The 22 Best Museums and Galleries in New York City: 2024 list
Written by Cedric Rutten and Giulia Daniele, June 2024
Exploring New York City’s art scene is a journey through some of the most iconic and diverse collections in the world. From the architectural marvel of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, housing contemporary masterpieces, to the vibrant cultural experiences at the Brooklyn Museum, New York offers a treasure trove for art enthusiasts.
Whether you're captivated by the timeless works at The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the modern provocations at MoMA, the city’s museums and galleries promise a unique and enriching experience for every visitor.
Read the full New York City Travel Guide here
Best Art Museums & Galleries New York City
1. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
© H.R. Tsua, via Wikimedia Commons
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City is a must-see for any art enthusiast. Designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum's spiral structure houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art.
From iconic works by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall to thought-provoking pieces by contemporary artists like Jenny Holzer and James Turrell, the Guggenheim's collection never fails to inspire and challenge visitors.
In addition to its impressive permanent collection, the museum hosts a variety of rotating exhibitions and events, making each visit a unique experience. A true masterpiece of architecture and art, the Guggenheim Museum is a destination not to be missed.
Opening Hours: Every day: 10:30 am–5:30 pm
Admission: $30
Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128 / Open in Google Maps
2. Brooklyn Museum
© ajay_suresh, via Wikimedia Commons
The Brooklyn Museum is a hidden gem of the New York art scene, with an impressive collection of over 1.5 million artworks from around the world. The museum's diverse exhibitions include everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary art installations, and highlight the contributions of underrepresented artists and cultures.
Visitors can also explore the museum's extensive collection of feminist art, which features iconic works by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro. With regular special events, concerts, and educational programs, the Brooklyn Museum offers a vibrant cultural experience for all art lovers. A must-see destination in the heart of Brooklyn.
Opening Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am–6 pm
Admission: $20
Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 / Open in Google Maps
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
© Hugo Schneider, via Wikimedia Commons
People from all over the world flock to New York to visit the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art, often just called the “Met." Boasting a collection of over 2 million works, the museum covers a vast range of art and artifacts from across human history and culture.
From old Egyptian artefacts to newer works, the Met has it all. In addition to its major collection, this museum has many temporary shows and events going on all the time, making every visit fun and unique.
Opening Hours: Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday: 10 am–5 pm, Friday and Saturday: 10 am–9 pm
Admission: $30, NY residents: Pay what you wish
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028 / Open in Google Maps
© ajay_suresh, via Wikimedia Commons
If you don't have much time during your trip to New York and can only visit one museum, we recommend the MoMA. This is one of the most popular modern art museums in the world.
It opened in 1929 and got more than a million visitors a year. A visit to the MoMA takes you on a journey through the greatest artists that ever walked the earth, including Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso and Dalí. The MoMA is a joy for all the senses and an unforgettable experience.
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:30 am–5:30 pm, Saturday: 10:30 am –7:00 pm
Admission: $30
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 / Open in Google Maps
5. Gagosian, Chelsea
© Paul Soulellis, via Wikimedia Commons
Gagosian shows cutting-edge art in many different forms. In the past, the store has displayed works by leading artists like Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Cindy Sherman, Takashi Murakami, and Anselm Kiefer.
With their unique styles and ideas, these artists have made a long impression on the art world, establishing Gagosian as a must-visit venue.
Opening Hours: Monday–Friday 10 am–6 pm.
Admission: Free
Address: 555 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011 / Open in Google Maps
6. David Zwirner Gallery, Chelsea
© Mendeswood, via Wikimedia Commons
The German-born art dealer David Zwirner has always been an important figure in New York’s art scene. In 2002, he moved his store from SoHo to West 19th Street in Chelsea, making him an even bigger part of the city's heritage.
Famous artists like Alice Neel, Donald Judd, Thomas Ruff, and Gerhard Richter have shown their work in Zwirner's venues, which has helped establish him as one of the city’s most emerging talents.
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 525 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011 / Open in Google Maps
7. Whitney Museum of American Art
© MusikAnimal, via Wikimedia Commons
The Chelsea-based Whitney Museum of American Art is famous for showing artistic works from the United States. Its collection includes works from the 20th century to the 21st, offering visitors a wide perspective on American art.
The architecture is Renzo Piano’s brainchild – a delight in its own right. Works by Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol, such as "One: Number 31," "Campbell's Soup Cans," and "Lobster Trap and Fish Tail," are some of the most famous in the museum.
