One of Manhattan’s most breathtaking displays is located at the Frick Collection. Before you even step foot inside the museum, you are greeted by the house built by Henry Clay Frick reflecting a sense of excellence and exuberance unlike anything else. The real treasures of the Frick Collection lie inside as the museum plays host to some of the most wonderful pieces of artwork every collected from the Gilded Age. Visitors can set out by themselves or join a guided tour in order to experience fully the vast treasure of wealth in the collection. Summer 2012 sees artists such as Renoir and Antico predominantly featured throughout the exhibits, capturing a sense of awe from all who gaze upon the work. The Frick Collection is also privy to a great many guest lecturers who specialize in this artwork and are sure to enlighten and inform those lucky enough to be in the room. An added attraction to the Frick Collection is the frequent concerts that are played on the grounds featuring classical ensembles. Manhattan’s Frick Collection is a symbol of culture that transcends generations and offers an opportunity for all New Yorkers to experience the true meaning of the word class.

Heralded by The New York Times as “an institution in its ascendancy”, El Museo del Barrio was founded in 1969 by artist Raphael Montañez Ortiz with the support of a group of Puerto Rican educators, artists, parents and community activists in East Harlem’s Spanish-speaking El Barrio. Since then, El Museo del Barrio has evolved into New York’s leading Latino cultural institution, having expanded its mission to represent the diversity of art and culture in all of the Caribbean and Latin America.
As the only museum in New York City that specializes in representing these cultures, El Museo del Barrio continues to have a significant impact on the cultural life of New York City and is now a major stop on Manhattan’s Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue. El Museo del Barrio thrives on the sustained excellence of its collections, exhibitions and public programming.

Bright displays and unique settings make the scene at Manhattan’s only contemporary art museum in the New Museum of Contemporary Art. This New York City Museum is distinctive, embodying traditional thought processes of those of contemporary artists in an impactful display much different than your traditional plate glass and roped off museum. The museum itself is open to the public with a vast variety of unique pieces and constantly has new things for visitors of all types to see. This Manhattan museum sports all kinds of exhibitions, ranging from sculptures, music and art of all sorts whether traditional or abstract. Contemporary Art is exploding with a creative variety that gives a little bit of something for all art lovers and art novices alike. Visitors under 18 can enter for free, and new exhibits continue to arrive in the Summer 2012. These new exhibits will be including work by Ellen Altfest, Phyllida Barlow, Tacita Dean, and other great talents from overseas. The New Museum of Contemporary Art promises to give a matchless and lasting memory for its visitors and expand our knowledge to a broad spectrum of creativity from around the world.

Home of the Miotte Foundation, is committed to an exploration of “art within a context.” This approach favors a program of exhibitions which reflect contemporary human experience across a broad spectrum of cultural, social, environmental and geographical contexts. CAM’s exhibitions, each supported by a rich series of related cultural events and educational programs, seek to support in both its artists and audiences a sense of creativity, community and cultural exchange.

The entire world turns their eyes on New York City for trends and innovations in art, culture and design. Immerse yourself in the genius and brilliant work of artists and designers right before your eyes? That’s why the Museum of Arts and Design is one of the most frequented attractions in all of New York State. MAD is more than just an old warehouse of what used to be – it is the living monument to man’s creativity and innovation. Here you will be inspired by the creative process in the making. Is it art, is it craft, is it a piece of jewelry - is it simply the excitement of forming a work of living art from century’s old natural materials forged with the emerging digital technology of tomorrow? That’s for you to ponder. You can also sign up for one of the many educational classes or seminars available daily and discover your own creativity. Take your school class, visit the open studios, enroll in the professional development for teachers or just emerge into the world of imagination. When you leave this Manhattan museum, your eyes and mind will be opened to a whole new way of seeing life around you.

Nothing has shaped the world quite the same as sports. On the heart of Broadway in Manhattan sits the illustrious National Sports Museum which is dedicated to featuring the celebration of sports and the impact it has had on our culture and our lives. Inside this technologically advanced structure is an amazing assortment of interactive exhibitions, in-depth retail areas and some of the finest dining in all of New York. The center attraction begins with the immersion theater which is a 360-degree display that shows a presentation on the history and progression of sports. As visitors continue on, they will find themselves in a variety of different exhibits dealing with every major sport imaginable. You will get to see a historical timeline of the individual sports as well as video presentations on what makes that sport so great. Another feature of the National Sports Museum is the exploration of the perfect athlete. The museum presents the mental, physical and psychological preparation that goes into becoming a great athlete. Through the science, the presentation and the sheer charisma that this building produces, the National Sports Museum is a landmark in New York and one of the single best experiences available to sports fans today.

