t includes tours or extras)
Please note that we also have a separate ranked list of the best tours in New York City.
🏛️1. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
🏛️2. Metropolitan Museum of Art
🏛️3. Guggenheim Museum
🏛️4. Noguchi Museum
🏛️5. Whitney Museum of American Art
🏛️6. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
🏛️7. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
🏛️8. The Morgan Library & Museum
🏛️9. Neue Galerie
🏛️10. Brooklyn Museum
🏛️11. Dia:Chelsea
🏛️12. Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation (a new wing of American Museum of Natural History)
🏛️13. The Met Cloisters
🏛️14. Frick Collection
🏛️15. Jewish Museum
🏛️16. Museum of the City of New York
🏛️17. New York Earth Room
🏛️18. Statue of Liberty Museum, Grounds, and Pedestal
🏛️19. Broken Kilometer
🏛️20. Nicholas Roerich Museum
🏛️21. The Brant Foundation
🏛️22. The FRIENDS™ Experience New York
🏛️23. Mmuseumm
🏛️24. New York Transit Museum
🏛️25. Madame Tussauds New York
🏛️26. MoMA PS1
🏛️27. New Museum
🏛️28. New York Botanical Garden
🏛️29. New York Public Library Main Branch
🏛️30. The Shed
🏛️31. Fraunces Tavern
🏛️32. New-York Historical Society
🏛️33. Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
🏛️34. Spyscape
🏛️35. Museum of Jewish Heritage
🏛️36. Museum of Broadway
🏛️37. El Museo del Barrio
🏛️38. American Museum of Natural History
🏛️39. Drawing Center
🏛️40. International Center of Photography
🏛️41. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
🏛️42. Museum of Arts and Design
🏛️43. Museum of Chinese in America
🏛️44. SculptureCenter
🏛️45. Socrates Sculpture Park
🏛️46. Dog museum
🏛️47. Museum of the Moving Image
🏛️48. Skyscraper Museum
🏛️49. Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery
🏛️50. Times Square Hum (Neuhaus)
🏛️51. The Ukrainian Museum
🏛️52. Mercer Labs (Museum of Art and Technology)
🏛️53. Italian American Museum
🏛️54. Asia Society
🏛️55. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
🏛️56. Museum at FIT
🏛️57. Museum of Sex
🏛️58. Queens Museum
🏛️59. The Africa Center
🏛️60. Art at Americas Society
🏛️61. American Folk Art Museum
🏛️62. Sea Port Museum
🏛️63. Museum of Street Art (MoSA)
🏛️64. Center for Jewish History
🏛️65. Japan Society
🏛️66. Vander Ende-Onderdonk House Museum Tours
🏛️67. Fire Museum
🏛️68. Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art
🏛️69. Ice Cream Museum (MOIC)
🏛️70. Bernard Museum
🏛️71. Poster House
🏛️72. National Museum of the American Indian
🏛️73. The City Reliquary Museum
🏛️74. Williamsburg Art & Historical Center
🏛️75. Salmagundi Club
🏛️76. General Grant National Memorial
🏛️77. Center for Brooklyn History
🏛️78. City Island Nautical Museum
🏛️79. Rose Museum
🏛️80. Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space MoRUS
🏛️81. Center for Architecture
🏛️82. Paley Center for Media
🏛️83. Salvator Mundi Museum of Art
Modern art including architecture and design, drawings, painting, sculpture, photography, prints, illustrated books and artist's books, film, and electronic media
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One of the world's largest art museums, includes American art and decorative arts, European, African, Asian, Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek art, Byzantine and Islamic art, modern art
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Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art
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20th-century American art and contemporary American art by living artists
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Memorial and museum in NYC honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Features two reflecting pools and exhibitions with artifacts and personal stories.
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Showcases the World War II aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, Space Shuttle Enterprise, submarine USS Growler, a Concorde supersonic airplane, helicopters and military aircraft
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Includes books and printed materials, prints, and drawings of European artists, material from ancient Egypt and medieval liturgical objects, ancient Near Eastern cylinder seals, music manuscripts
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Gallery of early-20th-century German and Austrian art and design
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Collections include American art, Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Near Eastern art, feminist, European, and art of the Pacific Islands
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You should consider visiting Dia:Chelsea if you are interested in contemporary art and want to experience thought-provoking exhibitions from a range of artists. The museum has a reputation for showcasing cutting-edge and challenging works in a variety of media, and its spacious and well-designed galleries offer a unique setting for visitors to engage with the art.
