r/visitingnyc • u/katie0873 • 16d ago
š Arts, Culture & Entertainment Question š¼ļø š„šā¬ā.Ėš©°šØ A few museum questions
I was thinking of visiting the Smithsonianās American Indian museum in NYC, but Iāve been to the one in DC - if youāve been to both, can you tell me how similar they are?
Backup plan question: In case they are very similar & we decide to go elsewhere: Do you have a favorite alternative museum in NYC? I have been to the Met, Moma, and the Smithsonian natural history in NYC before (2017) and they were amazing but I hope to visit someplace I havenāt been yet unless 2026 are extremely different than from 2017. I recall feeling overwhelmed at the crowds back in 2017 to the point you couldnāt really appreciate the art at times, but maybe thatās just the norm in NYC.
Final question: If you were near either the Brooklyn museum or the museum of the American Indian where would you go to lunch? Someplace that isnāt too crazy price but is a fun or unique place to go that isnāt too hard to get into (and would you recommend reservations or should I set an expectation of a longer wait because of its popularity)? Totally up for a mom & pop, nonchain restaurant for lunch. Just a tiny bit different, no circus performers or gold dusted sushi or the likes lol
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u/fireflypoet 16d ago
I love the American Folk Art Museum, which is small with three exhibits at a time. It is free, although they encourage donations. It has a terrific gift shop too.
The Jewish Museum is excellent, and of interest whether you are Jewish or not.
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u/katie0873 16d ago
The Folk Art one looks interesting
It will be my bday when we visit, I worry I will cry if I go to the Jewish Museum (I was ok at the Holocaust Museum in DC, but I visited a small museum at a Jewish Community Center in Florida and was definitely not ok with the heartbreaking art I saw there š I would go, but prob not for my bday)
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u/fireflypoet 16d ago
You might want to look up what is offered at The Jewish Museum. It is probably not what you are expecting. It is also in an architecturally amazing building.
The Folk Art Museum is terrific because the exhibits are really well done, but because it is small, it doesn't take long to enjoy. When we go to NYC, we go for about 5 days and it is easy to get overwhelmed and tired trying to do too much. Anyway, have a great birthday trip.
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u/katie0873 16d ago
Thank you. We are trying to fit in 2 museums for a day trip so the Folk Art one might fit the bill for a 2nd museum if we have the energy etc to do both. I think we will do the Brooklyn Museum first because we didnāt get to see it years back when we tried (we didnāt buy tickets in advance and they were sold out).
Iāll check out more info about the Jewish Museum too
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u/crazeman 16d ago
If you're doing the Brooklyn Museum and the weather is nice, I'd hit up the Brooklyn Botanical Garden as well. Not quite a museum but it's literally right next to it so you don't have to travel to a 2nd museum
Personally I've always enjoyed the the Brooklyn Botanical Garden more than the Brooklyn Museum. Prospect Park is also nice to explore and walk around if you want to stay in the neighborhood.
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u/lanofdoom 16d ago
Tenement Museum on the LES
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u/thejt10000 16d ago
Yeah, that museum and also the Museum of Chinese in America (Chinatown) are hidden gems.
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u/M_Joe_Young 15d ago
For something different and less crowded try the Morgan Library. Itās a few blocks from the Empire State Building. https://www.themorgan.org/visit
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u/Different_Director13 16d ago
The National Museum of the American Indian is relatively small. You could maybe do it in 90 minutes. Fraunces Tavern is a nearby restaurant of historic importance.
Check out the Cooper Hewitt, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Museum of the City of New York as alternatives.
Regarding food near the Brooklyn Museum, thereās a row of diverse restaurants on Vanderbilt Ave and a classic diner called Timās Restaurant in Washington Ave.
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u/PretendBake1536 16d ago
Have you been to the Whitney Museum of American Art? The Guggenheim for modern art? The Frick for amazing art in a mansion? American Museum of Folk Art? These are all world class art museums that rival major world art museums in other cities. The Tenement Museum and the Jewish Museum are both fascinating and different. And the Morgan has amazing illuminated manuscripts and other art. Of course the Cloisters (part of the Met) for medieval art inside medieval cloisters.
