The top museums of New York

The Met, also known as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a true institution, being the second most visited museum on the planet. This colossal building chronicles over 5,000 years of art history through 400 galleries and 2 million works from around the globe. Be aware in advance that you'll need to make choices as you likely won't be able to visit all of its 270 rooms. Continuously expanding, the Met allocates an annual budget of $120 million to enrich its collection.

Ideally located on the edge of Central Park, the Met also offers spectacular views of the city from its rooftop, open from May to October.

Its library houses hundreds of volumes on art history. Additionally, the Met hosts numerous lectures and screenings of short films throughout the year.

Admission to the museum costs $25, and it is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

With its distinctive architecture, the Guggenheim Museum is hard to miss. Located on the prestigious 5th Avenue, this building designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright also houses works by great artists such as Cézanne, Van Gogh, Chagall, and Picasso. Whether you plan to visit or not, we recommend at least stopping by to admire its unique style from the outside.

Opened in October 1959, the Guggenheim Museum was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. As splendid inside as it is outside, it is a work of art in itself. Many films have been shot in this unique location, including Men in Black.

The collections are spread across three levels, and admission to the museum costs $25. However, every Saturday from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm, visitors can enter by donation. The Guggenheim Museum in New York is open every day except Thursdays, from 10 am to 5:45 pm. On Saturdays, it remains open until 7:45 pm.

Finally, to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, a museum was built directly beneath the site of the former Twin Towers. Emotionally rich, this place gathers physical artifacts from the tragedy while recounting the events of one of the most tragic days in U.S. history. A section is also dedicated entirely to the victims, allowing loved ones and visitors alike to pay their respects.

Admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum is $26, except on Tuesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm when it is free. It is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm.