Nicholas Roerich is a Russian painter mostly known for his paintings of the Himalayas. He was also known as a mystic and explorer. This museum has around 200 Roerich paintings and drawings in storage and on display. The paintings are serene, mostly landscapes in blues, pinks, lilac colors. Some of his sketches and designs are also on display. The architecture of the building is beautiful too. On the first floor there is a narrow hallway (hard to navigate with others around) with his family history, though I wish the museum taught more about his political beliefs, spirituality, and views on mysticism and telecommunication, as they are quite interesting. That being said, they do mention these things on their comprehensive website. Entry is free, though donations welcome. Staff friendly. You can buy prints and postcards as well as books and trinkets in the gift shop. It's a little out of the way, but there are other nearby hidden gems in uptown, including The Hispanic Society museum and library. You can also take a trip to Riverside Drive and park and Grant's Tomb. All of those stops are free as well. read more

See all

This is an impressive little museum. Roerich's work is quite varied and impressive. Even though his style evolved over time, there was something very specific about his work that carried through. His paintings of the mountains in the Himalayas were a high point for me. The luminosity reflected in the mountains was powerful. They also have a lot of information about his engagement in mysticism and his efforts toward protecting cultural monuments and promoting peace. The museum itself is housed in a lovely old mansion down by Riverside Drive. We were also made to feel welcome by the person at the front desk who provided us a lot of information about the collection and the artist. One nice touch is that they have some beehives next to the museum and they sell the honey harvested from those hives in the museum. The honey is delicious! read more

The Nicholas Roerich museum was a really cool museum with such beautiful and amazing artwork! Nicholas Roerich's art work were so beautiful and featured many pieces about nature in Asia and spirituality. He was a very prolific artist and had several different paintings. This museum was in the town house that Nicholas Roerich actually lived in. You can see the entire museum in about 30 minutes and admission is entirely free. The art work is so beautiful and breathtaking. You can also buy Nicholas Roerich's paintings for just $15. The museum wasn't that busy when I went. The customer service could use some help, the workers in the museum were not that friendly in comparison to other museum workers who showed much more enthusiasm. Overall, this is a very hidden gem museum that many people don't visit or talk about, when the paintings inside of it are absolutely beautiful and full of talent. The museum is also next to the train and a quick walking distance from it. read more

See all

Breathtakingly Beautiful and Powerful. Nicholas and Helena were two of the greatest figures of All Time. The Museum is the best kept secret in NY, possibly the country. Epic experience!! read more

The more popular work of Nicholas Roerich is unfortunately not on display here, but with that said, you will find many amazing pieces that certainly deserve attention. I particularly relished being able to have some quiet time in this busy city, and to be able to closely inspect the brush stroke of this master. Big plus: being able to buy good quality prints at an affordable price. Not common these days. read more

See all

Wow! What an inspiring #lifestory. Incredible paintings, mediocre sketches, ok logo. Culture is the end of all wars and the beginning of all peace. Highly recommend. Push the door really hard to exit. It is a heavy door. . . . . !!! 我是中國人。 read more

See all

I love the Nicholas Roerich Museum. It's such an inspirational place and should be visited if you are a fan of beautiful, spiritual and mystical paintings. I found out about Nicholas Roerich through articles connected through one of my favorite authors, Torkom Saraydarian. I love the paintings because they have spiritual significance, and they all tell a story. One of my favorite painting is the mother of the world. It's a painting of the divine mother surrounded by angelic beings and coated in deep tones of blue and violet colors. Depicted with an energy of light emanating from her head and body. Very beautiful! This place has been on my bucket list of things to do, so I was happy to be able to visit it while in New York. There's also a store inside the museum where you can purchase prints of Nicholas Roerich's paintings as well as his books. The volunteers were also friendly and very helpful considering it's free entry (or a $5 donation). Be sure to check it out! read more

See all

This is the greatest small museum to the greatest spiritual artist of the 20th century. Do not miss it. A delight in every way. Pure Heaven.

