Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Van Gogh The Immersive Experience

    3.2 (58 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Van Gogh The Immersive Experience Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Van Gogh The Immersive Experience

    Recommended Reviews - Van Gogh The Immersive Experience

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cindy F.

    This experience was just simply AMAZING. I highly recommend going if you have the chance. I bought our tickets at the end of February so hopefully it is not sold out. The experience is located down town near World Trade Center, literally right outside of the ferry, so it was pretty easy to get to from New Jersey. We were able to enter about 20 minutes prior to our ticket time. When we first entered we were in a corridor filled with information about Vincent's life, then a few life like recreations of his paintings were displayed. Finally at the end of the corridor we reached the immersive experience. It was simply BREATHTAKING. Everything came alive in 360 degrees. You really feel like you are part of the paintings. If you have the chance definitely go!

    A Van Gogh  quote we can all live by: "There is nothing more artistic than loving people"
    Diane C.

    On Father's Day 6/20/21, We had timed tickets to the Van Gogh The Immersive Experience at 8:30 pm. This particular VG exhibit is on Vesey St., New York City. Mask wearing is still a requirement here. I can truly describe this experience as being beautiful, inspirational, mesmerizing, educational and well organized. We had gone to the other Van Gogh exhibit earlier. I'm happy, I can actually compare the two exhibits. My preference was this exhibit, "The Immersive Experience". I felt very peaceful during my entire experience here. Every staff member was absolutely Marvelous!. They would go out of their way to assist you with anything! We even had one staff member walk us through a long corridor to an elevator when leaving. This exhibit had a cool projection room. You would actually watch a VG floral painting evolving into another floral painting so on and so on.... It was a mesmerizing experience! Other Van Gogh paintings were throughout the exhibit. While lovely classical music was playing, a narrator would talk about Van Gogh's life Towards the end of the exhibit, there was a drawing room. You could actually do your own Van Gogh picture. Unfortunately, it was a long day.... Next time, I plan to test my artistic talents. LOL... Lastly, a wonderful gift shop! I bought four lovely Van Gogh coffee mugs. Check out my pics! Garage parking in the area was $50.00 for the first two hours. This price was actually quoted to us initially. If anyone has read my other Van Gogh exhibit review, you'll know the whole story. LOL.... Of course, street parking is available if you're lucky. Coming from New Jersey, you could also take the ferry over and walk to the exhibit.

    "The sadness will last forever." ― Vincent van Gogh
    Thomas A.

    Ahhh... the power of advertising. When this exhibit started to pop up on various social media feeds of mine - that mix of a famous artist (hey, I know a bit about this guy!) and "secret location!" - it had me immediately hooked. A bit of happenstance that just a few days before our visit I stumbled upon a Van Gogh video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk9L1N9bRRE - which got me and the family even more excited about venturing to NYC for the 'immersive experience'. (I'd give this video 5-stars, by the way.) 'Art' is a tricky thing and a bit hard to Yelp about, right? I can tell you that for a family of four it cost over $100 (not including parking) and even dragging our feet and studying every single piece of art and reading every single word we could find... we were out of there in under an hour. So was it really worth it? No. But... it was still great. (I think we call this a paradox.) Even with 'immersive' in the title I have to be honest - the large immersive room was actually surprising and overwhelming and just 'hit' really hard when I walked into it. I had a similar experience at the Renwick Gallery in DC a few years ago at their one exhibit that was this stunning wood/church display that knocked me sideways. After the largest room there's some interactive/VR rooms/options (gonna cost ya!) and a really sad and ridiculously overpriced and crummy gift shop. (It's almost impossible to find a bad Van Gogh painting but somehow they made sure to only use his weaker works on chintzy coffee mugs, hats, sweatshirts, etc.) (Everyone knows/loves 'Starry Night' but 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' ain't chopped liver!) Support the arts. Visit museums. Take a book out from your local library. Read Jerry Saltz's column in New York Magazine and follow him on Instagram. ...but this exhibit can be skipped unless you have some cash to burn and a whole hour (!) to kill.

    Louise D.

