NYC is one of the top destinations in the U.S. There is so much to do. New York is the best city in the U.S. for museums (sorry, Washington D.C.) From cold winter days to hot summer days, a museum visit is a great way to spend a day. NYC offers world-class art museums, science museums and even an aircraft carrier, the Intrepid. Here are the top NYC museums.
30 Top NYC Museums
American Museum of Natural History and The Hayden Planetarium
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Intrepid Museum
The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
National Museum of the American Indian
East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
Federal Hall National Monument
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Staten Island Children’s Museum
DiMenna Children’s History Museum
Jewish Children’s Museum
Bronx Children’s Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Modern Art MoMA
American Folk Art Museum
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Whitney Museum of American Art
Museum of Broadway
Neue Galerie
Hewitt Cooper, Smithsonian Design Museum
Museum of Arts and Design
The Morgan Library and Museum
The New York Public Library
New York City Fire Museum
South Street Seaport Museum
New York City Transit Museum
National Museum of Mathematics
New York Hall of Science
Museum of the Moving Image
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American Museum of Natural History
The Hayden Planetarium
A must, and it’s one of the top NYC museums. Little kids, middle schoolers and teens can spend hours exploring. A sprawling museum that could take all day, so see the highlights. If limited on time, focus on “Lucy,” the early human, the giant blue whale, the Hall of Dinosaurs, and the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, along with the Hall of North American Mammals. The special exhibits are definitely worth a look as well.
Carve out a little time for the Hayden Planetarium to learn more about the world beyond our atmosphere. You will find dining on-site.
Located at Central Park West at 79th St. and Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $30, students are $24 and kids (3 to 12) are $18, with discounts for NY residents. Reservations recommended. The planetarium is an additional ticket
Intrepid Museum
As one of the top NYC museums, it’s a must. Don’t let the aircraft carrier throw you off; find more than military aircraft.
Clamber across the deck of the USS Intrepid to see a retired Concorde, the supersonic jet. Then, see one of the retired space shuttles, the Orbiter Enterprise, one of several on display across the U.S. Also, find a theater on-site.
Located at Pier 86 W.46th St. at 11th Avenue, it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $38, students are $36, and kids ( 5 to 12 ) are $28. You can also use a CityPass.
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Best Museums for History
Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
As a symbol of liberty and freedom known worldwide, the Statue of Liberty sits on a 12-acre island in the middle of the New York Harbor. Learn about the construction of the statue in the museum, located beneath it. And it’s one of the top NYX museums.
From 1892 until 1954, Ellis Island welcomed 12 million immigrants to the United States. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum guides visitors through the facility that processed close to 5,000 people a day. To see both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will require two stops on the ferry.
Separate reservations are required for Pedestal Access and Crown Access. Depending on the time of the year, these reservations sell out months in advance.
Operated by Statue Cruises, the ferry departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. First, explore the Statue of Liberty, then reboard the ferry to tour Ellis Island, an additional stop. The first ferry leaves at 9:30 a.m., and the last one departs at 4:45 p.m., with extended hours during peak seasons.
The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum
As a former American Airlines flight attendant who lived through that horrific day, I visit the 9/11 Memorial to remember my former colleagues. The memorial is a somber space that gives visitors a place to reflect. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
Walk through the 9/11 Museum to see the artifacts from the World Trade Center and the actual recording of emergency calls. Touring the museum is an emotional experience, though the area around the WTC recovered, experienced a rebirth.
Located at 180 Greenwich St. The 9/11 Memorial is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. The 9/11 Museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adult admission starts at $36, youth are $24, and kids 6 and younger are free. Reservations recommended. If you are visiting several museums during your visit, consider a CityPass.
National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian is located in the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, a Beaux Arts Building and a National Historic Landmark. It is the New York branch of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C., museum. With 700 Native American artifacts and arts, it’s part of the George Gustav Heye collection, started in 1903. This museum is organized geographically and includes items from North America as well as South and Central America.
Located at 1 Bowling Green. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free to Enter. Reservations not required.
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East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
Walk through history in a preserved tenement building on the Lower East Side. Tour the building that housed 7,000 working-class immigrants from 1863 until 1935.
With specialized tours focusing on Irish immigrants, Jewish immigrants, and sweatshop workers, along with neighborhood tours, get an understanding of an immigrant’s life over a hundred years ago. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
The Visitor Center at 103 Orchard St. Open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6: p.m. General admission tours are $30. Timed Entry Tickets Required.
