My Favorite Museums In New York

It has been over 12 years since I relocated to the New York City metropolitan area. Having lived in the area for so long, I am not accustomed to seeing New York from the tourism angle. When I first moved here, New York City was such a wonderland, and I spent every hour outside of graduate school exploring the city. With my university student ID, I could enjoy the complimentary admission to just about every museum in the city. Unlike many European countries, America has no national or regional museum pass. My student ID was among the most important possessions I had. After all these years, I want to share some of my favorite museums in New York.

Corning Museum of Glass, Corning

If we define New York as the State of New York, I would argue that the best museum is more than four hours away in the small town of Corning in upstate New York. During all my years of travel, I have never been more surprised by a museum like the Corning Museum of Glass. I could understand that a glass museum may not be too exciting for most people; how exciting could it be? My hometown in Hsinchu, Taiwan, was known for its glass industry due to its abundant silica and natural gas deposits. In junior high school, I volunteered as a docent at the municipal glass museum in my hometown of Hsinchu in Taiwan, so when I heard that Corning’s museum is among the best in the world.

Enormous glass pumbkin for the Halloween. — Enormous glass pumpkin for the Halloween.

The town of Corning is home to Corning Inc., a world leader in household and technological-grade glass. Ubiquitous brands such as Corning Ware, Corelle, and Pyrex are among their signature products. More recently, the company is also the global supplier of Gorilla Glass, the glass material for most mobile and digital devices we carry around all day. To celebrate the company’s heritage, the museum aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the history and innovation of glass worldwide.

Just beyond the ticket counter is the museum’s brand-new contemporary glasswork gallery. Designed by one of the most respected contemporary architects, Thomas Phifer, the gallery space is a work of art. Inside, many large-scale glass installations challenged our assumption about glass art. I was blown away by the variety of textures (like fur, leather, or lava rock) achievable through a hard and brittle material like glass. When I visited my parents a couple of years ago, they were so mesmerized that they spent 90 minutes just in these halls.

At the opposite end of the contemporary gallery is a permanent exhibition called 35 Centuries of Glass. Housed in a post-modernist gallery by Latvian architect Gunnar Birkerts, this exhibit is the most comprehensive, with artifacts from all over the world. These include glass bottles from ancient Egypt and the large stained glass windows by Tiffany & Co. But among the best features of the museum are their demonstration glass workshops. There are live glass-blowing demonstrations in one of their studios in just about half an hour. At the largest theater, they even raffled off one of their beautiful workpieces to an audience member at the end of each demonstration. At some smaller stations, there are more informal demonstrations. My favorite was one on the making of glass eyes for the blind.

If you were not lucky enough to be chosen for a free demo vase, the museum’s gift shop has a wonderful selection of merchandise from Oiva Toikka and Alvar Aalto.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

There is a reason why the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the MET, is the most visited museum in North America. With over two million items in its collection, the museum is one of the best art museums in terms of the breadth of its collections across different geographic regions across millenniums. It is America’s answer to the British Museum, minus the overt legacy of colonial history. For any first-time visitor, the museum could be overwhelming. Like any major museum, it is wise to tackle it with a plan.

Perhaps as a testament to my lack of social life back then, I was pretty much a regular of the Met and there every other weekend. While I have my own personal favorites, most visitors seem to enjoy the Egyptian wing the most. The reconstructed Temple of Dendur and the surrounding reflective pool are particularly popular. Another beloved exhibit is the Hall of Arms and Armours, which exhibits elaborate weaponry and armor from places like Japan and the Ottoman Empire.

The Gulf Stream (1899) by American artist Winslow Homer.

Up the grand staircase on the second level are the museum’s core collections of the old masters and early impressionists. Going through these halls is reminiscent of the art history courses I took in college. Even for those with little interest in arts, there are certainly objects of interest for anyone. What the Met excelled in better than other museums is the quality of its exhibits across all genres. Of all the museums I know, this would be the museum that may be worthwhile of a membership if you live within the city limit.

