Crowd in MoMA, New York

New York museums: free entry with the New York Pass®

By Shashia Mitchell

View of the Met in New York
View of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA)

New York is home to over 170 top-notch museums in art, architecture, media, natural history, and technology. With your  New York Pass® in hand, you can visit:

  • The Natural History Museum
  • The Guggenheim Museum
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Van Courtland House Museum
  • The Museum of Sex

and many more.

You'll also enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  

✈️ Buy The New York Pass® ✈️ 

Arts museums and galleries

🎨 MoMA PS1

Located in Long Island City, the MoMA PS1 is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions in the United States. It's family-friendly, engaging, and packed with vibrant events and installations all year round.

🎨 Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

This iconic, world-leading museum of modern art offers a rich program of exhibitions at 11 West 53rd Street. It's filled with permanent collections, special exhibitions, and iconic masterpieces by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many more.

🎨 Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Designed by visionary architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1959, the Guggenheim Museum is masterpiece of modern architecture, and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy one of the finest collections of 20th-century art, spanning Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Early Modern and contemporary works. 

🎨 Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art is the leading institution of American art and culture of our time, housed in a Marcel Breuer-designed building that is a landmark of modern architecture. See works from newer and upcoming artists, and legends like Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, and Jackson Pollock. 

Media, architecture and design museums

🏛️ Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the nation’s only museum dedicated to historical and contemporary design, with a collection of over 210,000 design objects spanning thirty centuries.

🏛️The Skyscraper Museum

With the skyline of Lower Manhattan as a backdrop and the panorama of New York harbor at its front door, The Skyscraper Museum occupies a site of breathtaking beauty, and offers a rich history of New York.

🏛️The Paley Center for Media

Here you'll discover some of the most popular and cutting-edge forms of media dating back to the 1920s. Over a two-hour visit, you can see some of the 100,000 radio and TV programs — some showing incredible historical moments like the moon landing.

Great museums for children...

🍭 Staten Island Children's Museum

Founded by a group of parents in 1974, The Staten Island Children's Museum is a place to exercise little minds, bodies, and imaginations at New York's only indoor-outdoor interactive museum. It's located in an 84-acre park, within a historic building on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens.

🔭 The New York Hall of Science

With more than 450 interactive and engaging exhibits, The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is New York’s only hands-on science and technology center.  It's dedicated to inclusivity, running programs for children with special needs, and excels at sparking curiosity and learning for all visitors.

🦕 American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most innovative natural history museums in the world. See the 122-foot-long Titanosaur skeleton, the the Hall of Biodiversity, and explore the Human Origins and Cultural Halls

...and one that's definitely for the adults

🔞Museum of Sex

As the raunchiest museum in New York, the mission of the Museum of Sex is to preserve and present the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality through exhibitions, experiences, and programs. It's popular and tickets are extremely limited - so book in advance if you're visiting on a weekend, or else visit on a weekday for the best experience.

Social history museums

🏛️Fraunces Tavern

The oldest building in NYC, the Fraunces Tavern® Museum (with bar and restaurant) immerses you in American Revolutionary history, and you can eat and drink in the same space as the Founding Fathers. It's here, in the famous Long Room, where George Washington bade farewell to officers of the Continental Army on December 4th, 1783. It's now a complex of five buildings, with nine galleries.

🪖 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Built in 1943, the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid and her crew have a distinguished history of service, including tours of duty in both World War II and Vietnam. Now a floating museum, you can explore the Intrepid, and you can see the space shuttle Enterprise up close, a British Airways Concorde, and submarine Growler. Wander through interactive exhibitions, explore historic artifacts, and discover the history of American innovation and bravery.

🏛️Museum of the City of New York

The essential introduction to New York City, the Museum of the City of New York explores the past, present, and future of New York, through groundbreaking exhibitions that offer a behind-the-scenes look at what gives the city its singular character.

🏛️New York Historical Society

A trip to New York wouldn't be complete without a visit to the New York Historical Society, where four centuries of history, art, and artifacts tell the story of America through the lens of New York.

Cultural and religious museums

🏛️ Museum at Eldridge St.

Rediscovered by an academic in the 1970s and meticulously restored over the following three decades, the museum has been described as “gasp-inducing” by The New York Times. It's housed in the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, now a magnificent National Historic Landmark.

