From Renaissance masterpieces to modern, thought-provoking art, New York offers something for every art enthusiast. If Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night or visiting one of America’s oldest libraries (Pierpont Morgan) are your thing, this list has it all.
The Brooklyn Museum offers something for everyone, ranging from Egyptian sculptures and mummies to Impressionist paintings.
The Met Cloisters
Are you seeking an escape from city life? Nothing beats The Met Cloisters for providing such an escape – located within upper Manhattan at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met Cloisters offer visitors a tranquil space which transports them directly into Europe without the expense and inconvenience of flying there themselves.
George Grey Barnard was inspired to create The Cloisters through his love of medieval European architecture and sculptures, which he began collecting and trading during his lifetime. When he died, his estate donated them all to The Met so it could carry out his vision and continue its mission.
Today, America’s only museum dedicated to medieval European art and architecture is America’s Met Cloisters – and their collections are incredible! Ranging from an extraordinary medieval altarpiece called Unicorn Tapestries to the Fuentiduena Chapel’s intricate stonework. Additionally, three cloister gardens called Cuxa, Bonnefont and Trie offer visitors ample opportunity to unwind while taking in all that Medieval Europe offers.
Uptown may require at least 30 minutes by subway from Midtown, and can often be overcrowded, but the trip is always worthwhile to enjoy the medieval feel among modern skyscrapers of New York. Uptown offers ample time for reflection and enjoyment of its beautiful surroundings – as well as time alone with yourself and nature.
The Museum of Modern Art
The Met, the cornerstone of NYC’s cultural landscape, boasts more than 2 million objects spanning 5,000 years of history. From ancient Egyptian art and weapons to contemporary painting, its five medieval-inspired cloisters will transport you back in time and space – the Vermeer Room by Vermeer himself, Caravaggio’s The Musicians by Caravaggio and Emmanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware are just a few highlights to name.
Museum of Modern Art is another must-visit, famed for its expansive 20th century collection and airy open spaces. Its galleries boast masterpieces by Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse and Warhol among many other celebrated artists whose names you might recognize from its ranks.
Brooklyn Museum is an essential attraction, boasting an unparalleled encyclopedic collection. Nestled at the edge of Prospect Park, its sprawling campus showcases art ranging from ancient Egyptian pieces and historic crafts from Pacific Islands through modern works by Brooklyn native William de Kooning – not forgetting their spectacular rotating exhibits that take visitors on an intriguing journey through time.
If you are passionate about science and nature, the American Museum of Natural History in NYC should be on your must-visit list. With exhibits showcasing dinosaur fossils, taxidermy specimens and life-size animal replicas – as well as plenty of interactive elements – the American Museum of Natural History offers plenty of educational yet enjoyable exhibits that will engage both children and adults.
The Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum stands as one of the city’s main draws with its vast collections and comprehensive exhibits, drawing in visitors from near and far alike. As one of the pioneering art museums of its era, its legacy lives on in exhibitions that explore art’s narratives further while upholding multiple voices while centering creative expression within important conversations in our contemporary society.
On its five floors of galleries, public viewing and research libraries is an extraordinary collection spanning millennia and cultures – ancient Egyptian masterpieces, Asian arts and Islamic artifacts, American paintings and sculpture, among other treasures from across time and space. Additionally, this museum also hosts various visiting exhibitions like Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys exhibition or one focusing on Georgia O’Keeffe.
Notable among its many innovations and engagement efforts is its establishment of the first museum-wide community-based initiative in 1921 when they started outreach programs with local groups. Since then, they have continued to be leaders in providing access to art for all through exhibitions, publications, research studies and public programs as well as acting as models of inclusion and hospitality by welcoming all visitors with respect and hospitality.
The American Museum of Natural History
Explore the marvels of nature at one of New York City’s acclaimed museums of science and culture. With more than 30 million specimens and artifacts on display, there’s sure to be something thrilling and fascinating here on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is best-known for its stunning Fossil Halls, where you can admire fossilized prehistoric animals such as Tyrannosaurus rex frozen mid-prowl and Triceratops and Stegosaurus dinosaur skeletons, among other wonders donated from Theodore Roosevelt during his safaris, or life-size models of blue whales – but there’s much more on offer at AMNH than just its massive fossil collection! From majestic dioramas of African wildlife donated from Theodore Roosevelt during his safaris to life-sized models of blue whales there’s plenty more waiting to discover.
AMNH’s Rose Center for Earth and Space offers visitors an amazing introduction to space with its Hayden Planetarium and cosmic shows, or visit their Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium and Solomon Family Insectarium and discover a world of insects!
Be amazed by the fluorescent “wall” in the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals or be amazed by the breathtaking Star of India – an extraordinary blue star sapphire believed to be the largest one ever found – or join one of our expertly-planned NY Tours of the American Museum of Natural History to make sure that you see all that AMNH offers! With such an extensive array of fascinating exhibits to be discovered here, it’s best to tour AMNH with one of our NY Tours of AMNH.
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is an exceptional addition to St Louis’ expanding cultural landscape, designed by architect Tadao Ando to reflect its founders’ desire to unite people and art through world-class exhibits as well as host a host of free programs such as talks, concerts, literary readings, dance performances and wellness workshops. It stands as an exemplar for interdisciplinarity as its expansive light-filled galleries offer world-renowned art exhibitions while hosting discussions, concerts, literary readings literary readings dance performances wellness workshops.
The museum collection spans contemporary art from all around the globe, and includes works by internationally-acclaimed artists like Ellsworth Kelly, Mona Hatoum and Gordon Matta-Clark. Additionally, pieces from family’s modern American art collection as well as sculptures by Richard Serra and Scott Burton can also be found.
Since opening its museum in 2001, the Foundation has hosted various guest curators and solo shows by notable artists. For instance, Glenn Ligon recently presented his exhibition Blue Black which paid homage to Ellsworth Kelly’s wall sculpture that is situated within the main gallery. Richard Serra has his spiral sculpture Joe on display in its outdoor courtyard space of the museum as well.
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is open Thursday through Sunday with parking available in its adjacent lot; Olive Street and Washington Boulevard offer low traffic roads suitable for bicycling to reach it more easily. In addition, The Pulitzer is within close proximity of many other arts and culture institutions located within Grand Center Arts District.
The Museum of Fine Arts
As one of the world’s largest museums, The MFA (or Museum of Fine Arts as its locals call it) will provide something of interest for everyone. Boasting one of Japan’s largest collections and one of France’s best collections of Monet paintings outside France – as well as an outstanding Asian art gallery and musical instrument display – its collections offer something for every member of your family to see and do at this museum of world-renowned standing.
At the MFA, you’ll discover an incredible diversity of animal images. These range from pastoral scenes of grazing sheep to fantastic Chinese dragons and depictions of cats from ancient Egypt through modernity. Additionally, decorative and illustrative patterns such as Indian Mughal patterns, Asian kimono designs and Art Nouveau illustrations can all be found throughout its collections.
This museum houses an exceptional collection of prints, drawings and photographs from around the globe. As one of the earliest museums to start collecting photography works by Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keeffe is among its ranks.
Do not expect to explore every inch of the MFA in one visit; its nearly 400,000 square feet and extensive visiting exhibition program require planning for future visits. Instead, select several galleries with particular meaning and plan on returning for further exploration over time. MFA staff can also offer guided tours or provide weekly art-related activities like drawing sessions and gallery talks if you would rather leave all the hard work up to them!
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