Awesome free museum adjacent to Riverside Park. It's in an old brownstone mansion with stained glass windows and three floors of art and photos to enjoy. Overall, it took about 30 minutes to see everything, and unlike the more famous museums, it was not too crowded. We had never heard of Roerich before, so it was fascinating to see how prolific and amazing he was. He painted amazing watercolors of the Himalayas, with deep blue, purple, and red colors that really popped. He also wrote several books of his travels, some of which were sprinkled throughout for your enjoyment. We loved fitting this into our NYC weekend after all the craziness of the Met and Central Park. read more

When I finally marry a gazillionaire and can start a proper private art collection of my own, I just want the works of Nicholas Roerich, Tamara de Lempicka and Salvador Dali. Nicholas Roerich was a Russian mystic, painter, philosopher, scientist, writer, traveler, and public intellectual. Unfortunately due to the Cold War and anti-Soviet propaganda, he is barely known in North America these days but has long been considered a giant in intellectual circles in Russia, Asia and Europe, in the same league as Albert Schweitzer, Rabindranath Tagore and Romain Rolland. He was an author and initiator of an international pact for the protection of artistic and academic institutions and historical sites (Roerich's Pact) and a founder of an international movement for the defence of culture. It is under Roerich's Pact that museums are supposed to be guaranteed safety in times of war and conflict. A little off the beaten path, the museum sits in the Upper West Side of NYC, not far from Harlem, near Riverside Drive in a great part of town which includes Columbia University, the Riverside Church and St. John the Divine Cathedral. I make it a point to visit here every time I'm in New York. With maybe 200 of his paintings from a lifetime of over 7000 works, it barely scratches the surface of his legacy but the pieces which are here are very representative of his vision and sense of life. If you like the dramatic minimalistic landscapes of painters like Tom Thomson or even Van Gogh, you'll enjoy Roerich's work and the opportunity to examine the huge originals up close and personal. read more

Free! Beautifulll artwork; I don't know how I haven't heard of this artist before. You could definitely make your way through within half an hour, but it's worth a visit if you're nearby. It seems like they also hold events here! I got to catch a bit of an awesome violin-piano-cello performance. read more

Nicholas Roerich Museum - "Lotus" - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

This tiny museum houses the works of Nicholas Roerich, a Russian who traveled to the Himalayas and painted. I imagine it must have been cold and difficult to paint in the mountains, though the people at the museum didn't know much about how he actually did it. Perhaps he just painted from memory while cozy in a hut somewhere. He shipped his works back to New York, where I think his family had moved. Their house became a museum. Or I think their house was a couple of streets down and they bought another house nearby to be the museum. A nice place to visit, and the people there are warm and friendly. I wish they would have given me more of a little lecture on Roerich. I vacillate between three and four stars on this one. I didn't think the art was that good. Maybe I just need to consider the context more. It is worth a visit because it is specific and unique. It might speak to you if there is a part of you that would like to travel the world and just explore and dabble... during a time period of course when your activities would have been highly new and unusual. Nowadays there is a whole industry taking people to Everest. read more

Nicholas Roerich Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

A most amazing place. Nicholas Roerich was an incredible force of spiritual power. His art work is so wonderful and meditative. His influence on thought in the world is deep and sublime. I love that they have piano concerts there each week (in normal times). If you love Hilma Af Klimt or any other of the amazing spiritual artists, you must go to and visit the Roerich Museum. read more

See all

I almost can't believe this hidden gem has been lurking in my neighborhood all along! I wandered in on a chilly Sunday with my mom and boyfriend and was amazed at what I found! Nicholas Roerich's paintings are so vivid, colorful, and captivating. Even if you're not into the paintings hanging at the Met or the MoMA you will like coming here because these paintings encapsulate the spirit and beauty of the Himalayas where he painted them! I will definitely be coming back. read more

See all

Housed in a brownstone on Manhattan's Upper West Side, this small museum is dedicated to the artwork of its namesake, a Russian who emigrated to the area from St. Petersburg in the 1920s and lived here a number of years before relocating to the Himalayas, where he spent the last two decades of his life. The collection of two hundred pieces includes samples of Roerich's theatrical designs and a wide array of work produced during his later years. A requested donation of $5 is a small price to pay to view his simple scenes ablaze with vivid colors. read more

See all

What a hidden gem of a museum! Housed in a gorgeous old brownstone, this museum presents the works of Nicholas Roerich and his son Svetoslav Roerich, along with a number of artifacts and sculptures from Roerich's personal collection, many from Asia. Roerich's style mixes Russian and Asian influences, and explores religious and mystical themes from both the West and the East. You could run through the entire museum in less than an hour, but you would miss out on really getting to appreciate Roerich's artistry. I found several paintings that grabbed me and absorbed my attention, and I'll certainly be visiting them again. There is a suggested contribution of $5 (a bargain), but the friendly staff members will not give you a hard time about it. read more

Very nice museum with beautiful atmosphere. We went here in February and would love to back here again. My son loves all the beautiful pictures there. read more

What an escape. Tucked in a quiet street, the museum is housed in a beautiful house. It's so cozy and serene. It seems like there's a concert or reading every week, and it's just a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. read more

AMAZING! JUST AMAZING! The place runs on donations, and they don't even ask you for it. However, I did give the suggested amount because I loved it so much. The Museum sits on a perfect spot, the inside is nice, and the painting and sculptures are marvelous. I loved the fact this museum has equal share of Eastern and Western art. Must see! read more

See all

A lovely, unique and magnificently curated museum devoted to the work of Nicholas Roerich. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Roerich designed theatrical sets for a number of companies, including the famous Balllets Russes. He later travelled extensively in the Himalayan regions, recording his explorations on canvas and in his extensive writings. He was also an international humanitarian, and died about 1945. This quiet oasis of a museum (only a block from Riverside Park) will be quite a respite for museum goers who wish to avoid the crowds of the blockbuster museums of the city. The lady in charge the day I went was charming and quite helpful, answering my many questions about Roerich and his life's work. (Free, but by all means drop some cash in the donation box.) read more

Beautiful artwork! We love almost all the paintings here. The admission is free but you can leave a donation if you want. This place is definitely worth visiting. Nicholas Roerich is just one talented amazing painter! This place is a true gem! read more

Nicholas Roerich Museum - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

See all

A very unique - and intimate - museum. A friend and I visited on a weekday afternoon and were literally the only ones there, which allowed us to linger over the art, and take our time exploring the rooms. Nestled on a quiet street in a lovely brownstone with simple white interior walls, it's a serene, contemplative atmosphere - perfect for viewing the mystical works of a gifted Russian painter, philosopher and peace activist. Some have complained that there are no guides or audio tours to explain the artwork or more about Roerich's background and influences. While I normally enjoy this sort of information when I visit museums, I must say that I think it would defeat the whole purpose of this place, which is more of a sanctuary within which one can simply experience Roerich's art and be transported by it. I personally felt that knowing less about Roerich made him more enigmatic and that this somehow added to the mystique of his paintings. For those who want to know more about the artist, answers can easily be found on Wikipedia - or in the museum's quaint gift shop where you can purchase books about him as well as prints and postcards of his paintings. If you're an art lover, mystically inclined, or simply an introvert looking for an off-beat, inspiring spot to spend a quiet afternoon (far from the madding crowd), the Roerich museum is well worth the visit. And really there's no reason not to check it out - it's essentially free (though I certainly encourage you to support this wonderful place by offering a donation). read more

If you love the color blue, you'll love this museum. Nicholas Roerich uses a rich variety of blues in many, if not all, of his paintings. What a treat. A beautiful and small museum. Don't miss this as you're walking alongside Riverside Park. read more

