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History Museums in New York City

THE 10 BEST New York City History Museums

History Museums in New York City

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  • sophie301
    Silver Spring, MD50 contributions
    A NYC Total Gem
    This is a beautiful museum that all would love to see. The setting is just gorgeous and the art included is very interesting. It was an easy runway ride from our hotel in Midtown. Your paid ticket will also get you into The Met Fifth Avenue for no additional fee if you use on the same day. The Cloisters does not require a full day's time so seeing The Cloisters and then taking in some of The Met's exhibits in the same day is completely doable. The cafe at The Cloisters, while a beautiful, cool outdoor setting, does not offer memorable food but gets the job done if needed.
    Review of: The Met Cloisters
    Written July 31, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Siena
    43 contributions
    Our history and today’s issue
    Great experience, very educational. 2 hours just fly by. So much to observe. As We are facing immigration issues today, we can all revisit here Ellis island to see how our country was formed and know what your great grand parents experienced. Be educated, be smart and compassionate.
    My 18 years old daughter spend much time just learning how USA formed by immigrants from all over the world. She says what she learned in school finally connected, and able to deepen her understanding of this country. After visit here, you can go back to Manhattan with fresh pair of eyes to see everyone’s life and being.
    Wished cafeteria offers different types of food, commemorate different ethnic foods.
    Review of: Ellis Island
    Written August 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Allegra
    New York City, NY2 contributions
    10/10 would recommend
    Went here on a date with my fiancé and it’s a really captivating, funny, and cool museum! Very engaging too, even learned a lot lol. We had a blast and laughed so much, would recommend!
    Review of: Museum of Sex
    Written August 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • flo220
    New York City, NY289 contributions
    Great if you are interested in New York Histoy
    One of my favorite museums. Great if you are interested in New York history which it is full of. We have gone several times. Once we took the docent tour which really added a lot to our understanding of some of the exhibits. Recommended. There is an admission fee.
    Review of: New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
    Written July 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karen A
    1 contribution
    Authentic and intimate
    My mom and I have traveled throughout Europe and surprisingly, this museum is by far the most authentic and intimate museum that we've ever visited.
    Review of: Merchant's House Museum
    Written September 28, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AZ_Margie
    Mesa, AZ95 contributions
    Must see!
    Absolutely amazing museum! I didn't take any photos, because I felt like I was on holy ground. The displays are heartbreakingly beautiful. So much information and first-hand testimony. I am not Jewish,but grew up in Western Pa. where many people were called "DPs". I now have a better understanding of what that term truly means. This should be a required visit for all Americans who think it could not happen here.
    Review of: Museum of Jewish Heritage
    Written June 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ashely Fang
    New York City, NY271 contributions
    Super Fun Museum for All Ages
    While tickets are a bit pricey, the overall experience was super fun. The SPYSCAPE museum offers some games you can do at home in advance of the visit, and the Batman experience has a section to play in advance of your visit and hours more of playtime for after your visit. The games may be a bit frustrating for younger children, but all-in-all it was fun to challenge myself to do well and to beat my friend. I would definitely be open to visiting again. I advise against getting VIP tickets - they are expensive and unless you want the nice baseball hat that comes with it. The bracelet that comes with VIP tickets is not worth the money.
    Review of: SPYSCAPE
    Written August 15, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nick G
    1 contribution
    Fantastic and truly worth it
    Absolutely fantastic experience. Cameron really enhanced the whole day by filling us in on her detailed knowledge of the architectural and historical significance of it all. We were simply WOWED by her professional demeanor and would highly recommend this for anyone interested in the general subject matter. An understanding of Iconic and Corinthian order column architecture really set this experience apart. If we could give ten stars it still wouldn’t be enough! Brava to the team! Highly recommend. Don’t wait, go!
    Review of: RiseNY
    Written August 31, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
    Los Angeles, CA8,232 contributions
    Interesting Historical Site
    Theodore Roosevelt spent his youth in Manhattan at this beautifully restored townhome. The tour gives insight into his family and how they came to be in New York City.

    The period rooms are beautifully restored and the museum has artifacts from all through Roosevelt's life. And of course, there's a Teddy bear!

    Free ranger led tours are once again being given post Covid and offer insight into the life of a man who's most famously known for his rough rider days.

    If you like history, this is a great off the beaten track visit to make.
    Review of: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
    Written June 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ArmyguySGM2019
    4 contributions
    Nice historical spot
    Blast from the past , GW speech and many of America's founders visited this old tavern . Good place for military buffs and historians right of the the Sl ferry terminal
    Review of: Fraunces Tavern Museum
    Written June 12, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Conny Wylie
    Ottawa, Canada651 contributions
    Celebrate NYC's Seaport Heritage.
    The Seaport district is situated on the East River in Lower Manhattan. It is a top nyc destination for unusual culinary, fashion, entertainment and cultural experiences. I couldn't resist a custom face cookie from the funny face bakery....it seemed almost too pretty to eat and the book-worm in me nudged me into the McNally & Jackson bookstore. I explored New York's origins as a world seaport in the South Street Seaport Museum and to get into a historical mood I toured the Wavetree cargo ship.
    Review of: Seaport District NYC
    Written January 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA15,894 contributions
    Fortress of Money
    Build sort of like a fortress, maybe a castle of money. Lots of power in this grand building that we stumbled upon while walking from Wall Street to City Hall.
    Review of: Federal Reserve Bank of New York
    Written January 1, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stephen S
    London, UK49 contributions
    Very interesting and enjoyable tour
    I really enjoyed the tour of this building. The organizers were kind enough to go ahead with the tour even though I was the only person on it, which made it an even more special experience for me. The guide was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed the historical context provided.
    It's quite a small building so the tour only takes and hour or so and I think could be well combined with one of the larger museums of the upper east side or perhaps the cable car to Roosevelt Island.
    Review of: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
    Written September 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • marissa v
    Philadelphia, PA153 contributions
    Unique NYC Experience!
    I was looking for something different to do with my young adult boys during a meet up in NYC and thought we would try The Museum of Interesting Things! It turned out to be less of a typical "museum" and more of an authentic NYC experience! I easily connected via email with the amazing host and historian extraordinaire, Denny and secured an appointment time. Upon entering, I knew we were in for a special treat. Denny presented us with many different objects from the 19th and 20th centuries, many related to film, sound and photography accompanied by the historical background and a chance to try out the objects ourselves! Denny is knowledgeable and personable, with a delightfully quirky sense of humor. If you are interested in going back in time, or a nostalgic trip down memory lane, don't miss this! My only regret is that we didn't have enough time to go through each item in his apartment! I saw some gems hiding in there!
    Review of: The Museum of Interesting Things
    Written August 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,570 contributions
    Hidden gem of a museum gallery run by New York University on Ancient Arts
    I must have passed this museum dozens of time when visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art but never knew that is was a museum. The Institute specialty is the ancient arts and history. In two small galleries it still packs a punch when it comes time for showcasing works of ancient cultures.

    I went in recently to see the exhibition on Babylonian Art called "A Wonder to Behold: Craftsmanship and the Creation of Babylon's Ishtar Gate". In two small galleries, it showed the excavation of the site, some of the art pieces found, the use of glazed brick art on the walls and floors of the palace and the creativity of the artists who made them.

    What is also nice is that the museum has free lectures to attend on the subject and it is free to enter the museum as well. You can make a small donation if you want. It is a nice way to spend the afternoon and see the art of ancient times.
    Review of: Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
    Written November 17, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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