My favorite is the American Wing, one of the newest sections of the museum. As the preeminent art museum of the United States, the Met made a great effort to showcase the history of American Arts. Included in the exhibit are the famous Washington Crossing of the Delaware River and Diana, the famed sculpture that once topped the tower of the former Madison Square Garden. For an architect like myself, the favorite is the reconstructed living room of Francis W. Little House by master architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the original cast iron staircase by Louis Sullivan.

*The Death of Socrates* (1787) by Jacques-Louis David is a masterpiece of Neo-classicism.

As late as a few years ago, admission to this world-class museum was donation-based. While the museum had the official admission charge listed at their ticket counter, a tiny asterisk next to it explained that the indicated amount was only the suggested donation. It is common for those in the know to pay as little as a nickel to get in. Unfortunately for most visitors, this donation-based admission is only restricted to those with ID issued by New York State.

Storm King Art Center, Mountainville

Outside of New York City, I would argue that Storm King Art Center in Montainville is the most popular art destination in New York State. Set at the foothill of Storm King Mountain, the outdoor museum holds the largest outdoor art collections in the Americas, and it has works from all the heavyweight contemporary art schemes, such as Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Richard Serra, and Henry Moore. Artworks aside, the joy of Storm King is the beautiful landscape in which these works are masterfully placed. Many works were so integrated into the landscape that casual visitors could easily overlook them without the given visitor map.

Our favorite work is also one of the newest: Storm King Wavefield by Maya Lin. It is a rare chance to enjoy any monumental earthwork in any setting. As an outdoor museum, most artworks are not guarded by museum security. As tempting as it is, it doesn’t mean that touch and climbing are condoned. Part of the fun was to see fellow visitors disregard the warming signs to run into the earthwork. At the same time, it was sad that people chose to disrespect the integrity of an artwork despite explicitly spelled-out rules.

Storm King, the most recognizable outdoor museum in the United States, could get crowded on weekends. On weekends, it is advisable to reserve a ticket well ahead of time due to the limit to its parking facility. And for those without a vehicle, Coach USA runs a road trip shuttle service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Although an on-site cafe serves simple soup and sandwiches, it is wise to pack a picnic and a blanket. After all, could you imagine a better setting for a picnic lunch?

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park

Presential library may not be on my travelers’ radar. But if anyone is remotely interested in history and politics, they offer unique cultural experiences that are entirely underrated. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) officially operates the presidential library system. It is an official depository of presidential records for future scholars. Apart from the presidential library is an adjoining museum that teaches visitors the life and works of the longest-serving president. Serving more than twelve years, his presidency profoundly changed the role of America on the global stage. But perhaps more importantly, his domestic programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the Farm Security Administration (FSA) are enormously consequential.

Visitor center of the presidential library.

What distinguished FDR Presidential Library from most others is the tie to the historical structures intimately tied to the Roosevelts. The presidential museum is centered around Roosevelt’s Springwood Estate, the birthplace and lifelong home of the president. During his time in office, he made over 200 trips here, and the estate hosted many historical events, including the first visit by a reigning British monarch to the United States. Visitors can tour the historic home and many of its accessory structures. A visit culminates with paying respect to the grave of the president of First Lady Eleanor.

Around Hyde Park, you could find many more historic sites associated with the Roosevelt family. These include the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Hill Top Cottage. If anyone is interested in visiting, a great option for lunch is one of the student-run restaurants in the nearby Culinary Institute of America.

Museum of Modern Art, New York City

Other than the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is perhaps the most recognizable cultural institution in New York City. It is the second most visited museum in New York City. Conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, the museum is easily accessible and spread over six levels. On permanent display are well-renowned masterpieces such as Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night and Henri Rousseau’s Dream. I am always surprised by how often I come across pieces frequently parodied in popular culture.

Digital art by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol.