Out with my wife and son on a recent sunny day and my wife decides to surprise me. At lunch she calls the Roerich museum and asks if the museum is accessible and is told yes. She asks again, specifying that we have an infant in the stroller. She is told, yes, there is an elevator. So, we walk over and are met in the lobby (after carrying the stroller with our sleeping son up the exterior stairs) and told we should leave our sleeping child in the stroller, in the lobby. When my wife mentions that we called, moments ago, a call is made and "someone will come get you." We are walked down a narrow corridor and shown to an elevator. Just as we are getting in a gaunt man starts berating the women assisting us. Not talking to me, or my wife mind you. "This is wrong, no, no, they can leave the kid in the lobby." I'm a fan of the artist. I've worked with the foundation that brought some of his works on a recent tour... would never set foot here again. Disgusting people. Takeaways: The building is five stories. Stairs only. If you call ahead, assume the person you're speaking to doesn't know what they're talking about. Plan accordingly. read more

The art work is brilliant! The collection is located inside the artist's home and has an intimate feel. When I was there, a violinist was practicing for an upcoming concert in one of the rooms. Made the whole experience that much more memorable. Walk through nearby Central Park after viewing the collection, you'll see everything differently. read more

This is one of those off the beaten path things to do in NYC. I wanted to do something I hadn't done before, so I found this museum. Wow, it is in a gorgeous brownstone. The artwork is amazing. I love it. The museum is a pleasure to visit. It's also free, which is nice, but you can donate too. read more

There is no shortage of art on display in New York City, but the venues displaying said art can be daunting. This splendid little museum is tucked away in an Upper West Side townhouse and it could not be lovelier. The venue is quiet and civilized, the collection stunning. Take an hour from your travails and reward yourself with a visit. You will love it. read more

A favorite for us ! We had a transformative experience visiting Roerich's art in this beautiful space.

Simply lovely! The beauty of the paintings and the energy emanating from them will take your breath away. Do not miss this wonderful, spiritual temple of art. Nicholas Roerich was an extremely multifaceted, highly evolved individual. You will get a gimps of his greatness by visiting this place. The website is a great place to plan your visit. read more

My roommate took me here on a whim and I still can't get over how cool this place is. Small and intimate with maybe 10 people in the museum at once, it's just an awe inspiring place to take in the works of an artist who, up until 2 days ago, I had never heard of. If you're into dramatic landscapes in stunning color then you must go to this museum. Plus it's FREE...which is nice. read more

Pros: free admission ( suggested donation appreciate), not crowded, museum of a single artist, friendly stuff, museum is in the brownstone, can see the whole exhibition in 30 mins or spent the whole day depending on how much you into his work. Cons: it's out of the way and while technically in the upper west side, it is so upper that you get the "hood" feeling. Place definitely needs more exposure so you don't feel so lonely while there. read more

What a lovely undiscovered gem of a museum on the UWS. This quaint and beautiful museum is located in a brownstone in the upper 100's and has some of the most beautiful pieces of landscape art I have ever seen. I had never heard of the artist but it was such a delight finding this place. No admission fee required but a $5 donation is suggested. It's not a huge museum but I spent over an hour there as there are only 2 floors and about 200 pieces. However it was striking how enjoyable that hour was. I walked out with a lovely print to hang on my wall as well as a real feeling of satisfaction at finding a real hidden treasure on the UWS. read more

Fun, lesser known, museum off the beaten path. Nicholas Roerich was an amazingly talented painter, and it's great to see such a substantial collection displayed so well. Highly recommend. read more

A vast and extraordinary collection of the work of Roerich. I would really urge you to visit if you have any interest in early 20thC mysticism and the descendants of Blavatsky's vision from this period, like Rudolf Steiner etc. Unfortunately, I feel the influence and importance of the wonderfully intrepid Helena Roerich is significantly unappreciated in the museum and on the website; they were an inextricable partnership who entirely depended on each other, intellectually, spiritually and practically, (one could make an argument for her being the senior partner) and that does not come across at all, which is very disappointing but depressingly predictable. The museum is entirely about enshrining the legacy of Nicolas and there is no broader discussion of the background or context for the development of his work or thought. If you do go I would definitely do some research, and there are some fascinating books on these subjects, as well as plenty to go on online because the museum itself is quite overwhelming on the first visit, even for someone with knowledge of the symbolism and imagery in his paintings. read more