Federal Hall National Monument
The building served as the first Capitol of the United States, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch offices. George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States at Federal Hall as well. This exhibit can be explored in under an hour.
The visitor center is located at the Pine Street entrance. The Federal Hall National Monument is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
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Children’s Museums in New York City
If traveling with younger children, add a visit to a children’s museum to your itinerary.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Let the kids explore five stories of interactive exhibits with a focus on learning and exploring. Find dedicated spaces for art, science and more.
Located at 212 W 83rd St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. General admission is $17 for everyone 1 and older.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
This is the first children’s museum in the world, and it opened in 1899. Now find an indoor-outdoor space focused on exploration.
Located at 145 Brooklyn Ave. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $15 for everyone 1 and older.
Staten Island Children’s Museum
This facility offers 12 indoor and outdoor exhibits for kids to explore, with a focus on diversity.
Located at 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 for everyone 1 and older.
DiMenna Children’s History Museum
Geared towards older kids, learn about the 350 years of history of New York City along with the U.S. at large.
Located at 170 Central Park West. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( 8 p.m. on Friday). Adult admission is $24, students are $14, and kids (5 to 13) are $6, with those 4 and younger entering for free. Timed entry reservation recommended.
Jewish Children’s Museum
As the largest children’s museum dedicated to the Jewish faith, learn about the history of the Jewish people. Open to all faiths.
Located at 792 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on Sunday). Closed Friday and Saturday. Adult admission is $17, and kids admission is $19 for everyone 2 and older.
Bronx Children’s Museum
This facility offers 10,000 feet of space for active exploration. Visitors will discover exhibits showcasing the Bronx’s natural and cultural resources through STEAM-based art, scientific exploration, and interactive role-playing.
Located at 725 Exterior Street, 2nd Floor, Bronx. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday through Saturday for two sessions: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $14, and kids are $8 with babies under 12 months entering for free.
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Art Museums for Kids
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
As the largest art museum in the U.S., you can explore all day and still not see it all. So, check out the map when you enter and concentrate on your interests. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
My favorites are The Temple of Dendur, the Medieval Art for its imposing display and the American Wing. Don’t miss the extensive collection of European Masters.
Located at 1000 5th Avenue. Open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p..m. and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. Adult admission is $30, students are $17 and kids 12 and younger are free. Reservations are recommended.
Museum of Modern Art MoMA
If your kids have short attention spans, head straight for the Fifth Floor. That’s where Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, Dance by Henri Matisse, along with works from Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso, are located. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
Kids under 16 get in free, and the MoMA hands out family guides for kids. A walk through the gift shop is a must for unique souvenirs.
Located at 11 W. 53rd St. Located at 11 W. 53rd St. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Adult admission is $30 online, students are $17, and kids under 16 get in free. Adult admission is $30, students are $15, and kids 16 and under are Free. Online reservations save $2 per ticket.
American Folk Art Museum
Explore a facility dedicated to folk art, from quilts to weather vanes. Also, find hand-made furniture and even everyday items like bird decoys.
Located at 2 Lincoln Square. Closed for renovations for Summer 2025. Free to Enter
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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, I recommend heading to the top floor and exploring the exhibits on your way down. The collection changes frequently, and kids will like the gentle walk down a spiral. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
Located at 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th Street. Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Adult admission is $30, students are $19, and those 12 and younger enter for free.
The Whitney Museum of American Art
Anchoring the southern end of High Line Park, The Whitney showcases contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on living artists.
Located at 99 Gansevoort St. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adult admission is $30 and kids under 18 are free. Reservations recommended.
Museum of Broadway
A museum dedicated to the History of Broadway
Located at 145 W. 45th St. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Adult admission starts at $46, students and kids admission starts at $35.
Neue Galerie
In a William Starr Miller House, a Fifth Avenue mansion, located at 86th Street across from the park. This art museum is dedicated to German and Austrian art and artists. Its galleries included decorative pieces like furnishings. However, most visitors come for the collection of Gustav Klimt.
The Neue Galerie displays the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, a 1907 portrait by Klimt, also known as The Woman in Gold. However, the museum has more Klimt works in its collection and frequently offers different exhibitions with his work.
Located at 1048 5th Ave. Open Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Tuesday) Adult admission is $28 and students (13 and older) are $15. This museum doesn’t allow kids under 12. It offers a once-a-month Family Morning on Sundays.
