The Best Museums in New York City: Your Complete 2026 Guide

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New York City is home to some of the best museums in the world. From the Met’s ancient Egyptian galleries to MoMA’s modern art collection, the city offers something for every kind of visitor. Whether you have one afternoon or a full week, we’ll help you plan your museum visits and make the most of every hour.

Museum Mile: Where the Best Museums in New York City Begin

The stretch of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th Street is known as Museum Mile. It runs along the eastern edge of Central Park, and its museums sit within easy walking distance of each other. It’s the best place to begin any serious museum visit in New York City.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, simply called “the Met”, is one of the largest art museums in the world. Its collection spans 5,000 years of human creativity across dozens of galleries. Wandering through the Egyptian Wing feels like stepping back 3,000 years. The Temple of Dendur alone makes the visit worthwhile.

The Met sits on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, one of Manhattan’s most elegant neighborhoods. Allow a full day here. The arms and armor galleries, the European paintings, and the American Wing courtyard each reward a slow visit. There is no rushing the Met.

Hours and tickets: see metmuseum.org for current hours and prices before you go.
Tip: Arrive at opening to beat the crowds in the Egyptian Wing.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim building, which opened in 1959. The spiral ramp is as much an attraction as the art inside. The permanent collection includes Kandinsky, Picasso, and Klee, while the rotating exhibitions tend to be among the most talked-about in New York.

Don’t miss the view from the ground floor, looking straight up the spiral as visitors drift through the galleries. It’s one of the most striking architectural sights in the city.

Hours and tickets: see guggenheim.org for current hours and prices.

The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Cooper Hewitt is unlike every other museum on Museum Mile. It is the Smithsonian’s design museum, and it lives in Andrew Carnegie’s former mansion at Fifth Avenue and 91st Street. The collection covers wallpaper, product design, textiles, and digital media.

We love the setting as much as the objects: the mansion’s wood-paneled rooms and its garden are a calm break from Fifth Avenue. Exhibitions change through the year, so check the museum’s website for what is on display when you visit.

Hours and tickets: see cooperhewitt.org for current hours and prices.

Great Museums Beyond Museum Mile

The best museums in New York are not limited to Fifth Avenue. Midtown, the Upper West Side and the other boroughs have world-class collections that many visitors overlook.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

MoMA sits in Midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Times Square. It holds one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary art anywhere in the world. Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, and a Picasso collection that takes an afternoon to absorb are all here.

MoMA also has the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden; on warm days, it’s one of the most pleasant spots in Midtown. Book tickets online in advance. The main galleries get very busy on weekends.

Hours and tickets: see moma.org for current hours and prices.

The American Museum of Natural History

Few museums capture the imagination like the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. The dinosaur halls are legendary. The giant blue whale model suspended from the ceiling of the Ocean Life hall stops everyone in their tracks; standing beneath it is one of those NYC moments you remember for years. The newer Richard Gilder Center, pictured above, opened in 2023 and is worth a look for the building alone.

The museum borders Central Park. A morning at the museum followed by an afternoon walk through the park makes for a wonderful full day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space, which connects to the museum, is spectacular in its own right.

Hours and tickets: see amnh.org for current hours and prices.
Tip: Arrive early. This is one of New York’s most popular attractions.

The Brooklyn Museum

Don’t overlook Brooklyn for museums. The Brooklyn Museum on Eastern Parkway is one of the largest art museums in the United States. Its Egyptian collection is one of the finest in the country, and it is home to the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, where Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party is on permanent display.

Pair a visit with a walk through Brooklyn’s best neighborhoods. Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are right next door, and the brownstone streets of Park Slope are a short walk away.

Hours and tickets: see brooklynmuseum.org for current hours, prices and free evenings.

Free and Low-Cost Museum Options

New York’s museums can be expensive. The good news is that several world-class options are free or pay-what-you-wish at set times. Check each museum’s website before you visit: free evenings get busy, and some need a timed ticket even when free. (Free times below checked on each museum’s own website, October 2026.)

