Rubin Museum of Art (RMA) is one of the few museums committed to preserving and promoting art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions. It caters to everyone; experts, professors, art enthusiasts, and young children. The museum is always conducting various public and educational programs and hosts several changing exhibitions. The main draw here is a rare collection of paintings, sculptures and textiles dating back 2000 years.
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.
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.
This impressive Fifth Avenue mansion was once the home of coke and steel magnate Henry Clay Frick. It was the Frick family's wish that his art collection remain on display there after his death. Built in 1914, the mansion was made to look much older. The gilded, ornamental décor is the perfect setting for exhibits which include masterpieces by Vermeer, Goya and Rembrandt. Stroll in the tranquility of the beautiful outdoor garden. Please note children under the age of 10 are not permitted in the collection.
The American Museum of Natural History is a popular attraction and one of the largest natural history museums in the world. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, displays and exhibits, all geared to reveal secrets of the beautiful natural world. The visit begins with skeletons and life-size replicas of elephants, dinosaurs and other extinct creatures, which welcome you as you enter the main hall. Other points of interest include the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution, the Hall of Meteorites, a vast collection of gemstones, an IMAX theater and the Rose Center for Earth and Space planetarium shows (at extra cost), as well as a research library. The museum offers a number of specially customized public and group tours as well as educational programs and trips, enabling visitors to explore the exhibits in detail.
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.
Socrates Sculpture Park was founded in 1986 when artist Mark di Suvero, along with significant others, transformed this illegal dump-yard to an open studio and exhibition center as well as a neighborhood park. This is the only site that provides a large space for artists to create and display their talent and generate interaction amongst the artists and the public. As a recognition for the exceptional contribution made by this museum to the art world, it has been honored by many awards. The park holds may activities and education programs for children to encourage their raw talent and build confidence. The park also holds a weekly farmer's market, perfect for stocking up on those healthy greens.
The Cloisters is the medieval outpost of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Overlooking the Hudson River, it is a deeply relaxing and spiritual place that explores beautiful medieval art. The interlocking cloisters are faithful reconstructions of French monasteries and abbeys. They were erected between 1934 and 1938 on a site offered by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Travel back to the Middle Ages with a visit to the museum, wander through resplendent Gothic chambers, discover solitude and serenity in the Fuentidueña Apse, and sit like a monk at the Chapter House from Notre Dame de Pontaut. The sprawling museum gardens are as beautiful as the chapels and cloisters.