According to Metro newspaper, The Big Apple is home to over a hundred museums. However, most travellers to New York City clearly do not have the luxury of time to cover all these places. If you are after a spectacular world-class experience, then you are on the right track.

From American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art to Whitney Museum Of American Art, here are the 7 Best Museums In New York City for all you art and history junkies. Most admissions require tickets, but the experience will make it worthwhile!

Source: RueBaRue

#1 AMERICAN MUSEM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The American Museum of Natural History—one of the biggest museums in the world—boasts more than 32 million specimens and artefacts. A general admission ticket starts at US$22 per adult and it will grant you entry to 45 museums halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Dinosaur fans do visit the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs and Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs!

Central Park West & 79th St
New York, NY 10024, United States
Tel: +1 212-769-5100
Daily: 10am – 5.45pm
Nearest Station: 81 St – Museum of Natural History

Source: Brooklyn Museum

#2 BROOKLYN MUSEUM

Spanning across 560,000 square feet, Brooklyn Museum is a massive museum home to approximately 1.5 million artworks. The museum—located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn—is a must-visit for all art buffs. General admission tickets start at US$16 per adult while students with valid ID pay US$10 per person.

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn
NY 11238, United States
Tel: +1 718-638-5000
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed: 11am – 6pm
Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum

Source: Arad

#3 METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Colloquially known as The Met, Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States. The renowned museum was founded in 1870 and showcases a trove of masterpieces with origins from all over the world. You can easily spend an entire day here. A general admission ticket starts at US$25 per adult while kids under 12 enter for free.

1000 5th Ave, New York
NY 10028, United States
Tel: +1 212-731-1498
Sun to Thu: 10am – 5.30pm
Fri and Sat: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: 86 St

Source: NYC Arts

#4 MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a multi-level museum with an excellently curated collection of modern and contemporary art. Crowds are a daily sight but do not let it deter you from marvelling at the world’s best art pieces. Admission tickets start from US$25 per adult while children aged 16 and below can enter for free.

11 W 53rd St, New York
NY 10019, United States
Tel: (212) 708-9400|
Sat to Thu: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Fri: 10.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: 5 Av/53 St

Source: Creative Venue NYC

#5 MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Built in 1923 and founded by historian Henry Collins Brown, Museum Of The City Of New York is exactly what it is. The museum exhibits artefacts related to the city’s past, present and future. Tickets range from US$10 per adult and S$10 per pax for seniors and students. Those aged 20 and below can enter for Museum Of The City Of New York for free.

1220 5th Ave, New York
NY 10029, United States
Tel: +1 212-534-1672
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: 103 St

Source: Inhabitat

#6 MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE

New York City’s Museum of the Moving Image is a media museum. From 19th century optical toys to the latest digital cinematography, you can expect a wide selection of genres across various media platforms here. Admission tickets range from US$15 per adult and US$7 for youths aged between 3 to 17.

36-01 35th Ave, New York
NY 11106, United States
Tel: +1 718-777-6800
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed and Thu: 10.30am – 5pm
Fri: 10.30am – 8pm
Sat and Sun: 11.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Steinway St

Source: Whitney

#7 WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

Known by New Yorkers as Whitney, The Whitney Museum of American Art is located in Manhattan. The building—designed by architect Renzo Piano—is sandwiched between the High Line and the Hudson River. It is the first museum with a sole dedication in present work of living American artists. General admission tickets range from US$17 per student/senior and US$22 per adult.

99 Gansevoort St, New York
NY 10014, United States
Tel: (212) 570-3600
Closed on Tuesdays
Mon to Thu: 10.30am – 6pm
Fri and Sat: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: 14 St

For more recommendations on where to go, read our New York’s food and travel guides.

If you’re planning a trip to The Big Apple and you’re strapped for time, here are our top five neighborhoods in Manhattan, New York City worth your time of day, as well as a list of hotspots you won’t want to miss.

C H E L S E A

A lesser-known neighborhood (to the naked eye), Chelsea has one of the most vibrant gay scenes in Manhattan, albeit more commercialized over the years. Despite that, there are still noteworthy restaurants and watering holes, and sprawling flea markets where one can score antiques and vintage pieces.

A premier contemporary art district, Chelsea showcases some of the most edgy yet increasingly blue chip galleries like David Zwirner, Gargosian Gallery, Gladstone Gallery, Haunch of Venison, Petzel Gallery, as well as the recent addition of the High Line—a resurrected green space that offers walkers a bird’s eye view of the bustling neighborhood (one of Manhattan’s most popular destinations).