• The Whitney Museum of American Art (Meatpacking District): Free Friday Nights, Free Second Sundays, and free every day for visitors aged 25 and under
• The Museum of the City of New York (Museum Mile): free for everyone on Wednesdays; ages 18 and under always free
• The Noguchi Museum (Long Island City, Queens): free on the first Friday of every month
• The Museum of Arts and Design (Columbus Circle): pay what you wish from 5 to 8 pm on the first Wednesday of every month
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: pay what you wish for New York State residents and for students from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

For a full list of free activities across the city, including parks, viewpoints, and free neighborhood walks, take a look at our complete guide to free things in New York City.

Planning Your Museum Visits: Practical Tips

How much time do you need?

The Met and the Natural History Museum each deserve a full day on their own. MoMA and the Guggenheim can each be covered well in two to three hours. The Brooklyn Museum works as a half-day trip combined with exploring the surrounding neighborhood.

If your schedule is tight, choose based on your interests:

• Art lovers: The Met + MoMA + Guggenheim
• Families with children: Natural History Museum + Central Park
• Design and architecture fans: Cooper Hewitt + MoMA
• Repeat visitors: Brooklyn Museum + Noguchi Museum in Queens

Getting to the museums

Most Manhattan museums are easy to reach by subway. The Met, Guggenheim, and Cooper Hewitt are all a short walk from the 4, 5, or 6 train at 86th Street. MoMA is best reached from the E or M train at Fifth Avenue–53rd Street. The Brooklyn Museum is served by the 2 or 3 train at Eastern Parkway.

If you’re new to the subway, our complete NYC transport guide covers every major line in plain English.

Museum passes

Several sightseeing passes, such as the Go City New York Explorer Pass and The New York Pass, bundle multiple attractions, including some museums, for a single price. If you plan to visit several paid museums in one trip, a pass may save money. Compare the included museums against your planned itinerary before you buy — the value varies depending on which museums you intend to visit.

If you’re working out your overall budget for the trip, our New York City travel budget guide breaks down typical costs for accommodation, food, and attractions.

Museums as a Rainy Day Plan

New York’s weather can be unpredictable, especially in spring and fall. Museums are one of the best rainy-day activities in the city. Even a damp afternoon feels worthwhile when you’re walking up the Guggenheim’s spiral under its skylight, or standing in front of a Van Gogh at MoMA. If you’re building a 3-day New York itinerary, it’s worth keeping a museum as a flexible option on each day, one that can absorb a few extra hours if outdoor plans get rained off.

FAQ: Best Museums in New York City

What is the best museum to visit in New York City?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is widely considered the best museum in New York City. It holds an extraordinary collection spanning thousands of years of art and history. For modern art specifically, MoMA is the standout choice among the best museums in New York City.

How much does it cost to visit museums in New York City?

Prices vary by museum and change from time to time, so check each museum’s official website for current prices. The Met is pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents, and several museums, including the Whitney, the Museum of the City of New York and the Noguchi Museum, have regular free times (see our list above).

Is the Guggenheim worth visiting in New York?

Yes. The Guggenheim is worth visiting for the building alone. Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiral design is one of the most distinctive pieces of architecture in the United States. The permanent collection of modern art and the regularly changing exhibitions add further depth to the visit.

How do I get to Museum Mile in New York City?

Museum Mile runs along Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Take the 4, 5, or 6 subway to 86th Street to reach the Met and Guggenheim. The entire mile is walkable, and the stretch along Central Park is a pleasant walk even between museums.

Are there free museums in New York City?

Yes. Several of New York’s best museums offer free entry on specific days or at specific times. The Whitney is free on Friday nights and the second Sunday of each month, the Museum of the City of New York is free on Wednesdays, and the Noguchi Museum is free on the first Friday of each month (checked October 2026). The Met offers pay-what-you-wish entry for New York State residents. Other museums run their own free or discounted programs, so check each official website before you go.