14 Best Museums in New York City

New York is a great city with endless leisure options, whatever time of year you visit.

It has become one of the world's major cultural centres thanks to its wide variety of museums catering to all tastes. There's no doubt that visiting New York's best museums is one of the essential things to do there, but which ones should you not miss?

For all of us who in one way or another witnessed the events of 11 September 2001, visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is a very emotional moment during a trip to New York. The world was paralysed by the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, and the Manhattan skyline changed forever that morning.

With this ticket and audio guide to the 9/11 Museum, you will have direct access to the museum itself and the 9/11 memorial, where you can learn more about this episode in American history and New York City's heroic response to the terrible event.

A visit to remember: what is the 9/11 Museum like?

This museum documents the history and significance of the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York through an extensive collection of more than 10,000 objects that bear witness to that tragic date.

On the day of my visit, I started at Memorial Plaza, two enormous water fountains with waterfalls located in the exact spot where the towers once stood. The view is absolutely breathtaking because of its emotional significance. On the edges of the fountains, bronze plaques bear the names of those who perished in the attacks.

Visiting the living history of 9/11

The museum is located below Memorial Plaza, within the remains of the original World Trade Centre structure. After passing through the security arch, nothing can prepare you for what you will see inside the 9/11 Museum, as it arouses many emotions and it is impossible not to have a lump in your throat throughout the tour.

It is very moving to see the remains of the original columns of the Twin Towers, the staircases where hundreds of people tried to flee to save their lives, as well as the victims' belongings recovered from the rubble and the testimonies of the survivors.

Many people sacrificed their lives that day to save others, and thanks to all those anonymous heroes, hundreds of people managed to survive.

Practical information

• Where is the 9/11 Museum? 180 Greenwich Street in the World Trade Centre, in southern Manhattan.
• How long does it take to see it? Given the significance of this museum, it is a place that should be visited at a leisurely pace. My advice is to allow at least two hours to see it.
• Opening hours: The 9/11 Museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• How to get there: Bus lines M5, M20, M22 / Underground Chambers Street (lines A, C, 1, 2 and 3), Park Place (lines 2 and 3), World Trade Centre (line E) and Fulton Street (lines A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4 and 5).
• Additional information: You can consult our article on 9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets and Tours.

Another of New York's best museums is the Natural History Museum. Many people will know it from Ben Stiller's film "Night at the Museum", especially children. However, even though its collection does not come to life in the real world, it is worth visiting for the importance of its collections and how well they are structured in an enjoyable and exciting tour.

In fact, it is one of the city's must-see museums and one of the most visited, so to skip the queues at the ticket office and go straight to what interests you, it is best to get this ticket to the Natural History Museum in New York.

What to see at the Natural History Museum?

It was created in 1869 for the study of the universe, the Earth, human beings and the dissemination of science thanks to the efforts of naturalist Albert S. Bickmore, so there are many interesting things to see here: from fossils and dinosaur bones to meteorites and the origins of human beings.

Given the size of the Natural History Museum and the large number of exhibitions it houses, a visit can be overwhelming, especially if it is your first time. With this ticket, you will have access to nearly 50 permanent and special exhibitions, including the Rose Centre for Earth and Space.

How to plan your visit

The Natural History Museum consists of 28 interconnected buildings that house its popular library, research laboratories, and dozens of permanent exhibition halls.

Some of the most famous are the Biodiversity and Environmental Halls (where a 28-metre-long blue whale specimen is on display), the Earth and Planetary Sciences Halls (where the Ahnighito meteorite that crashed in Greenland is on display) and my favourite, the Fossil Halls, which houses the largest collection of dinosaur fossils and features life-size reproductions.

My advice is to plan well and set aside at least three hours to explore the museum at your leisure, whether you want to discover its most important rooms or go at your own pace and see what you like best.

Visiting with children

If you are going to the New York Museum of History with children, I recommend setting aside some time to visit the Discovery Room, where children aged 5 to 12 can learn about nature and science through interactive puzzles and scientific challenges accompanied by their parents. They will love it!

Practical information

• Where is the Natural History Museum? It is located on 79th Street, west of Central Park.
• How long does it take to see it? Its collection is considered the largest on the planet, with more than 35 million pieces of all kinds. If you don't have much time, it's best to be selective and go directly to the rooms you want to see.
• How to get there: Bus (lines M7, M10, M11, M79, M86 and M104) / Underground (81st St. Museum of Natural History Station, lines B and C).
• Opening hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Additional information: You can read more details in my article about Natural History Museum Tickets and Tours.

