Top 10 museums in New York city

Any person who has ever visited New York in his life must have noticed that the city has an astonishing number of museums. These museums are not only there but are also world-class and top-notch in so many ways. You can find fantastic art galleries and museums related to all walks of life. There is just so much to see. For any museum lover, New York is no less than a paradise in itself.

There are so many museums in and around New York that you cannot possibly cover all of them in a single visit, or even in multiple visits for that matter. However, this sheer number of museums in New York City calls for us to list down the top 10 for anyone visiting the Big Apple.

Top 10 museums in New York city

1. Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Also nicknamed “The Met,” the Metropolitan Museum Of Art is the most prominent art museum by area and collection. Being an art museum, the sheer size of its collection can be astonishing. It houses more than 2 million artworks and masterpieces from all over the world. Situated on the Eastern side of Central Park, this museum attracts millions of visitors all year round. The entire collection of this museum can be divided into two main groupings. One has the permanent artworks whereas the other exhibits only temporary displays which get replaced after a few weeks. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art spans a long history and, at the same time, covers contemporary fine art.

Almost all historical periods in the entire world are represented in this museum. Apart from paintings and drawings, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art also displays different kinds of musical instruments, fashion accessories, historical costumes, iconic weapon systems, ancient armor, and more. Moreover, every zone inside the museum is inspired by that particular era the exhibits represent. This gives you an inclusive and immersive experience as you walk through the museum galleries. You feel like you are moving your way down the timeline of powerful empires that have swept all over the world. It feels like a trip like nothing else. All departments at the museum also include a library section where you can find verified, authentic, famous historical books, manuals, publications, novels, charters, and journals.

2. American Museum Of Natural History

American Museum Of Natural History

As the name suggests, this is a natural history museum located in Western Manhattan. The building complex of the museum is found right across Central Park, with 26 interlinked structures and 45 halls. The American Museum Of Natural History contains more than 30 million artifacts. Apart from this, the museum also includes an interactive planetarium and an extensive library. The area covered by the museum is roughly 2 million square feet, which gives the management ample space to display most of their collection at any given time. With a 5 million annual visitor count, the American Museum Of Natural History in New York City is undoubtedly one of the most visited museums in the United States.

This museum was founded to research and exhibit different aspects of natural history and universal records. The famous halls across the museum include Mammal Halls, Birds & Reptiles Halls, Biodiversity & Environmental Halls, Human Origins & Cultural Halls, Earth & Planetary Science Halls, and Fossil Halls. Each hall displays an entire array of exhibits that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. A separate section of the museum is dedicated to scientific research with top-class scientists and researchers working on observation, analysis, exploration, and examination of natural history. The American Museum Of Natural History is also known for its academic outreach and has established programs with schools, colleges, universities, and research institutions worldwide. Established by the American Museum Of Natural History, Richard Gilder Graduate School offers a Master Of Arts and a Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology.

3. Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a military history museum. Its collection includes an aircraft carrier, a submarine, a turbojet-powered airliner, reconnaissance aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, and a space orbiter. For anyone interested in military or maritime history, this is a must-visit place for sure. Here, you will be able to find all of the naval history displayed before your eyes. This museum has extensively renovated all ships, aircraft, and orbiters exhibited. The hallmark attraction of this museum, the USS Intrepid, was almost ready to be scrapped when it was finally handed over and saved. This aircraft carrier has also served as a field headquarter for the September 11 terror attacks investigations.

In this museum, you get a chance to walk on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier and feel its colossal and enormous nature. You see several different aircraft and helicopters on display all along the flight deck, each with its very own story. There is also a memorial wall that displays the names of all crew members who died on the USS Intrepid during its naval service. The exhibits on display at this museum have been contributed by US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Army, US Coast Guard, and NASA. You can also see British, Italian, French, Israeli, and Polish aircraft other than this. Some temporary exhibitions are also arranged by the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum, serving warships from all over the world dock at the terminal for a few days.

4. Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum

This is another excellent art museum located in New York City. The Brooklyn Museum is New York’s 3rd biggest museum regarding physical size. With a collection of more than 1.5 million artworks, this is a great place to visit for any art lover. The construction of this museum was completed in 1895, and at that time, it was the largest art museum in the world. Then, almost a century later, the entire museum was renovated with plenty of new additions to its massive collection. Brooklyn Museum displays antiquities, historic sculptures, modern paintings, and so much more. Its Memorial Sculpture Garden is home to all kinds of figurines and statues from worldwide.

The collection of Brooklyn Museum can be divided into Egyptian Art, American Art, Asian Art, African Art, Arts of the Pacific Islands, Arts of the Islamic World, and European Art. As with most other museums, it also includes an extensive library with more than three hundred thousand books, documents, records, and journals. Teenage volunteers at the museum offer you a guided tour of the entire facility, explaining the story behind every exhibit. The Brooklyn Museum has also launched a weekend family program, where you get to talk with the museum curators and have an in-depth look at what is on show. This museum is known to have recently shifted its focus from classical art to populism in recent years. Therefore, no matter what your age, you will be able to have a great time as you stop by the Brooklyn Museum on your visit to New York.

5. The Museum Of Modern Art

The Museum Of Modern Art

As the name suggests, The Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA) is dedicated to contemporary and modern-day artworks. It is a museum and an institution that has played a crucial role in collecting, preserving, and protecting modern art. Due to this very reason, it is equally revered and distinguished by contemporary artists everywhere. The Museum Of Modern Art has a diverse collection of modern architecture, paintings, sculptures, photographs, illustrations, written art, and movies. This museum is famously known to hold the most extensive collection of contemporary art under one roof. The museum’s building itself can be seen as relatively modern in architecture and design.

Despite the name, The Museum Of Modern Art is quite old. It was established 92 years ago in 1929. The museum has hosted several exhibitions, presentations, lectures, seminars, performances, and demonstrations of modern fine art from then onwards. Since the time it was built, The Museum Of Modern Art has undergone several renovations, which have increased the total floor area and added numerous new artworks to the museum’s collection. It must be mentioned here that it probably is the most expensive museum in New York City. You will have to purchase an admission ticket of $25 to get into the museum. However, on Friday evenings, entry is completely free, which is why the MoMA is expected to have the highest visitor count on Fridays. If you are a student, you will get free admission on any weekday.

6. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This museum is more commonly known as The Guggenheim and is located in Eastern Manhattan. It hosts a massive collection of art representing the different historical periods. A non-profit organization, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, was established in 1939. However, it was not built with the same name it holds today. At that time, it was called the Museum Of Non-Objective Painting. Three years after the death of its founding art collector, it was renamed after him. The current building of this museum was designed by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It was nicknamed “Temple Of The Spirit” and was one of Frank Lloyd’s dearest works in New York. The round building that you can see from the outside is a spiral art gallery from the ground level to the top.

Apart from famous artworks, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum contains several private art collections from renowned art collectors of the last century. The museum has attracted more than a million visitors and hosts the most famous exhibitions in New York City. Its unique and stunning Wright architecture has been placed on a World Heritage List. Its spiral gallery has also been featured in many action films in the past years. Recently, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has also opened a Center For Arts Education equipped with art labs, conference halls, exhibition rooms, a convention center, and a film theater.

7. Whitney Museum Of American Art

Whitney Museum Of American Art

Found in Western Manhattan, this museum also serves the purpose of a significant architectural landmark. The current building of the Whitney Museum Of American Art was designed by an Italian architect, Renzo Piano. If you have time, you can also visit the original building of the Whitney Museum, located between Fifth Avenue and MacDougal Street. Unlike others, this museum was founded by an American sculptor and artist, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. The primary focus of the museum art collection is American Art, covering the artworks, paintings, artifacts, and sculptures from the last two centuries. Apart from this, many current artists have also been represented in the museum. In addition, the Whitney Museum Of American Art organizes annual exhibitions where thousands of new artists are featured regularly.