One of the best pizzerias in New York City is Grimaldi’s (it’s even got the thumbs up by Zagat) at Limelight Marketplace. The best part is its 24/7 call ahead for pick up that eliminates waiting in line. For something a little more opulent, head over to The Nomad for decadent classics like foie gras torchon, and roast chicken (stuffed with foie gras and black truffle).

E A S T  V I L L A G E

The East Village is best known for two things: drinking, and shopping—vintage shopping, to be more precise. One of the best neighborhoods to score some pretty great buys—we’re talking good-as-new Salvatore Ferragamo belts from as low as US$90—the East Village is a paradise for vintage lovers. Our favorite stores for high-end and luxury brands include Amarcord Vintage Fashion (of which said belts were purchased), Buffalo Exchange, Eleven Consignment Boutique, Screaming Mimis and Tokio 7.

Now that we’ve gotten shopping out of the way, let’s get on the alcohol wagon. Home to the highest number of bars in the city (if not in the world), this ‘hood boasts three cocktail bars that made it to The World’s 50 Best Bars 2013: PDT (Please Don’t Tell; #13), Death & Co. (#21), and Pouring Ribbons (#44).

Top of our list cocktails at PDT include an old-fashioned made from bacon-infused bourbon and maple syrup, as well as an aptly named Sazerac: Staggerac, of 140-proof bourbon and absinthe. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out Yellow King at Pouring Ribbons—a gin and mezcal cocktail that includes yellow pepper thyme syrup.

S O H O

Named after the South of Houston Street in London, SoHo back in the 20th century used to be a neglected slum of manufacturers and wholesalers, followed by galleries (due to the widespread availability of artists’ lofts and architectural buildings)—eventually turning it into the new headquarters for the New York art scene that attracted the chic art crowd.

Today, the trendy and eclectic neighborhood has taken it a notch up with restaurants, shops and unique boutiques like Evolution: a taxidermied animal greets you at the door, and a plethora of anatomy merchandise like skulls and animal teeth awaits—‘nuff said.

Here is a guide to 5 of New York City’s best restaurants & most talked about eateries. From a small bar-concept Japanese diner to 3 stars Michelin French restaurant, there is bound to be one that you will like.

Popular contemporary art galleries include Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); one of New York City’s high-profile museums, and SOHO Gallery for Digital Art that will wow tourists with contemporary digital art and events—admission is free. While small, the Guggenheim Museum SoHo (don’t mistake this for the famed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on 5th Avenue) showcases modern art that lures curious minds back with its permanent exhibit of Andy Warhol’s series of paintings, The Last Supper.

W E S T  V I L L A G E

The L.A. of New York City, the West Village (located fairly near Chelsea) played a crucial role in the gay-rights movement. While the scene has since died down, shops, bars and restaurants in the West Village (along Christopher Street) still remain loud and proud.

Despite its rich and famous demographic, the small neighborhood still manages to remain cozy and picturesque with spunky joints like RedFarm—a modern Chinese-inspired farm-to-table concept that features inventive dishes like manila clams with Lousiana crawfish and lemongrass lobster broth served as a shooter, and pac man shrimp dumplings (each ‘pac man’ comes in a different flavor).

Unless you’re made of cash, a holiday in this ‘concrete jungle’ will easily set you back by the thousands. Read our guide on how to travel to New York City on a budget.

Famous for their chargrilled burger is Spotted Pig, a couple doors down from RedFarm. Accompanied by Roquetfort cheese and incredibly addictive shoestring fries, this juicy burger is a mouthful of perfectly grilled meat. If you’re up for a drink, don’t miss Employees Only that bagged the #12 spot in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2013. Head bartender Steve Schneider whips up spanking bespoke cocktails that never fail to deliver.

U P P E R  E A S T  S I D E

Best known for filming hit American television series Sex and The City (1998) by HBO, and recent teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007) by The CW, the Upper East Side is one of the most famously affluent neighborhoods in the Manhattan borough. Luxury departmental stores that stock high-end brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, Prada, and Valentino amongst others, line the street along Fifth Avenue; Bendels, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, Saks Fifth Avenue.

Apart from high fashion shopping, don’t miss famed noteworthy spots Lady M; the freshest and finest cakes and confectionary delights—some of our favorites include green tea mille crepes, strawberry mille feuille, and strawberry shortcake—worth every calorie; Momofuku Milk Bar for some pretty epic cookies; Ladurée, the famed Parisian patisserie for the much-lauded macarons; and Dylan’s Candy Bar—their flagship store in New York City showcases a full-fledged candy bar and café that serves Instagram-worthy candy cocktails.