    Very pleased with my experience. It was worth the money for my Mother & I. They take your photo behind either van gogh face or behind the sunflowers. We were greated by people who were practicing social distancing. A little before we got to the projection part of the event there was a tone of reading. A lot of art work that I didn't know the artist did. I was clearly impressed. The visuals part of the experience I enjoyed greatly. I wanted to just lay on the floor and stare at everything. You literally can sit there for 30 to 90 minutes. Which was very fun. Since we had VIP passes we were able to take part in the VR portion of the show. Those 15 minutes were so awesome. You'd have to see it for yourself. I personally like that part the most. When you're a VIP you get a free poster. I had to get a starry night Keychain. I felt it was worth the money. The do have restrooms in the building which is good, I always have to pee. Our stay at the show was around 80 minutes. There is a portion where you can sit down and color. Its a good option if you have kids unless you're a big kid yourself. Watching Starry night come to life was amazing. I don't want to post all my videos because I do not want to ruin the experience. But I personally felt it was worth the money.

    Brian R.

    I always liked Van Gogh and was very excited when I saw that this exhibit existed. It seemed very interesting the way they created a "submersible experience" even though I wasn't sure what that meant. My girlfriend bought the "date night VIP package"for my birthday! Someone we knew paid 36$ the previous night for parking, I was able to find free parking on a Sunday. We were able to skip the line, but the line wasn't really long. When we got in, somebody escorted us upstairs to our private viewing area and gave us our gift bag. I went downstairs to get some beverages. I was happy to be able to buy a pelligrino and a smart tea for 12$ and avoid any plastic use. The VIP pass came in handy to be able to get back to my seat. A 40 minute loop of Van Gough's paintings were being projected on screen. I really wished I had taken a hallucinogenic to take this viewing to the next level. Whoever put this together, dissected his work and was able to use technology to make parts of the paintings come to life and blend into other paintings. I thought it was truly remarkable. The staff all were very friendly and helpful. The refreshment stand was overpriced, but that's to be expected. At least they had quality food and beverages. They did a great job at merchandising. You could get; facecoverings, puzzles, books, shirts, posters, umbrellas, coffee cups, reusable water containers and more. I was impressed that the goods were also eco friendly. The merchandise was all overpriced as well. I couldn't see paying 46$ for a reusable water container, but it was pretty. I got a postcard for 5$. The VIP date night package came with massage oils, chocolates, a candle, 2 posters and 2 seat pads. We both had a great time, but I'm not convinced it was worth the price of the package. It seemed like the regular admission tickets get you inside and you can sit on the floor and pull up a chair to view the projection. The VIP tickets got you into a platform for a better view. The date night tickets are for a private seating area in the platform. I'm going to read a little more about Van Gough and check out some more of his work online. It would be awesome if this material would be released to watch at home. The way they put together his work and added music was amazing.

    Immersive cherry blossoms
    Amanda S.

    So cool to see Van Gogh's life work in an immersive experience. Learned. Few tidbits about his life and through the exhibit. Big fan of the 3D art and the projection room. Price is a a little steep but would recommend. Took a little over an hour.

    Entrance to exhibit
    Dolly M.

    I loved this exhibit!! If you are a Van Gogh fan, you MUST go see the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit while it's in New York City. It is an an amazing, enthralling, and heart-touching overview of Vincent's work and his unique perception of the world. It brings clarity & focus, as to WHY he saw things the way that he did. The classical music that accompanies the immersion into Van Gogh's paintings brings the experience to an even deeper level. There are interactive experiences as well, so younger children& adults as well, can engage. As far as transportation, if you are coming from NJ, take note. The exhibit is literally steps away from the Hoboken ferry -- almost too easy. Order your tickets today! While you are in Manhattan, plan to see many other sights, such a a view of the Statue of Liberty from the NY side! Get those tickets ( today)!!

    Lisa F.

