New York City is home to some of the best museums in New York — and the entire world. Whether you’re passionate about art, history, science, or immersive experiences, there’s a museum in NYC that will leave you speechless. In this guide, we cover 12 of the best museums in New York — with ticket options, must-see highlights, and insider tips to make the most of your visit.
Art Museums
1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Best for: Art lovers, History enthusiasts | Visit time: 2–4 hours
The Met is one of the largest and most visited art museums in the world. Spanning over 5,000 years of art from every corner of the globe, it’s a must-visit for any trip to New York City. From ancient Egyptian temples to European masterpieces and contemporary installations, a single visit barely scratches the surface.
Must-see: The Temple of Dendur, the Arms and Armor gallery, and the rooftop garden with views over Central Park.
- Met Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry — From $59
- Small Group Met Highlights Tour (Skip-the-Line) — From $65
- Express Highlights Tour of the MET Museum — From $55
2. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Best for: Art lovers, Design enthusiasts | Visit time: 2–3 hours
MoMA consistently ranks among the best museums in New York for modern and contemporary art. From Van Gogh’s The Starry Night to Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, the collection is nothing short of extraordinary. MoMA also hosts world-class temporary exhibitions, film screenings, and design showcases.
Must-see: The Painting and Sculpture galleries on floors 4 and 5, and the MoMA Design Store for unique souvenirs.
- MoMA Entry Ticket — From $30
- MoMA Before-Hours Tour with Art Expert — From $112
3. Guggenheim Museum
Best for: Art lovers, Architecture enthusiasts | Visit time: 1–2 hours
The Guggenheim is as much about the building as it is about the art inside. Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic spiral rotunda is a masterpiece of architecture in its own right. Inside, the museum’s permanent collection spans Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, early Modernism, and Contemporary art, with works by Kandinsky, Klimt, and Picasso.
Must-see: The rotunda itself, the Thannhauser Collection, and the ever-rotating temporary exhibitions on the upper levels.
- Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket — From $30
- Guggenheim Ticket & Digital Tour with a City Walk — From $56
4. The Frick Collection
Best for: Art lovers, Culture seekers | Visit time: 1–2 hours
Housed in the former mansion of industrialist Henry Clay Frick on the Upper East Side, the Frick Collection is one of New York’s most intimate and elegant museums. The collection features Old Master paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts displayed in beautifully preserved period rooms — giving you the rare feeling of stepping into a Gilded Age home.
Must-see: Vermeer’s Officer and Laughing Girl, Rembrandt’s self-portrait, and the stunning Garden Court atrium.
- The Frick Collection Entry Ticket — From $30
History & Science Museums
5. American Museum of Natural History
Best for: Families, Science enthusiasts | Visit time: 2–3 hours
Home to the famous dinosaur fossils and the iconic blue whale, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the best museums in New York for families and curious minds of all ages. With over 33 million specimens and artifacts, it’s one of the largest natural history museums on the planet.
Must-see: The Hall of Ocean Life, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and the massive T. rex fossil in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs.
- American Museum of Natural History Ticket — From $37
6. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Best for: History buffs, Adults | Visit time: 2–3 hours
One of the most powerful and moving best museums in New York and the world, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum stands on the footprint of the original Twin Towers. It honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks and documents one of the most significant events in modern history. This is a deeply emotional experience that every visitor to New York should take the time for.
Must-see: The Memorial pools, the Foundation Hall with the slurry wall, and the personal stories told through artifacts and audio testimonials.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum Timed-Entry Ticket — From $25
7. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Best for: Families, History buffs | Visit time: 2–3 hours
Docked on the Hudson River, the Intrepid is a decommissioned aircraft carrier turned museum — and one of the most unique among the best museums in New York. Visitors can explore the flight deck lined with historic aircraft, step inside a Cold War-era submarine, and even see the Space Shuttle Enterprise up close.
Must-see: The Space Shuttle Pavilion, the USS Growler submarine, and the flight simulators for a hands-on experience.
- Intrepid Museum Entry Ticket — From $38
Immersive & Interactive Experiences
8. Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology
Best for: Tech enthusiasts, Couples | Visit time: 1–2 hours
Mercer Labs is one of New York’s most exciting new cultural destinations, blending cutting-edge technology with immersive art installations. Located in lower Manhattan, it features large-scale digital environments, interactive exhibits, and sensory experiences that push the boundaries between art and innovation.
Must-see: The immersive digital art environments and the interactive technology installations that change with each visit.
- Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology Ticket — From $57
9. Arte Museum New York
Best for: Photography lovers, Couples | Visit time: 1–2 hours
Arte Museum is one of the most unique best museums in New York, bringing a world-renowned immersive media art experience to the city. Originally launched in Seoul and expanded globally, Arte Museum transforms visitors into participants, surrounding them with flowing digital landscapes, nature-inspired visuals, and meditative soundscapes. It’s a perfect blend of art, technology, and emotion.
