List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City facts for kids

New York City is a super exciting place, full of amazing cultural spots and historic sites that people from all over the world love to visit! This list will tell you about some of the most famous and interesting places you can explore in the city. Get ready to discover museums, gardens, theaters, and more!

Awesome Museums to Explore

New York City has tons of museums, from huge art galleries to places about history and science. There are even special art centers with cool exhibits.

Big Museums with Lots to See

These museums are like giant treasure chests, packed with art and history from all over the world!

• Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met): Located on Museum Mile in Manhattan, this is one of the biggest and most visited art museums anywhere! You can see art from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Europe, Africa, Asia, and even modern art.
• Brooklyn Museum: In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this museum has amazing collections of American art, ancient Egyptian art, and art from the Pacific Islands.
• Staten Island Museum: Found in West New Brighton, Staten Island, this museum covers natural history, art, and science. It's located at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
• Bronx Museum of the Arts: In Concourse Village, Bronx, this museum focuses on modern art from the 20th century and today.
• Queens Museum: In Corona, Queens, this museum has a special collection of beautiful Tiffany glass.

Museums About Different Cultures

African and African American Culture

Learn about the rich history and art of African and African American people.

• Weeksville Heritage Center: In Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, you can visit historic homes where free African Americans lived in the 1800s.
• Jackie Robinson Museum: In Soho, Manhattan, this museum teaches you about the incredible life and impact of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
• Louis Armstrong House: In Corona, Queens, you can visit the actual home of the famous jazz trumpeter and pop star Louis Armstrong. It's like stepping back in time!
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: In Harlem, Manhattan, this part of the New York Public Library has exhibits about African American history and culture.
• African Burial Ground National Monument: In TriBeCa, Manhattan, this is a special place to remember an 18th-century burial ground for enslaved African Americans.

Asian and Asian American Culture

Discover art and traditions from various Asian cultures.

• Asia Society: On the Upper East Side, Manhattan, this place shows off historic and modern Asian art.
• Museum of Chinese in America: In Chinatown, Manhattan, this museum tells the story of Chinatowns in North America and the contributions of Chinese immigrants.
• Japan Society: In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, you can find a gallery with Japanese art.
• Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art: In Egbertville, Staten Island, this museum has art and artifacts from the Himalayas.

Latin American and Caribbean Culture

Explore the vibrant art of Latin America and the Caribbean.

• El Museo del Barrio: On Museum Mile, Manhattan, this museum focuses on Latin American and Caribbean art, especially from Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community in NYC.

Jewish and Jewish American Culture

Dive into the history and art of Jewish people.

• Jewish Children's Museum: In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this museum teaches kids about Jewish heritage in a fun way, helping everyone understand each other better.
• Museum of Jewish Heritage: In Battery Park City, Manhattan, this museum tells the story of modern Jewish history and the Holocaust.
• Eldridge Street Synagogue: In the Lower East Side, Manhattan, you can learn about American Jewish history and culture in a beautifully restored historic synagogue.

Art Through Time

Old European Art

See paintings and sculptures from long ago in Europe.

• The Cloisters: In Washington Heights, Manhattan, this unique place shows art and architecture from the European Middle Ages. It's part of the Met!
• Frick Collection: On the Upper East Side, Manhattan, you can see famous "Old Master" paintings and Renaissance art displayed in a fancy old mansion.

Modern Art Wonders

Experience art that is more recent and often very creative.

• Guggenheim Museum: On Museum Mile, Manhattan, this museum is famous for its spiral building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It features Impressionist, Modern, and contemporary art.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, MoMA has a huge collection of modern art, including paintings, sculptures, photos, films, and even video games!
• Whitney Museum of American Art: In the Meatpacking District, Manhattan, this museum focuses on American art from the 20th century and today.

Other Western and Native American Art

Discover art from different Western cultures and Native American traditions.

• American Folk Art Museum: On the Upper West Side, Manhattan, this museum celebrates unique American folk art.
• George Gustav Heye Center (National Museum of the American Indian): In the Financial District, Manhattan, this museum is part of the Smithsonian and showcases Native American history, culture, and art.

Art by Type

Books, Drawings, and Prints

Explore the world of paper art and old books.

• The Morgan Library & Museum: In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, this museum has amazing collections of old books, drawings by European artists, and ancient artifacts.
• New York Public Library: The main branch in Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, often has cool exhibits about art, history, and culture from its vast collections.

Photography, Film, and Digital Art

See how stories are told through pictures and screens.

• Museum of the Moving Image: In Astoria, Queens, this museum explores the art, history, and technology of film, TV, digital media, and video games.
• International Center of Photography: In Chelsea, Manhattan, you can see fantastic photography exhibits.
• Alice Austen House: In Rosebank, Staten Island, this historic house was once home to photographer Alice Austen and also features photography exhibits.

Sculpture Parks and Galleries

Enjoy art that you can walk around and see from all sides.