When it comes to modern and contemporary art, MoMA is the most important museum in the world and one of the must-see attractions in New York.

Its popularity lies not only in the priceless value of its collection but also in offering a complete experience suitable for all ages, which is why there are often long queues at the entrance.

However, with this skip-the-line ticket, you'll get immediate access to the MoMA and its vast collection of 200,000 works by such renowned artists as Dalí, Picasso, Andy Warhol and Van Gogh, among many others. You'll love it so much you won't want to leave!

What to see at MoMA?

It is surprising to discover that from the eight canvases and one drawing with which MoMA began back in 1929, its repertoire now exceeds hundreds of thousands of pieces including paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, designs, photographs, films, architecture and prints. All spread over six floors!

If you love art as much as I do, I'm sure you won't mind wandering around the museum for hours enjoying every detail, but if you want to make a quick visit to MoMA, I recommend focusing on floors 4 and 5, where you'll findworks by the most famous artists, such as Warhol, Pollock, Matisse and Cézanne.

But its stimulating collection goes even further. The great thing about this skip-the-line ticket to MoMA is that it also allows you to explore MoMA PS1, the contemporary art centre in Long Island City, for 14 days after your visit to the Manhattan headquarters, so you can soak up even more art. This cultural space hosts exhibitions that include both artist retrospectives and specific displays.

Before you leave MoMA

When you're done, before heading out onto the streets of New York, I suggest you take a break at the MoMA Sculpture Garden, an oasis in the middle of the city where you can enjoy a coffee in a unique setting designed by Philip Johnson in the 1950s.

Practical information

• Where is MoMA? It is located on 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
• How long does it take to see it? It depends on how much you like modern and contemporary art. For a quick visit, you'll need at least 90 minutes.
• How to get there: Bus lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. / Underground 5th Avenue - 53 Street (lines E and V)
• Opening hours: Open Saturday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Additional information: I'll tell you more about my visit to MoMa in the article on MoMA in New York Tickets and Tours.

After a pleasant stroll through High Line Park, you cancontinue your tour by visiting the Whitney Museum, a space specialising in 20th-century American art.

With this skip-the-line ticket to the Whitney Museum of American Art, you'll have direct access to the best of modern and contemporary American art in one place, with stunning views from the museum's outdoor terraces. In addition, there are free daily tours to learn all its secrets.

What to see at the Whitney Museum of American Art?

There are many interesting museums in New York, but what is curious about this one is that it was born out of failure. Its founder, sculptor Gertrude Vandelbilt Whitney, created it in 1930 after the MET refused to exhibit her collection.

Today, its collection consists of works of art by 20th-century American artists such as Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol, and what I find most interesting, by living contemporary artists who find in this museum a space to present their works to the public for the first time.

How to plan your visit

The Whitney Museum has several floors, which house temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection, comprising 21,000 pieces created by more than 3,000 artists and the collection of founder Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney herself, organised according to different historical periods.

The atmosphere at the Whitney Museum is relaxed and seems designed to attract a young-at-heart audience.

If you don't have much time for your visit, my advice is to look for the works and artists you like best and take the opportunity to get a general idea of the rest of the museum. Its interior (with the largest column-free gallery in the city) is as interesting as the outdoor terraces on floors 5, 6, 7 and 8, which serve as both art galleries and viewpoints of the city.

Why I like it

In addition to its theme, contemporary art, I love the Whitney Museum because it is not as crowded as other museums and because of the architecture of the building, which has a spectacular façade. And from its terraces there are wonderful views of the Hudson River, the Meatpacking District and even New Jersey and southern Manhattan.

Practical information

• Where is the Whitney Museum? It is located at 99 Gansevoort St, New York.
• How long does it take to see it? Allow at least a couple of hours, as it is a very large museum with hundreds of permanent works spread over nine floors.
• Opening hours: The Whitney Museum is open Sunday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, 25 December and 1 January.
• How to get there: Bus lines M1, M2, M3 and M4. / 77th Street underground station (line 6).

Are the wax figures at Madame Tussauds as spectacular as they say? Yes, they are! The truth is that this New York museum has a well-deserved reputation, not only because the wax sculptures look so much like the people they represent, which is essential, but also because you can interact with them in different settings and take home an amazing souvenir album of your visit.