Hewitt Cooper, Smithsonian Design Museum
Inside of the stately 64-room Carnegie Mansion, the architectural details are worth noting during your visit. Between the stately staircase, the ceilings and the inlaid floors, I enjoyed seeing the details of the home.
This Smithsonian affiliate museum dedicates its space to design exhibits, often an area of expertise in which good design makes our world better. During my visit, I learned about the importance of sign icons to share information with an international audience.
Located at 2 E 91st St. in Manhattan. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $22 and kids (18 and younger) are free.
Museum of Arts and Design
Overlooking Central Park, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is dedicated to contemporary art, artists and design. One of its recent exhibitions was Taylor Swift: Storyteller. Visitors can explore several floors of exhibits, and the building also houses artist studios.
Located at 2 Columbus Circle. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Monday) and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. Adult admission is $20, students are $14 and kids (12 and younger) are free.
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Other Museums Great for Kids
The Morgan Library and Museum
My favorite space to explore is Pierpont Morgan’s three-story library, rotunda and study. The opulent interiors must be seen to be appreciated. A must for readers and even Harry Potter fans since it reminds me of Hogwarts. It’s one of the top NYC museums.
Located at 225 Madison Ave. Open Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays. Adult admission is $25, students are $13, and kids (12 and younger) enter for free.
New York Public Library
Between the granite lions on Fifth Avenue, this iconic Beaux Arts Library isn’t a traditional lending library. It’s a research library and its name is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. With its beautiful reading rooms, it is a popular destination for reading and studying. Additionally, it is also a popular destination for travelers.
The New York Public Library offers free weekday tours, and I went on one recently. During the 60-minute guided tour, I learned about the architecture of the building and the addition of the archival storage under neighboring Bryant Park. We toured its many decorative rooms, rich with details and art. There’s even an iconic set from the Sex in the City movie inside the library.
The tour is free, and reservations are required. The visitor center’s website is the best place for information. There is also a free exhibit on the ground floor of the library with some of the most treasured items from its collection, the Polonsky Exhibition of New York Public Library’s Treasures.
Located at 476 5th Ave. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday) and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Free to enter.
New York City Fire Museum
As the official museum of the New York City’s Fire Department, learn about its history in the 1904 firehouse. See the antique equipment, some of it horse-drawn. Then take a moment to reflect at the NYCFM 9/11 Memorial that honors the 343 fallen firefighters.
Located at 278 Spring St. Closed until further notice.
South Street Seaport Museum
Learn about the rise of NYC and its role as a port city. The South Street Seaport Museum offers five historic vessels. Tour the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree, the 1930 Tugboat W. O. Decker and the 1908 Lightship Ambrose, located nearby. Visitors can take a 2-hour tour of the harbor on the 1885 Schooner Pioneer.
Located at 12 Fulton St. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Weekends only in winter. Adult admission is $18, students are $15 and kids (3 to 17) are $5. Harbor cruises are available and require a separate ticket purchased in advance. Harbor cruises are available and require a separate ticket.
New York City Transit Museum
In a decommissioned subway station, explore a rotating collection of 20 different vintage subway cars, some wooden. This museum explains the past, present, and future of the MTA, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City.
Located at 99 Schermerhorn St. in Brooklyn. Open from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $10 and kids (2 to 17) are $5. Reservations are recommended.
National Museum of Mathematics
In a facility dedicated to math, learn how it provides structure along with patterns to the world. With hands-on exhibits, learn about the importance of math in the everyday world.
Located at 225 5th Ave. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $25, and kids (2 to 12 and younger) enter for $20, and babies enter for free.
New York Hall of Science
Learn how science is all around us with hands-on activities, along with a 3D theater and Rocket Park mini-golf.
Located at 47-01 111th St. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $22, students and kids are $19.
Museum of the Moving Image
Discover the past, present, and future of the moving image, a must for media fans.
Located at 36-01 35th Ave. in Queens. Open Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $20, students are $12 and kids (3 to 17) are $10. Screenings are separate.
Know Before You Go
Finding free public restrooms can be challenging. Pack hand wipes, bleach wipes and hand sanitizer to clean up. McDonald’s is reliable, but be prepared to buy a drink to get the key.
Wear comfortable shoes.
The streets of New York are safe, but be aware of who and what is around you at all times.
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