Updated November 8, 2019

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In New York City there are more than two hundred museums, some of which are among the best in the world. Most of them, YOU CAN ENTER FOR FREE at least a few hours a week, check this link. Unless otherwise indicated, the museums in this post open daily, but on special dates such as December 25th or January 1st. There are for all tastes. Even not being a museums person, it is likely that visitors end up going at least to one of them.

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Free admission, but a $23 donation is suggested per adult (every time I’ve gone I’ve donated $1). For free admission you to have to ask for your ticket at the desk, if you use the ticket machines you’ll have to pay. Children and adults, everyone would like this museum. You’ll need at least half day for a proper visit. This is maybe the best museum of natural history of the world, so I think it should be visited even if you have previously been in anyone similar. In the cafeteria you can have a decent lunch for a reasonable price.

MEMORIAL MUSEUM 9/11

Admission $24. Commemorates the terrorist attack on September the 11th, 2001; is part of the complex 9/11 Memorial. It can be very emotive for some visitors.

CLASSICAL ART MUSEUMS:

• Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met). As in the Natural History Museum, admission used to be free, but not anymore, now adult admission is $25. Museum dedicated to classical art, all kinds of paintings and sculptures, from classical antiquity to present days. It is comparable to museums like the Louvre in Paris and the British Museum in London. Requires at least half a day to see it properly.

• The Cloisters. It belongs to the Met, so buying the admission to the previous you can enter in this one. It is a reconstruction of a medieval European monastery using pieces of many convents and artworks from different eras; most of it comes from Spain and France. It may be unattractive to tourists from Western Europe, where this type of buildings abound. It should be noticed that it is in the very northwest corner of Manhattan, so it takes quite a while to arrive there.

• Frick Collection. Closed on Mondays, admission $22 (Wednesdays from 14:00 to 18:00 pay want you want, free first Friday of the month from 18:00 to 21:00). We have never visited this highly valued collection given its price, and on Sunday mornings the queue at the entrance is demoralizing.

MUSEUMS OF MODERN ART:

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Admission $25, but Friday from 16:00 to 20:00 is free. One of the best museums of modern art in the world. It must be said that although there are well-known pieces (Picasso, Van Gogh …), there are also other, let’s say, very modern and not all visitors will be prepared to appreciate this kind of art.

• Whitney Museum. Closed on Tuesdays. Admission $25 but Fridays from 19:00 to 21:30 is pay what you wish. Another museum of modern art, more specific than the MoMA, only recommended for fans of this type of art. In fact, we visited it for free after visiting th MoMA and we didn’t even take a single picture.
• Guggenheim Museum. Closed on Thursdays. Admission $ 25, free on Saturdays from 17:45 to 19:45. Honestly, the art of this museum is too modern for me.

INTREPID SEA, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

Admission $33, allowes access to the submarine, aircraft carrier showrooms and space shuttle pavilion. Notice that access to the pier where the museum is, is free, as it is the use of the cafeteria and restrooms; they are the same ones used by the general public, as they are inside the aircraft carrier. For aviation enthusiasts and the smaller ones. The visit to the submarine can be claustrophobic for some people.

IMMIGRATION MUSEUM IN ELLIS ISLAND.

Included in the ticket to the Statue of Liberty.

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