With this ticket to Madame Tussauds in New York, you'll have full access to its more than five floors of exhibitions with all kinds of settings where you can take photos with your favourite actors, musicians and athletes. For example, imagine posing on Oprah Winfrey's interview sofa or in the Oval Office with the President of the United States. Sounds fun, right?

What to see at Madame Tussauds?

Madame Tussauds welcomes you with the Opening Night Party room, set up like a big party where you can mingle with different celebrities. The visit continues through other themed rooms such as the Sports Zone or Pop Culture, where you'll meet athletes, musicians and other famous personalities.

One of the areas that excited me the most was the Star On Broadway exhibition, an interactive experience where you step into the shoes of a real Broadway star. It was great fun to play a tune on a giant floor piano, just like in the movies! And to sing one of the songs from "The Phantom of the Opera" at the top of my lungs alongside the protagonists.

The Marvel 4-D Cinema Experience is also highly recommended if you like superheroes. It's a 4D film that incorporates 3D film technology with special effects that include wind, water and even smell. It's as if the film puts you in the middle of the battle between good and evil. Truly a fantastic experience.

Perfect for children

If you are travelling with children or teenagers, this is one of the best museums in New York to visit as a family because they will have a blast.

They will be able to explore Madame Tussauds from top to bottom, taking photos without fear of damaging the wax figures (after all, they are celebrities who are used to flashes) and posing with E.T. or the Ghostbusters, among many other characters.

Practical information

• Where is it? It is located at 232 West 42nd Street (in Times Square).
• How long does it take to see it? Ninety minutes is enough to see the highlights of Madame Tussauds, although it all depends on how much time you want to spend taking photos.
• Opening hours: Madame Tussauds is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• How to get there: Bus lines M6, M7, M10, M20, M27, M42 and M104. / Metro 42nd Street & 8th Avenue (lines A, C and E), 42nd Street & 6th Avenue (lines B, D, F and V) or 42nd Street-Times Square (lines 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S).

The Fotografiska Museum in New York is anything but a typical museum. The building itself is a marvel, but the interior never ceases to amaze because there is no permanent collection. Each exhibition is unique! It is a mix of photography, art, music and nightlife.

A living, constantly changing artistic space capable of adapting and showcasing the latest movements and social issues through emerging and established artists via a vibrant cultural programme.

Why I like it

Fotografiska New York

Precisely because it is not just another museum with the typical atmosphere of a traditional museum.

The ambient lighting in the rooms, the elegant interior design and the relaxing music are a novel way of approaching photography which, together with a temporary collection, makes the experience totally different each time and a reason to visit Fotografiska New York on every trip to the city.

Practical information

• Where is it? It is located at 281 Park Avenue South.
• How long does it take to see Fotografiska New York?: At least 2 hours to enjoy the atmosphere and the collection.
• Opening hours: Fotografiska New York is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
• How to get there: Bus M1, M2, M3.

Have you ever imagined being a spy on a secret mission? Do you think you could pass a lie detector test? Then put on a hat and trench coat because at the Spyscape Museum and Experience in New York, they will teach you how to think like a spy and put the tricks of the trade into practice.

With this ticket, you can experience those mysterious spy stories in an immersive environment and take part in a real espionage challenge to test your own skills.

At the end, you will be shown your own profile to find out what kind of spy you would be: 007, Mata Hari, Alan Turing or Joan Clarke?

Why I like it

Spyscape Museum and Experience

Because it's not just another museum about espionage, but a mix between a museum and an interactive experience where I had a blast.

Spyscape Museum is divided into seven sections dedicated to different facets of espionage, such as intelligence operations, deception, and cyber attacks.

Before the adventure begins, a video is shown explaining the missions to be completed, and each participant receives a wristband, which is scanned in each section to load the details of the next task.

For example, in "Deception" you have to say which subject is lying or telling the truth after watching several interviews, while in "Surveillance" you can test your talent for finding suspects on security cameras. The tests are so well done that you really get into the role and time flies by in the museum.

But the best part comes at the end, when all the tests have been completed and the results are analysed to determine what type of spy you are and in which branch of military intelligence you would be essential for the mission to succeed.

When you leave Spyscape Museum and Experience, you will feel ready to carry out any undercover mission, just like a real spy.