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The new Gilder Center features new exhibition galleries and one-of-a-kind experiences, including an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, floor-to-ceiling collections displays, and more—and connects to the rest of the American Museum of Natural History on four floors.
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Art and architecture of the European Middle Ages, including sculptures, paintings, and religious artifacts, in a serene and contemplative setting.
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Mansion with collection of old master paintings and fine furniture
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Modern and contemporary Jewish art, history
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Permanent exhibit of earth covered room
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Accessible by boat from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey
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Broken Kilometer is an art installation in NYC featuring a line of one thousand brass rods, each measuring two meters in length, arranged in a grid pattern.
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The Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City is dedicated to the works of Nicholas Roerich, a Russian-born artist whose work focused on nature scenes from the Himalayas
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The Brant Foundation Art Study Center is a private gallery in a former studio of Walter De Maria
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Best thing you can see if you like The Friends TV show. For non-fans, moderately good.
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Mmuseumm is a small, quirky museum in a freight elevator shaft. It showcases an eclectic collection of everyday objects and cultural artifacts, aiming to provoke thought and spark conversations about contemporary issues. Mmuseumm offers a unique and immersive perspective on modern society in a compact space.
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The New York Transit Museum, located in a historic subway station, offers a fascinating journey through the city's transit history. It houses vintage subway cars, buses, and engaging exhibits that showcase the evolution of public transportation in NYC.
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Madame Tussauds New York is a world-renowned wax museum in Times Square. It showcases incredibly lifelike wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and pop culture icons. Visitors can interact with their favorite stars, pose for photos, and explore themed galleries, making it a popular attraction for entertainment and celebrity enthusiasts in the heart of New York City.
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Contemporary art museum, part of Museum of Modern Art
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Contemporary art from around the world
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Includes Mertz Library with exhibitions relating to botanical themes and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
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Exhibitions about art, history, culture, photography from its collections
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Hosts activities in a wide range of cultural areas including art, performance, film, design, food, fashion, and new combinations of cultural content
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Reconstruction of a tavern with a prominent role in pre-Revolution and American Revolution history
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The New-York Historical Society is an American history museum and library in New York City. The society was founded in 1804 as New York's first museum. It presents exhibitions, public programs, and research that explore the history of New York and the nation.
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Ellis Island is a small island located in New York Harbor. From 1892 to 1954, it served as the primary immigration station in the United States, processing millions of immigrants seeking entry into the country.
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Spyscape in NYC is a captivating museum that delves into the intriguing world of espionage. It features interactive exhibits, spy history, real gadgets, and challenges that allow visitors to test their spy skills while learning about the fascinating realm of covert operations and intelligence.
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The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City is dedicated to preserving and educating about Jewish history, culture, and the Holocaust. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts, exhibitions, and survivor testimonies, providing a powerful and educational experience that honors Jewish heritage and commemorates the Holocaust's victims and survivors.
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The Museum of Broadway, on West 45th Street in Times Square, is the first permanent for-profit museum dedicated to documenting the history and experience of Broadway theatre and its profound influence. The museum covers more than three hundred years of Broadway history, including costumes and props from more than 500 productions.
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El Museo del Barrio, located in East Harlem, New York City, is a cultural institution dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean art and culture. It hosts exhibitions, educational programs, and events, showcasing the rich diversity and contributions of these regions to the cultural tapestry of the United States.
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The world's largest natural history museum. featuring exhibits on natural history, science, and culture from around the globe. Includes Rose Center for Earth and Space
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Contemporary and historical drawings
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Photography exhibits - moving to Lower Manhattan in 2016
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Contemporary and historical gay-related art
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Features contemporary hand-made objects in a variety of media, including clay, glass, metal, fiber, and wood, located at Columbus Circle
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History of North America's Chinatowns and the cultural contributions of Chinese immigrants
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Dedicated to experimental and innovative developments in contemporary sculpture
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Outdoor museum and public park where artists can create and exhibit sculptures and multi-media installations
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The Dog Museum is a museum in NYC that celebrates the history and culture of dogs, featuring exhibitions, artifacts, and educational programs related to the role of dogs in society.
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Exhibitions and programs dedicated to the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, digital media, video games, the internet, and more.
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Skyscraper Museum is a museum in NYC dedicated to the history, design, and construction of tall buildings, featuring exhibitions, collections, and educational programs on skyscrapers around the world.
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The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery is a gallery in NYC that features exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, with a focus on works that explore social and political themes.
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The Times Square Hum, is a permanent sound art installation created by Max Neuhaus in Times Square in New York City. Originally installed in 1977, it was removed in 1992 and reinstalled in 2002. It is maintained by the Dia Art Foundation, who consider it one of the eleven locations and sites they manage.
