New York is one of the most culturally and artistically vibrant cities in the world. The art scene here is one that is unique and unrivaled in its glamour and flamboyance, and several art galleries and museums keep NY at the cutting edge. The New Museum of contemporary art focuses primarily on "new art and new ideas." The artists featured here are modern and unpredictable, with displays designed to enthrall and intrigue. The museum features frequently changing exhibitions along with various events such as movie screenings and book launches.

The Whitney Museum of American Art places an emphasis on modern American art. The whimsical building stands out with its contemporary design, which is the brainchild of Italian architect Renzo Piano. Its ever-growing collection includes a variety of art displays such as paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, and prints from artists such as Josef Albers, Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe, Hans Hofmann, and Helen Frankenthaler. Visit the splendid museum to explore its latest exhibitions or attend the Whitney Biennial, an international art show that has been unique to the museum since 1932.

Located in Chelsea, David Zwirner's Gallery is a must-visit for those looking to see works by established and upcoming artists. The establishment encourages innovation, and you'll find works of prominent names including, Luc Tuymans and Neo Rauch displayed in it's spacious premises. The photography section is noteworthy, with realistic shots and some really eye-catching displays.

Since the Brooklyn Museum opened in 1897, it has been one of the highlights of the city's cultural map. One of the largest museums in New York City, the museum welcomes visitors with its striking Beaux-Arts facade that makes way to a stunning collection of about 1.5 million art exhibits. Explore various galleries and sections that include American, Assyrian, ancient Egyptian, Islamic, and Asian art, along with period rooms and decorative art pieces, feminist art interpretations, and design exhibits. Apart from the permanent collection, frequently changing exhibitions display contemporary artworks from budding and established talents.

This powerhouse in the modern art world doubles as one of the best-known museums on the globe. Its galleries burst with intriguing exhibits showcasing mediums ranging from painting and drawing to print and illustration. Photography fans will also find a lot to love at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). Classic artworks closely associated with the museum include Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe and Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Should your appetite for food begin to compete with your appetite for art, there is a charming restaurant on site, as well as a gift shop to browse on your way out.

This Manhattan museum is housed in a modern building with a resemblance to that of a Tetris game. All aspects of design, and every medium of art, are represented at this impressive museum. Whether it's architecture, interior design, fashion or folk crafts, the collections here encompass much of American object art. The museum also offers a wide range of workshops, programs and tours, giving anyone a chance to join in, whether you're an art student or a casual visitor.

A not-for-profit institution which was founded in 1928, the SculptureCenter promotes experimental art by artists from all over the country and beyond. Located in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, this venue hosts exhibitions that present sculptures that are stark, unique, and intriguing. Among the artists whose work has been displayed include Lara Schnitger, Elizabeth Neel, and Ann Sperry.

Acquavella Galleries was first established in 1921 by Nicholas Acquavella and remains, to this date, a family-owned business. When the gallery first opened, it dealt exclusively with Renaissance art work by Italian artists before diversifying their collection to include major art works produced in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Boasting an international clientèle of museums and private collectors, the name Acquavella has come to be synonymous with exceptional taste. Housed within a French townhouse, the Acquavella Galleries continue to host prestigious exhibitions featuring works by artists like Monet, Picasso, Degas, Matisse, Thiebaud, Bonnard and Dubuffet.

With a permanent collection numbering over two million individual works of art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or simply the Met, is not only a New York City landmark, it is the United States' largest art museum and the fifth-most visited museum of any kind in the world. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the museum encompasses more than 1.5 million square feet (139,355 square meters) of exhibition space. European paintings on display include those by world-renown masters like Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Titian, and Vermeer. The vast collection has been split between several galleries, arranged by geographic origin and other thematic schemes. The Egyptian art gallery is especially enticing, as are the Met's repositories of Asian, African and Medieval art. Others include Islamic, Roman, and Greek art, the Arms and Armory section, the Costume Institute, and European Decorative arts. When weather permits, contemporary sculptures are displayed at the open-air roof garden. Apart from being a treasure trove for art lovers, The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a fun-filled and educational experience for all ages.

Tucked away in Queens is an old-fashioned testament to film and television. The actual studios of the one-time Paramount East Coast production house are closed, but the museum provides tours about film making where you can see makeup, costumes and well-known movie sets. There are several theaters for film screenings and a gift shop for souvenir hunters.

Designed by celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is admired for its unique architecture as much as it is for its globe-spanning art collection. The modern structure with its rotunda shape beautifully punctuates the concrete jungle of the Big Apple. It houses a comprehensive selection belonging to numerous collectors, curators and art aficionados from across the world. Visit thought-provoking exhibitions of modern and contemporary art as well as a host of cultural events and presentations. Some of the most attractive displays are Pablo Picasso's monochromatic work and Thannhauser's still life.

This museum first opened to the public in a schoolroom in 1969 to promote a wider knowledge of artists from the Caribbean and Latin America. Located on 5th Avenue just overlooking the Central Park, the Barrio Museum is known for its specialized focus on NYC's Puerto Rican community and related artworks. Its permanent collection, with an emphasis on the autochthonous peoples in the Americas, is composed of thousands of paintings, prints, drawings, photos and sculptures. Through rotating exhibits and outreach programs, their mission is to educate and promote Latin American art and cultural heritage.