15 Fun Museums in New York City: Our Favorite Spots to Explore

When you think of New York City, you probably think of the skyline, Broadway shows, or maybe a bagel in Central Park. 

But one of the things we genuinely love most about NYC? The museums.

And no, they’re not all quiet halls and art behind glass. Museums in New York are full of life. 

Some are immersive and interactive, others are packed with history or famous art. 

You can walk through a glowing digital tunnel one minute and stand face-to-face with a dinosaur the next.

Over the years, we’ve visited a lot of museums in New York City, and some of them totally surprised us. 

Here’s our guide to the most fun museums in New York City, places we’ve visited, loved, and can’t wait to return to. 

We’ve included the top things to see, what you can expect, prices, and planning tips.

Interactive and Immersive Museums in NYC

Artechouse NYC

Walking into Artechouse feels like stepping into another universe, one made of swirling galaxies, glowing walls, and colors that almost seem to breathe. 

It’s not your typical museum. Instead of looking at art from a distance, you walk right into it. 

The space reacts to your presence, whether you wave your hand or simply stand still. 

The projections move, ripple, and shift with you. It’s very fun!

What makes Artechouse especially cool is that the exhibitions change throughout the year. 

When we visited, the exhibit was Magentaverse, a dreamy, immersive collaboration with PANTONE inspired by their Color of the Year. 

The whole room pulsed with rich magenta light, layered textures, and soft futuristic sounds; it felt like being inside a living color. 

It’s the kind of place that makes you feel both calm and curious at the same time.

Don’t miss: Sitting on the floor (yes, really) and just letting the visuals wash over you. It’s meditative, grounding, and honestly kind of magical.

Location: Chelsea Market, lower level
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM
Tickets: $25 adults, $17 kids

Museum of Ice Cream

The Museum of Ice Cream is sugary, colorful chaos in the best possible way. 

It’s not just for kids (though they’ll love it too). If you have a sweet tooth or just want to feel like a kid again, this is the place.

There are tunnels to crawl through, giant swings, and the famous sprinkle pool that’s surprisingly satisfying to jump in. 

But our favorite part? The ice cream tasting, we tasted all of them. 

Different rooms offer different flavors and textures, and yes, you can go back for seconds!

Don’t miss: The banana room and its soft banana-scented air, it’s weird and delightful.

Location: SoHo
Hours: Wed–Mon, 10 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Tues)
Tickets: $39

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

We didn’t expect to love this one so much, but wow. But we do love history and WWII anything. 

This one is great for kids and history buffs. 

Climbing aboard the USS Intrepid (a real WWII aircraft carrier!) is one of the most unique museums you’ll experience in NYC.

It’s not just exhibits; you walk the decks, see inside real fighter jets, and learn about life on board.

It’s a perfect mix of education and awe. 

Seeing the Space Shuttle Enterprise up close gave us chills. And the flight deck? Huge, windy, and straight out of a movie.

Don’t miss: The Growler submarine tour—it’s tight but fascinating!

Location: Pier 86, West Side
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: $36 adults, $26 kids

History Museums 

American Museum of Natural History

This museum is one of those places we keep going back to, and every time, we find something new to love. 

The American Museum of Natural History is massive, so take your time, wear comfy shoes, and maybe pick just a few sections to focus on if it’s your first visit.

We usually start with the dinosaurs because, honestly, they never get old. 

Then we make our way to the Hall of Ocean Life, the giant blue whale suspended from the ceiling still gives us chills, no matter how many times we see it. 

But what really sticks with us is how the museum makes science feel exciting and alive. 

From meteorites to ancient cultural artifacts to life-size dioramas of animals in their habitats, it’s a place that totally pulls you in.

We’re also obsessed with the space section. The Hayden Planetarium is like stepping into the universe itself. 

Recently, the museum opened a brand new wing: the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. 

It’s incredible. The architecture feels organic and otherworldly, like you’re walking inside an ant hill. 

 Location: Central Park West
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 5:30 PM
Tickets: $28 adults (pay-what-you-wish for NY/NJ residents)

Museum of the City of New York

This museum feels like a love letter to New York, and somehow, it’s not too crowded, which makes it a gem. 

Honestly, we’ve been to NYC so many times over the years, and somehow we’d never even heard of this place until recently.

After finally visiting, we both said the same thing: we wish we’d gone sooner.

If you’re curious about how NYC became the vibrant, chaotic, inspiring place it is today, this is the spot.