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The Ukrainian Museum is the largest museum of its kind outside of Ukraine and is dedicated to the enjoyment, understanding, and preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of Ukraine
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Mercer Labs transforms the museum experience. Through fifteen experimental exhibition spaces, interactive experiences, unique listening encounters and immersive installations, the relationship between art and technology is redefined.
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Asia Society Museum is a museum in NYC that showcases contemporary and traditional Asian art, as well as exhibitions and programs on Asian culture and society.
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Cooper Hewitt Museum is a museum in NYC dedicated to the history and design of decorative arts, featuring exhibitions, collections, and educational programs on a range of design topics.
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Fashion museum, part of Fashion Institute of Technology
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History, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality
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Focus on social practice, artist in residence programs, and education. Includes a collection of Tiffany glass and the Panorama of the City of New York.
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The Africa Center is a cultural institution in NYC that celebrates African culture and heritage through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, and features a cafe and gift shop.
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The Art at Americas Society program boasts the longest-standing space in the United States dedicated to exhibiting and promoting art from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
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It really depends on which exhibit you get to, but if you're on your way and have 15 minutes of time, feel free to take a look inside
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The South Street Seaport Museum, located in New York City, celebrates the maritime history of the city. Situated in historic buildings, it offers exhibitions on seafaring, the maritime industry, and the area's cultural heritage. Visitors can explore historic vessels and learn about the vital role the sea played in shaping New York's history.
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This is a collection of graffiti by 20 well-known urban artists, famous in New York and worldwide, displayed along the hotel’s internal staircase at the CitizenM New York Bowery. You experience this “museum” by walking down from top to bottom, viewing the artworks as you descend.
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Jewish history and culture around the world
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Features exhibit gallery for Japanese art
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The Vander Ende–Onderdonk House is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City
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A Fire Museum displays firefighting history, antique equipment, and fire trucks. It educates on fire safety and celebrates the bravery of firefighters while preserving local fire department legacies.
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The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is a not-for-profit arts organization and former museum in New York City devoted to comic books, comic strips and other forms of cartoon art
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The Museum of Ice Cream in New York offers a whimsical, interactive experience celebrating ice cream with vibrant exhibits, tastings, and colorful art installations for all ages.
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The Bernard Museum in New York is a cultural institution focused on Jewish history and culture. It houses a diverse collection of artifacts and artworks, providing insights into Jewish heritage, traditions, and contributions through exhibitions and educational programs, serving as a valuable resource for scholars and the public alike.
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website, first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to posters
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The National Museum of the American Indian is a museum in NYC that showcases the history, culture, and art of indigenous peoples of the Americas, featuring exhibitions, collections, and educational programs.
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The City Reliquary is a not-for-profit community museum and civic organization located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
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The Williamsburg Art & Historical Center is a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, founded in 1996 by Yuko Nii.
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Founded in 1871, the Salmagundi Club in New York City initially served as a meeting spot for writers and journalists. Over time, it transitioned into a prominent art club, supporting artists through exhibitions and workshops. Its rich history spans over a century, making it a significant institution in Greenwich Village, fostering creativity and artistic camaraderie.
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The General Grant National Memorial, located in New York City, is the final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and Union Army General. This neoclassical mausoleum honors his legacy and features exhibits about his life and the American Civil War, attracting history enthusiasts and tourists.
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The Center for Brooklyn History is a cultural institution in New York, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Brooklyn. It features archives, exhibitions, and educational programs celebrating Brooklyn's diverse heritage.
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Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) — a unique museum in the East Village dedicated to the history of squats, activism, and community gardens in New York City. During the tour, you’ll learn how local residents transformed abandoned buildings and empty lots into vibrant public spaces, reshaping the city from the ground up.
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Exhibits of architecture, urban planning, urban design, and environmental planning
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Cultural, creative and social significance of television, radio, the Internet, and emerging media platforms
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This museum is dedicated to the Salvator Mundi and is the largest collection of artwork and ephemera on the subject. It is also an art project and company that goes by the name Real Salvator Mundi. The Salvator Mundi will forever be the subject of much interest, intrigue and debate regarding quality and authenticity
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Closed museums
Some museums didn’t survive, lost their relevance, and closed, while others were reborn into something new. In any case, our editorial team is grateful to them, so we are listing the museums that have closed:
Feedback are welcomed
Found an inaccuracy or a mistake? Want to add a museum? Have suggestions or feedback?
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