    Fantastic immersive experience highlighting the life and work of Van Gogh, incorporating high tech and virtual visuals in an impressive, creative interpretation. Perfect for kids, teens, young adults who enjoy powerful imagery and virtual experiences, and for adults who are comfortable stepping out of the authentic art box to appreciate a modern high tech adaptation. The first rooms showcased an interesting video and displayed a number of Van Gogh reproductions on canvas, paired with informative signage about Van Gogh's life, hardships and work. (My teenage son skimmed past the informative section, so I returned after he left to meet friends to read and appreciate this section.) The main attraction was the immersive experience, a huge room with chairs, benches and small carpet seating to enjoy 360 degree projections on a massive screen. The visual Van Gogh wonderland showcased impressive, high tech displays and creative interpretations of Van Gogh's artwork. This was about a half hour long. After leaving the immersive experience, there is a fun opportunity to create your own Van Gogh "artwork" (using templates, crayons and your creativity). My teenage son and I had fun and enjoyed this. You can display your creation on the wall of the room, but we chose to take our work home: Refrigerator art. The final room featured a virtual reality experience which was amazing and well worth doing. This was included with the VIP ticket, or $5 per person without the VIP tickets. The experience takes viewers on a creative, virtual ride showing an animated version of the beautiful fields, towns, and images from which Van Gogh derived his creative inspiration. VIP tickets also include posters of Van Gogh's work to take home, with five to choose from. I learned a number of things about Van Gogh and, most importantly, we had a memorable, nice time. When I asked my son what he liked most, he said he liked everything about the exhibit and had a great time. Can't put a price tag on that for a child or teen. I also saw a couple of younger kids lying on the floor of the immersive exhibit taking it all in. Seeing children appreciate an artist, in whatever format, is incredible. * Some reviews where price is cited: I don't think they are factoring the cost of the technology and work involved in an exhibit like this. Definitely recommend.

    Cheap thrill
    Yvan M.

    If I could give zero stars to this I would. Honestly probably the worst art exposition I've been to. From the moment you go upstairs you feel like you're back at school with the fire retardant coating sprayed on the ceiling and undersides of stairs. The poorly fabricating and cheap looking sunflowers decorating the interior look like lifeless and just exacerbate this feeling of "what am I doing here". The exhibit itself...I have no words. Before I continue, I want to address all the people that came to visit this waste of time and money, You do realize there's an *incredible* and high end museum called "The Metropolitan Museum of Art" in the same city, on the same island? You can see the REAL masterpieces there, not some poorly printed reproductions that make you feel like an idiot for standing in line. This strange gimmick of "the immersive experience" is a total sham and should not be continued.

    Many Wikipedia information about him & his paintings,
    Mia K.

    Of course can't beat seeing his paintings in person but seeing it digitally blown up 40 feet surrounding you or in the VR world is a very cool art experience. Spent almost 1.5 hrs here by the end of VR & gift shop. Overall not cheap but see it as a price for a show not a movie. Appreciated how quietly & respectful all the attendees were so everyone can enjoy each room. Entry 1. explains about the immersion experience, 2. timeline of Van Gogh's life, 3. 2 short film clips gives a sample of the what will be in the immersion room 4. a photo opp in front of the wall size poster of his Wheatfield with Crows Virtual Museum 1. posters of some well known paintings 2. Wikipedia information about his paintings, 3. photo opps in the replica of The Bedroom at Arles and in front of the wall size poster of The Vestibule Complete Immersion room (40 minutes) slightly animated paintings on all 4 walls 40 feet high plus the floor with music as if you have shrunk and stepped into the paintings. Color a Van Gogh Coloring Page to digitally hang on the wall as a framed art. We wished we had the time but had to skip it. VR (10 minutes) Bought tickets online without VR (for last entry of the night at 9pm to avoid the crowds). But saw VR is $5 and had no line at 10pm, so did VR afterall. So glad we did. Gift Shop isn't cheap but did get a vibrant Starry Night theme mask for $19. Located -across the street (diagonally SW) from the Conrad Hotel -1.5 blocks west of One World Trade Center on Vesey St

    Nicole R.

    It is a small museum but a beautiful experience and a wonderful way to spend a few hours. It is in an easy to find location with parking close by. The large room with projection is extremely peaceful and has tranquil music and information about Van Gogh. The virtual reality is a $5.00 add on and it was cool. They have a coloring area and then your picture can be projected onto a frame on the wall. It's fun! It is a must see if you are coming to the area but hurry because it is only around a few more weeks.

    VG Signage outside the bldg
    Nelle C.

