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

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

New York City is a super exciting place with tons of cool cultural spots and historic places, many of them famous all over the world! This list will tell you about some of the most well-known and important ones. Get ready to explore!

Museums

New York City has so many museums, including art galleries and cultural centers with awesome exhibits.

Big Museums with Lots of Stuff

These museums are like giant treasure chests, holding amazing collections from all over the world and different times in history.

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art (Manhattan): One of the biggest and most visited art museums on Earth! It has art from America, Europe, Africa, Asia, ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and even modern art.
  • Brooklyn Museum (Brooklyn): This museum has cool collections of American art, ancient Egyptian art, and art from the Pacific Islands.
  • Staten Island Museum (Staten Island): Here you can learn about nature, art, history, and science, all in one place!
  • Bronx Museum of the Arts (Bronx): This museum focuses on art from today and the 20th century.
  • Queens Museum (Queens): Check out their special collection of beautiful Tiffany glass.

Museums About Different Cultures and Traditions

African and African American Culture

These museums celebrate the rich history and art of African and African American people.

  • Weeksville Heritage Center (Brooklyn): Visit historic homes where free African Americans lived in the 1800s. It's like stepping back in time!
  • Jackie Robinson Museum (Manhattan): Learn all about the amazing life and lasting impact of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
  • Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (Brooklyn): This museum shows art that talks about important social and political issues for people of African descent.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Manhattan): A part of the New York Public Library, it has exhibits on African American history and culture.
  • Studio Museum in Harlem (Manhattan): See art by African-Americans, especially from the 1800s and 1900s, plus art from the Caribbean and Africa.
  • African Burial Ground National Monument (Manhattan): A special place with a visitors' center and memorial for an 18th-century burial ground for enslaved African Americans.
  • Lewis H. Latimer House (Queens): This was the home of Lewis H. Latimer, an important African American inventor.

Asian and Asian American Culture

Explore the art and traditions of Asia and Asian American communities.

  • Asia Society (Manhattan): Features old and new Asian art and decorative items.
  • Museum of Chinese in America (Manhattan): Discover the history of Chinatowns in North America and the cultural contributions of Chinese immigrants.
  • Japan Society (Manhattan): Has a gallery dedicated to Japanese art.
  • Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art (Staten Island): See art and artifacts from the Himalayas.
  • Rubin Museum of Art (Manhattan): Focuses on art from the Himalayas and nearby regions.
  • Pearl River Mart (Manhattan): A cultural spot with performances and events, and a gallery showing art important to Asian American communities.

Indigenous and Latin American Culture

These places highlight the art and history of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Indigenous peoples.

  • Americas Society (Manhattan): Shows historic and modern art from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
  • El Museo del Barrio (Manhattan): Features Latin American and Caribbean art, especially from Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community in New York City.

European Jewish and Jewish American Culture

Learn about Jewish history, art, and culture from around the world.

  • Amud Aish Memorial Museum (Brooklyn): A living memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.
  • Jewish Children's Museum (Brooklyn): A fun museum for kids that teaches about Jewish heritage and helps everyone understand each other better.
  • Jewish Museum (New York) (Manhattan): Shows modern and contemporary Jewish art and history.
  • Museum of Jewish Heritage (Manhattan): Focuses on modern Jewish history and the Holocaust.
  • Eldridge Street Synagogue (Manhattan): Explore American Jewish history and culture in a beautifully restored old synagogue.

Art by Time Period

Traditional European Art

See amazing art from Europe's past.

  • The Cloisters (Manhattan): This unique museum focuses on the art and architecture of the European Middle Ages. It's part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Frick Collection (Manhattan): See famous old paintings and Renaissance art displayed in a fancy old mansion.

Modern Art

Discover art from the 1900s to today.

  • Guggenheim Museum (Manhattan): Designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this museum has Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art.
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (Manhattan): A super famous museum for modern art, including architecture, design, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, and films.
  • Whitney Museum of American Art (Manhattan): This museum focuses on American art from the 20th century.

Art by Type

Books, Drawings, and Prints

Explore the world of printed art and rare books.

  • The Morgan Library & Museum (Manhattan): This museum has amazing collections of rare books, prints, drawings by European artists, and ancient artifacts.
  • New York Public Library (Manhattan): The main branch often has cool exhibits about art, history, culture, and photography from its huge collections.
  • Drawing Center (Manhattan): Dedicated to contemporary and historical drawings.

Photography, Film, and New Media

Dive into the world of moving pictures and digital art.

  • Museum of the Moving Image (Queens): Learn about the art, history, and technology behind film, television, digital media, and even video games!
  • International Center of Photography (Manhattan): Features exciting photography exhibits.
  • Fotografiska New York (Manhattan): A museum dedicated to photography, showing works by both new and famous artists.

Sculpture

See incredible three-dimensional artworks.

Design, Decorative Arts, and Architecture

Discover how things are designed, from buildings to everyday objects.

  • Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum (Manhattan): Part of the Smithsonian, this museum focuses on decorative arts and design.
  • Museum of Arts and Design (Manhattan): Features modern handmade objects made from clay, glass, metal, and more.
  • Skyscraper Museum (Manhattan): The only museum in the world dedicated to skyscrapers! Learn all about these super tall buildings.

Entertainment Museums

Performing Arts

Step into the world of music, dance, and theater.

  • Carnegie Hall (Manhattan): The Rose Museum inside chronicles the history of this world-famous music venue.
  • Louis Armstrong House (Queens): Visit the home of the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong.
  • Museum of Broadway (Manhattan): A museum all about the history and experience of Broadway theater!

Amusements

Have fun learning about entertainment and sports.

Science Museums

Explore the wonders of science and nature.

History Museums

American History, Local History, and Monuments

Discover the stories of America and New York City.

Military, Police, and Fire

These museums show the history of brave people who protect us.

Transportation and Maritime

Learn about how people and goods move around, and the history of ships.

  • New York Transit Museum (Brooklyn & Manhattan): Explore old subways, trolleys, and buses! The main museum is in Brooklyn, with an annex in Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.
  • South Street Seaport Museum (Manhattan): This museum has exhibition galleries, a 19th-century print shop, and several historic ships you can visit.

Financial History

Understand the world of money and banking.

Historic Houses

Step inside homes from different periods of history.

Children's Museums

These museums are specially designed for kids to learn and play!

Contemporary Art Spaces

Contemporary Museums

See the latest and most exciting art being made today.

  • New Museum (Manhattan): Shows contemporary art from all over the world.
  • MoMA PS1 (Queens): A contemporary art museum that's part of the Museum of Modern Art.

Contemporary Galleries

Smaller spaces that often feature new and experimental art.

  • The 8th Floor (Manhattan): Specializes in art that explores social justice issues.
  • New York Earth Room (Manhattan): A unique permanent exhibit where a room is covered in earth!

Zoos and Gardens

New York City has amazing places to see animals and beautiful plants.

Performing Arts

Experience incredible music, dance, and theater performances.

Metropolitan Opera House At Lincoln Center
The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center

A famous complex with many venues for performing arts.

Music Venues

Places to enjoy all kinds of music.

  • Carnegie Hall: A world-famous concert hall.
  • New York City Opera
  • The New York Pops

Theaters

Catch a play, musical, or show!

Historically Significant Sites

These places played important roles in history.

USA grants tomb
Grant's Tomb, 2004

Historic Houses You Can Visit

Many old homes are preserved so you can see how people lived long ago.

National Parks of New York Harbor

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

Other Important Historic Sites

Libraries

New York City has some amazing libraries, not just for books, but also for exhibitions and research!

New York Public Library May 2011
The New York Public Library Main Branch located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street

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