No matter which country we are visiting, learning about its culture, heritage and traditions is the perfect way to bring the experience alive, and so the places of historical and cultural interest make for essential viewing when you are sightseeing. New York is home to many truly excellent museums and galleries which not only offer superb opportunities to learn about the city itself, but also about the nation as a whole.

The Museum Of Modern Art

Arguably the most popular and influential museum in New York, the Museum of Modern Art is packed full of modern and contemporary art which showcases a diverse range of talent from all over the world. Founded in 1929 and located in central Manhattan, the museum displays artwork in a range of different media, including photography, architecture and illustrated books, as well as paintings and sculptures, all of which date from the 1880s up until the present day. No matter how many times you experience sightseeing in New York, the ever-changing exhibitions and collections will ensure that there is always something new for you to see.

The Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art, or ‘the Whitney’ as it is commonly called, focuses on 20th and 21st century American art and, in particular, the work of the nation’s living artists. For those who are looking to get a true sense of the country that they are in, this really is an essential experience as part of their sightseeing. New York saw the opening of the Whitney in 1931, when it was originally sited on West Eighth Street in Greenwich Village. After outgrowing this and other locations, it finally took over its present site on Madison Avenue at 75th Street in 1966. Rather than just concentrating on the more popular artists, the museum regularly purchases artworks within just a year of their creation. This is often before the artists have become at all well-known, thus allowing visitors the opportunity to experience the raw talent of some of the country’s up and coming stars of the art world.

The American Museum of Natural History

For those with an interest in any aspect of natural history, the American Museum of Natural History is definitely not to be missed off the agenda for sightseeing in New York. This is one of the largest and most celebrated museums of its kind in the world. Those who have seen the film Night at the Museum starring Ben Stiller, will be familiar with the facade of the building which featured in the movie. Founded in 1869, the museum’s collections comprise a breathtaking 32 million specimens which, despite the museum occupying 25 interconnected buildings, cannot all be displayed at the same time. Whether you have a fascination for human biology, minerals and gems, fossils, meteorites or dinosaurs, this exceptional museum will take your breath away. The dinosaur skeletons alone are worth making the trip for, as is the full-size model of the Blue Whale which is on show.

Endless Variety

With hundreds of museums, galleries and exhibitions to explore during your time sightseeing New York, there is no wonder that people return a number of times to visit as many of them as they can. The ever-changing ranges of collections and exhibitions add even greater variety, so no matter how many times you come back there will always be something different to see.

Author Bio: Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.

Category: Travel
Keywords: sightseeing New York