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:30 am–6 pm, Saturday: 10:30am–10pm, Tuesdays closed
Admission: $30, Free every Friday evening: 5–10pm
Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014 / Open in Google Maps
8. The Frick Collection
© The Frick Collection, J. M. W. Turner, Cologne, the Arrival of a Packet Boat in the Evening, 1826
Once Henry Clay Frick’s home, the Frick Collection is a towering example of art. World-class paintings, sculptures, and furniture can be found in its permanent collections. These include works of art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Renoir, and the famous French cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener.
This prestigious museum gives tourists a glimpse into the luxurious life of the Gilded Age while showcasing worldwide-known masterpieces.
Opening Hours: Currently closed
Admission: /
Address: 1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021 / Open in Google Maps
9. New Museum of Contemporary Art
© Firebrace, via Wikimedia Commons
Marcia Tucker opened the New Museum of Contemporary Art in 1977. It is one of the most innovative cultural institutions in New York City at 235 Bowery on Manhattan's Lower East Side. It showcases modern art in a wide range of forms, encourages new ideas and gives new and upcoming artists a platform.
It also promotes critical discussion and pushes the limits of artistic expression. People are still drawn to the New Museum because of its ever-changing exhibits and dedication to showing the latest artistic experimentations.
Opening Hours: Currently closed
Admission: /
Address: 235 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 / Open in Google Maps
10. MoMA PS1
© MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1, a new and experimental modern art museum in Queens' Court Square, adds to the cultural scene with its diverse schedule and open-minded approach to art.
As a part of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), PS1 gives emerging artists a platform while encouraging conversation and research. It is housed in a large building that used to be a public school. Its many halls and outdoor areas host shows, exhibitions, and events that question traditional artistic norms.
Opening Hours: Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 12–6 pm., Friday: 12–10 pm, Saturday: 12–8 pm
Admission: $10, NY residents: free
Address: 22-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101 / Open in Google Maps
11. International Center of Photography Museum
© Photographers Gallery
The International Centre of Photography (ICP) is located at 79 Essex Street in Manhattan's lively Lower East Side. It is both a museum about photography and visual culture and a busy school. It hosts many different classes and events, making it a great place for experienced photographers and enthusiastic beginners.
The museum also organises various interesting shows that look at all the different aspects of photography. These are aimed at sparking conversation about how images are made and how they affect society.
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 11 am-7 pm, Saturday: 11 am-9 pm, Tuesdays closed
Admission: $18
Address: 79 Essex St, New York, NY 10002 / Open in Google Maps
12. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
© Ajay Suresh, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is a shining example of new and creative design. It is housed in the famous Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
As a part of the Smithsonian Institution, it displays a wide range of design objects and artefacts from different countries and ages. This gives visitors a chance to see how design has changed over time and how it has impacted society. Through teaching programmes and engaging exhibits, the museum helps people understand the value of design.
Opening Hours: Everyday: 10 am-6 pm
Admission: $10
Address: 2 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128 / Open in Google Maps
13. Fotografiska New York
© Fotografiska
The building was initially supposed to be the Ana Delvey Foundation, but it changed to Fotografiska New York – a branch of the famous Swedish photography museum in Gramercy Park, Manhattan. It opened in December 2019 in the beautiful six-story Renaissance Revival Church Missions House.
As a cultural hub for photography, the museum offers visitors a carefully chosen range of captivating shows and immersive experiences. With its ever-changing calendar and focus on visual stories, it takes New York City's rich cultural heritage to the next level.
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:30 am–9 pm, Friday - Saturday 10:30 am–11 pm, Sunday 10:30 am–9 pm
Admission: $24
Address: 281 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010 / Open in Google Maps
14. El Museo del Barrio
© El Museo del Barrio
The El Museo del Barrio, or simply "El Museo," is a cultural landmark in Upper Manhattan at 1230 Fifth Avenue. It is near the northern end of Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, not far from the Museum of the City of New York.
El Museo is committed to promoting and protecting Latin American and Caribbean art and culture. It does this by providing a wide range of shows, programmes, and events that help people learn more about the community's rich history.
Opening Hours: Thursday - Sunday: 11 am-5 pm
Admission: $9
Address: 1230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029 / Open in Google Maps
15. Queens Museum
© Queens Museum
The Queens Museum is a cultural landmark in the borough of Queens. It is located in the beautiful Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It used to be the Queens Museum of Art and is both an art museum and a learning hub.
This New York museum is known for its wide range of shows and community-focused events. It celebrates Queens' rich cultural history and uses art to bring people together. With its strategic position and ever-changing exhibits, the Queens Museum continues to make the lives of both tourists and locals better.