    TL; DR: excellent exhibit perhaps if you are already a Van Gogh fan or have a genuine desire to learn more about him. First off - i THOROUGHLY enjoyed the VG Immersive Experience. i've been a huge Van Gogh fan since i was young, going so far as to take a trip to Amsterdam to visit his museum there. This Immersive Experience is for anyone who truly values his work, wants to know more about his uniquely troubled life, and learn a bit more than the basics. The "experience" means that you're truly immersed - there's voiceover of a narrator quoting from Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo; copies of his works have been enlarged and thoughtfully displayed in series and/or in context with key writings; and there's even a life-sized rendering of his bedroom in Arles to provide visitors with a sense of the colors used and the ways in which he experimented with perspective. There is also a section detailing how he was impressed and influenced by Japanese art of the same time period - this i never knew! And it allowed me to see how the fine effects of Japanese woodworking are actually employed and expressed in VG's brushstrokes. Definitely eye-opening to make the connection between an artist like Hokusai and VG. Overall - it was a lovely, enriching way to spend an afternoon. The attendants throughout the bldg were really kind and helpful, except for one. Though i was solo, i had happened to come off the elevator with a family of 4 other folks. The attendant scanned their tickets and indicated he would take care of them as they were VIP. He incorrectly assumed that i was not VIP, which led to an awkward delay, and even when he realized his error, he still negelected to assist me which resulted in me experiencing the exhibit out of chronological order. As a POC, these microaggressions are really a nuisance when you realize that members of the majority are treated better than you are, despite paying the same amount for the same experience. Seems like all the DEI training in the world still makes some people assume that because you've got brown skin, you're too poor to afford a VIP ticket. Other than this infraction, i had a great time.

    No time limits to finish homework... phew !
    Wayne B.

    I have enjoyed Van Gogh's work and have been devote for many years. Sadly, this "Immersive Exhibit" fell far short of their. From the digital alternatives to his original work to a full size 3D cartoon version of his bedroom in Arles... stop it. The final stab in the eyes was the giant room with four walls of projected images that resembled the archways of the Roman coliseum with self portraits of Van Gogh popping in and out of random arches. Then we were sold VR goggles to view a dizzying presentation that we cut short for obvious reasons The Coup de Grace was an opportunity to color our own Van Gogh "paint-by-numbers" cartoon (as seen in the accompanying photos)... we took a pass. The entire exhibit is a joke, DON'T do it. Go to a real museum, view his paintings and avoid this moneymaking gimmick.

    See all

    1 year ago

    I think this was a beautiful experience and a fun thing to do with friends and family. I would recommend it, I think it's worth it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 25
    Thanks 0
    Love this 26
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 89
    Thanks 0
    Love this 93
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rossy M.
    2593
    442
    1795

    5 years ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 0
    Love this 24
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa F.
    805
    616
    1987

    5 years ago

    Helpful 78
    Thanks 0
    Love this 81
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yvan M.
    471
    12
    8

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wayne B.
    58
    150
    53

    5 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike C.
    151
    330
    2765

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yu P.
    73
    452
    5013

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E R.
    0
    153
    6

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gary R.
    12
    48
    4

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay K.
    32
    295
    23

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jen M.
    1
    125
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John D.
    247
    15
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Van Gogh The Immersive Experience

    Since the mayor mandated to proof COVID vaccination for NYC museum, is that required for this pop up event?

    Went on Sun, 9/26/21. Vac card and ID and mask required.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Van Gogh The Immersive Experience

    You get a new box of crayons, little table area and disinfecting things because you know, covid.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Art Museums 28,277 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Arte Museum

