Written by Nick Simard on 1.11.19
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New York City’s many cultural options are part of what makes it a world-class city. There’s a little something for all tastes, and you don’t have to search hard to find a free museum to satisfy your art craving. In most cases, one’s just a short walk or subway journey away from your NYC rental — whether you’re bedding down in the Upper East Side, Midtown East or Greenwich Village.
Whitney Museum of American Art
The Whitney is a first-class showcase of 20th-century American artists, featuring changing exhibitions and an often-controversial biennial. The glass building on Gansevoort Street is itself a wonder to experience. You can choose your admission fee if you visit on Fridays between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
Bit of a fashion maven? Then consider a trip to the Museum at FIT. It’s the city’s only fashion-exclusive museum, featuring exhibits dedicated to garments and accessories — more than 50,000 of them! It’s always free, so plan to spend plenty of time.
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art, affectionately referred to as MoMA, is the city’s center of extraordinary modern art. Its outdoor space features a stunning sculpture garden. Located on 53rd Street near Fifth Avenue, it’s free on Fridays between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. If you love it, consider getting a membership; members and children under 16 always get in free.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Perhaps no other institution says “New York landmark” quite like the MET. Housed in a massive structure on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, the MET has an unparalleled collection of more than 3 million — yes, that’s right — artifacts. Since only a few are on display at a particular time, the museum is always changing. Featuring American, medieval, Asian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern exhibits spanning five millennia, it’s always a “pay what you wish” entry fee at the ticket counter.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Visitors to the Guggenheim get a true artistic — and architectural — experience. It features the work of 20th-century European artists and a growing collection of modern art. The museum’s striking building is the work of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Its “pay what you wish” policy is in effect between 5:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Grab your sketchbook, or your favorite hipster attire, and check out what New York City’s dynamic museum scene has to offer. It’s always only just steps away from home.
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