40 Best Museums in New York City That You Need To Check Out

Museums in NYC are a cultural treasure trove, showcasing art, history, and science in remarkable ways. From the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art to the contemporary Museum of Modern Art, these institutions educate and inspire locals and tourists alike. With diverse collections spanning centuries and continents, Museums in NYC truly offer something for everyone.

1. Museum of the City of New York

Showcases the rich history and culture of New York City

2. Neue Galerie New York

Home to the only Gustav Klimt painting in the US - 'Adele Bloch-Bauer I'

3. Museum of Sex

Only museum in the world dedicated to sex

4. El Museo del Barrio

El Museo del Barrio is the only museum in New York City dedicated exclusively to Puerto Rican and Latin American art and culture

5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Home to over 2 million works of art

6. The Museum of Modern Art

Home to famous works such as Starry Night and Campbell's Soup Cans

7. American Museum of Natural History

Iconic building with a history of scientific research

8. Whitney Museum of American Art

Inaugurated in 1931, focusing on 20th and 21st-century American art

9. The Morgan Library & Museum

Home to J.P. Morgan's personal library and collection, reflecting his wide-ranging interests.

10. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

First Smithsonian museum located in New York

11. 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Honors the victims of the 9/11 attacks

12. Museum of the Moving Image

Houses the only functioning movie studio in New York City

13. Brooklyn Museum

Houses one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in the country

14. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Features a spiral ramp design for a seamless transition between levels

15. Frick Madison

Prestigious cultural hub in New York City

16. The Jewish Museum

Only museum in the United States dedicated to exploring the Jewish experience

17. Fotografiska Museum NYC

Dedicated entirely to contemporary photography

18. MoMA PS1

Converted public school turned modern art museum

19. The Drawing Center

Only museum in the U.S. focused solely on drawing

20. The Frick Collection

Henry Clay Frick's former residence

21. Merchant's House Museum

Home of infamous Victorian-era merchant Seabury Tredwell

22. New-York Historical Society

Luce Center provides interactive experience

23. The Met Cloisters

Replicates European monasteries and cloisters

24. The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Emphasis on contemporary art and local artists

25. Asia Society and Museum

Highly respected organization promoting Asian culture in the heart of New York City.

26. Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art

Proudly focuses on LGBTQ representation in art

27. American Folk Art Museum

Only museum dedicated to American folk art in the country

28. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Home to the space shuttle Enterprise

29. Rubin Museum of Art

Exclusive dedication to Himalayan art and culture

30. The Museum at FIT

Houses over 50,000 garments and accessories

31. The Noguchi Museum

Designed by the artist himself

32. National Museum of the American Indian

Culturally immersive experience with live performances

33. Museum of Chinese in America

Only national museum dedicated to the Chinese American experience

34. Tenement Museum

Preserves and showcases original tenement buildings

35. Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

Gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the US

36. Queens Museum

Home to the largest scale architectural model in the world

37. Museum of Arts and Design

Devoted exclusively to contemporary art, design, and craft

38. New Museum

Focuses on contemporary art and experimental exhibitions

39. International Center of Photography Museum

Dedicated to photography and visual culture

40. The MoDE - The Museum of Digital Experiences