    Arte Museum

    4.0
    (86 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    BTS THE CITY 'ARIRANG' is held in conjunction with the BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' in New York from…read moreFri, July 24, 2026 - Mon, Aug 3, 2026. BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK is a project created to commemorate the release of BTS's new album and their world tour. There are a variety of programs across the city that allow Army members to experience the team's music and message. I've been to Arte Museum in Las Vegas in 2024 and I really enjoyed all the immersive art rooms. In celebration of BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG', Arte Museum in Las Vegas had a special limited-time exhibition from from May 20 to June 17, 2026. I was internally hoping that when BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' was stopping at MetLife, Arte Museum in New York would be part of the BTS THE CITY 'ARIRANG' and it was! Arte Museum in New York is located at Pier 61 Chelsea Piers and the special exhibition is from July 24 to August 14, 2026. My friends and I took advantage of the Local Residents (New York and New Jersey​) ticket price through Fever and booked our tickets. It was easy to use the system even when we had to switch the days. This was also a stamp rally stop, but it was outside and don't need admission to the Arte Museum to get it. We visited the museum on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 6:00pm. A staff member scanned our tickets and told us about the free lockers to store our bags, restrooms through the gift shop, where to start, and no running. All the rooms were very impressive, but I have to say my favorites were the ARIRANG Wave, Flower (Roses & Little Wings), Beach, Star (Milky Way), coloring station, and Garden (The Finale). The ARIRANG Wave room showcases giant, crashing tidal waves confined seamlessly behind massive digital panels and it displays Arirang in korean. The flower room was an infinite, mirrored field filled with falling petals, illuminated butterflies, and blooming roses that react and change when touched. The beach was a serene, illuminated nighttime coastline featuring realistic digital waves and a glowing whale. I really felt like I was on a beach and the waves sounded so realistic. The star is a mirrored infinity room utilizing glowing hanging lanterns to recreate the depth of a starry night sky. The coloring station is where I colored a dragon and after finishing, I scanned it in and watched it appear on a giant shared wall projection. The Garden is a massive signature room that reatured alternating 15-minute visual projection loops paired with specific tracks: No. 29: Minimalist digital landscapes projecting the silhouettes of all seven BTS members alongside the resonance of digital bells; Body to Body: An abstract, vibrant visualization responding dynamically to the rhythm and heavy percussion of the music; Swim: A surreal, multi-sensory deep-ocean environment featuring seven digital orcas swimming around the room; 2.0: A large-format interactive projection room that made guests feel as though they had walked straight into a BTS music video; Into the Sun: The emotional finale segment that connected the cityscapes of Las Vegas, Busan, and New York, symbolizing hope and the bond between BTS and ARMY. I could spend hours in The Garden room. Some of the rooms even had scents. The Arte Museum gift shop was also really nice. I really liked the flower smell from the Flower (Roses & Little Wings) room so I purchased a flower room spray ($14.95). Over the next few days, I saw on social media that Arte museum sells The BTS "Spring Day" Music Box. I don't recall seeing it the day I went, but I sent an inquiry through their website if they had any in stock. The next day, Gwen from the Management Team responded and she said the BTS Spring Day Music Box is in stock, with a cap of 2 per person while supplies last. Due to the exclusivity, high demand, and limited stock of BTS merchandise, they are opening their merchandise shop to only those who purchased admissions tickets. I explained that I was just there on Friday, July 24, 2026 and had purchased something else and sent her all my receipts. She checked with the general manager and I was allowed to visit the Arte Museum gift shop without purchasing another ticket. YAY!! I went back and purchased 2 of The BTS "Spring Day" Music Box. Gwen was a pleasure to speak with and she was very understanding. I highly highly recommend you to check out Arte Museum. Walking through and taking in all the rooms are definitely worth your time. My friends and I spent about an hour and 1/2 at Arte Museum but you may take longer or shorter. I also wanted to shout out the managers and staff at Arte Museum. They were really helpful.

    What can you really say about interactive art!? Well I'll tell you! It's so cool!! Being able to…read morefinally go to a museum where you can touch and draw and just be immersed in the experience of art is so much fun! The Arte is actually a really great exhibit. I've been to one that has the slightest edge on the Arte but only because the Arte is actually quite small in comparison. I do wish they had a few more rooms for you to go in especially for it being in NY you would think it would be overwhelmingly huge but nope. We bought the cafe experience with our tickets and it honestly was a little blah. It's only $5 so I won't take away a star for that but the tables had interactive art on them so that was a bonus. The cons are once you enter the cafe you can't go back through that's it! Tour over! So make sure you do all the things before you get there! I do give it a 5 out of 5 because it's still really cool and fun to just go have the experience!

    Photos
    Arte Museum
    Arte Museum
    Arte Museum

    See all

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    4.7
    (3.8k reviews)
    5.3 mi
    Not-for-profit
    Established in 1870