Opening Hours: Wednesday - Friday: 12 pm-5 pm, Saturday - Sunday: 11 am-5pm
Admission: Pay-What-You-Wish Admission ($8 advised)
Address: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Building, Queens, NY 11368 / Open in Google Maps
16. Bronx Museum of the Arts
© Bronx Museum of the Arts - Argenis Apolinario
The Bronx Museum of the Arts is a well-known culture centre in Concourse, Bronx, New York. It has been an important part of the community since Irma Fleck opened it in 1971. The museum has many different displays and programmes to show off the rich artistic history of the borough and beyond.
Under the direction of Director Klaudio Rodriguez, it keeps attracting visitors with interesting stories from its collection, like "José Martí in History and Art." The Bronx Museum is a great place for people in the Bronx and beyond to showcase their talent and learn about other cultures.
Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 11 am-6 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456 / Open in Google Maps
17. The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD)
© MAD NYC
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City has been around since 1956 and is a hub for well-established talents and emerging artists. MAD collects, presents, and analyses objects that show how craft, art, and design are connected. These objects reflect both new trends and important historical successes in these areas.
With its wide range of shows and events, the museum gives guests a unique chance to see how artistic expression is always changing. It celebrates the power of creativity to inspire, challenge, and improve our lives through everything from traditional craftsmanship to cutting-edge design.
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am-6 pm
Admission: $20
Address: 2 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019 / Open in Google Maps
18. Paula Cooper Gallery
© Eric N. Mack, “Landlord,” 2021. umbrella, wood flagpoles, metal brackets, fabric collage, thread - Paule Cooper Gallery
Paula Cooper opened the Paula Cooper Gallery in 1968, which shows a wide range of modern works through different media. Paula Cooper Gallery has been very important in making the city's art scene what it is today by promoting new and thought-provoking art practices.
Visitors and fans come from all over the world because it is dedicated to showing new artists and pushing the limits of art.
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 am–5 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 521 W 21st St, New York, NY 10011 / Open in Google Maps
19. Neue Galerie New York
© Neue Galerie New York
The Neue Galerie New York is a memorial to German and Austrian art and design from the early 1900s. Ronald Lauder opened the museum on November 16, 2001. It is in the famous William Starr Miller House.
The beautiful design was made by the famous builder Annabelle Selldorf, who also designed the collection. The Neue Galerie, led by Director Renée Price, puts together shows that honour the depth and breadth of this period. These take guests on an interesting journey through the cultural history of Germany and Austria in the early 1900s.
Opening Hours: Monday: 11 am-6 pm, Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am-6 pm
Admission: $28
Address: 1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028 / Open in Google Maps
20. Gladstone Gallery, Chelsea
© Gladstone Gallery, Chelsea
Gladstone Gallery has sites in New York, Brussels, and Seoul. It is a major power in the modern and contemporary art world. Since Barbara Gladstone opened it, the studio has become a premier place for artists to show their cutting-edge work.
The Gladstone Gallery NYC is a place where new ideas and conversations about culture can happen because it has a wide range of artists and is dedicated to pushing the limits. The gallery has gained international fame and a devoted following thanks to Barbara Gladstone's vision and commitment to making cutting-edge art.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 10 am-6 pm
Admission: Free
Address: 515 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011 / Open in Google Maps
21. PERROTIN, Lower East Side
© PERROTIN, Lower East Side
Perrotin is a modern art store in New York City's lively Lower East Side. It was started by Emmanuel Perrotin. From 2013 to 2016, the gallery was on Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. In April 2017, it moved to a large 25,000-square-foot space at 130 Orchard Street.
This was a smart move that allowed Perrotin to connect with the lively arts scene on the Lower East Side even more while still showing new, cutting-edge works of art.
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am-6pm
Admission: Free
Address: 130 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 / Open in Google Maps
22. Pace Gallery, Chelsea
© Pace Gallery, Chelsea
The Chelsea location of Pace Gallery is a hub for well-known modern art, showing works from around the world in a cosy space. The gallery is right in the middle of Chelsea, one of New York City's most exciting art areas. It offers guests an immersive experience with cutting-edge shows by a wide range of artists.
Pace Gallery is still a popular place for art lovers and collectors who want to see the newest trends and ideas in the art world because it wants to encourage conversation and admiration of modern art.
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 am-6pm
Admission: Free
Address: 540 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001 / Open in Google Maps
Map
Something wrong?
Please let us know: [email protected]