Museum of the City of New York, NYC: Tickets and Info

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Museum of the City of New York

Highlights

Explore permanent and rotating exhibitions showcasing New York City’s growth and diverse communities.

Watch the documentary Timescapes detailing the city’s evolution from its beginnings to today.

Benefit from available audio guides in Mandarin, French, and Spanish.

Join drop-in tours conducted in English.

Use free translation headsets for select exhibits in Spanish, French, and Chinese.

Good to Know Before Visiting the Museum of the City of New York

Buy your tickets online before you go.

Expect a quick bag check at the door.

Non-flash photography for personal use is allowed.

Large bags and suitcases aren't allowed, but there's a coat check on the first floor.

Food stays out of the galleries.

Essential Visitor Info

Timings
Address & Directions
Facilities
Accessibility

Open every day from 10 AM.

The museum closes at 5 PM on weekdays, 9 PM on Wednesdays and 6 PM on weekends.

Museum of the City of New York - Highlights in Pictures

About the Museum of the City of New York

Writer Henry Collins Brown founded the museum in 1923 to tell the story of New York and the people who built it. It began in Gracie Mansion and moved to its current home on Fifth Avenue in 1932.

Today the collection runs to around 750,000 objects: prints, photographs, costumes, toys, theater memorabilia and more. Most visits center on two things. New York at Its Core traces the city from Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage onward, and Timescapes is a short film on 400 years of city history.

Architectural Style: Georgian Colonial Revival

Architect: Joseph H. Freedlander

Collection Size: About 750,000 objects

Year of Completion: 1932

Why Visit the Museum of the City of New York?

The Whole City in One Building

The museum follows New York from a small Dutch trading post to the city it is today, using objects, photographs and clothing gathered over four centuries.

The Timescapes Film

Stanley Tucci narrates this 28-minute film, which uses animated maps and archival images to show how the city grew. Its final chapter was recently expanded to cover the 21st century. Watch it first and the galleries make more sense.

A Landmark on Museum Mile

The 1932 building faces Central Park, and bronze statues of Alexander Hamilton and DeWitt Clinton stand in niches on its facade. It's a calmer visit than the big museums further down Fifth Avenue.

New York at Its Core

More than 200 objects and images cover the city's first three centuries, from 1609 to 1898. Animated maps chart money, density and diversity, and interactive displays introduce New Yorkers from the past.

A Deep Photography Collection

Photographs make up a big part of the collection, from street scenes to historic records of how New Yorkers lived. Rotating exhibitions regularly bring new work out of the archive.

Museum of the City of New York - Café & Shop

Dining
Souvenir Store

Chalsty's Café, run by Amy's Bread, serves baked goods and coffee. It's open until 4 PM on most weekdays, 7:30 PM on Wednesdays and 5 PM on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Museum of the City of New York

When was the museum founded?

In 1923, by the writer Henry Collins Brown.

Where was the museum before it moved to Fifth Avenue?

Its first home was Gracie Mansion. It moved into its current building in 1932.

Who designed the museum building?

Joseph H. Freedlander, in the Georgian Colonial Revival style.

Whose statues are on the facade?

Alexander Hamilton and DeWitt Clinton, both by Adolph Alexander Weinman.

What is Timescapes?

A 28-minute film narrated by Stanley Tucci that covers 400 years of New York history.

Can I watch Timescapes in another language?

Yes. Headsets with Spanish, French and Mandarin translations are available.

What does New York at Its Core cover?

The city's first three centuries, from Henry Hudson's arrival in 1609 to 1898, through more than 200 objects and images.

Should I book tickets in advance?

Booking online ahead of time is the easiest way to secure your visit.