    The Met is one of those rare New York institutions that fully earns its iconic status. Even if you…read moreare not especially interested in art, the building itself, the grand Fifth Avenue steps, and its Central Park location make it worth visiting. Whether you arrive by walking through Central Park or up Fifth Avenue, the approach to the museum is one of the most beautiful in New York City. By the time you reach the entrance, the visit already feels like a quintessential Manhattan experience. Inside, the sheer size and variety of the collection are astonishing. You can move from ancient Egyptian artifacts to European paintings, classical sculpture, period rooms, and historic armor within the same afternoon. The museum is enormous, but wandering without a rigid plan is part of the pleasure, especially when you unexpectedly enter a gallery or courtyard that feels completely different from the one before it. There is also good food on site, which makes it easy to spend several hours exploring without needing to leave. Among the museum's most memorable spaces is the Temple of Dendur, a reconstructed ancient Egyptian temple set inside a soaring, glass-walled room overlooking Central Park. It is dramatic without feeling theatrical, and seeing it used as a setting for events only reinforces how extraordinary the space is. The American Wing courtyard and the seasonal roof garden offer equally impressive changes of atmosphere, with natural light, open space, and views over the park and skyline. Beyond the collection, the Met captures something special about New York at its most sophisticated and welcoming. The steps outside are filled with visitors, students, families, and locals taking in the energy of Fifth Avenue before disappearing into thousands of years of history. It feels monumental without being inaccessible, and cultured without requiring any previous knowledge to enjoy it. The Met is an essential Manhattan experience and an easy recommendation for anyone visiting the city.

    If you're not aware by now, the Met Museum is featuring a must-see exhibit called, Costume Art. It…read moreis located adjacent to the the Great Hall and it encompasses 12,000 square feet. This exhibit is the epitome of, pictures will not do justice to what your eyes will behold. The exhibit showcases costume pairings from the museum's other collecting areas and costume ingenuity at its finest. As you stroll through rows and sections, please take your time and take in all of the workmanship that went into these garments. A few will leave in awe, others are pleasantly startling. Either way, don't miss this exhibit. It'll be on display through January 10, 2027.

    Photos
    View of The Temple of Dendur © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Bridgit Beyer
    View of The Temple of Dendur © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Bridgit Beyer
    View of Gallery 825
 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Argenis Apolinario
    View of Gallery 825 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Argenis Apolinario
    © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Bridgit Beyer

    See all

    © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Bridgit Beyer
    The Museum of Modern Art

    The Museum of Modern Art

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    3.8 mi

    May 18th 2026 we got kicked out of our timeshare at 10:00 a.m. but had the rest of the morning…read morefree. What's open on Mondays and close to our timeshare on 57th Street? Museum of modern art. Purchase our tickets online beforehand $22 for seniors and $30 for adults. Good thing as there was a line at 10:30 when they opened all of people with prepaid 10:30 a.m. tickets. Headed directly for the 5th floor with works from 1880 to 1950 including Vincent van Gogh, Henry Mattese, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Alfred stieglitz, and Frank Lloyd wright. Famous individual works include Henry Matisse women dancers, Salvador Dali The persistence of memory, Claude Monet water lilies, Vincent van Gogh Starry night, and Pablo Picasso Les Demoiselles D'Avignon More modern works on the 3rd and 4th floors. Got through the entire museum seeing what we wanted to see by 11:45 a.m. Plenty of time for lunch at Blue and then the 2-hour journey by walking, subway, and air train to our gate at JFK airport

    Date of visit: April 14, 2026…read more The Met's hipper cousin, The Museum of Modern Art is a New York institution, from its expansive collection to its vast and varied gift shop. If you've not been, it's definitely interesting, though your interpretation of art will likely determine just how much time you spend here. Speaking of the gift shop, there's an amazing number of things to see there, at a variety of price points, so if you're looking for a souvenir to bring back home or a gift for an upcoming event/occasion, there is a little something for everyone here. In terms of the art, again, variety is the spice of life, but it may be best to come up with a plan of attack first. The galleries themselves can be a bit labyrinthy (I know it's not a word, but it really fits here) and it's easy to miss things. Recommend going up to the top floor and working your way down, too.

    Photos
    Groupies in font of Van Gogh's Starry Night
    Groupies in font of Van Gogh's Starry Night
    Creativity Lab on 2nd floor
    Creativity Lab on 2nd floor
    Ruth Asawa: Hanging Multi-Lobed Continuous Forms

    See all

    Ruth Asawa: Hanging Multi-Lobed Continuous Forms
    The Frick Collection

    The Frick Collection

    4.4
    (597 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    The Frick Collection is located in an 18th-century, New York mansion that once belonged to steel…read moretycoon Henry Clay Frick. This was his home when he was alive. Mr. Frick knew that he wanted his art collection to be seen by the public, so he built a home with that in mind. The building is just stunning and it is near Central Park. It is truly a most elegant and intimate museum you will even go into. Mr. Frick was the consummate collector of works from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century. We were impressed with not only the art by Degas, Turner, Vermeer, Rembrandt and more old masters, but the number of sculptures, ceramics and decorative arts. The collection is housed in a series of small rooms. As you walk from room to room, you will be awe struck by the beauty. The inner courtyard is such a peaceful place to sit. This is a gallery we visited in 2020 and wanted to return to see the latest renovations which were completed in 2025. They evidently spent 220 million dollars and 5 years to complete these renovations. We were thrilled that we could again use our membership at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore to gain free admission to this gallery. The renovations included a new, state of the art, 220-seat auditorium. They added 27,000 square feet of new construction; 30 percent more gallery space for permanent collection display and exhibitions; added its first-ever onsite cafe; and created a new double-height reception hall. Visitors can now walk up the grand staircase to the second floor. They have also installed new public elevators where 10 rooms and five additional passages of the original residence are beautifully renovated and stocked with masterpieces for all to view. We were disappointed that they did not bother to spend any of the renovation money to place a brief description of each piece of art next to it. They relied on everyone carrying a smart phone which I do not have.

    It has been years, actually decades, since I visited the Frick. I wasn't even aware the mansion was…read moreclosed for five years until last year and its art collection temporarily moved to a more contemporary building (the former Whitney Museum). So it was good timing that I suggested to Jamie W that we visit the reopened Frick mansion in all its Gilded Age glory. What we appreciated was how the art was presented like it would in a private residence rather than a museum. The Beaux-Arts mansion was built in 1914 for industrialist Henry Clay Frick, and it turned into a museum in 1935 to preserve his vast art collection. We were lined up on the sidewalk for our timed 11AM entry. Once inside, we were struck by the refurbished Garden Court with its light-filled curvilinear ceiling and limestone interior (Photo 5). The permanent collection is presented in a series of rooms furnished with fine pieces of decorative art. The European paintings span between the 14th and 19th centuries covering the Dutch Golden Age, the Italian Renaissance, the Spanish masters (like the Prado). French Rococo and Impressionism, and most significantly, British Portrature and Landscapes. In fact, there was a special exhibition of British artist Thomas Gainsborough's works focused on 18th-century fashion through portraiture. Admission for non-members is $30 and well worth it. RELATED - Exploring NYC? Here's a collection of non-culinary places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/sQyiVNCfYP

    Photos
    Courtyard with fountain
    Courtyard with fountain
    Garden fountain
    Garden fountain
    Some guards are so militant that there's a cloud of angst in the rooms they look after. One guard didn't stop yelling.

    See all

    Some guards are so militant that there's a cloud of angst in the rooms they look after. One guard didn't stop yelling.
    Mercer Labs

    Mercer Labs

    3.9
    (156 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This place was excellent for my son. It reminded be of the Teamlabs I visited in Tokyo. Each room…read morehad its own theme that was visually stunning and interactive. My son enjoyed the room with the led lights hanging from the ceiling, creating a rain of light effect. He was mesmerized by lights falling down and up and then side to side at the same time. He didn't want to leave the room and just watched in awe. The entire experience for us was about an hour. A nice break to get yourself recharged for the day.

    I finally went to Mercer Labs after planning to go for months. I had originally reserved tickets…read moreearlier, but the weather kept me from going so I really appreciated how the front desk staff honored them when I showed up later on. During my visit, they were running the Maestros and the Machines themed experience. Overall, it was just okay. There were definitely more rooms than I had expected, which was a nice surprise, but I wouldn't say the experience was worth the price. I was lucky to get the bogo deal which made it more worth it. There were a couple of highlights like the ball pit and especially the room with the sand like mateial. Those moments really brought out the child in myself. Unfortunately, a lot of the other rooms felt underwhelming. The 4D room, didn't live up to its expectation. Another downside was the lack of staff engagement. It didn't seem like they were paying much attention or enforcing any of the rules. For example, visitors were supposed to wear shoe covers in certain areas, but many people didn't and the staff didn't seem to care at all. Overall, it had a few fun moments, but I left feeling like it didn't quite live up to the hype.

    Photos
    Shop entrance
    Shop entrance
    Mercer Lab- Lights
    Mercer Lab- Lights
    Chess Room

    See all

    Chess Room
    The Morgan Library & Museum

    The Morgan Library & Museum

    4.4
    (430 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Both the library and the museum were gorgeous. I came here for the Tarot Cards exhibit and was…read moredeeply satisfied by the richness of what I saw, from Renaissance European tarot decks to hand-drawn copies of the Thoth Tarot. Everything was beautiful and enchanting. I was also fortunate to join the 2 p.m. guided tour of the library. It was enriching to learn about the connections between the collections of rare books and artworks and J.P. Morgan's religious background. I truly loved the experience.

    It was pure coincidence that Jamie W and I came here on the same visit to NYC in which we saw the…read morebrilliant revival of "Ragtime" at Lincoln Center. The Morgan Library is the setting for the bullet-ridden plot climax, and one of the characters even describes the building's architectural fortitude. I had been wanting to come here for some time, but it took drizzly weather to motivate us to take action. Completed in 1906 as the private library of the banker J.P. Morgan, it's on Madison just a few blocks from the other Gilded Age masterpieces, the New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal. Presuming we would see the foreboding double doors Coalhouse Walker faced in the show, we were pleasantly surprised by the openness of the glass-enclosed central court designed by Renzo Piano. There's a cafe that takes advantage of the incoming light, but we took a pass on it since we just ate at Grand Brasserie. Instead we took advantage of the glass elevator to take us to the photographic exhibition of Peter Hujar, the late artist who captured New York's bohemian and queer scenes through striking black-and-white portraits (Photo 6). The main event, however, is the historic McKim Building: It was the original private library, and in typical grandeur, features three stories of tiered, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, magnificent fireplaces, ornate ceilings, and a gorgeous Rotunda (Photo 5). Morgan's study is the West Room with walls covered in rich red damask (Photo 4) and a vault dedicated to his most valuable books, manuscripts, and art objects (Photo 8). Admission is $25 for adults. RELATED - Exploring NYC? Here's a collection of non-culinary places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/XMJZUPgXsX

    Photos
    Morgan Cafe
    Morgan Cafe
    "The Octoroon Girl" for people who were 1/8th black - 4/17/2025
    "The Octoroon Girl" for people who were 1/8th black - 4/17/2025
    Morgan Library

    See all

    Morgan Library
    Museum of Sex

    Museum of Sex

    3.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.5 mi

    ‼IF YOU ARE NEURODIVERGENT READ THIS‼ I went with my husband…read moreon a Monday, and it was a lot of fun! We got the Lovers Tickets which was ~$145 for both of us together. This package included access to all of the shows and exhibits, along with a free go at each game which was actually really cool! Not to mention we each got a free cocktail and a gift bag with some sexy goodies to share. We really liked the history exhibit, and the art gallery. The games were pretty fun too! There IS a spinning stripper pole you can dance on in the bar, so if you wanna give it a go maybe wear shorts, because I wore a dress so I wasn't able to do a lot on it unfortunately but it was still fun! IT IS LOUD!! If you have sensory issues I recommend bringing ear plugs, I'm happy I had mine with me. The music is super loud and sometimes overlapping between rooms. There are also multiple exhibits with flashing lights. The Tunnel of Love is a "4D Orgy" that "nuts" on you - which is just some water mist that sprays on your face, feet and neck a few times. I personally did not like that part, but if you cover your lower face with your hands it blocks it. You don't get wet, it's just not my favorite sensory experience. The kissing game was interesting, this one has you and your partner grab some metal bars and you have to kiss for a minute straight to win a "coupon" that you get to use on each other later. FAIR WARNING - this game sends electricity between you as you kiss since you are both grabbing the bars, this doesn't hurt you and you don't feel it, but it makes your mouths taste like METAL. We were both so concerned that we had a health problem at first but thankfully my hubby is an electrician and connected the dots really quickly. Overall a super fun day! The Monday crowd was super chill and minimal. The only thing I think that would make it better is if the staff could do a better job explaining what sensory experience you might have during each game, because it was overwhelming and sometimes uncomfortable. But I think if you come prepared with ear plugs, hand sanitizer (they do have pumps but I bring my own), and shorts under your skirt/dress, then it will be a fantastic time! Be very open minded and enjoy!

    Seems and looks dirtier then it wa a while back and took away something's that they had before …read more Not worth it at all

    Photos
    Museum of Sex
    Gallery: ObjectXXX
    Gallery: ObjectXXX
    Installation: Jump for Joy

    See all

    Installation: Jump for Joy

    Van Gogh The Immersive Experience - artmuseums - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...