Best Art Museums in New York City

By Go City Expert

Every year the world celebrates International Museum Day on May 18th. Art and knowledge lovers gather all over the world to celebrate museums and their invaluable contribution to the betterment of society and the development of communities. In New York City, we enjoy the presence of some of the most amazing art museums in the world. When visiting the Big Apple a trip to a museum or two (or twelve) is an essential itinerary item.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most visited museums in the entire world. The Met boasts with an impressive collection of art across all periods, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to the most avante-garde contemporary pieces. The Met consists of three separate museum spaces, The Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue, The Met Cloisters, a stunning space dedicated to medieval Euorpean art and architecture located in Fort Tryon Park in Harlem and the brand new Met Breuer, space dedicated to modern and contemporary art, located in the Marcel Breuer-designed building on Madison Avenue.

The Met Fifth Avenue: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028 The Met Breuer: 945 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 The Met Cloisters: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040
MoMA (photo by mikeoregon via Flickr)
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

This famous museum in Midtown Manhattan boasts with one of the most impressive collections of Modern Art in the world. The museum is full of recognizable pieces by artists such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne or Salvador Dali, as well as many pieces and exhibitions from lesser-known modern and contemporary artists. Visit the museum to see the current Edgar Degas: A Strange Beauty exhibit and explore the lesser-known print pieces by the French Impressionist artist known for his whimsical exploration of movement and perspective. Visit MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens for a bigger dose of contemporary art.

MoMA: 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019-5497 MoMA PS1: 22-25 Jackson Ave. at the intersection of 46th Ave.Long Island City, NY 11101
The Whitney by Timothy Schenck
Whitney Museum of American Art

Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns and many other American artists have found their home at the Whitney. This cool, Meatpacking District museum attracts visitors to its brand new, ultra-modern building, as well as its location in one of the hippest neighborhoods in Manhattan. The Whitney is located at the tail end of the High Line, one of the most popular and innovative urban parks in the world. The permanent collections is full of recognizable pieces by American artists, and the temporary exhibits are always fresh and though-provoking. The layout of the new building flows very well and the rooftop offers great views.

Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014
Panorama of the City of New York
The Queens Museum

Located in the magnificent Flushing Meadows Park, Queens Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the borough. The museum is home to many famous pieces of art from a wide variety of artists, but perhaps the most notable is the Panorama of the City of New York (pictured above). Flushing Meadows Park has been a sight for many important events in New York City history, including the 1939 and 1964 World's Fair. The New York State Pavilion located in the park served as a setting in the 1997 film, Men in Black.

Address: New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368
The Guggenheim (photo by F11 Photo)
The Guggenheim

Named the World's Most Photographed Attraction, The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum is truly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The Upper East Side staple was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and attracts millions of visitors annually. Its signature rotunda is a piece of art in an of itself and photographs beautifully from every angle. The museum hosts a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art as well as provocative temporary exhibits.

Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Brooklyn Museum (photo by Mark Lennihan/AP)
Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum is located in the heart of Brooklyn in the cross section of different residential neighborhoods in the borough, close to other Brooklyn attractions such as Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park and Grand Army Plaza. The French-inspired Beaux-Arts building is majestic and impressive and hosts the third largest museum in New York City. The permanent collection is diverse, with works from classical Europe as well as contemporary America. The temporary exhibits celebrate the diversity of the borough.

Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 You can visit all of these (and many more) museums for free with your New York Pass.

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The Best Way To Experience New York

