The Ultimate Guide to NYC Museums

What better way to learn about culture and history than by visiting museums? New York City is home to hundreds of museums, many of them offering a deep dive into niche cultural phenomenon. I am a history nerd, so of course I love to explore museums, and NYC has been the perfect place to do it. I have compiled a list here of every museum I have visited in the city, along with pricing, location, and some photos! I will continue to post more museums as I visit them. Hopefully, my experience will spark an interest and convince you to go check out some of the awesome exhibits:

American Museum of Natural History: If you've ever watched Night at the Museum, you might feel like you've already visited the AMNH. But I promise, it's worth the time to go take it all in and visit our friend Teddy Roosevelt. I like to start on the top floor with the dinosaurs and work my way down to the lower level with its space exhibits. If you're wanting to see it all, make sure to wear comfy shoes and prepare yourself for a few hours worth of museum time.

• Cost: General admission for adults is $23, general admission plus one special exhibit/film/space show is $28, and general admission plus all extras is $33. Tickets for children, seniors, and students are cheaper. However, if you are willing to brave the lines and buy your ticket at the counter, you can "pay what you wish" and choose how much you pay for a ticket.

• Location: Central Park West at 79th St. (also accessible from the 81st St. subway station)

The Cloisters: The Met Cloisters is one of three branches of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It contains the art and architecture from Medieval Europe. The statues and history contained in this museum are breathtaking and a must-see for any Catholic tourists. Be prepared for an uphill walk to the entrance or look up bus routes/shuttles ahead of time! If you have any interest in religious architecture and art, you cannot miss out on this museum.

• Cost: General admission tickets for adults are $25. General admission tickets are valid for three consecutive days at all three Met locations, and discounts are available for students, seniors, and children. If you live or go to school in NY, you can pay what you wish any time. Audio tours cost extra.

• Location: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park (easily accessible via the A train)

The Houdini Museum: While small, this was such a fun museum to pop into one day when we didn't have much else to do. It displays a lot of Houdini memorabilia and also sells fun magic-trick trinkets. The guys working behind the counter were showing a young kid magic tricks when we walked in! The best part is that it's free.

• Cost: Free!

• Location: 213 W 35th St., Suite 401, New York, NY 10001

Metropolitan Museum of Art: One of the most popular museums in NYC, the Met is home to some serious history, as well as intriguing exhibits. If you don't have much time, I would suggest looking at the maps online to figure out what you want to see. Seriously, I once spent four hours just meandering through a portion of the upper floor. There's just SO MUCH good stuff! If you're living in NYC, keep up-to-date on the exhibits on rotation at the museum because many of them come and go quickly and are often incredibly interesting.

• Cost: A general admission ticket for adult, non-NY residents or students is $25. General admission tickets are valid for three consecutive days at all three Met locations, and discounts are available for students, seniors, and children. If you live or go to school in NY, you can pay what you wish any time. Audio tours cost extra.

• Location: 1000 Fifth Ave. (right alongside Central Park)

Museum of the Moving Image: This museum is all about how movies/television (really, any moving image) is made. You can find everything here, from the earliest televisions to the makeup used on the main characters in Sex and the City. I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes for this museum, but it proved me very wrong.

• Cost: $15 for adults, with discounts for students, seniors, and children. Admission is free during Free Fridays from 4-8 p.m.

• Location: 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, NY 11106

National Museum of the American Indian: Part of the Smithsonian Institute, this museum covers the histories and cultures of native people across the Americas. It has both historical artifacts and modern art.

• Cost: Free

• Location: 1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004 (inside the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House)

New York Botanical Garden: While this isn't technically a museum, it's similar enough that I wanted to include it on this list. I think it gets passed over often because it is not in the heart of the city, but it is definitely worth a trip. My mom and I went to the orchid show while it was on display and got to see so many beautiful flowers and plants. If you decide to visit, schedule an hour or two to be able to see everything! Be on the lookout for special events like wine and beer tastings and live music.

• Cost: For adults, a general admission ticket costs $28 on the weekend and $23 on weekdays. There are discounts for students, seniors, and kids, and New York residents can pay a highly discounted rate on-site. There are also membership options.

• Location: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

New York Transit Museum: Learn about the history of public transportation in New York from horse carts to the building of the subway system to modern transportation. This museum is great for kids, as it has tons of hands-on exhibits and activities during the day. However, there's a lot of interesting historical information if you're a history nerd like me!

• Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children, discounts for seniors, free for museum members and MTA employees

• Location: 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 (this museum is actually in a decommissioned subway station, so look for the subway station with the museum signs on the corner)