🏛️Museum of Jewish Heritage

Explore the broad tapestry of Jewish life in the 20th and 21st centuries—before, during, and after the Holocaust. The third-largest Holocaust museum in the world, the museum is located on the southernmost tip of Manhattan, rounding out the cultural and educational landscape it shares with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Visit New York museums for free with The New York Pass®

Man walking through art gallery

With The New York Pass®, you can explore not just the museums, but also the big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours — all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  

✈️ Buy The New York Pass® ✈️ 

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Blog

A Local's Guide to Hipster Brooklyn

What exactly does a local's guide to Brooklyn look like in 2019? For the better part of the last century, Manhattan was the place to be. The creative center of the world, the borough was culturally (and perhaps emotionally) landlocked. Manhattan residents used to balk at the idea of venturing beyond the island's 10-mile radius. Brooklyn used to have all the cool-factor of New Jersey. To put the local sentiment into perspective, the term "Bridge and tunnel crowd" was a label given to outer borough folks who tried to infiltrate Manhattan's exclusive club. Today things are different. The perfect storm of economics, housing politics, and gentrification have shifted the cultural paradigm. Manhattan is out, Brooklyn is in. While it may surprise you to discover that America's creative class now resides across the East River, Brooklyn is the new home of what's hip. In fact, sometimes Brooklynites' adherence to trends has earned them "hipster" labels. Encompassing nearly 100 square miles with 2.5 million residents, it can be difficult to know where to start and everyone will have their own opinions of the best places to visit in Brooklyn. Luckily for you - we are part time investigative journalists. We bleached our hair and shaved ourselves mustaches to dive deep undercover within the Hipster ranks. After our extensive reporting, we've compiled a list of local musts, offering you insight to Brooklyn's up and coming culture. Flowers for All Occasions (Bedstuy) Coffee is the Brooklynite/Hipster life fuel. They need it to survive, and it doesn't get more trendy than Flowers for All Occasions. The coffee shop sits on the border of Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant (famously the birthplace of American rapper Notorious B.I.G.). It also doubles as a bar. They offer an eclectic, vegetarian menu of snacks, and once the sun goes down, the space converts into a bar where they serve soju cocktails. Filled with lush greenery, makeshift furniture, and usually with a DJ spinning some techno tunes - it is a quintessential Hipster spot. For other lesser-known gourmet coffee houses, click here. Rough Trade (Williamsburg) Nothing makes a Hipster salivate like the mention of something "vintage." So it figures that vinyl records have enjoyed a huge resurgence in Brooklyn. Rough Trade is the largest shop of its kind in the borough. Funk, alternative, reggae pop, soul, rock, salsa - you name it, they have it. Since Rough Trade opened in 2013, it has become somewhat of a local landmark, hosting record signings by some of the world's top artists. Additionally, they have a small stage in the back where local bands can often be found rocking out. Located on the Williamsburg waterfront, after you buy a record or two, walk a few blocks down to catch a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. The Living Gallery (Bushwick) The Living Gallery is a DIY artists space that typifies the scene. Hosting an endless rotation of exhibitions, performances, anything really - the venue is a culmination of all that's good about Hipster culture. A personal favorite is their Drunk Drawing Wednesdays, a BYOB event in which you supply the booze, and they'll supply the art tools. A more cultural alternative to your Hump Day! They've been around for years, but they haven't lost their edge. The space is well known in the neighborhood because of its ever-changing mural. Every three months they enlist a local artist to redesign the gallery's exterior. Their events are almost always free, and the crowd is always dressed well and friendly. A must for anyone trying to understand what Brooklyn is all about. The Cardi Lisa (Williamsburg) Somewhat of an internet sensation (probably because it earned its famous subject's approval via Instagram), the Cardi Lisa is a local must. The walls of Brooklyn are covered in street art, but few are as memorable as the Cardi Lisa. Funny, relevant, and just pretty darn cool, the wall size mural is a modern revision of Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" but with New York rapper Cardi B's face superimposed on the classic figure. It stands a several-foot high testament to the neighborhood's boundless creativity. Photo courtesy of mural artist Lexi Bella. Wonderville (Buskwick) Hipsters, like all 20-somethings, love to drink. But a simple, straightforward bar is too obvious for them. Enter Wonderville - a bar arcade featuring one-of-kind games designed by Brooklyn locals. Inhabiting the building that used to be legendary punk rock venue Secret Project Robot (a pivotal player in the late aughts American rock resurgence that gave us the Strokes and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs), the bar-cade just opened and is peak Hipster vibes. They have a deadly house margarita and a spacious backyard patio. So grab a drink and pick a game, you're in for a good time! Image courtesy of Carl Raw. Book Row (Bushwick) Located within the Broadway Flea - a series of metal sheds which house different stores under the J train railway; a Mad Max take on a flea market - Book Row is a helplessly trendy bookstore. Despite most copies that are sold being used, the collection is surprisingly expansive, covering all kinds of genres ranging from nonfiction to current best sellers. Barnes & Nobles is too obvious for Hipster locals, Book Row is classic Bushwick. Image courtesy of author. Prospect Park (South Brooklyn) If being a Hipster is predicated on the idea of being counterculture, then they will always lean towards New York City's "other park." Prospect dominates roughly 525 acres of South Brooklyn, bordering several of the borough prime neighborhood. A less obvious choice than Manhattan's Central Park, Prospect is where Brooklynites go to unwind. During the summer, their bandshell hosts the popular "Celebrate Brooklyn" concert series which is free to the community. If the greenery isn't enough for you, it's conveniently located besides the Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Museum. For more things to do in and around New York, check out the other posts in our blog.
Go City Expert
Blog

