You can find numerous museums and art exhibits to explore in and around Central Park, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and more. Here we've listed just a few of the many choices located inside or near Central Park:
American Museum of Natural History
Marco Rubino
American Museum of Natural History, New York City
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the best museums in the area for children (and adults as well), showcasing natural wonders from dinosaurs to outer space.
Location: MAP | Central Park West between 77th & 81st Streets
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM - 5:45 PM except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Tickets: Tickets are available onsite or online. Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in admission lines.
Guggenheim Museum
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and opened in 1959, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum features modern and contemporary art and is one of New York City's most recognizable buildings.
Location: MAP | 1071 5th Avenue between 88th & 89th Streets
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM, with extended hours until 8:00 PM on Tuesdays & Saturdays.
Tickets: Tickets are available onsite or online. Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in admission lines. Pay-what-you-wish admission is available at ticket counters only on Saturdays between 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
With a collection spanning over 5,000 years of history and 36,000 pieces from around the globe, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is New York City’s largest art museum and also one of the most famous in the world.
Location: MAP | 1000 5th Avenue between 80th & 84th Streets
Hours: Open Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM and Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and the first Monday in May.
Tickets: Tickets are available onsite or online. Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in admission lines. Tickets include exhibitions plus entry to all three Met locations.
The Met Breuer
The Met Breuer contains The Metropolitan Museum of Art's modern and contemporary art program.
Location: MAP | 945 Madison Avenue between 75th and 74th Streets
Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM with extended hours until 9:00 PM on Thursdays & Fridays. Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Tickets: Tickets are available onsite or online. Buy your tickets online to avoid waiting in admission lines. Tickets include exhibitions plus entry to all three Met locations.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Cal Vornberger
The Lincoln Center for Performing Arts is home to 11 resident arts organizations representing symphony, opera, chamber music, theater, dance, film, and arts education. For information about performances and events, visit the Lincoln Center website.
Location: MAP | 10 Lincoln Center (with various halls and theaters located from 62nd to 65th Streets between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues)
Tickets: To become a member of Lincoln Center, please call +1 (212) 875-5443 or e-mail membership@lincolncenter.org. For student discounts, click here.