New York, United States of America (USA)
A feast of hundreds of private art galleries, packed into one enclave on the west of Manhattan, showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary and modern art.
Good for age: 18+
Travel bucket list idea:
World-class art in New York
New York, United States of America (USA)
Bucket List Experience
Last updated: 07 April, 2024
The staggering wealth and cultural aspirations of New York’s industrial magnates helped lure some of world’s finest art here throughout the 20th century, making New York a global art powerhouse (rivalled only by London). Masterpieces proliferate, but the modern and contemporary art collections are equally staggering.
Even if you have little interest in Art per se, this is the place to taste it. Museums are admirably inclusive, being accessible and offering special programmes for kids.
While you’re there
The big art museum gift shops are surprisingly good places to buy gifts, offering some of the best variety of items and prices for novel purchases – and you can enter without paying.
Who to go with: tour operators
Frick Collection
New York, United States of America (USA)
Experience
One of America’s pre-eminent small art museums with an enviable bequeathed collection of European paintings, sculpture and porcelain, including Bellini, Constable, Gainsborough, Degas, Rembrandt, and Whistler. Housed in the late steel magnate and art collector Henry Frick’s magnificent mansion.
Adult price: 18
Good for age: 18+
New York, United States of America (USA)
Bucket List Experience
One of the largest art museums in the world, the Met is a global art treasure house, with more than two million works spanning thousands of years of human civilisation.
Adult price: 20
Good for age: 8+
New York, United States of America (USA)
Bucket List Experience
One of the world’s greatest museums of contemporary art, taking you on an artistic journey through Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Impressionism and Pop Art.
Adult price: 22
Good for age: 13+
New York, United States of America (USA)
Bucket List Experience
A world-class collection of 20th- and 21st-century art, including works by Calder, Chagall, Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, and van Gogh. All housed in Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece.
Adult price: 22
Good for age: 18+
New York, United States of America (USA)
Bucket List Experience
A specialist in 20th- and 21st-century American art, from Jackson Pollock to Keith Haring to Cindy Sherman. Every two years holds the Whitney Biennial which showcases a huge range of new contemporary art, often from little-known artists.
Adult price: 22
Good for age: 18+
The Rubin
New York City, New York, United States of America (USA)
Experience
This interesting art museum specialises in Himalayan art; the collection includes approximately 3,400 objects spanning more than 1,500 years to the present day. Works come from the Tibetan plateau, and surrounding regions including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Mongolia.
Adult price: 15
Good for age: 18+
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Four of the major art museums – MoMA, Frick, Whitney and Met – are all conveniently within a few blocks of each other on the Upper East Side. It’s known as the ‘Museum Mile’.
It’s a good idea to check with each museum’s website or pick up a copy of Time Out New York, New York Magazine or the New Yorker to see what temporary exhibitions are on during your stay.
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New York, United States of America (USA)
The ‘city that never sleeps’ is a 24/7 thrill of soaring skyscrapers, jaw-dropping architecture, dynamic culture and world-class art, dining and performing arts scenes.
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The top cities and regions for world-class art museums and cutting-edge galleries. A feast for art lovers, and home to the masterpieces everyone should see.