History Museums in New York City
THE 10 BEST New York City History Museums
History Museums in New York City
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Speciality Museums • Science Museums
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Recommended Museum Tickets and Passes (33)
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ellis Island
Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Midtown
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Game & Entertainment Centres • History Museums
Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums
Upper West Side
Historic Walking Areas • History Museums
Financial District
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
Battery Park City
Historic Sites • History Museums
Gramercy-Flatiron
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Financial District
Architectural Buildings • History Museums
Financial District
Science Museums • History Museums
Greenwich Village
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Midtown East
Historic Sites • History Museums
Upper East Side
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Murray Hill
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Battery Park City
Art Museums • History Museums
Harlem
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Lincoln Square
History Museums
Gramercy Park
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Chelsea
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What travellers are saying
- JHM231Connecticut241 contributionsThere are so many things to enjoy about the Cloisters. It is quite compact compared to other museums so you will be able to take it all in. The collections are stunning, especially the tapestries, but every area has interesting and historical architectural details, furniture, fixtures, artwork. The building itself is very atmospheric and features grand spaces, with collections from ecclesiastical ancient buildings. It is almost like travelling to medieval Europe - including the actual Cloisters courtyard gardens, another wonderful feature. Don't miss the view from the terrace over the Hudson! The Cloisters surpassed all of my expectations.Written 7 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Justin WHasbrouck Heights, NJ7,015 contributionsI find the Museum of Sex to be one of the most unusual museums in Manhattan. It had three excellent exhibitions going on. One was the history of Andy Warhol's career in film which is saying a lot since his films were always so weird. Another was on artifacts from the porn industry, which was interesting because of their pieces from different eras and having some of the items from the movie "Deep Throat". The last one was from a exhibition called "Lick It" and it was all X rated items for from the artworld. It was all in fun but it shows how porn has been with us for thousands of years.
Then I walked through 'Funland" which takes you through the lights and sounds of the pleasure palace of the museum, which is a lot of fun. You get to see and experience a lot in the Museum of Sex and it is a fun "X" rated time through a museum.Written 23 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - karenCFCLondon, UK476 contributionsAbsolutely brilliant tour of the island. So interesting but make sure you get the headphones and follow the tour from room to room. Very thought provoking with lots of items on display. I would recommend about 2 hrs plus to see everything .Written 23 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- trip-radarRhodes Town, Greece1,055 contributionsWe are all part of a large surveillance operation. You hear this phrase and begin an exhibition of information and interactions about spying.Written 27 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jojo71_40West Bromwich, UK219 contributionswe arrived at Rise NY just after opening time - its next door to the broadway museum wich we planned to do next, so perfect location. The staff were so freindly and approachable and excited they had visitors and it was quiet in there - a few before and after us. I abs loved loved this - i had no idea the amount of exhibitions they would have in there - Bob Dylan Guitar and Madonna dress you up jacket was a great surprise for me as i am big fan of both. All the exhibitions are great and inforamative and give you great photo opportunities. The ride at the end though was the icing on the cake - OH MY - it was amazing, just like we were flying over New York and all its sites - i really wanted to do it again as soon as we got off it. My husband had a really good time too and loved the Hip Hop section
please go and give it a visit you wont regret it - and the broadway musueum next door is really worth a visit tooWritten 24 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Joseph MEast Sandwich, MA2,367 contributionsThis is an 1832 townhouse that was lived in by the same family until the daughter of the man who built it died in 1933. The family had never updated it beyond electricity and plumbing so it retains its original layout, and it retains all of its original 1800's furnishings. A bit old school -- they give you a binder with written info about each room for your self-tour. There is a guided tour at noon Wednesday to Sunday. It is in great shape and I learned a lot about how a wealthy merchant lived in that time.Written 27 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- neil102Astoria, NY9,693 contributionsI attended a lecture on how the NYC Parks Department has changed since Robert Moses's time. I was kindly given a VIP ticket to listen to a wonderful discussion with interviews from previous parks commissioners in a beautiful but limited-size auditorium. After the lecture, we got to tour the exhibit on Robert Moses based on the Power Broker -not sure if that's a good title. Overall, it was an excellent nightWritten 10 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA19,103 contributionsMany, many years ago this area was the Fulton Fish Market, and my family came here on a tourist vacation. Since then, it has been redeveloped into a big tourist area with restaurants, bars, and a port theme. Some good food here, sone kitsch.Written 4 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CarolusvLThe Hague, The Netherlands213 contributionsThe exhibitions are impressive. Due to school trips, I started at the Danish exhibit, which was a great suggestion. As a European, much of the information was familiar, but it’s still a powerful experience.Written 20 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Potomac_11Potomac, MD514 contributionsI really enjoyed seeing the (exact reproduction) of the house where Theodore Roosevelt grew up and getting the historical background from a well-informed park ranger.Written 8 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dustythoughtsManchester, CT2,250 contributionsWe decided to wander through this museum after eating at the tavern, and really enjoyed learning more about George Washington's usage of the tavern! We also appreciated the exhibit on the Marquis de Lafayette, who I think is under-appreciated in the history lessons on the American Revolution. We liked seeing some of Washington's personal effects, and learning more about the role of the Fraunces Tavern as a hub for the Revolution. All of the exhibits are maintained with obvious care and pride, and we really felt like we were stepping back through history. The guided tour was super informative! It's too bad this place doesn't get more attention, although I do think it's nice that there wasn't a chaotic crush of people.Written 8 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA19,103 contributionsBuild sort of like a fortress, maybe a castle of money. Lots of power in this grand building that we stumbled upon while walking from Wall Street to City Hall.Written 1 January 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- marissa vPhiladelphia, PA157 contributionsI was looking for something different to do with my young adult boys during a meet up in NYC and thought we would try The Museum of Interesting Things! It turned out to be less of a typical "museum" and more of an authentic NYC experience! I easily connected via email with the amazing host and historian extraordinaire, Denny and secured an appointment time. Upon entering, I knew we were in for a special treat. Denny presented us with many different objects from the 19th and 20th centuries, many related to film, sound and photography accompanied by the historical background and a chance to try out the objects ourselves! Denny is knowledgeable and personable, with a delightfully quirky sense of humor. If you are interested in going back in time, or a nostalgic trip down memory lane, don't miss this! My only regret is that we didn't have enough time to go through each item in his apartment! I saw some gems hiding in there!Written 23 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JemlnlxBronx, NY5,717 contributionsRecently visited the Museum's Holiday Display (2023).
Although you need to make reservations online at all times, entrance to the display is free before a certain date in mid-November and $5 per person after that date.
I visited on a Friday evening at around 6pm and it wasn't crowded.
The display itself was quite impressive with lots of fine details only true New Yorkers would notice and appreciate. There are a few running trains throughout the display.
There are lots of MTA-related items to purchase both in the display area and the main store area.
It is something nice to do in the area to kill a few minutes. Don't plan on spending longer than 5-10 minutes maximum there. Luckily there are lots of shops in Grand Central, including the Holiday Fair, and it is a major transportation hub...so lots of other reasons to be there.
I'm not sure the $5 admission fee is justified for what it actually is...maybe more like $2-3 would be more appropriate.Written 22 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stephen SLondon, UK56 contributionsI really enjoyed the tour of this building. The organizers were kind enough to go ahead with the tour even though I was the only person on it, which made it an even more special experience for me. The guide was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed the historical context provided.
It's quite a small building so the tour only takes and hour or so and I think could be well combined with one of the larger museums of the upper east side or perhaps the cable car to Roosevelt Island.Written 5 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.