See and do · Museums · 2026
My favorite unusual museums in New York.
In my order, from my own visits, updated September 2026. 12 places.
Let’s face it, not everyone is a fan of art, ancient history, or science. After living in NYC for years, I’ve put together this guide to unique museums in NYC to save you time and help you make the most of your visit. Thankfully, there are so many unique museums in New York City for those with more eclectic interests. These offbeat attractions offer a break from the ordinary, inviting visitors to explore the more unusual, peculiar and unique masterpieces beyond the Moma and Met.
These museums defy expectations and spark curiosity, with exhibits dedicated to unconventional subjects (like dirt) and collections of scrap-metal-made robots. In this guide, I’ll share a roundup of some unusual museums in NYC and why they’re worth the trip. Let’s jump in!
- The Museum of the DogMuseum · Midtown ManhattanThis unique NYC museum is located a stone’s throw away from Grand Central Terminal and houses a massive collection of dog art.
- The Dia Art FoundationMuseum · SoHoI brought my mom here on her first visit. She still talks about it.
- Catacombs at St. Patrick’s Old CathedralLandmark · NolitaSkip the tourist version and do it like a local. here’s how.
- The Museum of Food and DrinkMuseum · DUMBO, BrooklynI never get tired of this view.
- SpyscapeMuseum · Midtown Manhattan
- The Museum of SexMuseum · NoMadAdmission is around $36 and includes admission into “Super Funland” which uses carnival-inspired installations to playfully explore erotic themes.
- MmuseummMuseum · TribecaMmuseumm is a tiny museum (36 square feet!) in Tribeca housed in a converted elevator shaft, offering exhibits on random modern artifacts.
- The Museum of Reclaimed Urban SpaceMuseum · East VillageThe unique museum in NYC is volunteer-run and operates on pay-what-you-wish donations ($5 recommended).
- The City ReliquaryMuseum · Williamsburg, BrooklynI like to think of the unique NYC museum as the city’s garage.
- The Museum of the Moving ImageMuseum · Astoria, QueensThe Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is non-negotiable for movie buffs.
- The Robotic ChurchMuseum · Red Hook, BrooklynAs one of the most unique museums in NYC, it offers a chance to witness art and engineering collide.
- The Met CloistersMuseum · Washington Heights (Fort Tryon Park)The coolest part? The museum itself is built like a medieval monastery, complete with cloisters and gardens (that are especially stunning in the spring!).
- 1
The Museum of the Dog
Museum · Midtown Manhattan · 101 Park Ave, New York, NY 10178
This unique NYC museum is located a stone’s throw away from Grand Central Terminal and houses a massive collection of dog art.
- 2
The Dia Art Foundation
Museum · SoHo · 141 Wooster Street (New York Earth Room) & 393 West Broadway (Broken Kilometer)
I brought my mom here on her first visit. She still talks about it.
- 3
Catacombs at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
Landmark · Nolita · 266 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Skip the tourist version and do it like a local. here’s how.
- 4
The Museum of Food and Drink
Museum · DUMBO, Brooklyn · 55 Water St 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
I never get tired of this view.
- 5
Spyscape
Museum · Midtown Manhattan · 928 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Located in Midtown Manhattan, admission is around $40 for adults which is steep compared to the other museums on this list, however, it includes a personalized spy mission which is similar to an escape room.
- 6
The Museum of Sex
Museum · NoMad · 233 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016
Admission is around $36 and includes admission into “Super Funland” which uses carnival-inspired installations to playfully explore erotic themes.
- 7
Mmuseumm
Museum · Tribeca · 4 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013
Mmuseumm is a tiny museum (36 square feet!) in Tribeca housed in a converted elevator shaft, offering exhibits on random modern artifacts.
- 8
The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space
Museum · East Village · 155 Loisaida Ave, New York, NY 10009
The unique museum in NYC is volunteer-run and operates on pay-what-you-wish donations ($5 recommended).
- 9
The City Reliquary
Museum · Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 370 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
I like to think of the unique NYC museum as the city’s garage.
- 10
The Museum of the Moving Image
Museum · Astoria, Queens · 36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is non-negotiable for movie buffs.
- 11
The Robotic Church
Museum · Red Hook, Brooklyn · 111 Pioneer St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
As one of the most unique museums in NYC, it offers a chance to witness art and engineering collide.
- 12
The Met Cloisters
Museum · Washington Heights (Fort Tryon Park) · 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
The coolest part? The museum itself is built like a medieval monastery, complete with cloisters and gardens (that are especially stunning in the spring!).
Antonina’s favorite unusual museums in New York, 2026
The seal
The places on this list can show it. It links back here, so a reader sees the whole list and how it was made. No fee.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 14 Unique Museums in New York City (Off the Beaten Track).