Speciality Museums • History Museums
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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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Types of Attractions
Museums
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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40 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ellis Island
Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Midtown
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Game & Entertainment Centres • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Upper West Side
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
Battery Park City
Historic Walking Areas • History Museums
Financial District
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Historic Sites • History Museums
Gramercy-Flatiron
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Financial District
Architectural Buildings • History Museums
Financial District
Science Museums • History Museums
Greenwich Village
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Midtown East
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Historic Sites • History Museums
Upper East Side
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Murray Hill
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Battery Park City
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Art Museums • History Museums
Harlem
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
Lincoln Square
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Chelsea
History Museums
Gramercy Park
Showing results 1-30 of 40
What travellers are saying
- ArinyaThailand4 contributionsThe museum presents its content with a mix of educational insight and playful engagement, making it both informative and entertaining. The staff is knowledgeable and the atmosphere is respectful, encouraging open dialogue and reflection. It’s an intriguing destination for those interested in exploring the complexities of human sexuality in a museum setting.Written September 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The Traveling PierogiWorld277 contributionsLocated in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, The Met Cloisters is a museum owned by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (or the Met for short) features Medieval style artwork and architecture from the Gothic and Romanesque era. The word Cloister is defined as a covered walkway that surrounds a garden(s) or a courtyard usually found at monasteries, convents, or other religious buildings. It is an amazing place to have a prayer, meditate, or just having a peaceful time to reflect.
There are three cloisters in the complex, my favorite is the main one, the Cuxa Cloister. The design comes from the Abbey of Saint Michel de Cuxa. The fountain that is in the middle of the cloister dates back to the 13th century and is from Saint Genis des Fontaines Monastery. This museum makes me feel like I am in Europe, more specifically France (England is a nice feel too). Makes me want to go back to both countries and explore the countryside and visit some of these monasteries with their cloisters. Here is a little fun fact, there is a display of medieval playing cards, which is one of two known to have been in tacked.
I would recommend coming here to see what it would be like in a cloister and what it would feel like being in a monastery. But before I go, I do have to say there is a fee to get into the museum.Written September 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tinaNtravelSan Jose, CA2,010 contributionsEllis Island is the first stop after the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to explore as we needed to get back to our hotel by a certain time. But we did go into the main museum area and walk around. It was quite interesting to read about the different groups of immigrants that came through Ellis Island. There was also a short 30-minute movie, but we didn’t have time to watch it. It also looked quite pretty to walk around outside with some great views.Written September 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- trip-radarRhodes Town, Greece980 contributionsWe are all part of a large surveillance operation. You hear this phrase and begin an exhibition of information and interactions about spying.Written August 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- trip-radarRhodes Town, Greece980 contributionsAt first there is a video with the history of NYC and the area. Then there are exhibition and finally the simulation of flying over the skyline.Written August 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- toslJersey City, NJ958 contributionsGreat rotating exhibits and a new permanent display on the Presidents. There is a lot to see but this museum is next door to the Museum of Natural History and Central Park so it is often overlooked. Great for research and a good store.Written August 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sofia C1 contributionA beautifully preserved time capsule. The people working there are very kind and knowledgeable too. They clearly cared deeply about this history.Written August 31, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JemlnlxBronx, NY5,608 contributionsGreat experience at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Visited on a Thursday later afternoon. Thursday is their late day, open until 8pm, and admission is free during their after-hours period. During normal hours, adult admission is $18 and children 12 and under are free.
There was no wait to enter at that time. You will pass through a TSA-style safety area where your bags are put through a scanner. Not as thorough as TSA, thankfully. You will then proceed to the ticket area where you can purchase tickets or scan your pre-purchased tickets. You will get an admission sticker.
They do NOT allow certain items in the museum area, including backpacks, large bags and strollers. These items can be checked for free at the bag/coat check area near the admission counter.
You can then proceed to the main area. The museum is fairly linear and you can complete it by following that path.
Lots of interesting information about the holocaust, including the period leading up to and the period that followed it. Great exhibits throughout with lots to see. Aside from the holocaust, the museum addresses other instances of historical persecution of the Jewish people as well as providing a good overall understanding of the Jewish culture.
There is a cafe on the second floor.
On the main floor, there is a gift shop with lots of lovely trinkets for purchase. Be sure to check it out before leaving.
All staff I encountered during my visit were great: very friendly and helpful.
Parking is tough in the area as expected. There are a few blocks of street parking in the immediate Battery Park City neighborhood...but these spaces are far and few. There are some garages in the area but they can be expensive.
There are a bunch of subway stations within the 5-8 block range including access to the 1, R, W, 4 and 5 trains.Written August 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thomas VOakland, CA17,523 contributionsMany, many years ago this area was the Fulton Fish Market, and my family came here on a tourist vacation. Since then, it has been redeveloped into a big tourist area with restaurants, bars, and a port theme. Some good food here, sone kitsch.Written September 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kevin BMount Juliet, TN3,752 contributionsI love Teddy Roosevelt and wanted to visit this site for a few years. My wife and I came here in June and we really enjoyed the artifacts and information provided on the first floor; they have quite a bit of artifacts from Teddy's life including the shirt he wore on his assassination attempt, which was very interesting to see. It's unfortunately not the original site as that building was demolished, but they tried to make it as authentic as possible. We ended up not having enough time to do the tour of the building, but that was fine for us as we were more interested in the artifacts than the building itself. It's a neat place to visit and we'd recommend it if you're in the area and enjoy US history.Written July 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dustythoughtsManchester, CT2,164 contributionsWe decided to wander through this museum after eating at the tavern, and really enjoyed learning more about George Washington's usage of the tavern! We also appreciated the exhibit on the Marquis de Lafayette, who I think is under-appreciated in the history lessons on the American Revolution. We liked seeing some of Washington's personal effects, and learning more about the role of the Fraunces Tavern as a hub for the Revolution. All of the exhibits are maintained with obvious care and pride, and we really felt like we were stepping back through history. The guided tour was super informative! It's too bad this place doesn't get more attention, although I do think it's nice that there wasn't a chaotic crush of people.Written September 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA17,523 contributionsBuild 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.Written January 1, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- marissa vPhiladelphia, PA156 contributionsI 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!Written August 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JemlnlxBronx, NY5,608 contributionsRecently visited the Museum's Holiday Display (2023).
Although you need to make reservations online at all times, entrance to the display is free before a certain date in mid-November and $5 per person after that date.
I visited on a Friday evening at around 6pm and it wasn't crowded.
The display itself was quite impressive with lots of fine details only true New Yorkers would notice and appreciate. There are a few running trains throughout the display.
There are lots of MTA-related items to purchase both in the display area and the main store area.
It is something nice to do in the area to kill a few minutes. Don't plan on spending longer than 5-10 minutes maximum there. Luckily there are lots of shops in Grand Central, including the Holiday Fair, and it is a major transportation hub...so lots of other reasons to be there.
I'm not sure the $5 admission fee is justified for what it actually is...maybe more like $2-3 would be more appropriate.Written November 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stephen SLondon, UK52 contributionsI 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.Written September 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
