Location: Midtown
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What to do and see in Midtown, New York (NY): The Best Specialty Museums
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. New York Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,360 reviews
Two marble lions mark the entrance to this Beaux Arts masterpiece, a National Historic Landmark containing more than six million books.
Reviewed By FelicityRJ
When we first popped into the library it was quite hard to look around and get a real sense of what you were looking at. Luckily, we managed to get two spaces on the free hour-long tour at 2pm (there are several a day). The tour guide was excellent and explained each room before we went in and pointed out some of the more hidden architectural details. As a bonus, anyone on the tour gets 10% off in the gift shop (something you'll definitely use). The library also has a small film (c. 20 minutes) that runs every half an hour that tells you all about the library building and some of the treasures of the collection. It was quite frustrating that a lot of the hidden gems of the collection aren't available to view, but the tour guide told us that a new exhibition was opening in 2020 where they'd feature a rotating selection of the collection (much like the British Library). With the tour and the free exhibitions (Salinger and made at the NY Public Library) we easily spent 4 hours here, a definite recommend if you're into books, literature and civic history - they have the original Winnie the Pooh too!
2. The Museum at FIT
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By cjyap - Griswold, United States
This is a great museum. There are three galleries, one devoted to special exhibits. All the exhibits change every 6 month as they rotate through their 50,000 garments covering 250 years of fashion. The special exhibit gallery was closed when I went, as it was preparing for an opening of a new exhibit the following week: Ballerina: Fashion's Modern Muse. I'm going to try and get back for that! This is not a large museum and that it's free is a real bonus! Definitly worth a stop. The hours are: Tues - Fri Noon - 8pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Closed Sundays, Mondays, and the following legal holidays: July 4th,Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Day,New Year’s Day
3. Onassis Cultural Center New York
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
4. Houdini Museum of New York at Fantasma Magic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Vast collection of tricks, cards, DVDs & collectibles for sale, plus the Houdini Museum of New York.
Reviewed By jdinph34684 - Palm Harbor, United States
What could be more fun than visiting a Houdini Museum? Add in a sales counter behind which is a talented magician demonstrating one amazing trick after another. Oh, and the visit costs nothing. I visit this shop every time I am in NYC and excitedly suggest it to any of my friends who are traveling there. The Houdini Museum includes a variety of props (handcuffs, straightjacket, a coffin) as well as interesting pictures and newspaper articles and personal letters. Plenty to see and enjoy.
5. Gulliver's Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,817 reviews
Leave the Land of Large and experience an interactive world of miniatures from around the globe. Gulliver's Gate is a unique and playful interpretation of the real world in miniature, inspired by the places we live, work, play, and dream about. Gulliver's welcomes people everywhere to experience this world, and even become Model Citizens, permanent miniature residents. You belong in this world. Guests at Gullivers' Gate can use their interactive key to activate features in models through out the exhibit space. Watch professional model-makers and engineers build and expand the exhibit. Step into our COBRA 3-D scanner and get a free 3D scan. If you like it, you can buy a 3D print of yourself to have sent home or placed in the model--making you a Model Citizen. We are wheelchair accessible, have changing tables in both bathrooms and a Mamava nursing suite for parents with nursing children. Our attraction is open until 10:00 PM however the last admission is 8:30 PM.
Reviewed By JolantaTomaszewski
The museum is amazing, it was the best museum in New York and all our seniors were happy to see such exhibitions, I will be recommended to everybody at all ages. Come and see, it is like a wonderland for kind and adults. Thank you for creating such amazing place. Good luck.
6. Spyscape
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
SPYSCAPE is three things in one: (i) world-class museum of spy gadgets and stories; (ii) authentic immersive spy challenges and experiences; (iii) deep dive into your own unique mix of aptitudes, psychology and spy skills.
Reviewed By TravelGnomes - Sydney, Australia
After two weeks of culturally enriching our boys (aged 9 and 11) in NYC and DC, they declared that this was the best museum of them all! (But we didn’t visit The Spy Museum in DC so it’s out of the race) It’s very interactive - you get a personalised ID tag to scan at various stations - then you answer questions and perform tasks to assess your various “spy skills”. There are various sections focussed on different events and famous/notorious “spies”. Then you get a spy profile at the end based on your results. The boys loved the agility task the best - you can go multiple times if you don’t mind waiting. Even the gift shop has interesting things for purchase. We used our Sightseeing Pass so it was good value for us. Otherwise the admission fee is on the pricey side. It’s more a thinking attraction than a traditional museum, but it’s definitely one that our boys will remember the best!
7. Rose Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Taste and learn about Rose from around the world as the mansion transports you to magical places filled with endless fun and surprises. Visit Cleopatra’s Palace, try a 1960’s acid test, toss confetti in a giant cake, and more on our wine tour! Then experience RoseLand, a wine-themed playground with games, chandelier swings, tacos, photo ops, and the largest Rose wine list in the country.
Reviewed By radaisas
Had a lot of fun, if you are the type that love pics with friends and venues you will love this place, we had a great time and wines were very tasty, totally recommend.
8. ZeroSpace: The Show
9. Paley Center for Media
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 65 reviews
Visitors can select from more than 50,000 radio and television program tapes to listen or watch at one of this museum's 96 radio and television consoles.
Reviewed By 336aliss - Morristown, United States
We went to the Paley Center in September 2019, on the last day of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel exhibit and had a great time. The exhibits were interactive where you can sit in the diner booth and it looked like you were in the actual scene. I was able to sit in a chair with the hair dryer that comes down over you. They also had an exhibit with the phone board with the wires and headset. The dresses were beautifully displayed. In the theatre were the episodes playing. There is too much too list. If there is another exhibit on display, I will make sure to go again, In the cold winter, this is a great in door activity.
10. Madame Tussauds New York
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,014 reviews
Madame Tussauds New York in the heart of Times Square is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from living your best life with your favorite stars. Voted as one of New York’s most unique attractions, Madame Tussauds invites you to experience famous moments with the world’s most iconic musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders and more. With over 85,000 square feet of interactive entertainment, including our Mission: Undead, NYE in NYC, Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience, the world famous attraction is bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to come play your part at this summer’s all-new experience Madame Tussauds New York Presents Broadway! The immersive experience that catapults you into the magic of Broadway like never before in an interactive journey behind the scenes of iconic Broadway Shows! Come check out Madame Tussauds New York, the ultimate New York experience!
Reviewed By Destinhousewife - Destin, United States
This is a must do while in NYC. The most fun figures were President Donald Trump with the red button, Helen Keller, Ghandi, Brad Pitt, etc. You can really make your pictures fun, and touch them and be in the photos. This was included on the Sightseeing Pass. So glad it was or I may not have gone.
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