In addition to hosting art exhibits, the National Academy Museum runs the oldest art school in New York. Its members have included Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, I.M. Pei, Cindy Sherman, John Singer Sargent and Frank Lloyd Wright, all of whom have contributed works to the museum's collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and architecture models. The Annual Exhibition highlights new work by contemporary artists
Best and worst times to go to the National Academy Museum
If you can, schedule your visit during the summer when the Annual Exhibition takes place. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends. If you must go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive in the morning, rather than mid-afternoon.
Must see/do at the National Academy Museum
Don't miss the chance to see highlights from the museum's permanent collection, which now includes over 7,000 works, assembled over the years as members (who have been nominated by their peers and are elected annually by the current membership) present their work upon induction into the Academy. These works span the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Admission to the National Academy Museum
The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Museum admission is free for seniors, children under 12 and academy students, and "pay what you wish" for everyone else.
Parking and Public Transportation to the National Academy Museum
The museum is located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 89th and 90th Streets. To reach the museum by subway, take the Lexington Avenue 4, 5, or 6 lines to the 86th Street Station and then walk 3 blocks north and 3 blocks west. By bus, take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 buses on Fifth and Madison avenues to 89th Street. The museum does not have a parking garage, but on-street parking is available in the neighborhood (just be prepared to feed the meters on the avenues).
Food at the National Academy Museum
The museum does not serve food, but the church next door has a lovely and reasonably priced café with outdoor seating available in nice weather. Or grab a hot dog from one of the street vendors in Central Park, which is across the street.
Insider tip for visitors to the National Academy Museum
Be sure to pay some attention to the museum building itself, which features ornate woodwork and beautiful ceilings. The elegant staircase leading from the first floor was featured in an episode of Sex and the City.
Other places to visit near the National Academy Museum
The National Academy Museum is on a stretch of Fifth Avenue known as Museum Mile. The Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Neue Galerie, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper-Hewitt, and the Jewish Museum are all within a 7 block walk.
Author's Bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The complex includes architectural monuments from five French monasteries, plus a Romanesque chapel and extensive gardens. The famous Unicorn Tapestries are displayed here as are numerous paintings, sculptures, glorious stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and other objects from medieval times.
Best and worst times to go to The Cloisters
It's best to visit The Cloisters in nice weather so you can enjoy the beautiful gardens and view the architecture from the outside as well as from the inside. Also, visiting on a rainy day prevents you from seeing the stained glass in its full glory.
Must see/do at The Cloisters
A visit to The Cloisters is a must for those interested in the art and architecture of the Middle Ages--and for anyone interested in stunning views of the Hudson River. Highlights tours of the collection are available Mondays through Fridays and Sundays at 3 p.m., year-round. If you've come as much for the gardens as for the art and architecture, consider taking one of the garden tours, which are offered daily from May to October at 1 p.m. Tours are free with museum admission.
Admission to The Cloisters
The Cloisters is open 7 days a week. From March to October, hours are 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; from November to February, hours are 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. The recommended admission fee is $25 for adults and $17 for seniors and students; free for members and children 12 and under. This fee includes admission to The Cloisters museum and gardens and same-day admission to the main Metropolitan Museum building.
Parking and Public Transportation to The Cloisters
Visitors to who drive to The Cloisters may use free city parking available in Fort Tryon Park.
By subway, take the A train to 190th Street and Overlook Terrace and then take the #4 bus to Fort Tryon Park/The Cloisters. Or simply take the #4 (Madison Avenue) bus all the way to the Cloisters (this second option is easier, but it takes longer).
Food at The Cloisters
The outdoor Trie Café, which offers sandwiches, snacks, dessert, cold beverages, and coffee, is open from April through October.
Insider tip for visitors to The Cloisters
The Cloisters frequently hosts Sunday afternoon concerts in the 12th-century Spanish Fuentiduena Chapel, which is often cited as one of the most visually and acoustically appropriate places for medieval music performances. Ticket prices for these concerts also includes museum admission. For further information, call 212-650-2290.
Other places to visit near The Cloisters
The Cloisters are at the northern end of Fort Tryon Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the architect of Central Park. Bring a picnic, run, play, and soak up the delights of the gardens and grounds of this beautiful park.
Author's bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
Visitors with an interest in science and history will find much to learn at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Exhibits range from fossils found in the ground to the stars and planets up in the sky. Human evolution and culture are also explored in exhibits at the museum.
Best and worst time to go to the American Museum of Natural History
The museum is extremely popular, so you're likely to find a crowd any time you visit. Try to arrive when it opens to beat the crowds.
Must see/do at the American Museum of Natural History
Several rooms filled with dinosaur bones are unmissable, with exhibits explaining the linkage between dinosaurs and birds. The Hall of Human Evolution displays our ancestors, including famous Lucy. Many people don't realize the museum includes a planetarium, and the sky shows there explain the origins of the universe.
Admission to the American Museum of Natural History
The museum's posted admission rates are around $20 for adults, with lower rates for students and seniors. If you buy tickets in advance, you'll pay that rate, but if you pay when you arrive, admission is "pay any amount." There are separate charges for special exhibits and 3-D movies.
Parking and public transportation to the American Museum of Natural History
There's a subway entrance right inside the museum; it's easily reached by bus as well. The museum has a parking garage, but you may be able to find free parking on nearby streets.
Food at the American Museum of Natural History
The museum has a food court and several smaller cafés throughout. You can also step outside the museum to purchase food from the food trucks lining the street outside.
Insider tip for visitors at the American Museum of Natural History
You'll get around the museum much faster taking the stairs rather than waiting for the elevator.
Author's Bio: Elissa Gilbert is a native New Yorker. She blogs about her travels outside of the city at http://elissaexplores.com.