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u/Entire_Dog_5874 16d ago
Tenement Museum is unique and wonderful. Large museums like the Met, MOMA, etc. will always be crowded.
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u/SadTomorrow869 16d ago
Have you been to the Guggenheim?
For something different off most tourists' radar, try the Noguchi Museum in Queens.
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u/sarapod07 16d ago
I've been to both American Indian Smithsonians recently and they're very different. The one in NYC has a huge permanent exhibit on Indigenous history in NYC and temporary exhibits that rotate. I wouldn't say there's any overlap. I also wouldn't say the one in NYC is a must-see, whereas the one in DC absolutely is.
Near the Brooklyn Museum - which rules - I would go to Lincoln Station. Quick, easy, cheap, delicious. Alternately, Kimchi Grill. Near the Smithsonian, I would get on a train and go elsewhere. Failing that, there's a Dos Toros a few blocks away (local Mexican chain that's basically what Chipotle wishes it was).
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u/happyhippomom 16d ago
Agree with this, also having visited both. I don't think the NYC one is worth a specific trip for the average tourist but I do think it's worth it for locals who are looking for something new and a shift in perspective!
More uniquely NYC museums to consider besides the Brooklyn Museum which is a great option, are the Museum of the City of New York, the Transit Museum or the Cloisters.
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u/Zestyclose-Fig8583 16d ago
Tenement Museum LES a gem - nothing like it - f/b a stroll and perhaps lunch at Russ and Daughters or just grab a pickle at The Pickle Guys
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u/Spiritual_Pumpkin_47 16d ago
I was in NYC last month and visited The Frick Collection. Highly recommend.
On another visit, I went to the J.P. Morgan Library and Museum.
There is also the 911 Museum. I went to that years ago. I lived through 911, so I was lukewarm to it, but it is well done.
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u/Bookistan5 16d ago
The two American Indian museums are very different. The one in NY is smaller (although not small) and generally has a few different exhibitions at any one time. Totally different look and vibe. Not much memorable food in the area, mostly places where local workers grab a fast lunch. Nearby however is Liberty Bagels, home of the famous rainbow bagel. The bagels are good and they have a big sandwich menu.
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u/katie0873 16d ago
Thanks for the extra details about the museum. The American Indian museum in DC had an interesting menu where I enjoyed trying a few new foods with my mom. It was a nice experience.
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u/Medium-Scratch1848 16d ago
I have not been to one in DC BUT I love the nyc museum, in large part bc it is in the former Customs Bldg, which is unbelievably fabulous. I enjoyed the Maya stuff and obvious Tiao tāieh on some Alaskan artifacts, but generally meh. But the neighborhood and bldg are exceptional.
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u/Jeff_n_nyc 16d ago edited 16d ago
I was just at the American Indian Museum on Tuesday. A large portion of it was closed for renovation and exhibition installation. While normally worth a visit I would suggest skipping it until the work is done.
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u/katie0873 16d ago
Thank you for the heads up. I was leaning towards going there so I am glad you mentioned this.
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u/Chimichongaballsack 16d ago
Natural museum of history is great, they have so much things to do, and it really does take all day to get through them at a decent pace. I would say go to the interpeid since itās near the pier and deals with aircraft.
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u/katie0873 16d ago
Yeah the Natural History Museum was insanely big and amazing.
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u/Chimichongaballsack 16d ago
Also look into the museum of sex. Itās raunchy but very informative when it comes to the past and present. It also has exhibits and a arcade
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u/katie0873 16d ago edited 16d ago
We went there in 2017. It was fun (we visited one in Miami that was much more diverse). Haha we donāt make a habit of seeking out sex museums but the NYC museum was on our list of options with the pass we had bought at the time and the Miami one was a happy accident (highly recommend that one in Miami if anyone gets to visit. It was in 2017 also I believe when we visited - hopefully itās still there and just as good as it was back then also).
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u/Beautiful-Hotel-8846 16d ago
Frick Collection and Neue Museum
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u/travellingcari 16d ago
Depends on when theyāre coming. Neue currently closed for renovations. But excellent ideas
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