Brooklyn Museum of Art

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 718-638-5000

Description: BROOKLYN. The second largest museum in New York, the Brooklyn Museum boasts some 1.5 million pieces of artwork. The first floor features a fine collection of African art. The second floor houses Asian art, with items from China, Korea and various other Asian countries. One of the finest collections of Egyptian art in the world can be found on the third floor, while the fourth floor presents material from the museum's collection of American decorative arts. The fifth floor presents a collection of American paintings and sculpture, with related items from the Spanish Colonial, Decorative Arts, and Native American holdings. In addition to the unparalleled art exhibits, visitors may see shows, view film screenings, sit in on readings, or listen to live musical performances. TRAIN: 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway
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Ground Zero Museum Workshop

420 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014 212-209-3370

Description: MEATPACKING DISTRICT. Before visiting the World Trade Center site, people wanting to learn more about 2001's 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York should stop by this unique museum, billed as the "The Biggest Little Museum in New York." Indeed, the museum tells the story of tragedy, shock and recovery via real World Trade Center artifacts, audio clips and fascinatingly poignant photography of Gary Marlon Suson, the official Ground Zero photographer of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. NB Closed on Wednesdays.
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Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum

9-01 33rd Rd, at Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11106 718-204-7088

Description: QUEENS. This unique museum displays the artwork of renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The museum, which is actually his former studio, boasts over 250 original stone, metal, wood and clay sculptures, as well as garden areas and dance sets. The tour includes a short film about the innovative artist's life. After a quick stop in the museum's gift shop, you can be a proud owner of one of Noguchi's Akari lamps.
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Madame Tussaud's New York

234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036-7215 212-512-9600

Description: THEATRE DISTRICT. This world-famous wax museum is one of the best (and most legal) ways to get close to your favorite stars. Madame Tussaud's is home to the likes of Brad Pitt, Michael Jordan, Evander Holyfield and Michael Jackson ­ all wax, of course, but each looking very much alive. The museum is easy to spot, as it is the only building on 42nd Street that relies on a huge golden hand to hold up its sign. TRAIN: A, B, C, D, E to 42nd St
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Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 5th Ave, at 82nd St, New York, NY 10028-0198 212-535-7710

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. The Met is a coalition of internationally renowned museums housing more than 2 million works of art. The Museum displays international work by artists from all styles, genres, and time periods. The Cloisters, housed in a separate building in northern Manhattan, displays the museum's incomparable medieval art collection. The Unicorn Tapestries are a must see. Walking tours, lectures and concerts are just some of the offerings from the Metropolitan. Venture out on your own or take a guided tour. Price includes admission to the Main Building and the Cloisters. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St
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Museum of Modern Art

11 W 53rd St, between 5th and 6th Aves, New York, NY 10019-5498 212-708-9400

Description: MIDTOWN WEST. Located in the heart of downtown New York City, MoMA houses many works representing a variety of media and genres. The museum opened in 1929 and has weathered numerous changes throughout its history, including major renovations completed in 2004. Museum exhibits include works by Matisse, Picasso and Van Gogh, to name just a few. There is no parking on-site, but the nearby 1345 Garage offers special rates for MoMA visitors: up to 2 hours $17, up to 4 hours $21, up to 10 hours $27, up to 24 hours $37.
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Museum of the City of New York

1220 5th Ave, at 103rd St, New York, NY 10029-5221 212-534-1672

Description: HARLEM. The Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) was established in 1923 with the mission to collect, preserve and present pieces related to the original culture and history of New York City. This museum houses such varied media as paintings, costumes, prints, photographs and sculptures depicting the history of the great city. On the main floor, you'll find an American Express kiosk that sells tickets to most of New York's main attractions, including tickets to the MCNY itself. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 103rd St
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New-York Historical Society

170 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024 212-873-3400

Description: UPPER WEST SIDE. Overlooking the western rim of Central Park, this neoclassical structure guards some of the oldest artifacts associated with the city of New York. Among the over 40,000 pieces in the museum's Henry Luce III Center are original paintings from the Hudson River school, John James Audubon watercolors, over 800 sculptures, 132 Tiffany lamps, furniture and silver. Also there is the popular Slavery In New York exhibit. Meanwhile, Great Hall hosts a variety of temporary early American exhibits each year. TRAIN: B, C to Central Park W
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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

1071 5th Ave, at 89th St, New York, NY 10128-0173 212-423-3500

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. The building is impressive by itself. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1959, the Guggenheim was restored in 1990-1992. The exhibition space was renamed the Thannhauser Building. The galleries feature work by such greats as Picasso, Kandinsky and Klee. Some of the oldest pieces represent the height of French Impressionism. The museum's second floor displays an impressively growing permanent collection. Be sure to visit the museum store and café for a nice coffee and gifts. NB Admission is open (pay what you wish) on Fridays from 5:45 to 7:45pm. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St
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Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences

75 Stuyvesant Pl, Staten Island, NY 10301 718-727-1135

Description: STATEN ISLAND. The Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences (known more casually as the Staten Island Museum) is a general interest facility dedicated to preserving local history and does so by housing more than 80,000 pieces of media, from 19th century maps and legal documents to old, black and white photographs and books. In addition to the permanent local interest exhibits, the museum also hosts a number of temporary programs that focus on such varied subjects as geology, regional art, and even illustrated baseball cards. As far as getting here from Manhattan: The Museum sits only two blocks from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
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The Frick Collection

1 East 70th St, between Madison & 5th Aves, New York, NY 10021-4967 212-288-0700

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. Opened in 1935, the Frick was once a private mansion and now houses numerous works. Pieces from such greats as Rembrandt, Whistler, Vermeer and El Greco are on permanent display. There are also special exhibitions, so call for a calendar of showings. While here, take a break in the indoor garden court and enjoy a quiet moment by the ornate fountain or gaze through the beautiful glass ceiling. The price of admission includes the ArtPhone audio guide. Children under 10 not admitted and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Frick Library, which is at 10 East 71st Street, is open to researchers with and without affiliation to an institution. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 68th St
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Whitney Museum of American Art

945 Madison Ave, at 75th St, New York, NY 10021-2790 212-570-3676

Description: UPPER EAST SIDE. Founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in 1931, the Whitney is one of the most well known contemporary art museums in the country. American art from 1900 to the present is exhibited, highlighted by works from such notable artists as Edward Hopper, Alexander Calder, Georgia O'Keeffe, Louise Nevelson, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Claes Oldenburg, Louise Bourgeois, Jasper Johns, and Cy Twombly. The museum's present home is a Marcel Breuer designed building originally constructed in 1966. And no trip to the Whitney would be complete without a meal at the award-winning Sarabeth's restaurant. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 77th St
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