The Museum of Chinese in America has the distinction of being one of the first museums to provide a link between the enriched Chinese culture and American society. Located in Manhattan, the Museum of Chinese in America strives to be a model amongst interactive museums and provides a cultural experience unlike many others in New York City. The museum itself curates and displays an expanded collection in a variety of innovative ways. Want to learn about the Chinese immigrants living in California? Why not watch it in a multimedia production available on the main floor. Want to bring a Chinese fieldtrip to school? Take advantage of the museum’s educational programs and curriculum. The museum also offers oral histories and firsthand accounts through its community workshops and projects giving visitors a strong sense of what the Chinese culture is all about. Spring 2012 continues in the traditions of innovative exhibits by featuring new displays focusing on the Tiananmen Square massacre, the history of Chinatown, and a walk through Chinese America in the Artists Talk series. The belief is that by increasing local and global dialogues, New Yorkers and Chinese alike will promote wellness and shape a better tomorrow. The Museum of Chinese in America is dedicated to doing just that.

Between two beautiful sculptures that tell the story of the Americas lies the entrance to the amazing architecture of the New York branch of the National Museum of the American Indian. A step inside and you will be astounded by the beautiful exhibits canvassed amid architecture that will keep you buzzing for years to come. Adjacent to Battery Park, this vast collection of years of artifacts, culture, and knowledge also boasts FREE admission! Of all the New York museums and cultural attractions, it is a great place to take your entire family. This is one of the Manhattan museums that features films for public viewing. It also provides great music and dance programs; talk about fun! For teachers, the museum even offers materials listed by region or tribe for use in the classroom. You really feel and experience the desire of the museum to reach out to everyone in an effort to get the huge collection of knowledge and information it contains out there. A good place for a field trip or a part of your family vacation that won’t break the bank, a visit to this museum really gives a sense of pride for the great land we call America.

Medieval Europe in New York? This implausible statement is very much a reality as you approach the Cloisters Museum branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This section of the museum has been built to resemble the architectural elements of the middle ages and takes you back in time. The museum itself is devoted to the art of the time period and offers a traditional museum experience by shares the faith of all the artists and artisans with work on display. The Cloisters is highly dedicated to maintaining its religious roots with the restoration of the Fuentiduena Chapel, featuring the most magnificent stain glass and hand crafted religious artifacts. The Cloisters has also been known to have a feel of a mini-city with their own restaurant and botanical garden designed to enhance the visiting pleasure. Summer 2012 continues with the traditions of bringing Europe to the masses, as more exhibits are on tap to make their way through the hallowed greatness that is the museum. If you are looking for a nice escape from city life and desire to feel transported into the world of yesteryear, then a trip to the Cloisters is highly recommended.

Thannhauser Collection - February 1, 2011 – January 25, 2013 Justin K. Thannhauser was the son of renowned art dealer Heinrich Thannhauser, who founded the Galerie Moderne in Munich in 1909. From an early age, Thannhauser worked with his father, building an impressive program of exhibitions of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism and the art of the contemporary French and German avant-gardes. The Thannhausers’ commitment to promoting artistic progress paralleled the vision of Solomon R. Guggenheim. In recognition of this shared spirit, Justin Thannhauser ultimately bequest a significant portion of his art collection—including masterpieces by Cézanne, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, Renoir, and Van Gogh—which is on view in a dedicated gallery, to the Guggenheim Museum.
The mission of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is to promote the understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, and other manifestations of modern and contemporary visual culture; to collect, preserve, and research art objects; and to make them accessible to scholars and an increasingly diverse audience through its network of museums, programs, educational initiatives, and publications.

Gazing down the skyline, you might just find yourself lost in the distracting beauty of the breathtaking views. Ships sailing by, the sounds of waves churning off the schooners, this New York City museum takes you back to the time when trade and travel was all done by sea. Located in this vast historical district, a treasure trove of maritime history, lies some of the oldest buildings in Manhattan boasting renovations to mercantile buildings, ships and even the former Fulton Fish Market. Nearby you will also find a few modern tourist malls, although you might not want to venture too far as there are many things at this Manhattan museum that spark the curiosity of many a passerby. Located within the South Street Seaport Museum you will find a working 19th Century print shop, a craft center where wood carvers and model builders demonstrate their skills, much to the delight of visitors. Some might say the most impressive thing here is the privately owned fleet of historic ships, the largest such fleet in the United States. Similarly on display is an outstanding collection of model ships. Come and support maritime history and enjoy some of the many beautiful buildings, great food and street performers. A new experience bound to leave you longing to come back.

Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. We seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture.

Set against an absolutely stunning cascading waterfall and reflective pool sits Manhattan’s premier link between Japanese culture and the American people. The Japan Society is a hotbed of activity and display with the central message of establishing a comprehensive link between Japan and the United States. With a constantly rotating selection of exhibits and displays, the Japan Society is an always fresh experience that encourages multiple visits in order to fully grasp the underlining message. While there, visitors are also able to engage in a variety of other ways, including visits to the Japan Society library, special guest lectures from a variety of Japanese-American artists and influential people, hands-on workshops and special seminars dedicated to shaping the global leaders of tomorrow. Spring 2012 brings a look at the political application of the museum as they delve into Japan’s role with the United Nations, and the healing and rebuilding process facing Japan after their multiple catastrophes over the last several years. Summer 2012 continues with a concert by Japan superstar JERO with benefits from sales going towards the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. The Japan Society is an ever-growing hub of information and offers some of the most professional and informational materials in all of Japanese and New York culture.

What speaks to American Freedom quite like the Statue of Liberty? Liberty Island, right off the coast of Manhattan, hosts this world famous landmark that has been featured as an American symbol of freedom for generations. Inside the statue itself is an amazing museum experience unlike anything in the world. This Lower Manhattan museum has an extensive collection of the history behind the statue and offers an insight into the hows and whys of the construction of the monument. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the various chambers of the statue and gaze upon the many exhibits including looks at some of the dismantled original pieces such as the original torch which is now inside. An added attraction is the Ranger tours which take visitors around the island itself while enlightening and explaining the immense wealth of knowledge associated with the statue. Although closed through Summer 2012 due to renovation, visitors can still see many of the museum’s pieces including the special American Chopper “Liberty Bike” now housed in a special outdoor exhibit. No trip to New York is complete without visiting the Statue of Liberty and of course the Statue of Liberty Museum.

The Center for Jewish History is home to the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
The collections at the Center constitute one of the most important resources for the documentation and exploration of the Jewish experience and include old and rare books, periodical collections, photos, memoirs, official decrees, personal letters, and contemporary publications about all aspects of Jewish identity. The art collections include posters, paintings, sculptures, archeological artifacts, historical textiles, and ceremonial objects.

Ever wanted to know something about sex but were afraid to ask someone? Well a trip to the Museum of Sex is sure to answer most any question you have ever had about human sexuality. An ever growing museum filled with a vast wealth of knowledge, art and a resonance of desire. This Manhattan museum is one of the most diverse and innovative places you will ever visit. Push those hesitations to the side and allow yourself to delve into the creative and informational environment here. Exploring events, lectures, and publications without the concern for self-censorship one can easily put their inhibitions aside with no fear for judgment while touring the intriguing items on display. Here they are dedicated to preserving and presenting the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality. After you tour the unique site you might be enticed to visit the bar offering a wide range of sensually stimulating adult beverages and epicurean treats from local bakeries that could very well be that aphrodisiac you have been searching for. Correlating the relationships between food, drink and passion, the bar is considered the museum’s own hidden gem. Erotic, tasteful and overall an interesting place to go with your partner, friends or a day out by yourself.

Two beautiful lion sculptures perched on pedestals in all their majesty, greet you at the entrance of the Hispanic Society of America, upon walking up the grand stairs and into a world of vast history and culture. Amazingly enough, the admission at this Manhattan museum is free, in addition to the wealth of resources they provide for the curious mind. The vast collections here are unparalleled, with information on nearly every aspect of culture in Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Boasting many archeological artifacts, paintings and sculptures, one will be awestruck at the beauty surrounding them. Just stepping inside this Manhattan museum provides great insight to the Spanish culture. Stop in and take a look at the wide variety of earthenware and porcelain artifacts from other museums. The collection of textiles is among the best in the world, with a fascinating selection of rare carpets that captivate and educate one in the history of each one-of-a-kind piece. If you are seeking to advance your understanding, gain a sense of self and your culture, or you if are simply desirous of surrounding yourself in the rich culture and beauty that abounds in this world, stop in for a spring or summer 2012 visit.

