Museum of the City of New York, NYC: Tickets and Info
This website offers official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.
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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
Visitors aged 18 and under receive free general admission to the museum.
Advanced online ticket reservations are recommended to ensure entry, though walk-ins are typically accepted at the front desk.
All guests must pass through a security screening and bag check before entering the galleries.
The museum is a completely tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free environment both indoors and near the entrance.
Flash photography and the use of tripods or selfie sticks are strictly prohibited to protect the artifacts.
Personal sketching is permitted in the galleries provided that only pencils are used.
While small backpacks are allowed, they must be worn on the front of the body or carried by hand to avoid accidental contact with exhibits.
Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the museum, but sealed water bottles may be carried.
The museum does not provide an on-site coat check or storage for large luggage and suitcases.
Re-entry is permitted on the same day as long as you retain your original admission ticket for validation.
Essential Visitor Info
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- Address & Directions
- Facilities
- Accessibility
About the Museum of the City of New York
Why Visit the Museum of the City of New York?
A Comprehensive Portrait of New York City
The museum serves as the city’s primary storyteller, documenting its evolution from a Dutch settlement to a global powerhouse. Through a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and costumes, visitors can trace the social, political, and cultural shifts that have defined the five boroughs over four centuries.
The Timescapes Film Experience
Narrated by Stanley Tucci, the Timescapes documentary provides a concise yet immersive 28-minute history of New York. The film uses animated maps and archival footage to visualize the city's growth, making it an essential starting point for visitors who want to understand the physical and demographic changes of the metropolis.
Landmark Architecture on Museum Mile
Housed in a 1932 neo-Georgian building designed by Joseph H. Freedlander, the museum itself is a piece of New York history. Its location at the northern end of Museum Mile offers a quieter, more curated experience than the larger institutions nearby, featuring a grand circular staircase and views overlooking Central Park.
New York at Its Core Permanent Exhibition
This multi-gallery exhibition explores the themes of money, density, diversity, and creativity that drive the city’s identity. It combines historical objects with interactive digital stations, allowing guests to explore how individual New Yorkers have shaped the city’s past and how current residents might influence its future.
Cutting-Edge Contemporary Photography
The museum is renowned for its extensive photography collection, capturing both the grit and the glamour of street life. Regular rotations of contemporary and archival works offer a visual record of the city’s changing skyline and the diverse communities that occupy its neighborhoods.
The Museum of the City of New York - Additional Info
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- Souvenir Store
Interesting Facts about The Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York was founded in 1923 by Henry Collins Brown to document the unique character and history of the metropolis.
The current neo-Georgian building was completed in 1932 and sits on land provided by the City of New York.
Before moving to its Fifth Avenue home, the museum's first galleries were located in the historic Gracie Mansion.
The museum's permanent collection contains over 750,000 objects, including rare manuscripts, photographs, and costumes.
It houses the original bedroom furniture from the home of John D. Rockefeller, meticulously preserved in a period room.
The museum holds one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of theater posters and memorabilia from the Broadway stage.
The landmark grand circular staircase in the lobby is a popular architectural feature and serves as the building's central focal point.
It was the first museum in the United States to establish a dedicated department of photography in the 1930s.
The museum’s archives include the complete photographic work of Jacob Riis, who documented the living conditions of New York's tenements.
Its facade is adorned with statues of Alexander Hamilton and DeWitt Clinton, created by sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman.
The museum serves as the official repository for the silver trowel used by Mayor Jimmy Walker to lay the building's cornerstone.
The award-winning film Timescapes has been updated over the years to include major 21st-century events like the 2020 pandemic.
A hidden garden terrace on the top floor offers visitors a rare elevated view of the Conservatory Garden in Central Park.
The institution remains a private, non-profit organization despite being located on city-owned property.
The museum’s toy collection includes over 10,000 items, some of which date back to the early colonial period of New Amsterdam.
Museum of the City of New York - Highlights in Pictures
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