• Noguchi Museum: In Long Island City, Queens, this museum is dedicated to the works of the famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
• Socrates Sculpture Park: In Astoria, Queens, this is an outdoor park where you can see cool sculptures.

Design, Fashion, and Buildings

Learn about how things are designed, from clothes to skyscrapers.

• Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum: On Museum Mile, Manhattan, this museum is part of the Smithsonian and focuses on decorative arts and design.
• Skyscraper Museum: In Battery Park City, Manhattan, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to skyscrapers! You can learn all about these super tall buildings.
• Museum at FIT: In Chelsea, Manhattan, this museum is all about fashion and clothing history.

Fun and Entertainment Museums

Performing Arts History

Discover the magic of music, theater, and dance.

• Museum of Broadway: In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, this museum celebrates the history and experience of Broadway theater.
• National Jazz Museum in Harlem: In Harlem, Manhattan, you can learn about the exciting history of jazz music in Harlem.
• Rose Museum: In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, this museum tells the story of Carnegie Hall, a famous music venue.

Amusement and Play

Step into worlds of fun and fantasy.

• Coney Island Museum: In Coney Island, Brooklyn, this museum shares the history of Coney Island's famous amusement park.
• Madame Tussauds New York: In Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan, you can take pictures with lifelike wax figures of famous people.
• Mets Hall of Fame & Museum: In Flushing, Queens, located at Citi Field, this museum celebrates the history of the New York Mets baseball team.

Science and Nature Centers

Explore the wonders of the natural world and scientific discoveries.

• American Museum of Natural History: On the Upper West Side, Manhattan, this huge museum has incredible exhibits on dinosaurs, animals, space (including the Rose Center for Earth and Space), and human cultures.
• New York Hall of Science: In Flushing, Queens, this museum has interactive exhibits about biology, chemistry, and physics, making science fun!
• New York Botanical Garden: In Fordham, Bronx, this beautiful botanical garden has amazing plant collections and a library with botanical exhibits.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: In Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, this garden has special plant collections and a library.
• National Museum of Mathematics: In Rose Hill, Manhattan, this museum has interactive exhibits that make math exciting and easy to understand.

History Museums and Sites

American and Local History

Travel back in time to learn about New York and American history.

• Ellis Island Museum: On Ellis Island, Manhattan, you can take a boat tour to learn about the immigration experience and the history of the millions of immigrants who came to America through this island.
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: In the Financial District, Manhattan, this memorial and museum honors the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
• Statue of Liberty: On Liberty Island, Manhattan, this iconic statue is a symbol of freedom. You can visit it by boat.
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum: In the Lower East Side, Manhattan, this museum shows what life was like for immigrant families in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Museum of the City of New York: On Museum Mile, Manhattan, this museum tells the story of New York City's art and local history.
• New-York Historical Society: On the Upper West Side, Manhattan, this place explores the history of New York and the United States.
• Federal Hall National Memorial: In Lower Manhattan, Manhattan, this was the site of the first U.S. Capitol and where George Washington became president in 1789.

Military, Police, and Fire History

Discover stories of bravery and service.

• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: In Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, you can explore a real World War II aircraft carrier, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, a submarine, and military aircraft!
• New York City Fire Museum: In SoHo, Manhattan, this museum has historical and modern firefighting vehicles, equipment, and uniforms.

Transportation and Maritime History

Learn about how people and goods moved around the city and on the water.

• New York Transit Museum: In Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, this museum is all about subways, trolleys, and buses. They even have an annex in Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
• South Street Seaport Museum: In the Financial District, Manhattan, this museum explores maritime history with exhibition galleries, a 19th-century print shop, and historic ships.

Historic Houses

Step inside homes from different eras and learn about the people who lived there.

• Louis Armstrong House: In Corona, Queens, this is the original home of the jazz legend Louis Armstrong.
• Edgar Allan Poe Cottage: In Fordham, Bronx, this was the 1840s home of the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe.
• Gracie Mansion: On the Upper East Side, Manhattan, this beautiful house is the official residence of the Mayor of New York City.
• Dyckman Farmhouse Museum: In Inwood, Manhattan, this is the oldest farmhouse still standing on Manhattan island, from the late 1700s.
• Wyckoff House: In Canarsie, Brooklyn, this Dutch farmhouse dates all the way back to 1652!
• Queens County Farm Museum: In Glen Oaks, Queens, this is a working farm that dates back to 1697.

Museums Just for Kids!

These museums are designed especially for younger visitors to learn and play.

• Bronx Children's Museum: In Concourse, The Bronx, this museum offers fun and educational experiences for children.
• Brooklyn Children's Museum: In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this was the first children's museum in the United States!
• Children's Museum of Manhattan: On the Upper West Side, Manhattan, this museum has interactive exhibits for kids of all ages.
• Jewish Children's Museum: In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this museum teaches about Jewish heritage in an engaging way.
• Staten Island Children's Museum: In West New Brighton, Staten Island, this museum is part of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
• Sugar Hill Children's Museum: In Sugar Hill, Manhattan, this museum focuses on art and art education for children.