The Museum boasts habitat groups of African, Asian and North American mammals, the full-size model of a Blue Whale suspended in the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life (reopened in 2003), the 62-foot Haida carved and painted war canoe from the Pacific Northwest, and the "Star of India", the largest blue sapphire in the world. The circuit of an entire floor is devoted to vertebrate evolution, including the world-famous dinosaurs.
The Museum's anthropological collections are also outstanding: Halls of Asian Peoples and of Pacific Peoples, of Man in Africa, Native Americans in the United States collections, general Native American collections, and collections from Mexico and Central America.
The Hayden Planetarium, connected to the museum, is now part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, housed in a glass cube containing the spherical Space Theater, designed by James Stewart Polshek. The Center was opened February 19, 2000. Source

Nothing says New York City more than a museum dedicated to what New York is all about. At the Museum of the City of New York, patrons are allowed to link the past, present and future of NYC through a variety of presentations and exhibits designed to show the timeline of what New York’s evolution. When stepping through its doors on Manhattan’s famous Museum Mile, you will notice that an extensive remodeling and expansion project is under way. Several floors of memorabilia ranging from photographs, prints, theater mementos, costumes, and more are displayed in such a way as to show the affluent history of New York and to instill a sense of grandeur the city represents. Through Summer2012, the museum is continuing to offer state-of-the-art exhibitions including demonstrations on the social and economic growth of NYC. Visitors are encouraged to look at the projects including “Capitol of Capitol” which deals directly with New York banks and their effect on the global economy and “From Farm to City” which showcases Staten Island and its change from rural farmland to an urban center. The Museum of the City of New York is a phenomenal experience and a treasured look at one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

Children, as much as anyone, need a place to go where they can experience the world and explore the possibilities of science, art and society. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan gives families an opportunity to not only have a fun-filled and interactive museum experience but also to help jumpstart their child’s education. Located on the upper west side, the museum features some of the most unique and diverse exhibits in New York City. Children may find themselves in the EatSleepPlay center which allows them to build healthier lifestyles by experiencing hands-on the various functions of the human body. The family can then go to a live performance from a variety of top flight Broadway artists that all have a positive and enhancing message. In Spring 2012 the Children’s Museum celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by looking at various artists and writers who have helped shape the Pacific Asian culture. These artists and writers will be presented in such a way that children will grasp the concepts behind the work and help further stimulate their own thirsts for knowledge and understanding. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a great time for the kid and the kid at heart and welcomes all families to their door.

It's true! Washington made his headquarters here at the Mansion during the fall of 1776. It was during this period that the General's troops forced a British retreat at the Battle of Harlem Heights. The house was built eleven years before the Revolution, in 1765, by British Colonel Roger Morris and his American wife, Mary Philipse. The breezy hilltop location proved an ideal location for the family's summer home. Known as Mount Morris, this northern Manhattan estate stretched from the Harlem to the Hudson Rivers and covered more than 130 acres. Loyal to the crown, the Morrises were eventually forced to return to England as a result of the American victory.

Many Americans can trace their ancestral roots to immigration through the New York system. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum offers an opportunity to understand directly what their families went through. This Manhattan museum delivers a remarkable re-creation of New York City’s past. Apart from the traditional glass-housed displays, the museum goes above and beyond, featuring several reconstructed apartments that show the day-to-day life of New York immigrants. Complete with actors and actresses, these apartments allow visitors to assume the role of a newly arrived immigrant and interact as if they were really there. The tours of the apartments even give visitors the opportunity to handle the household objects and completely blur the line between yesterday and today. Summer 2012 goes a step further with a walking tour of the Lower East Side, providing a firsthand account of the when’s, where’s and why’s of immigrants in Manhattan. Another feature during the summer will be a series of educational lectures from today’s immigrants, providing a fresh perspective on the reasons for immigration and the hardships of migration. Unlike many more traditional museums, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is a fully interactive experience that must be seen to be believed. Easily accessed from all of New York, one must make the time to find out exactly where their families came from.

In today’s society, it is very hard not to see the influence of Chinese culture and how it has shaped everything from medicine to our economy. The China Institute in Manhattan gives a deeper understanding of China through their programs in education, culture, business and art, and gives a strengthening of the global community by enhancing the knowledge of East and West. Inside the building, visitors will find more than your traditional artwork and instead find an education hub dedicated to all forms of communication and education supporting the understanding of China. While there, one has the opportunity to explore performing arts programs, lecture series, short courses, symposia, film screenings and workshops all revolving around China. Spring 2012 has a special focus on Chinese architecture and features a book signing for the novel “Chinese Architecture and the Beaux-Arts.” This event includes an in-depth lecture on this fascinating subject and is to be used as a catalyst to better understanding the development of Chinese architecture. The China Institute is one of New York’s best and only links to our neighbor to the east and should be a destination of anyone looking to expand their minds and better their understanding of the Chinese people.