Besides its art collection, MoMA is also known for its modern architecture. Great modern arts deserve great architecture. MoMA’s architectural evolution is a cut above the rest. American architect Philip Johnson designed the original museum building and the adjoining courtyard. But much of the square footage we see today results from a 1997 addition by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi. At 858 million dollars, it is up there as one of the most expensive construction projects per square foot. Within the architectural community, the building is known for its extravagance despite its minimalist appearance.

MoMA’s most famous treasure is The *Starry Night* by Vincent van Gogh.

Among architects, MoMA’s reputation was forever stained by the scandal regarding the neighboring American Folk Art Museum. If you have not heard of the dispute, MoMA bought a museum `building, a universally respected structure by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. Rather than adapting its eccentric gallery space, MoMA commissioned a study and concluded that its demolition is necessary. It created such an uproar among the architects and was deemed an act of vandalism similar to the destruction of the old Penn Station. Fair or not, my view of MoMA foundationally changed due to this episode.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City

Solomon Guggenheim Museum requires no introduction. This museum is known for its impressive impressionist, modern, and contemporary art collection. Began as the Museum of Non-Objective Painting eighty years ago, the museum changed the name to that of its main benefactor. For art devotees, Guggehnehim’s collection of cubist and avant-garde arts. But to be honest, I have to say that the works of early modern artists like Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Marc Chagal are difficult to love. Luckily, Guggenheim stages frequent special exhibitions far more crowd-pleasing than their core collection.

It is for sure one of the most recognizable building in New York.

I suspect that most visitors to the Guggenheim are here for the iconic architecture rather than its world-class art collection. The landmark building by Frank Lloyd Wright is the most striking public building in New York. Recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the architecture is honest in that the exterior expression corresponds with the interior. The graceful spiral ramp offer removed the distinction between circulation and exhibition space. It also made wayfinding a breeze; you could never get lost in the Guggenheim. As a benefit, the museum is fully wheelchair-accessible by default!

One note of caution: The railings along the ramp seem exceedingly low and do not conform to the modern building code. For those who fear heights, leaning against the railings could be terrifying. I am surprised there have not been reports of suicide like those of the Hudson Yard’s Vessel or NYU’s Bobst Library.

For its outsize reputation on the international stage, the actual gallery space inside is surprisingly limited. Wedged at the end of a typical residential block in the Upper East Side, the museum has no room for expansion. Guggenheim is quite expensive, given its small size. For anyone short on funds or time, it would be worthwhile to determine whether the temporary exhibition would interest you. The most popular special exhibitions in the past took full advantage of Guggenheim’s unique architectural spaces. The most famous of them all is probably James Turrell's Aten Reign.

Dia:Beacon, Beacon

Just half an hour away from Storm King is the charming riverside town of Beacon. The city is conveniently located along the Metro-North commuter rail line from New York Grand Central. As such, it is one of the most popular weekend destinations for many New Yorkers. A charming town on the Hudson River, Beacon has long attracted noted artists who escaped the bustle of the city. The most important attraction in Beacon is Dia:Beacon, the flagship art gallery for the Dia Art Foundation. Housed in the former printing factory for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco), the museum is a joy to visit, even for non-art lovers. The vast expanse of the industrial space is a thing of beauty.

Luftschloss (1979) by John Chamberlain — *Luftschloss* (1979) by John Chamberlain

Beacon’s collection and exhibits focus on contemporary art, with special attention to the interaction between artwork and viewers. For somebody like me, contemporary art could seem unrelatable. It is usually a section of a museum that I breeze through. But I have to give them credit; how they present the works is masterful. The natural light from the factory window casts a soft glow on the artwork. Even for works like those of Richard Serra, which any casual museum-goers would recognize, they somehow look better in this setting.

2000 (2000) by Richard Serra. — *2000* (2000) by Richard Serra.

Together with Storm King Art Center, Dia:Beacon is also part of the Modern and Contemporary Reciprocal Membership Program (Mod/Co). The program offers reciprocal admission privileges among a long list of contemporary art museums. I often find it hard to justify paying $20+ for a contemporary art museum. And I think even the museums themselves know that.

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