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.

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.