Cool Contemporary Art Spots

These places show off the newest and most exciting art being made today.

• New Museum: In the East Village, Manhattan, this museum features contemporary art from artists around the world.
• MoMA PS1: In Long Island City, Queens, this is a contemporary art museum that's part of the Museum of Modern Art.
• The Living Museum: In Queens Village, Queens, this unique art space features art created by individuals with mental illness.

Other Interesting Places

• AKC Museum of the Dog: On Park Avenue, Manhattan, this museum celebrates dogs in art and history, with exhibits on dogs in film, war dogs, and more.
• Mmuseumm: In TriBeCa, Manhattan, this is a tiny museum in a freight elevator that displays unusual artifacts.
• Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space: In the East Village, Manhattan, this museum tells the story of how people have worked to create green spaces in the city.

Zoos and Gardens: Nature in the City!

Even in a big city, you can find amazing places to see animals and beautiful plants.

• Bronx Zoo: One of the largest zoos in the world, with thousands of animals.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: A beautiful garden with many different plant collections.
• Central Park Zoo: A smaller zoo located right in the middle of Central Park.
• New York Aquarium: See amazing sea creatures in Coney Island.
• New York Botanical Garden: A huge botanical garden with stunning conservatories and plant displays.
• Queens Botanical Garden: A lovely garden in Queens.
• Queens Zoo: A zoo in Queens that focuses on North American animals.
• Staten Island Zoo: A smaller, family-friendly zoo on Staten Island.
• Queens County Farm Museum: A working farm where you can see farm animals and learn about farming.

Performing Arts: Shows and Music!

New York City is famous for its incredible live performances, from Broadway shows to classical music.

The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

This is a huge complex with many famous venues for music, dance, and theater.

• David Geffen Hall: Home of the New York Philharmonic orchestra.
• David H. Koch Theater: Home to the New York City Ballet.
• Metropolitan Opera: One of the world's leading opera companies.
• Jazz at Lincoln Center: A great place to hear live jazz music.
• The Juilliard School: A famous school for performing arts.

Music Venues

Hear all kinds of music in these famous spots.

• Carnegie Hall: A legendary concert hall where many famous musicians have performed.
• New York City Opera: Another great opera company.
• Manhattan School of Music: A top music school.

Theaters

Catch a play, musical, or other live show.

• Apollo Theater: A historic theater in Harlem famous for its music and comedy shows.
• Radio City Music Hall: A huge and beautiful theater known for its Christmas Spectacular.
• Brooklyn Academy of Music: A center for progressive and classic performing arts.
• The Public Theater: Known for its new plays and musicals.

Historic Places: Step Back in Time!

New York City has many places where important events happened long ago.

Historic Houses You Can Visit

These are homes where famous people lived or where important history took place.

• Alice Austen House Museum: Home of a pioneering photographer.
• Edgar Allan Poe Cottage: Where the famous writer lived.
• Gracie Mansion: The official home of the Mayor of New York City.
• Lewis H. Latimer House: Home of an important African American inventor.
• Morris-Jumel Mansion: An 18th-century mansion used by both sides during the American Revolution.
• Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site: The recreated home where President Theodore Roosevelt was born.
• The Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum: One of the oldest houses in New York City.

National Parks of New York Harbor

These sites are managed by the National Park Service and tell important stories.

• African Burial Ground National Monument: A memorial to enslaved African Americans.
• Castle Clinton National Monument: A fort that now serves as a departure point for visitors to the Statue of Liberty.
• Federal Hall National Memorial: The site of George Washington's first inauguration.
• General Grant National Memorial: The tomb of General Ulysses Grant and his wife.
• Statue of Liberty National Monument (including Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty): Iconic symbols of freedom and immigration.
• Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site: The childhood home of President Theodore Roosevelt.

World Trade Center Site

This area is a place of remembrance and hope.

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: A powerful memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Other Important Historic Sites

• Brooklyn Navy Yard: A historic shipbuilding site.
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum: Shows the lives of immigrants in the past.
• Weeksville Heritage Center: Preserves the history of a 19th-century free African American community.

Amazing Libraries

Libraries are not just for books; many have cool exhibits and events!

New York Public Library Main Branch located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street

• New York Public Library: A huge library system with many branches, including the famous main branch on Fifth Avenue, which often has interesting exhibits.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Another large library system serving Brooklyn.
• Columbia University Libraries: Part of Columbia University, with special collections like the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
• The Morgan Library & Museum: Besides being a museum, it's also a research library with incredible collections.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: A special branch of the New York Public Library focused on African American history and culture.
• Queens Public Library: The library system for Queens.

Images for kids

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  Grant's Tomb, 2004

See also

• List of museums in New York
• Museum Mile, New York City
• Tourist attractions in New York City