The Best of New York City Museums

New York City is host to some of the greatest museums in the world. From the American Museum of Natural History to the Guggenheim Museum, the city covers all bases when it comes to uncovering the treasures of the world.

First things first - Save Money with the CityPass

The City Pass is a book of tickets that can be bought at any participating museums under the City Pass seal. The City Pass allows for discounted admissions to some of the city's best museums and attractions. The list includes the American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Intrepid Sea-Air Space Museum, Empire State Building Observatory, and the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. As of now, City Pass costs $53. Buying separate tickets to each of these places would cost over $100, so you can see the savings offered here!

The Who's Who of New York City Museums

American Museum of Natural History

With a dazzling array of natural science and culture collections from around the world, the museum brags 46 exhibition rooms scattered throughout four floors with more than 32 million specimens and artifacts. The top floor is especially attractive with a gigantic dinosaur and prehistoric exhibit. The floors are divided into four major exhibits: Ocean Life, Asian/African/Indians/Birds/Biology and Minerals and Gems. In addition, the American Museum of Natural History is home to one of the largest planetariums in the country in the Rose Center of Earth and Space.

Look for it at 81 St. and Central Park West
(212) 769-5100

AMNH.org

The Intrepid Sea and Air Space Museum

For air and sea enthusiasts, the Intrepid Museum is one of the finest landmarks New York City has to offer. It is a former US Navy Aircraft carrier stationed at Pier 86 on Manhattan's West Side. Nearly destroyed by a Japanese air strike and a full fledged participant in World War II, it was repaired and damaged over and over (even fighting in Vietnam!) until it was officially retired for our enjoyment. The exhibits themselves cover a wide range of sea and air themes. You can navigate the carrier by foot and take a tour of its aircraft collection and mess halls where veteran crews once ate.

Tickets are $16.50 for adults and $11 for children with hours open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily.
Look for it at 46 St. and 12th Ave

Intrepidmuseum.org

Ellis Island Museum

The Ellis Island Museum is a testament to the hard working immigrants that came to this country in droves from the 1890s through the 1950s. It was a headquarters where immigrants were introduced into the country and even given new names to better assimilate into the culture. The museum itself is a 200,000 square foot building with an extensive collection of immigrant photographs, their items, and featurettes detailing their journeys along with film rooms of the experience they went through.

Free. Open 10 AM to 5 PM most days.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has the biggest collection in not only New York City, but one of the largest in the world in comparison with the Louvre and the Vatican. Don't believe it? Maybe its 750,000 art pieces in 270 rooms will. To begin, there are massive permanent collections in addition to specially featured shows that change from time to time. Art collections go from Ancient Egypt to the Impressionists all the way down to Cubism. It is said that one exhibit could take a week to explore, and that could be the case with the Egyptian Exhibit in participate. Admission is free, although it is strongly suggested you donate $12 to get in. It is suggested to purchase the museum guide book which costs $19 for an excellent tutorial into the ins and outs of the place.

The museum is closed on Mondays and weekday hours are from 9:30 to 5:30. Be aware that you could rent an audio guide in the entrance hall for $6. Unlike the Louvre, you can take some pictures here (without flash) of every item including paintings. Food won't be missed, as there is a cafeteria and two cafes ready to serve you.

Address: 86 St. and 5^th Avenue
Metmuseum.org