This post originally appeared in World Within Her a travel blog focused on sustainable travel and a vegan lifestyle. "New York is a cosmopolitan city, full of wonder and culture, but when you’re visiting for such a short time, what’s the best way to see the city and cram in as much as you can while not spending a fortune?" THE NEW YORK PASS This is where the New York Pass came in handy. We picked them on our first day there. The pass allows you to get into 90+ major attractions, and, yes, we are talking about the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, The Met, The Whitney, along with walking tours of the different neighbourhoods. The price varies, depending on how many days you want the pass for; for one day it’s $109, if you buy the three-day pass it works out as $80 a day. I hear you say it sounds a lot, but most attractions in New York have about a $35 entrance fee. Needless to say I took full advantage of seeing the major museums; The Moma, The Met and The Guggenheim along with Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the New York City bus tour. These were all incredible to say the least, as you can see in some of my photos below. What I really enjoyed doing were the walking tours, which were included in the pass. I did the meatpacking district tour, which I recommend highly to learn about its history and why Samantha from Sex and the City that made it so popular. I also did the Soho, Little Italy and China town tours. It’s such a great way to find out how the city has evolved and why the neighbourhoods are so charming. TWO BOOTS Right now, let’s talk about good vegan food.We all know that when you come to New York, it’s inevitable that you will gorge on food, because the food here is SO GOOD! Pizza is high on the agenda. I went to Two Boots in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a well-known pizza place among the locals; they offer vegan and non-vegan pizza and, my gosh, the vegan pizza is incredible. It didn’t feel like I was missing out and it certainly tasted better than any vegan pizza I’ve had in London. I’ll even go as far as saying better than those in Rome! I’ve been told it’s due to the New York water... The crust is like no other. BY CHLOE By Chloe is one of the most talked about vegan restaurants in New York, so naturally on our second night, we headed on over to the one on Bleeker Street. Like any hot spot in New York, it was packed with a massive queue when we arrived there were no tables available, so I do recommend going at non-peak times otherwise you will struggle to find a seat. We waited 15 minutes until two seats became available, it was great to see so many healthy options on the menu. I went for the Kale Cesar salad, which came with shiitake bacon, avocado, maple wheat croutons and a Cesar dressing. It was a generous sized portion, which was to my liking it had a lot and tasted great, the shiitake bacon tasted scrumptious and it didn’t leave me wanting the meatier bacon. My friend had the quac burger, which entailed black bean quinoa, sweet potato patty, corn salad, quac tortilla strips, chipotle, aioli with a whole grain bun. Before I could blink she had eaten it, it was bursting with flavour with a lot of juiciness to tuck into. I can certainly see why By Chloe was put on the map! B&H [caption id="attachment_988" align="alignright" width="980"] Photo Credit B&H[/caption] Photography lovers you would have heard of the B&H flagship store in Manhattan, I can only describe it as being a kid in a candy store. We were very lucky to be given the grand tour by Jonah, who showed us the four floors, packed with photography and film equipment, computers, drones and printers and a hell of a lot more! From this tour I got a really good sense of how important every customer is to B&H, Jonah talks about the different process that are in place to make a customer have a good experience, from the above the head electronic baskets and the big demo stations to the knowledgeable staff available. The staff in store do not work on commission, so are free in selling you a cheaper product if is indeed better performance wise than its more expensive neighbour. They have a used section, if you so want to head over and get yourself a bargain, I myself own a few secondhand lenses. B&H also have events, seminars and workshops in store along with offering street photography tours led by professional photographers. My friend and I were very lucky to have a private street photography tour organised by B&H, portrait and street photographer Derek Fahsbender. He took us to Brooklyn for the street tour to commence, we walked around Bushwick and Williamsburg, which is highly recommended for the street art and the trendy hipsters, along with some colourful characters. People here have more time to stop and talk unlike the hustle of Manhattan. We ended up talking to a lot of the people we photographed, getting to know them and finding out what they would recommend from a local perspective to a tourist. Below are some of the photos taken on the day. Enjoy. All Photo Credit: Nyla Sammons
Go City Expert
Twilight view of the Empire State Building from Top of the Rock, New York.
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Top of the Rock vs SUMMIT One Comparison