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine nightlife writer and current editor of Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features have been published in Appetite Asia, Catalog Magazine and Singapore Tatler Dining. For bite-sized food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her on a Gourmet Adventure.

The Big Apple: concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Unless you’re made of cash, a holiday in this ‘concrete jungle’ will easily set you back by the thousands. So if you’re looking to tour New York city on a budget, here’s a guide on how to have your cake and eat it.

How to Get There

While there may be numerous flight comparison websites these days, we reckon your best bet would be cheapoair.com and tripadvisor.com. Needless to say, if you’re planning a trip to The Big Apple on a budget, book your trip in advance.

The general rule of thumb is the earlier you book your flight, the cheaper they’ll cost you. Booking a year in advance may even save you up to SGD900. Tip: a flight to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) tends to cost less than one to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), a mere 15-minute drive apart—a distance small enough to justify the discrepancy in airfare.

Where to Stay in New York

Accommodation in New York City doesn’t come cheap. One way to overcome exorbitant accommodation is through Airbnb—a great way to experience the city the way the locals do, make new friends, and save some cash while you’re at it.

A decent private room starts from USD30 a night for places out of the city (Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn) and USD40 for within (Manhattan). If you’re looking to experience New York City in a Sex And The City way, the Upper East Side (Manhattan) is where the magic happens. A comfortable private room will set you back an estimated USD85.

How to Get Around in New York

If you’re traveling around without a local, the best way to get around (without losing your way) is by the Metro (train). Single fares start from USD2.50 per trip, taking you as far as Manhattan to Brooklyn. If you’re planning to stay for more than four days, be sure to get the seven-day pass (USD30) that gives you unlimited rides on the Met.

As train exits may be confusing for newcomers, trust us when we say, an unlimited pass would end up costing you less than paying single-trip fares. Tip: download the free MTA Weekender app that will alert you of real time disruptions or train breakdowns—you’ll thank us for it later.

Iconic Attractions to Visit in New York

If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know that museums and parks are a must-see in New York City. That however, can mean spending a hefty wad of cash tickets.

So here’s the lowdown on how to avoid entry fees: Bronx Zoo (pay as you wish on Wednesdays—a.k.a free if you’re gutsy enough), Brooklyn Botanic Garden (free on Tuesdays, 10am to noon on Saturdays and weekdays in winter; November to February), Brooklyn Museum (free every first Saturday of the month), Museum of Modern Art (free 4pm to 8pm on Fridays), New York Aquarium (pay as you wish from 3pm on Fridays; 4pm in summer), and New York Botanical Garden (free on Wednesdays, 9am to 10am on Saturdays). Other all-day free icons attractions include Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and Times Square.

Where to Eat in New York

A plethora of good food awaits—whatever your budget. Most gastropubs offer value-for-money lunch deals with incredibly generous portions—we’re talking to share (in terms of Asian portions). Lillie’s is such. A three-course lunch set starts from $12 (valid 11am to 2pm on weekdays) and even comes with a beer! Opt for the Lillie’s seasonal—a dark full-bodied beer with a refreshingly hoppy finish.

Not to be missed is the iconic burger joint Shake Shack. For a full Shake Shack experience, visit their original location at Madison Square Park. Queues form as early as noon (even during the winter!) so be sure to head down early. Stuffed with 100% all-natural Angus beef on a soft burger bun, you’ll be hooked at the first bite. An original ShackBurger with homemade ShackSauce costs USD4.75, or make it a double (USD7.35)—it’s just too good to share.

Where to Shop in New York

Now that we’ve settled accommodation and getting around, it’s time to get down to the fun part—where to shop. For designer goods at a fraction of the price, vintage is the way to go. One of the best places in the world for vintage designer goods, flea markets and vintage stores are abound in New York City—you just need to know where to look.

One of the most well-known ones is the Brooklyn Flea with up to eight different locations (depending on the season). Expect to find vintage designer goods—we nabbed ourselves a leather Coach bag (USD70) and an old school Dooney & Bourke leather satchel (USD90). Also available are artisan food products, handmade jewelry, antique furniture and more. There’s even a food section where you can sample delicacies by gourmet purveyors. Showcasing almost 200 vendors, set aside a full afternoon for this flea—it’s time well spent.

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine nightlife writer and current editor of Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features have been published in Appetite Asia and Catalog Magazine. For on-the-go food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her on a Gourmet Adventure.