The first floor covers the city’s full history, from its early days as a Dutch settlement to its role in immigration, industry, activism, and art. 

It’s one of the clearest and most engaging overviews we’ve seen, and it really sets the stage for everything else you’ll experience in the city. 

Upstairs, you’ll find rotating exhibits on street fashion, photography, public housing, and hip hop culture.

Don’t miss: The Timescapes video, it’s a crash course in NYC’s entire history.

Location: Museum Mile
Hours: Thurs–Mon, 10 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: $20 adults

Museum of Jewish Heritage

This is another museum we hadn’t heard of until recently, and now we can’t believe we waited so long to visit. 

The Museum of Jewish Heritage is much larger than we expected, and we didn’t even make it through the whole thing in one visit. 

It’s the kind of place you want to take your time in, not just to absorb the history, but to really sit with it.

The museum focuses heavily on the Holocaust, but it does so through deeply personal and human stories. 

Photographs, letters, and everyday objects bring the past to life in a way that’s both heartbreaking and necessary. 

The permanent exhibition, The Holocaust: What Hate Can Do, spans three floors and includes over 750 original artifacts.

If you have any interest in WWII or Holocaust history, this museum is a must. 

Alongside the historical exhibits, there are rotating exhibitions that celebrate Jewish life, culture, and survival across the world. 

Don’t miss: The view from the building itself, it’s right by the water, with the Statue of Liberty visible through the windows.

Location: Battery Park
Hours: Wed–Sun, 10 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: $18 adults

The Met Cloisters 

This museum truly feels like a secret; you’d never guess you were still in Manhattan once you’re here. 

Tucked away in Fort Tryon Park at the northern tip of the island, The Met Cloisters feels like stepping into a small European castle. 

With its stone archways, stained glass windows, quiet courtyards, and gardens, it’s a complete change of pace from the busy streets of downtown.

The museum is dedicated to medieval art and architecture, and the building itself is part of the experience. 

It was constructed using actual elements from European monasteries, brought over and reassembled to create this one-of-a-kind space. 

Inside, you’ll find tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, religious artifacts, and sculptures, all surrounded by gardens.

If you’re coming by subway (A train to 190th Street), just a heads up, you’ll have to walk uphill through the park to reach the museum. 

It’s not difficult, but it does feel like a bit of a hike.
Location: Upper Manhattan
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: Included in Met ticket ($30 general)

New York Public Library

Even if you’re not a bookworm, this place is absolutely worth a visit. 

The New York Public Library’s main branch, located on 5th Avenue, is more than just a place for quiet reading. 

It’s a stunning piece of architecture and a museum in its own right.

Most people know it for the marble lions out front, but step inside and you’ll find a world of history, stories, and beautiful design. 

The high ceilings, arched windows, and grand staircases make it feel grandiose. 

But what really surprised us is what’s tucked away downstairs, the library’s free exhibitions.

The permanent and rotating exhibitions are held in the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures, and they’re incredible. 

You’ll see original manuscripts from authors like Charles Dickens, Maya Angelou, Virginia Woolf, and Toni Morrison, as well as handwritten letters, photographs, and rare first editions. 

They even have the real Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animals, and Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence.

It’s one of those places where you think you’ll pop in for a few minutes and end up staying an hour. 

Hours: Mon–Sat, 10 AM – 6 PM
Tickets: Free

Art Museums in NYC

Check out our ultimate New York City art museum guide here: NYC Art Museum Guide

The Met

Every time we visit The Met, we find something new, and we never get tired of it. 

You could honestly spend a week here and still not see everything. 

It’s massive, yes, but also full of little corners and moments that feel intimate and surprising. 

We always make a point to visit the Degas, Monet, Picasso, and the other classic artists we love.

One of our favorite things to do is check out the temporary exhibitions; they’re always beautifully curated and often bring in unexpected artists or themes. 

And when our legs need a break? We head to the coffee shop to get a snack.

Don’t miss the rooftop garden for one of the best views of Central Park. 

This museum is an absolute must for us every time we’re in NYC; it never disappoints.

Location: Museum Mile – 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd Street
Hours: Thurs–Tues, 10 AM – 5 PM (Fri & Sat until 9 PM)
Tickets: $30 general, pay-what-you-wish for NY/NJ residents

Guggenheim

The Guggenheim is one of those places that’s just as much about the building as the art inside. 