Must-see: The Garden of Light installation and the Water cycle — both are breathtaking and highly photogenic.
- Arte Museum New York: An Immersive Media Art Exhibition — From $49
10. Museum of Ice Cream
Best for: Families, Groups of friends | Visit time: 1–2 hours
Equal parts art installation and sugar-fueled playground, the Museum of Ice Cream is a wildly fun experience for all ages. Featuring a series of colorful, interactive rooms inspired by everyone’s favorite frozen treat, it’s one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Don’t miss the famous sprinkle pool — it’s exactly as delightful as it sounds.
Must-see: The sprinkle pool, the banana split swing room, and the complimentary ice cream tastings throughout the experience.
- Museum of Ice Cream Entry Ticket — From $31
11. RiseNY Experience
Best for: First-time visitors, Families | Visit time: 1 hour
RiseNY is a one-of-a-kind attraction in Times Square that takes you on a thrilling flight over the five boroughs of New York City. Using state-of-the-art flying theater technology, you’ll soar over iconic landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park — all without leaving the ground. It’s an unforgettable way to see the city from a whole new perspective.
Must-see: The flying theater ride itself, plus the pre-show exhibits covering New York’s cultural history and iconic moments.
- RiseNY Experience Ticket — From $48
12. Madame Tussauds New York
Best for: Families, Pop culture fans | Visit time: 1–2 hours
Located in the heart of Times Square, Madame Tussauds New York lets you get up close and personal with incredibly lifelike wax figures of your favorite celebrities, world leaders, sports icons, and pop culture legends. It’s an interactive, fun-filled experience that’s a hit with visitors of all ages.
Must-see: The Marvel 4D cinema experience, the music zone with pop icons, and the sports legends gallery.
- Madame Tussauds Entry Tickets — From $32
Tips for Visiting the Best Museums in New York
Best Days & Times to Visit
Weekday mornings (Tuesday through Thursday) are the least crowded times to visit most NYC museums. Avoid weekends if possible, especially for popular spots like the Met and MoMA. Many museums are closed on Mondays.
Free Admission Days
- The Met — Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents
- MoMA — Free on Friday evenings (5–9 PM)
- Guggenheim — Pay-what-you-wish on Saturdays (5–8 PM)
- Brooklyn Museum — Free on the first Saturday of every month
Museum Passes
If you plan to visit multiple museums, consider the New York CityPASS or the New York Pass, which bundle access to top attractions at a discounted rate. These can save you significant money if you’re planning to visit multiple best museums in New York.
Book in Advance
For timed-entry museums like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, booking your ticket online in advance is strongly recommended — especially during peak tourist season (June through August). Skip-the-line tours are also worth the extra cost when visiting the best museums in New York like the Met and MoMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit museums in New York City?
Ticket prices vary widely. General admission ranges from around $25 (9/11 Memorial) to $57 (Mercer Labs). Many museums — including the Met and Guggenheim — offer pay-what-you-wish hours for certain visitors. Booking through a combo pass like the New York CityPASS can significantly reduce the total cost if you plan to visit multiple attractions.
Which New York museum is best for families?
The American Museum of Natural History is the top pick for families, thanks to its dinosaur fossils, the Hall of Ocean Life, and hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and the Museum of Ice Cream are also excellent family-friendly options.
Are there free museums in New York?
Yes — several of the best museums in New York offer free or pay-what-you-wish admission at certain times. MoMA is free on Friday evenings (5–9 PM), the Guggenheim offers pay-what-you-wish on Saturdays (5–8 PM), and the Met operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis for New York State residents.
Do I need to book museum tickets in advance?
For timed-entry museums like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, advance booking is strongly recommended — especially during summer (June–August). For large museums like the Met and MoMA, skip-the-line tours are worth the extra cost to avoid long queues during peak season.
How many NYC museums can you visit in one day?
Realistically, one or two museums per day is the ideal pace. Rushing through multiple large museums in a single day leads to fatigue and means missing the highlights. If you’re short on time, opt for smaller venues like the Frick Collection (1–2 hours) or the Guggenheim (1–2 hours) and combine them with a neighborhood walk.
Final Thoughts on the Best Museums in New York
New York City’s museum scene is truly unmatched. Whether you’re standing in front of Van Gogh’s Starry Night at MoMA, marveling at ancient dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum, or soaring over the skyline at RiseNY, each experience offers something completely unique. The best museums in New York aren’t just places to visit — they’re experiences that stay with you long after you’ve left the city.
Ready to start planning? Browse the tours and tickets above to secure your spot — the best museums in New York are waiting for you.