Pablo Picasso said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life," and we have to agree. Visiting one of NYC's amazing art museums is one of our favorite ways to spend an enriching and inspiring afternoon. We’ve curated our favorite and most engaging art museums in the city so you can spend a day learning your way.
See also: The 25 Best Things To Do In New York City
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1000 5th Ave. / 212.535.7710 / Website
New Yorker or not, you’ve probably heard of The Met. It’s hard to miss the grandiose museum sitting in Central Park with its red banners and iconic steps constantly graced by tourists and locals alike. If you’re feeling ambitious, we suggest setting aside a day to take a peek at the more than 30 exhibits. New York State residents and students in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut can pay by donation, making this a must-visit on our list.
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1071 5th Ave. / 212.423.3500 / Website
The Guggenheim is a classic picture of experiential architecture. Its one-path spiral ramp guides you through its exhibits at your pace, leading you up to the bright skylight. You might recognize some classic works by Van Gogh or could stumble by some more viral works like “Can’t Help Myself,” which struck the hearts of TikTok users. If you’re a fan of easter eggs, you can even find the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s initials on a red tile on the outside of the building, just like an artist signing off a piece.
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235 Bowery / 212.219.1222 / Website
Searching for something new? Look no further than The New Museum of Contemporary Art. While this iconic Lower East Side museum has been closed since early 2024, we can't wait for the reopening in 2025. This spot is exclusively dedicated to living contemporary artists, making it a great spot to find your favorite new artists.
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1048 5th Ave. / 212.628.6200 / Website
This is your chance to meet the glittering gold “Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I” by the famed Gustav Klimt. In a house designed by the architects of the New York Public Library sits the fine collection of Neue Galerie New York. From fine art to furniture, this museum entirely houses 20th-century German and Austrian art and design. Come on the first Friday of the month for free admission.
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99 Margaret Corbin Dr. / 212.923.3700 / Website
Need a space to get inspired? The Cloisters is the nation’s only museum exclusively dedicated to medieval European art and architecture. Its charming, serene spaces were crafted to transport you back in time. Historically, a cloister is part of a monastery where monks meditate, study and exercise. The crown jewel is the gardens, with a living collection of plants and herbs cultivated to call back to the Middle Ages.
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99 Gansevoort St. / 212.570.3600 / Website
Check out The Whitney to see the nation’s best 20th-century and contemporary American art collection. “The Whitney Biennial” is the museum’s star exhibition and the longest-running survey of American art nationally. The exhibit rotates with artwork created in the preceding two years and has been since the early 1970s. Admission is “pay what you wish” on Fridays between seven and 10 p.m., or if you're aged 25 and under, come any day for free admission.
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227 W. 27th St. / 212.217.4558 / Website
Interested in innovative fashion? Take a look at FIT’s collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories. You’ll be able to see pieces important to fashion and textile history and even student and faculty works. If you get a chance to visit in May, you’ll be able to see the annual Art and Design Graduating Student exhibition. It’s the only museum in the city completely dedicated to fashion, and is always free!
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200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn / 718.638.5000 / Website
Rockwell, Degas, KAWS, Picasso. This is one of the oldest art museums in the nation, with a diverse collection of about 1.5 million pieces. Be sure to check out the museum’s Elizabeth Sackler Center for Feminist Art, the first of its kind in the country. This space focuses on feminism in the past, present and future. It currently houses “The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago, which honors important women from history. Take a look at their website for free admission specials, usually held on the first Saturday of the month.
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11 W. 53 St. / 212.708.9400 / Website
Let’s enter the world of the avant-garde. The Museum of Modern Art is a must-see for lovers of all things art, and for those just beginning to dip their toes into the craft. From architecture and printmaking to film and performance art, there is always something that will catch your eye. Free admission for residents of New York City is available on the first Friday evening of every month.
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1 E. 70th St. / 212.288.0700 / Website
Walk among old master paintings at The Frick Collection. This is art-lover Henry Frick’s own collection of works, kept in his mansion on Fifth Avenue. The house was designed around his accumulated artwork and was often rearranged to accommodate new additions. Truly an art lover’s dream, the museum is under renovation until April, and we can't wait for it to be back!
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2 E. 91st St. / 212.849.8400 / Website
Imagine yourself surrounded by wallpaper of your choosing from the largest collection in North America. Head to the Cooper Hewitt in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan to experience the only museum in the country committed solely to historical and contemporary design. Embrace your inner designer with its interactive spaces, such as the Immersion Room and Process Lab. Pay what you wish for admission between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily.
Photography by: Leandro Justen/BFA.com