King Kong Returns to the Empire State Building!

The Eighth Wonder of the World, a.ka. King Kong has returned to the Empire State Building. Not only is he the inspiration for a brand new Broadway show, but he’s also back where he belongs. The 86-year-old giant ape that first tormented the Big Apple in 1933 has returned with a vengeance in the form of an interactive exhibit at the iconic Empire State Building. Kong is a part of the new ESB museum that opened last week - a fun extension of the recently revealed tech-driven observatory entrance at 20 West 34th Street. Photo by: Empire State Building/Empire State Realty Trust How to see King Kong at the Empire State Building To experience Kong in all his glory, guests can enter a thirties era office designed in line with the building’s Art Deco sheen. The most unnerving aspect of this room are the broken windows showing two giant ape hands reaching into the building. King Kong himself peeps in through the window via a video installation as he climbs to the top of the skyscraper. The new museum is another exciting phase of the building’s $165 million renovations, which includes a new lighting ceremony installation and digital hosts. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of this year. In addition to the King Kong exhibit, the museum looks at the history and cultural impact of the 45th tallest building in the world. The Empire State Building has popped up in over 250 TV shows, and films: the building’s first appearance was in, you guessed it, King Kong. These two icons go way back. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } The Museum Be sure to check out these immersive experience featured across its nine galleries. Admission tickets ensure access to the new second-floor immersive exhibits; as well as entry to the iconic 360-degree view open air Observatory: The Site in the 1920s Starting at its very beginning, black and white photos show the empty site of the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel before the skyscraper’s construction began. Through building surveyors, Guests can look in and see the New York City streets of the late 1920s come to life in full color. Construction Step into the past with moving photographs based on the work of Lewis Hine. Visitors can also interact with specially commissioned cast sculptures of construction workers as they work and take their lunch break. Modern Marvel Creating a safe space for the environment is precisely what the building aims to achieve. The Modern Marvel exhibit outlines the specific measures taken to make the Empire State Building a world leader in sustainability. Otis Elevators Otis Elevators designed the original elevators for the 102 floors. Walk through a simulation of an actual elevator shaft in this dedicated exhibit from Otis Elevators. It showcases not only how the original elevators operated, but the latest technology installed in the newest elevators. With more than 10 million tenants and Observatory Guests each year, these enduring machines are truly fascinating feats of engineering. Urban Campus Most visitors aren’t aware that the building houses tenants from airline offices to tourist boards. The Urban Campus display offers a glimpse into some of the significant tenant spaces, amenities, and hidden views of the building. World’s Most Famous Building An original score has been created especially for the exhibit. Guests are free to explore the space, surrounded by more than seventy screens displaying ESB’s starring role in pop culture. These have been sourced from every decade since the 1930s with movie posters and clips. King Kong Stroll into an office from the 1930s where the famous giant ape’s fingers reach through the walls. Just like the classic movie, he dangles from the building and dodges vintage bi-planes. Those feeling brave enough can step into Kong’s hands for the ultimate Instagram post. Celebrity Many famous faces from around the world have graced the windy observatory atop the ESB. This exhibit highlights some of the most-famous visitors (athletes, musicians, actors) to the attraction. Their images and signed memorabilia adorn the walls. Guests can stop to admire these as they head to the elevators that will take them to their next stop: NYC: Above & Beyond on the 80th Floor. The museum is open from 8 AM to 2 AM, seven days a week. Get down there and meet Kong for yourself! Need more inspiration on things to do in NYC? Step right this way.
Suz Pathmanathan

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