Museums in New York
Tickets for New York's major museums: the Met, MoMA, Whitney, Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid, and more. Timed entry skips the at-the-door queue, which can run 30–60 minutes in peak season.
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH): Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (3334)
From $38
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum: Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (2645)
From $37
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (3584)
From $31
The Guggenheim: Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (1077)
From $31
Madame Tussauds New York: Entry Ticket
★ 4.6 (1444)
From $38
Intrepid Museum: Entry Ticket
★ 4.6 (1908)
From $35
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH): Plus One Ticket
★ 4.8 (1832)
From $44
Metropolitan Museum Highlights Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
1 day · ★ 4.8 (1141)
From $61
9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour with optional Museum Admission
1 day · ★ 4.5 (566)
From $22
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH): All Exhibits
★ 4.6 (25)
From $49
Museum of Ice Cream New York: Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (1388)
From $49
Whitney Museum of American Art Admission Ticket
2 hours · ★ 4.6 (857)
From $34
Visit The Guggenheim Museum & 3h Manhattan Walking Tour
5 hours · ★ 4.7 (2104)
From $100
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum: Guided Tour
3 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.5 (1417)
From $89
Mercer Labs: Entry Ticket
1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.7 (25)
From $57
SPYSCAPE: Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (433)
From $40
The Banksy Museum: Entry Ticket
1 hour 15 minutes · ★ 4.6 (1154)
From $31
The Museum of Broadway: Entry Ticket
★ 4.7 (1169)
From $44
The Paley Museum: Entry Ticket
★ 4.9 (24)
From $21
Metropolitan Museum of Art Guided or Self-Guided Tour
2 hours · ★ 4.8 (471)
From $61
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and 9/11 Memorial Guided Tour
5 hours · ★ 4.7 (1174)
From $81
Museum of the City of New York: Entry Ticket
★ 4.6 (1332)
From $24
Ground Zero Museum Workshop Tour
1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.8 (884)
From $35
"The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max
2 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.4 (728)
From $132
Ghost Stories: A Mysterious, Macabre Tour in the Metropolitan Museum
2 hours · ★ 4.7 (1709)
From $48
New York Midtown Manhattan Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
2 hours 30 minutes · ★ 4.7 (1775)
From $52
Color Factory NYC: Entry Ticket
1 hour 30 minutes · ★ 4.4 (25)
From $43
About
New York's museum lineup is one of the densest in the world, and even a week-long trip only scratches the surface. The Met, MoMA, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and the American Museum of Natural History form the standard rotation, joined by smaller draws like the Tenement Museum, the Frick, the Intrepid, and the New-York Historical Society.
Most large museums require or strongly recommend timed entry, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Booking online with a timed slot lets you walk past the at-the-door queue, which can run 30–60 minutes during peak weeks.
Some museums offer pay-what-you-wish hours for New York State residents (the Met) or free admission on specific evenings (MoMA on Friday nights). For visitors flying in, timed tickets remain the simplest path through the door.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book museum tickets in advance?
For the Met, MoMA, the Whitney, and the AMNH, yes — at least for peak weekends. Smaller museums are usually walk-up. Booking ahead also locks in a specific entry window so you can plan the rest of the day.
Are museum tickets refundable?
Most timed-entry tickets are refundable up to 24 hours before the slot. Some special-exhibition tickets are non-refundable. The policy is shown at checkout.
How long should I budget for the Met or MoMA?
For a focused visit, 2–3 hours covers the headline collection. For a thorough visit, plan 4–5 hours and bring a snack. Both museums have on-site cafés.
Are children admitted free?
Most NYC museums offer free entry for kids under 12. The AMNH and the Met have specific kids' programs and discounted tickets for 12–17. Check the museum page for current rates.
Can I bring a bag or backpack?
Small bags are allowed and go through security checks. Large bags and luggage usually need to be checked at the coat check, which is free at most museums.
Are exhibitions covered by the standard ticket?
Standard admission covers the permanent collection. Major special exhibitions (the Met's blockbusters, MoMA's headlining shows) sometimes need a separate timed ticket — listed on the museum's site.
Are museums accessible for wheelchairs?
All major NYC museums are wheelchair accessible, with free loaner wheelchairs at the entrance and accessible bathrooms. Some special exhibitions in upper floors may have stair-only sections — check the museum's accessibility page.
What is the difference between general admission and special exhibitions?
General admission covers the permanent collection. Special exhibitions are time-limited shows (often 2–6 months) and may need a separate ticket or a timed reservation on top of general admission.