Founded in 1923 by Henry Collins Brown, the Museum of the City of New York is a testament to the rich history, vibrant culture, and limitless possibilities of the metropolis it represents.
This iconic institution has been a beacon of knowledge, artistry, and community, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the city’s past while shedding light on its ever-evolving present and future.
This article shares everything you need to know before visiting the Museum of the City of New York.
Top Museum of the City of New York Tickets
# Museum of the City of New York tickets
# Museum of the City of New York + One Day New York City Tour
Table of contents
- What to expect at the Museum of the City of New York
- Where to book the tickets for the Museum of the City of New York
- How do online tickets work?
- Cost of Museum of the City of New York tickets
- Museum of the City of New York tickets
- Accessibility
- Combo ticket
- How to reach the Museum of the City of New York
- Car parking
- Timings
- How long does the tour take
- Best time for Museum of the City of New York tour
- Museum of the City of New York reviews
- FAQs about the Museum of the City of New York
What to expect at the Museum of the City of New York
Nestled in the heart of Manhattan, the Museum of the City of New York’s most notable feature is its comprehensive three-gallery exhibition on the history of New York City, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse narratives that have shaped the city’s identity.
Watch the 28-minute award-winning short documentary Timescapes, a journey through 400 years of history and evolution of NYC.
With a collection of approximately 750,000 objects, including prints, photographs, decorative arts, costumes, paintings, sculptures, toys, and theatrical memorabilia, you are in for endless fascination.
Through a combination of interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and carefully curated artifacts, visitors can explore key moments in the city’s history, such as the Revolutionary War, the construction of iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, and the challenges faced during times of crisis, including the Great Depression and the aftermath of September 11th.
The Museum invites visitors to connect with the past, understand the present, and envision the future of New York City.
Beyond its permanent exhibitions, the Museum of the City of New York also hosts a rotating roster of special exhibitions delving into various aspects of the city’s cultural, social, and artistic life.
These temporary displays continually engage visitors with fresh perspectives on the city by covering everything, from the impact of New York’s fashion industry to the influence of jazz music on the city’s cultural landscape.
Participate in educational programs, initiatives, guided tours, lectures, workshops, and performances organized by the Museum and open yourself up to exploration, learning, and critical thinking.
Celebrate your special day in an out-of-the-box way with the Museum of the City of New York, which can host events like non-profit fundraisers, birthdays, corporate events, weddings, film shoots, and more!
Where to book the tickets for the Museum of the City of New York
Tickets for the Museum of the City of New York are available at the attraction or online in advance.
To ensure a hassle-free experience, we suggest booking your tickets ahead of time.
This saves you time and allows you to take advantage of exclusive and unmissable discounts and offers.
You can easily coordinate the rest of your tour by planning in advance.
Additionally, tickets tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best to stay ahead of the game.
Avoid last-minute disappointments by booking your tickets online and enjoying a stress-free day out.
How do online tickets work?
Go to the Museum of the City of New York booking page, and select your preferred date and number of tickets to buy the tickets.
You will receive the ticket confirmation in your email after the booking.
Ticket printouts are not required.
You will get entry into the Museum by redeeming your smartphone ticket for a paper ticket at the attraction on the day of your visit.
It’s best to bring along your official photo ID.
Cost of Museum of the City of New York tickets
Museum of the City of New York tickets are priced at US$20 for all adults aged between 20-64.
Tickets for guests under 20 years are free.
Tickets for senior citizens 65 years or older and students with valid ID cards cost US$14 and are available only on-site.
Museum of the City of New York tickets
Dive into NYC’s colorful past and see how the city evolved with a multimedia historical storytelling documentary running every 40 minutes and offered in four languages.
Enjoy the self-guided tour of the NY Museum of the City of New York
with a free audio guide in different languages.
Get thinking with The Future City Lab, which delves into the challenges New York will face in the years ahead.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (20-64 years): US$20
Child Ticket (below 20 years): Free
Senior citizen Ticket (65+ years): US$14
Students (with ID): US$14
Accessibility
The Museum of the City of New York has several amenities in place to accommodate differently abled guests.
- Ramp access is available on East 104th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues.
- The elevator for wheelchairs in Ronay Menschel Hall can carry both manual and motorized wheelchairs with a maximum capacity of 500 pounds.
- Free wheelchairs are provided for visitors to use, subject to availability.
- All exhibition videos are open-captioned.
- Assistive listening devices are available for Timescapes and programs in Ronay Menschel Hall.
- Sign language interpretation and specialized descriptive tours are available upon prior intimation.
- Free Noise-reduction headphones are provided for visitors to use, subject to availability.
Combo ticket
Museum of the City of New York + One Day New York City Tour
Enjoy the iconic landmarks of the world’s most influential city on ferry, foot, or train.
Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, New York Stock Exchange, New York Public Library, and World Trade Center site are some of the attractions you will visit on this 6-hour New York City guided walking tour.
Learn all about the glorious history of the Big Apple’s core, Manhattan, and beyond.
Get a 5% discount on booking this combo ticket online.
Ticket cost: US$104
How to reach the Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York is located in East Harlem, Manhattan.
Address: 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St., New York, United States. Get Directions
The Museum of the City of New York can be reached by public transport or car.
By bus
Get down at the 5 Av/E 104 St Bus Stop, serviceable by the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M106, to get to the Museum.
The Museum of the City of New York NYC is a two-minute walk from the bus station.
By Subway
The nearest station to the Museum of the City of New York is 103rd Street, serviceable by train 6.
Another nearby station is 110th St./Central Park North, serviceable by 2/3 trains.
By Car
If you’re driving by car, turn on Google Maps and get started!
Car parking
You can park in nearby garages or streets.
Garages:
- Mount Sinai Parking – 14 East 103 Street (next to NYAM)
- MPG Parking – 10 East 102 Street – 212-490-3460
- MPG Parking – 1568 Madison Avenue (106 Street) – 646-739-0403
- Icon Parking (Merit Parking LLC) – 12-14 East 107 Street – 212-722-9498
Street Parking:
- Along Fifth Avenue – Metered parking (up to two hours) from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm except Sundays
- No parking 7.30 am-8.00 am except Sundays (street cleaning)
104th Street between 5th and Madison
- South Side – No Parking 11.30 am-1.00 pm Tuesdays and Fridays
- North Side – No Parking 11.30 am-1.00 pm Mondays and Thursdays
103rd street between 5th and Madison
- South Side – No Parking 11.30 am-1.00 pm Tuesdays and Fridays
- North Side – No Parking 11.30 am-1.00 pm Mondays and Thursdays
Timings
The Museum of the City of New York opens five days a week.
The Museum opens 10 am to 9 pm on Thursdays and 10 am to 5 pm from Fridays to Mondays.
The Museum remains closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and also on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
How long does the tour take
On average, a complete tour of the Museum of the City of New York can take between 30 minutes to two hours.
The duration may differ based on many factors, like the number of visitors, off-peak or peak season, and so on.
Best time for Museum of the City of New York tour
Since the Museum of the City of New York is an indoor facility, you can visit it year-round.
Try visiting the Museum on the weekdays rather than the weekends and preferably in the morning or afternoon to evade the crowd.
Museum of the City of New York reviews
Here are some Museum of the City of New York tour reviews to make your trip easier.
Amazing!
We came here and were not sure what to expect. We encountered a multi-level building where each floor had multiple different exhibits and unique stories to tell and histories to showcase. We particularly loved the exhibit chronicling the different civil rights / human rights activist actions and movements over time in the city. It is super close to Central Park. I recommend going here and Central Park for anybody coming to NYC for the first time to get grounded in the city’s history and scale.
By far, the best Museum ever!
I’ve never been so thrilled to be at a museum, and time went by so fast that all the other plans for Harlem got lost. Before I knew it, the sun was down, and I wasn’t even disappointed because the Museum was just that good! I cried at how much I loved this city when I watched in awe of the history of the NY movie they were playing.
Highly recommended!
This is one of my favorite museums in the whole city. It feels like being in a Time Capsule. If you’re interested in sociology and history, this Museum chronicles societal developments, such as population and wealth shifts, technological advancement, gender, and racial equality, and so much more. While walking through the Analog City exhibit, I saw one of the last remaining NYC pay phones on display. It’s a great teaching moment for kids and a nostalgic one for older New Yorkers who have lived experiences of these relics. I came this weekend to see the new Food in New York exhibit. I saw a cool, shaved ice cart with a fully functional stereo. There was a cool photo opp. I can’t get enough of that beautiful staircase too.
FAQs about the Museum of the City of New York
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the NYC Museum of the City of New York.
You can purchase tickets to the Museum conveniently here
Yes, group tours or school field trips can be organized at the Museum.
However, they should be scheduled online in advance.
If you are interested, please email groups@mcny.org.
The Museum of the City of New York has embraced technology to enhance the visitor experience.
By utilizing digital platforms, the Museum offers virtual exhibits, online resources, and interactive experiences that enable people worldwide to explore the city’s history and culture remotely.
No other animals, except service dogs, are allowed inside the Museum.
Yes, you can shop for gifts, books, jewelry, bags, office supplies, toys, keychains, board games, apparel and accessories, and much more at the Museum of the City of New York.
Yes, your little support for the Museum goes a long way in preserving, interpreting, and celebrating New York City’s heritage.
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