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the spiral-shaped structure is iconic, and walking up the ramp as the skylight above fills the space with natural light feels like part of the experience. 

Even if modern or abstract art isn’t usually your thing, this museum makes you feel like you’re part of something creative and bold.

We always check the website before we go, though, because sometimes parts of the ramp are closed for exhibit installations. 

Not all exhibitions are open year-round, and depending on when you visit, you might only have access to certain galleries. 

That said, their temporary exhibitions are often the highlight and are often focused on underrepresented artists or global themes.

Even if you just pop in for an hour or two, it’s worth it for the architecture alone.

Don’t miss: Looking down the spiral after you’ve walked to the top—it’s trippy.

Location: 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th Street
Hours: Thurs–Mon, 11 AM – 6 PM
Tickets: $30 adults

Whitney Museum

The Whitney Museum’s focus is on American art from the 20th century to today. 

The exhibitions often highlight living artists and themes that feel deeply relevant. 

You’ll find works by iconic American artists like Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and a rotating lineup of bold contemporary voices.

The building itself is beautiful, with outdoor terraces on multiple levels that overlook the Hudson River and the city skyline. 

After walking around the galleries, we grabbed a snack at the rooftop café and just sat for a while, soaking in the view. 

Don’t miss: The outdoor art installations on the terraces, they’re often just as interesting as what’s inside.

Location: Meatpacking District – 99 Gansevoort Street
Hours: Thurs–Mon, 10:30 AM – 6 PM (until 10 PM on Fridays)
Tickets: $30 adults, free under 18

New Museum

Focused entirely on contemporary art, this museum showcases emerging artists and experimental work that often pushes boundaries and sparks conversation. 

It’s the kind of place where you might walk into a room filled with sound, video, sculpture, or something totally unexpected, and that’s part of the fun.

The building itself reflects the museum’s forward-thinking mission.

Designed by Japanese architects SANAA, it’s a striking stack of off-center white boxes that stands out on the Bowery. 

Inside, the galleries are spacious and minimal, giving the art room to breathe. 

We love how each floor feels completely different depending on the exhibition, and no two visits are ever the same.

Don’t miss: The Sky Room, if it’s open, it has amazing views of the Lower East Side.
Location: Lower East Side – 235 Bowery, Lower East Side
Hours: Tues–Sun, 11 AM – 6 PM
Tickets: $18 adults, free for visitors under 18

Museum of Arts and Design

MAD is one of those museums that feels refreshingly different from the usual art scene. 

It focuses on craft, design, and materials, so you’ll see everything from avant-garde fashion and handmade jewelry to experimental ceramics and textiles.

It’s super accessible, even if you’re not a traditional “art person,” and there’s always something unexpected around the corner.

The exhibitions are often hands-on or process-focused, which makes them feel more personal and relatable. 

We love how it highlights the work of designers and makers from around the world, showing that art isn’t just about painting, it’s also about the things we wear, use, and live with.

Location: 2 Columbus Circle
Hours: Tues–Sun, 10 AM – 6 PM
Tickets: $18 adults, free under 18

Asia Society and Museum

This museum is small but full of substance. 

Tucked away on the Upper East Side, the Asia Society and Museum blends traditional and contemporary art with deep cultural storytelling from across Asia. 

It’s a quiet, thoughtful space that gives you a chance to slow down and take in exhibitions that are often both beautiful and thought-provoking.

When we visited, we saw the COAL + ICE exhibition, which explored the impact of climate change through photography, video, and installation. 

It was immersive, emotional, and incredibly well curated, definitely one of those shows that stays with you. 

We had lunch at their on-site café, Leo Cafe, which was delicious, healthy, and such a nice surprise.

 Location: Upper East Side – 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street
Hours: Wed–Sun, 11 AM – 5 PM
Tickets: $12 adults

Tips for Visiting Museums in NYC

• Start early to beat the crowds, especially at big spots like the Met and MoMA.
• Use the subway to hop between neighborhoods. It’s quick and cheap.
• Check for combo passes like CityPASS if you plan to visit multiple museums.
• Take breaks, many museums have cafes or gardens to recharge.
• Look up free days for your favorite museums as well as the days they are closed.

NYC Museums We’ll Always Recommend

Exploring museums in New York City is one of our favorite ways to really connect with the energy, creativity, and stories that make this place so special. 

Next time you’re planning your NYC itinerary, make room for a few museums. 

Trust us, the moments you’ll have inside these walls are some of the most magical in the city.

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