12 must-see museums in New York

What are the most important museums to visit in New York? Discover our top 12 museums to discover absolutely in Big Apple!

Cultural capital and the most populous city of the United States, New York is a must-see destination. It obviously houses many museums, but also famous neighborhoods. They perfectly reflect the historical and multicultural face of Big Apple. Divided in five major districts, New York will never cease to marvel at lovers of history, culture, art and day-to-day activities.

You'll doubt it, you won't miss the cultural high places to discover during your stay in New York. Among the most famous are the Guggenheim Museum, the MET or the MoMA, but many more await you! To visit some of them for free or cheap, you can opt for one of the New York Pass, such as the New York CityPASS . But without further delay, discover our list of the 12 must-see museums to visit in New York.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)

Known as MET, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most important museums to visit in New York. He is one of the world’s largest art museums, and is in New York what is le Louvre Paris! Within this temple of culture, you will discover almost 250,000 works exhibiting 5000 years of history, from the Prehistory to the present day.

It brings together the richest collection of American art in the world, as well as art from Greece and ancient Egypt, as well as important ensembles of European paintings and sculptures. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this museum can visit two to four hours . Cut-the-line tickets are available for this museum.

2. New York Museum of Natural History

Located opposite Central Park on 8th Avenue, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the other must-see museums in New York. Also famous, he ranks frequently at the top of the rankings of the world's best science museums. Inside, you will discover incredible collections, including stuffed animals from America and around the world, dinosaur bones or precious stones. You can also touch fragments of real meteorites!

Very playful and instructive, this museum is ideal for children and adults. Plan at least three hours to discover it properly.

3. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

A short walk from the Rockefeller Center and the Cathedral of Saint-Patrick, you will find one of the most famous and important modern art museums in the world: the Museum of Modern Art of New York. The latter houses an impressive collection of art works by Dali, Picasso, Cézanne, Monet, Vasily Kandinsky or Van Gogh. In addition to paintings, he also brings together sculptures, drawings, and even photographs and films.

Whether you’re an art ferus or not, MoMA is one of the most important museums to visit in New York. Ideally three hours to find out. Cup-file tickets are also available for this museum.

4. The Guggenheim Museum

Located on Fifth Avenue, not far from the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum is worth a visit both for its collections and for the building. Inscribed to UNESCO World Heritage, the museum was designed by the illustrious architect Frank Lloyd Wright . Its exterior will thus mark the beginning of your visit to one of the must-see museums in New York.

Inside you will admire works by Marc Chagall, Vasily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso or Vincent Van Gogh. Please also three hours to visit him properly. Cut-the-line tickets are also available for the Guggenheim.

5. The Museum of September 11, 2001

Inaugurated by Barack Obama, thirteen years after the tragic attacks of September 11, this museum pays tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks of this funest day. Located at the site where the old towers of the World Trade Center were erected, the museum allows to relive the events chronologically. You will also discover many documents, personal objects and remains, such as a fire truck found under the rubble or remains of the antenna that was truncated at the top of the northern tower.

Very moving, this Museum of September 11, 2001 is certainly one of the most important museums to visit in New York. A quick visit can last two hours, but to deepen, plan four hours . You can get online cut-file tickets for this museum.

6. The Brooklyn Museum

The second most visited museum in the city, the Brooklyn Museum is certainly one of the most important museums to visit in New York. Its permanent collections house more than 1.5 million objects, from ancient Egypt to contemporary periods. They are thus divided into several parts to discover the art of Egypt and the ancient Middle East, America, Africa, Europe, the Islamic world and the Pacific Islands. Don't miss visiting him during your stay in New York.

The Brooklyn Museum is also located in the heart of a large green space that includes Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park Zoo. Plan three to five hours to visit him properly.

7. The Frick Collection

The Frick Collection is one of the most important art museums in New York. It is located in the former residence of Henry Clay Frick, a steel magnate and art collector of the United States. Built between 1913 and 1914, this huge neo-classical hotel offers an incredible setting.

The museum's collections include paintings by great European artists, but also sculptures, furniture, porcelain pieces, emals and carpets. Little known, the museum surprises both by its enclosure and by the richness of its collections. Plan one and a half hour at two hours to visit him.

8. L’Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum

Located on Pier 86, on the Hudson River, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of the most important museums to visit in New York. It will allow you to learn more about the maritime, aerospace and military history of the United States in recent decades. During this highly original visit, you can discover the innards and different bridges of the Intrepid aircraft carrier. You will also admire various aircraft, aircraft and helicopters of different times, such as the A-12 Blackbird aircraft. The museum also exhibits original objects, models and even interactive experiences in a vintage hangar. You can finally visit a submarine and the famous Concorde.

For this unique visit, plan two to three hours , even a morning if you are passionate about aeronautics!

9. The Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum is unfortunately quite unrecognized and often neglected to benefit the city’s largest art museums, such as MET, MoMA or Guggenheim. Founded in 1930 by sculptor and patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, he is one of the most important museums to visit in New York. For proof, its huge permanent collection houses 21,000 works of more than 3,000 artists! You will discover American art throughout the museum since 1900 thanks to numerous paintings, engravings, sculptures, photographs and films.

Located at the foot of the High Line , the museum extends over 8 floors. In addition to its temporary contemporary art collections, it is also a pleasant place to relax on its pretty terrace, enjoy a snack and admire the view of New York.

To visit this must-see museum, we recommend that you plan two to three hours especially if you plan to enjoy its terraces and rooftops .

10. New York City Museum

Nestled in a Georgian and colonial building in 1932, south of East Harlem, the Museum of the City of New York presents the history of Big Apple and the daily life of its inhabitants. On four floors, its collections exhibit paintings, photographs and many objects.

The most interesting parts of the museum are certainly those dedicated to antique toys and the exhibition “New York Interiors”. The latter presents dioramas and models of New York dwellings between the 17th and 20th century. To visit this museum, plan one to two hours .

11. The Cloisters

Located north of the island of Manhattan MET Cloisters is one of the departments of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This establishment focuses on medieval European art and architecture of this time. Its collection includes about 5000 works of art, mainly sculptures, stained-glass windows and tapestries. Most of these pieces date from the 12th to the 15th century, and belonged to John D. Rockefeller Junior. He is one of the most important museums to visit in New York.

At least an hour and a half to discover all works and corners!

12. The Tenement Museum

To finish this list of the must-see museums to visit in New York, we could not fail to mention the Tenement Museum. This exciting museum tells the story of the city’s immigrants. Founded in 1988, it stands in a renovated apartment complex. More than 7,000 immigrants of 20 nationalities lived in the latter between 1863 and 1935.

This museum visits only with a guide. These guided tours usually last between one and two hours .