Compiled by Allison Blum
American Folk Art Museum
Inside this bronze-paneled, light-suffused structure, a permanent collection of over 4,000 works pays homage to everyday, non-traditional art: a barn made of bottle caps, miniature animals fashioned from tin cans, and a rug made out of plastic Wonder Bread bags.
The usual: $9 adults; $7 students and seniors.
The deal: On Fridays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, admission is free
• 45 W. 53rd St.; 212-977-7170; folkartmuseum.org
Asia Society and Museum
This non-profit organization explores Asia’s culture through art exhibitions, film screenings, and seminars.
The usual: $10 adults; $7 seniors; $5 students
The deal: Free on Fridays from 6pm to 9pm, not including Fridays from 4th of July to Labor Day
• 725 Park Ave.; 212-288-6400; asiasociety.org
Brooklyn Museum
Housed in an impressive 560,000-square-foot Beaux Arts building near Grand Army Plaza, the city’s second largest museum is filled with art from all corners of the globe.
The usual: $8 adults; $4 students and seniors
The deal: On the first Saturday of every month—“Target First Saturdays”—the museum stays open late and offers free admission along with musical performances.
• 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn;718-638-5000; brooklynmuseum.org
Bronx Museum of the Arts
This contemporary museum emphasizes Latino, African-American, and Asian artists from the Bronx.
The usual: Suggested Donation of $5 adults; $3 students and seniors
The deal: Free admission on Wednesdays.• 1040 Grand Concourse at 165th St., Bronx; 718-681-600; bronxmuseum.org
Chelsea Art Museum
This three-story, red-brick building houses post-war European abstract paintings.
The usual: $6 adults; $3 students and seniors
The deal: $3 for all on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm
• 556 W. 22nd St. at Eleventh Ave.; 212-255-0719; chelseaartmuseum.org
Dahesh Museum of Art
The Dahesh is the only American institution devoted exclusively to the works of academically-trained, often little-known European artists.
The usual: $9 adults; $4 students and seniors
The deal: From 6pm to 9pm on the first Thursday of every month, admission is free.• 580 Madison Ave; 212-759-0606; daheshmuseum.org
Guggenheim Museum
Inside its famous its spiral-shaped exterior, the Guggenheim holds a collection of 19th- and 20th-century superstars like Picasso, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh.
The usual: $15 adult; $10 students and seniors
The deal: On Fridays from 6pm to 8pm, pay what you wish.
• 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St.; 212-423-3500; guggenheim.com
Fashion Institute of Technology Museum
Explore the ever-changing world of fashion at FIT’s chic museum, which has been known to inspire designers and fashion industry professionals as well as students and faculty.
The usual: Free admission
The deal: That’s right, free admission—all the time.
• Seventh Ave. at 27th St., Building E; 212-217-5970; fitnyc.edu
International Center of Photography
Gritty contemporary photographs are the focus of the ICP’s rotating collection, containing over 100,000 images.
The usual: $10 adults; $7 students and seniors.
The deal: Admission is “voluntary contribution” on Fridays from 5pm to 8pm
• 1133 Ave. of the Americas at 43rd St; 212-857-0000; icp.org
The Jewish Museum
A comprehensive look at Jewish culture and identity through artwork and artifacts spanning 4,000 years.
The usual: $10 adults, $7.50 students and seniors
The deal: On Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm, pay what you wish. • 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St.; 212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org
Museum of Modern Art
The newly re-designed MoMA is the place for Modern art.
The usual: $20 adults; $16 seniors; $12 students
The deal: “Target Free Friday Nights”—free admission from 4pm to 8pm.
• 11 W. 53rd St; 212-708-9400; moma.org
Whitney Museum of American Art
Offering a bold selection of 20th Century art, the Whitney has displayed works from Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O’Keefe.
The usual: $12 adults, $9.50 students and seniors
The deal: On Fridays from 6pm to 9pm, pay what you wish.
• 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St; 1-800-WHITNEY; whitney.org
SUGGESTED ADMISSION
The following museums don’t charge admission per-se—you (and your conscience) decide.
American Museum of Natural History
Learn about dinosaurs, fossils, and the history of the universe at the largest natural history museum in the world.
Suggested: $13 adults; $10 students and seniors
• Central Park W. at 79th St.; 212-769-5100; amnh.org
El Museo del Barrio
Closely tied to the city’s Puerto Rican community, El Museo del Barrio is committed to showcasing a wide array of Latino and Caribbean art.
Suggested: $6 adults; $4 students and seniors; seniors admitted free on Thursdays.
• 1230 Fifth Ave. at 104th St.; 212-831-7272; elmuseo.org
Museum of the City of New York
All things New York are on display at this fascinating museum, from antique toys and intricate dollhouses and from colonial fire fighting equipment to a history of Broadway theater productions.
Suggested: $7 adults; $5 students and seniors
• 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd St.; 212-534-1672; mcny.org
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The world-famous, massive collection covers Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Abstract Expressionist paintings and everything in between. The collection stretches over two million square feet, so come prepared to walk.
Suggested: $15 adults; $10 seniors; $7 students
• 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd St.; 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org
P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center
This cutting-edge Queens museum—an affiliate of MoMA—represents contemporary and up-and-coming artists in various media, with a special focus on installations.
Suggested: $5 adults, $2 students and seniors.
• 22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave, Queens; 718.784.2084; ps1.org
Studio Museum in Harlem
Exhibiting both historical and contemporary works, Harlem’s premier museum celebrates the diversity of African-American, Caribbean, and traditional African art.
Suggested: $7 adults; $3 students and seniors
• 144 W. 125th St. 212-864-4500; studiomuseum.org