Museums and Arts

Many of NYC's best museums surround Central Park. See the locations of our favorite museums on the map with links to more details including hours and admission information. 

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  • 1
    American Museum of Natural History

    Jeenah Moon

    The American Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums in the world and a favorite of New Yorkers. All aspects of the natural world are represented here including the dinosaur floor which is a favorite for children. You won't want to miss the Sharks exhibit on display until September 2023.

  • 2
    Children's History Museum

    nyhistory.org

    Children and families can explore the lives of city kids in past years at the Children's History Museum, located just steps from Central Park. The stories are chock full of historical details from a diverse group of children and include hands-on activities. 

  • 3
    El Museo del Barrio Entrance

    flickerjag9889.com

    El Museo del Barrio welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover Latin American and Caribbean art and culture. Founded in 1969, the permanent collection is comprised of more than 6,500 pieces spanning 800 years. It is exhibited in Las Galerías which is divided into 4 main areas: Modern and Contemporary art, Graphic art, Pre-Columbian and Taino objects, and Popular Traditions. 

  • 4
    Frick Collection Fragonard Room

    Michael Bodycomb

    While the Fifth Avenue mansion is being renovated, the collection is housed in the nearby Breuer Building on Madison Avenue. This is a wonderful opportunity to see works by Old Masters including Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Dyck, some of which have been living mostly in storage since 1915. Read more details about the Frick Collection at its temporary home at 945 Madison Ave.

  • 5
    Metropolitan Museum of Art

    A visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must-do! Wear comfortable shoes as its extensive permanent collection contains nearly 2 million works of art from five millennia of human history. Its breadth and depth are awe-inspiring and overwhelming, in the best way possible. Read more details about the Met including information on hours and admission. 

  • 6
    Museum of Arts & Design

    Eric Scott

    The Museum of Arts and Design, located on Columbus Circle, has fantastic and unique exhibits that will surprise even the most blasé. Dedicated to contemporary arts, crafts, and design from all over the world, you'll be happy you went. 

  • 7
    Museum of City of New York

    MCNY.org

    Website

    The Museum of the City of New York focuses on the history of New York City. The collection here is over 1.5 million pieces strong, and incorporates photography, paintings, drawings, furniture, decorative objects, and manuscripts—all having to do with the history of New York City's five boroughs.

  • 8
    Museum of Modern Art

    hellotickets.com

    MOMA is located within walking distance of the southeast corner of Central Park. It is one of the world's largest and most influential museums of modern art. Collection highlights include Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, and Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, along with more recent works by Andy Warhol, Elizabeth Murray, Cindy Sherman, and many others.

  • 9
    NY Historical Society

    The New-York Historical Society Museum and Library is located across Central Park West and next to the Natural History Museum. Along with an extensive art collection, they show films, have an awesome coffee shop, a children's museum, and The Wooden Leg of Gouverneur Morris.

  • 10
    Guggenheim-depositphoto.jpg

    Frank Lloyd Wright designed this exceptional building that houses the modern art collection of Solomon R. Guggenheim. It boasts the world’s largest collection of paintings by Kandinsky, plus works by Picasso, Klee, Miró, and more. Get more about visiting the Guggenheim Museum.

  • 11
    The Jewish Museum

    cntraveler.com

    Overlooking the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park, Carnegie Hill’s upscale streets include striking mansions and townhouses, one of which is a Gothic-style mansion with a sleek interior housing The Jewish Museum. The museum is dedicated to telling the story of Jewish art and culture from ancient times through today, including works from Marc Chagall, Man Ray, and Eva Hesse.