Ever since King Kong first swatted planes like flies from atop the Empire State Building, the Big Apple has been obsessed with creating towers that reach ever further heavenwards. As a result, nearly a century after that iconic movie first astonished audiences, the Manhattan skyline is liberally dotted with skyscrapers of 1,000 feet or higher (though the Empire State Building remains resolutely within the top 10, fact fans). All of which means New York isn’t short of an observation platform or six, all vying for your dollar with their superspeed elevators, interactive displays and dizzying 360-degree views across the city and beyond. Our Top of the Rock vs SUMMIT One Vanderbilt comparison takes a look at two of the best... Top of the Rock Name: Monikers don’t come much more literal than Top of the Rock. You’ll find this stunning observatory on floors 67-70 of The Rockefeller Center. In other words at the, um, top of the Rock. Age: Considered one of the most impressive projects of the Great Depression era, The Rockefeller Center was built and opened in the 1930s. Top of the Rock opened at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza way back in 1933. What is Top of the Rock? One of the oldest observation platforms in town (second only to the Empire State Building, which beat it by a mere two years), Top of the Rock boasts 360-degree views of the Big Apple and beyond from the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Top of the Rock: Vital Statistics  Height: 850 feet (260 meters). Number of floors: Rockefeller Plaza has 70, the Top of the Rock experience is on floors 67, 69 and 70. Elevators: 60. Top of the Rock’s Sky Shuttle elevator takes less than a minute from bottom to top. Visitors: around 2.5 million every year. What’s the Top of the Rock Experience Like? The Rockefeller Center – aka 30 Rock – is a glorious, skyscraping work of art in its own right. Feast your eyes on this piece of iconic Art Deco eye candy before heading inside for more Instagram-feed-filling snaps of the Joie Chandelier, a sparkling confection that soars three stories through the Grand Atrium lobby and contains no less than 14,000 crystals. Suitably bedazzled, it’s time to step aboard the Sky Shuttle to speed skywards for the main event. And what an event! We’re talking 360-degree views across the entire city to Long Island, New Jersey and even – on clear days – as far as Connecticut. This is also where you can find some of the finest Empire State Building views in town, as well as spotting Central Park, the Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Yankee Stadium and more. There are indoor and outdoor spaces, with some of the very best views to be had from the 70th floor’s panoramic outdoor terrace. Drink it in at your leisure; there’s no time limit on your visit. Fascinating Top of the Rock Fact of the Day The architectural design of Top of the Rock is intended to mirror that of a grand 1930s ocean liner. Try not to get seasick! Top of the Rock Fast Facts Opening hours: 9AM-11PM daily, year round. Last entry is at 10.10PM. Tickets: general admission to Top of the Rock is included with a New York Pass, which also gives you access to over 100 more NYC attractions. Alternatively, you’ll find various ticket options at the Top of The Rock website. Closest transport links: multiple subway services call at 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center station. There’s also discounted parking available at Rockefeller Center SP+ garage at 25 West 48th Street. But how does Top of the Rock compare to SUMMIT? Let’s find out... SUMMIT Name: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Or just plain old SUMMIT to its friends. Age: A relative newcomer to the NYC skyscraper scene, this humongous wedge of glass, steel and concrete opened to the public in September 2020, with SUMMIT following in October 2021. What is SUMMIT? Well, if the marketing blurb is to be taken at face value, it’s three levels of immersive space that will, amongst other things, ‘reset your senses’, help you ‘escape the boundaries of perception’ and see you ‘break through to a new realm’. In short: it’s a thrilling immersive experience in the sky; a futuristic take on more traditional observation platforms like Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building and the One World Observatory. SUMMIT: Vital Statistics  Height: The One Vanderbilt building is 1,401 feet (427 meters) tall and its SUMMIT observation platforms are a dizzying 1,100 feet (336 meters) above Madison Avenue. Number of floors: 93. Elevators: 42. Visitors: SUMMIT welcomed 1.4 million visitors in its first year (up to October 2022). What’s the SUMMIT Experience Like? Where to begin? The standard ticket includes several extraordinary experiences. There’s a trippy art installation in four different ‘chapters’ by Kenzo Digital, in which mirrored walls and ceilings reflect you, the sky, the clouds, the city skyline and everything else to infinity. Interact with floating silver balls and see your own face take shape in the clouds. Meanwhile, Levitation sees brave souls step out into glass boxes that hover a knee-trembling 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue. Yikes. Steady your nerves with a drink at Après, where the wraparound outdoor terrace affords views stretching for up to 80 miles, before deciding whether to opt for the ultimate add-on experience. Called ‘Ascent’, this part of the SUMMIT journey involves traveling a further 120 feet above the observation platforms inside – wait for it – a glass-bottomed elevator. Nerves of steel are essential! Fascinating SUMMIT Fact of the Day One Vanderbilt’s elegant facade is made mainly from glass and terracotta tiles. The tiles are the same as those used on the ceiling in the adjoining Grand Central Station; a respectful nod to the old from the new. SUMMIT Fast Facts Opening hours: 9AM-midnight, year round. Last entry is at 10PM. Tickets: there are several booking options available on the SUMMIT website. Closest transport links: the entrance to SUMMIT is located on the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. Top of the Rock vs SUMMIT: Which Should You Visit? If it’s just great views you’re after, Top of the Rock does the job for significantly less dollar than you’ll have to part with for SUMMIT’s all-singing, all-dancing multisensory experience in the sky. If, however, you like a slice of immersive action and some properly scary sky-high experiences alongside your city views, SUMMIT may well be the one for you. Save on New York Activities and Attractions Save on admission to 90+ London attractions with The New York Pass. Check out @NewYorkPass on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
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Incredible NYC Time-lapse Video Gives Vibrant Color to the City

This amazing 8K video is making rounds on the Internet for a good reason. The video shows a time-lapse of New York City shot with incredible bright colors. The movement and energy of this city, day and night are captured in a series of HDR images giving way to the most vivacious colors. These are unedited stills from the video. [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_791" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] Brooklyn Bridge[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_792" align="aligncenter" width="1678"] Downtown View From Empire State Building[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_793" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] Love Sculpture[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_794" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] New York City at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_795" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] View From ESB at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_797" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] Rockefeller Center[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] Manhattan Skyline[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="1680"] Times Square[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] We dare you to watch this video and not immediately book tickets to New York City! https://vimeo.com/179629541 Check out the author and his other stunning projects on Vimeo.
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