The best museums in New York City will teach you something and expose you to beauty in some form, at some level. Some are massive, many more are teeny-tiny and uber specialized, and more still fall somewhere in between. The only difficulty about them, for each is wonderful in at least a few ways, is parsing which ones to visit when one has limited time and limited energy—even the best of us, after all, can fall victim to museum fatigue when too much standing and looking gets crammed into an itinerary.
Below, we’ve attempted to give a glimpse at each of the museums worth visiting in a city brimming over with things to do and see. There are essential art institutions that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime—the Met, namely, but also the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim—alongside museums concerned with the history both of this city and beyond as well as rarely-considered operations in Manhattan and the outer boroughs alike that are nevertheless worth a visit. To narrow it down further, check out our round-up of the best exhibits currently on view in New York City.
Read our complete New York City guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best museums in New York City
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that museum. When choosing things to do, our editors consider institutions that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
To top off your planning, visit our round-up of the best United States museums.