Currently, the museum contains around 25,000 pieces of art under its permanent collection. It also hosts an international art show, where artists and visitors come in great numbers from worldwide. The artists on display here include Theodore Robinson, Maurice Prendergast, Robert Henri, Oscar Florianus Bluemner, Thomas Hart Benton, George Luks, and many more. The library associated with the Whitney Museum Of American Art is not found inside the main building. It is located in West Chelsea and is home to museum archives, art research papers, manuscripts, and audio recordings. The famous Independent Study Program of the Whitney Museum Of American Art is widely appreciated. This program has been credited to kick-start and promoting new art in ancient and modern forms.

8. New Museum

New Museum

The New Museum was founded in the 1970s by an American art historian and curator, Marcia Tucker. It is situated in Eastern Manhattan and has a unique building with apparent blocks stacked on top of each other. Like many others, this is not the museum’s original building. When it was opened in 1977, the collection and main contents of the New Museum were found in the New School For Social Research. After adequate funding, the museum moved out to another building in 1983. This is a museum for contemporary art and exhibits artworks from all over the world. In fact, over recent years, the New Museum has started displaying and promoting digital art.

The New Museum, as evident by its name, was founded to encourage and stimulate new forms of art. Due to this, when you visit this museum, you will find many artworks and exhibits that are not commonly present in other museums. This eventually provides them enough recognition and support to come into mainstream art. By the tradition laid down by its founder, Marcia Tucker, the New Museum replaces its art collection every ten years. The current exhibition is put on auction, and a completely new assortment of art comes in. This allows the museum to always have something new for its visitors. Multiple exhibitions and art shows are regularly organized by the New Museum to advocate upcoming artists.

9. Morgan Library & Museum

Morgan Library & Museum

This research library and a museum are located in Murray Hill, Manhattan. The Morgan Library & Museum has been established inside multiple buildings and structures. The museum’s main building has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Initially, it was only a library founded to store and display the personal collection of John Pierpont Morgan, an American banker. After his death, the library was turned into a public institution with a museum. Since it was founded, Morgan Library & Museum has been famous for its highly distinctive and exceptional collection of historical manuscripts. It also holds a well-preserved collection of drawings and prints from Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Pablo Picasso.

Three Gutenberg Bibles are also found on display at the museum. The collection goes as far back as Ancient Egyptian and Medieval literature. Many of the paintings and manuscripts found in the Morgan Library & Museum were personally collected by J. P. Morgan. Unfortunately, an apparent part of his collection was sold when the Great Depression massively impacted the financial situation of the Morgan family. The Morgan Library & Museum interior is elaborately adorned, especially the main building. The Library Room, Rotunda Room, and Morgan’s Study are the main attractions among visitors. A massive glass entrance was built for the Morgan Library & Museum during the latest renovation. This entrance building also serves as a connecting block between the library and the permanent residence of the Morgan family.

10. Museum Of The City Of New York

Museum Of The City Of New York

Another famous history and art museum are in Manhattan, New York City. It was founded to preserve the vibrant history of New York City itself. The museum is situated right across from Central Park and offers a beautiful façade. The entire structure, built using red bricks and marble, really strikes your attention as you drive or walk past it. Initially, this building was built as a courthouse and was donated to the museum in 2000 by mayor Rudy Giuliani. Unlikely in its nature, this is a private museum that receives regular funding and support from the government.

In its collection, the Museum Of The City Of New York effectively displays the entire story and past of New York City. This collection includes paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, toys, architectural objects, models, household items, furniture, manuscripts, films, costumes, and so much more. In addition, the Museum Of The City Of New York is host to some of the most famous exhibitions held in the city. One of the permanent shows, New York At Its Core, offers a complete and elaborate exploration of the 400-year history of New York City. Other than this, many limited exhibitions and history displays are also held every year. Thanks to the Museum Of The City Of New York, you can now walk into the facility and have an overlook on the glorious past and wonderful present of New York City.

Conclusion

New York City is known for its incredible, diverse museums. Many of the world’s largest and most appealing museums are found in the city. That is why, when you are on a trip to New York, a visit to some of them is a must. In this list of top 10 museums in New York City, we have rounded up museums and art galleries famous for their collection, history, architecture, record, and beauty.