New York Dearest
The guide, $35

The Best of New York · See and do · Museums

The best museums in New York City

Updated September 2026. 16 places.

Home to more than 83 museums (including the fifth largest museum in the world), there’s no shortage of great museums in New York City to choose from.

In a sea of options, it’s nice to have some advice – so allow me to share the best NYC museums you simply can’t miss during your first visit. With that said, let’s jump right in.

Antonina PattizWriter and photographer · how I decide
Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

Best museums in New York City, 2026

  1. Neue GalerieMuseum · Upper East SideIf you’re into German and Austrian art, the Neue Galerie is probably the best New York City museum to visit.
  2. Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumMuseum · Upper East SideOne thing that’s hard to miss when visiting is that the monolithic and distinctive concrete structure itself is considered a work of art and attracts more than 1 million visitors per year.
  3. The American Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum · Upper West SideThis 2.5 million square foot facility houses more than 32 million specimens making it the largest natural history museum on the planet.
  4. The Brooklyn MuseumMuseum · BrooklynAs the second largest museum in New York City, the Brooklyn Museum was established in 1896 and houses an impressive collection of more than 500,000 objects.
  5. The Intrepid MuseumMuseum · MidtownOpened in 1982, the museum’s commitment to preserving history and encouraging a learning environment makes it one of the best museums in NYC for families.
  6. The Met CloistersMuseum · Washington HeightsFar removed from the heart of NYC, the Met Cloisters (an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art) is the only museum in the country solely dedicated to the Middle Ages.
  7. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)Museum · Upper East SideIf you only have time to visit one museum in NYC, this the one.
  8. The Morgan Library & MuseumMuseum · MidtownThe room itself is absolutely stunning and worth seeing even if you’re not into the collection.
  9. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)Museum · MidtownMoMA is an absolute must for anyone who loves modern art.
  10. The New MuseumMuseum · BoweryA leading destination for contemporary art, The New Museum is renowned for its commitment to showcasing new art and new ideas.
  11. The New-York Historical SocietyMuseum · Upper West SideThe New-York Historical Society was founded in 1804, making it the oldest museum in NYC.
  12. The Tenement Museum (NYC Immigration Museum)Museum · Lower East SideTouring this unique New York City museum is a moving experience.
  13. Whitney Museum of American ArtMuseum · Meatpacking DistrictEvery New Yorker should see it at least once and out of town visitors who are into modern art should consider visiting as it’s certainly one of the best museums in NYC.
  14. 9/11 Memorial & MuseumMuseum · Financial DistrictIt’s one of the most memorable museums in New York City and a truly unforgettable experience.
  15. New York Transit MuseumMuseum · BrooklynLocated in Brooklyn, the New York Transit Museum is one of the best museums in NYC for kids.
  16. The Frick CollectionMuseum · Upper East SideOne of the most elegant museums in New York City, the Frick is downright breathtaking.

On the map

Where they are

9 neighborhoods, Upper East Side and Midtown most of all.

Upper East Side

Midtown

Brooklyn

Upper West Side

Bowery

Financial District

Lower East Side

Meatpacking District

Washington Heights

Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest

The Best of New York 2026

The seal

If you're on this list, this is yours.

Every place on this list is welcome to display the Best of New York 2026 seal. It's the same seal for every place on every Best list, it's free, and it can't be bought.

Sharing it is optional. There's no need to post about it, link back or tag anyone. If you do link, the code below points to the guide this list comes from, so readers see the recommendation in context.

The code. Paste it where the seal should sit.

<a href="https://newyorkdearest.com/nyc-best-museums/">
  <img src="https://newyorkdearest.com/assets/recognition/2026/best-of-new-york-2026.svg"
       alt="Best of New York 2026, New York Dearest"
       width="1800" height="1800" style="width:320px;max-width:100%;height:auto">
</a>

The files

Download PNGDownload SVGDownload the larger PNG

PNG: 1800 by 1800 pixels with transparent corners, for email and social. The larger PNG: 3600 by 3600 pixels. SVG: the vector, sharp at any size.

Is one of these yours? Get the seal for your place Request a window decal

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 18 Exciting Museums in New York City (& What to See at Each).