Top 10 Must-Visit Museums in New York City for 2025

New York City is a global hub for arts, culture, and history, home to some of the most iconic and influential museums in the world. From sprawling institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art to more intimate, specialized spaces like the Tenement Museum, the city’s museums reflect its diverse spirit and rich past. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, science enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, you’ll find world-class exhibits and unforgettable experiences across all five boroughs. 

These museums not only preserve centuries of knowledge and creativity but also inspire future generations through innovation, storytelling, and interactive learning. As 2025 unfolds, there’s no better time to dive into the city’s cultural treasures. Here are the top 10 museums in New York you absolutely must explore this year.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)

Specialty: One of the world’s largest and finest art museums, The Met houses over 2 million works spanning 5,000 years.

Highlights: Ancient Egyptian artifacts, European paintings, American decorative arts, and the iconic Temple of Dendur.

Opening Hours:

• Sunday– Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM
• Closed on Wednesdays

Contact:

• Website: www.metmuseum.org
• Phone: (212) 535-7710
• Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028

2. American Museum of Natural History

Specialty: Known for its life-sized dinosaur skeletons, planetarium, and immersive dioramas.

Highlights: The Hayden Planetarium, Hall of Biodiversity, and the new Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation.

Opening Hours:

• Daily: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
• Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas

Contact:

• Website: www.amnh.org
• Phone: (212) 769-5100
• Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024

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3. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Specialty: A leading institution for modern and contemporary art.

Highlights: Works by Picasso, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, and immersive film screenings.

Opening Hours:

• Saturday–Thursday: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Friday: 10:30 AM – 8 PM

Contact:

• Website: www.moma.org
• Phone: (212) 708-9400
• Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

4. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Specialty: Known for its distinctive spiral architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright and focus on modern and contemporary art.

Highlights: Works by Kandinsky, Chagall, and exhibitions exploring new forms of expression.

Opening Hours:

• Daily: 10:30 AM – 05:30 PM

Contact:

• Website: www.guggenheim.org
• Phone: (212) 423-3500
• Address: 1071 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10128

5. Whitney Museum of American Art

Specialty: Focuses on 20th and 21st-century American art with a strong emphasis on living artists.

Highlights: Works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and the iconic Whitney Biennial.

Opening Hours:

• Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6 PM
• Friday: 10:30 AM – 10 PM
• Closed on Tuesdays

Contact:

• Website: www.whitney.org
• Phone: (212) 570-3600
• Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

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6. The Brooklyn Museum

Specialty: A diverse collection spanning ancient civilizations, feminist art, and African art.

Highlights: Egyptian mummies, The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago, and interactive family events.

Opening Hours:

• Wednesday–Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Closed Monday & Tuesday

Contact:

• Website: www.brooklynmuseum.org
• Phone: (718) 638-5000
• Address: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238

7. The Tenement Museum

Specialty: Preserves the immigrant experience in NYC through guided apartment tours and neighborhood walks.

Highlights: Restored tenement apartments, immigrant family stories from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Opening Hours:

• Daily: 10 AM – 6:00 PM
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Contact:

• Website: www.tenement.org
• Phone: (877) 975-3786
• Address: 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

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8. The Frick Collection

Specialty: European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts in an intimate setting.

Highlights: Works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, and elegant period furniture.

Opening Hours:

• Saturday–Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:30 AM – 05:30 PM
• Friday: 10:30 AM To 08:30 PM
• Closed: Wednesday

Contact:

• Website: www.frick.org
• Phone: (212) 288-0700
• Address: 1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021, United States

9. New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

Specialty: New York’s first museum, focusing on American history, women’s rights, and social justice.

Highlights: Revolutionary War artifacts, Tiffany lamps, and the DiMenna Children’s History Museum.

Opening Hours:

• Friday – Monday: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Tuesday to Thursday: 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM
  

Contact:

• Website: www.nyhistory.org
• Phone: (212) 873-3400
• Address: 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

10. The Cloisters (The Met Cloisters)

Specialty: Medieval art and architecture in a tranquil setting in Fort Tryon Park.

Highlights: Tapestries, stained glass, and a recreated medieval garden.

Opening Hours:

• Thursday- Tuesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Closed: Wednesday

Contact:

• Phone: (212) 923-3700
• Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040

Tips for Museum-Goers

• Buy tickets online to avoid long entry lines.
• Check for free or discounted admission days—many museums offer “pay what you wish” nights or free entry for NYC residents.
• Use the NYC Museum Pass if visiting multiple museums in a short time.
• Plan ahead for guided tours, which often fill up fast but provide much richer insights.
• Most museums have cafés and gift shops, perfect for a mid-tour break or souvenirs.

Whether you’re visiting The Met’s grand galleries or discovering immigrant stories at the Tenement Museum, New York City’s museums offer unforgettable experiences. Make sure to set aside enough time—and maybe more than one day—to truly appreciate these cultural gems.

1st Image Credit- Metropolitan Museum of Art