Practical information

• Where is it? It is located at 928 8th Ave Between 54th-55th Street.
• How long does it take to visit Spyscape Museum?: It will take you approximately 90 minutes.
• Is it suitable for children? A visit to Spyscape Museum and Experience is more suitable for children aged 10 or 12 and above, as some of the tests can be complicated.
• How to get there: 50th Street underground station (lines C, E), 59th Street Columbus Circle underground station (lines A, B, C, D), 57th Street underground station (lines N, Q, R, O, W). / Bus M7, M20, M104

If you are interested in American history, don't miss the New York Historical Society, where you will find an important art collection with documents and works preserved since the colonial era.

Founded in 1804, thanks to the efforts of its 11 promoters to preserve American history, this institution has a wide variety of exhibitions with objects, works of art, manuscripts and documents of great historical value.

This large museum also houses a library, which preserves one of the largest historical archives in the country and is one of the oldest research libraries in the United States.

What to see at the New York Historical Society?

In addition to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library and its extensive catalogue of historical documents ranging from the colonial and revolutionary era to military history and slavery in the United States, this museum also has permanent and temporary exhibitions. Some of these are:

• DiMenna Children's History Museum: where children can also learn to understand history in a fun way with educational programmes for all ages.
• Women's History Centre: a pioneer in showcasing the legacy of women in American history.
• Various temporary exhibitions covering a multitude of historical topics, from Jewish cuisine of Holocaust refugees in the country to the Salem witch trials.

Why I like it

American history is fascinating, and it's worth taking advantage of your visit to New York to learn more about the evolution of society in this country and to better understand its people.

In addition, as it is such a comprehensive museum, with a wide variety of exhibits, including works of art and real objects and documents, your visit will be like a journey through time to the turbulent history of the United States.

Practical information

• Where is it? 170 Central Park West, Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
• Is it suitable for children? Yes, as it has a museum especially for children.
• How to get there: Bus M10, M7 and M11. Underground 81 Street – Museum of Natural History Station (lines A, B and C)

You've probably added seeing a musical on Broadway to your list of things to do in New York, but if you're a fan of this type of show, you might also be interested in finding out what goes on behind the scenes on Broadway.

The Broadway Museum, which opened in 2022, is a space dedicated entirely to musical theatre, revealing the secrets of Broadway. It displays everything from costumes to props and sets from the greatest musicals in history.

It takes visitors on a journey through history, from the beginnings of this famous theatre to the present day, paying tribute to actors and directors as well as lighting and sound technicians. The different rooms spread over more than 2,400 square metres offer an interactive experience for all audiences.

What to see at the Broadway Museum?

In addition to learning about the history and understanding how the magic of Broadway was born, this four-storey museum offers musical lovers a journey through the different stages of theatre since it began more than 200 years ago in Lower Manhattan.

You can see photographs of old shows, sets from the most successful plays, such as West Side Story, or see up close the props and costumes used in the great musicals that are still being performed today.

But you will also have the opportunity to see how things work behind the scenes and how the show goes on thanks to the technical professionals who work meticulously, taking care of every detail so that everything goes perfectly every night.

The museum also has a gift shop where you can buy a souvenir of Broadway, a major international brand that is today one of the main reasons why people travel to New York.

Why I like it

the Broadway Museum

In an entertaining way and with immersive elements, the museum offers a comprehensive overview of the history and workings of Broadway. It is undoubtedly a paradise for lovers of these shows and the perfect way to round off your trip if you have already seen or are going to see one of the Broadway musicals.

Practical information

• Where is it? 145 West 45th Street, New York
• How long does it take to visit the Broadway Museum? You can see the whole museum in an hour, but it depends on how long you want to spend at each of the exhibits.
• Is it suitable for children? The museum is suitable for all ages, and children under 4 years old are admitted free of charge.
• How to get there: Bus M5, M7, M104, QM15, QM16, QM17 and QM18. Underground 47-50 Sts-Rocketfeller Ctr (Lines B, D, F and M).

During a visit to the borough of Brooklyn, be sure to include a visit to the Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest museums in the country and one of the best museums in New York.

It was founded in 1895 with the idea of becoming the largest museum in the world, and although it did not achieve its goal, its collections of antiquities and American art are of great value and well worth seeing if you are interested in history and art.

Why visit the Brooklyn Museum

I loved the experience because this ticket gave me access to the museum's permanent collection, which includes art from all corners of the world from ancient Egypt to the present day, and a free guided tour.

One of my favourite exhibitions was that of Spanish colonial and Native American art, although its collection of African, Pacific Island and Islamic art also deserves a special mention because it is simply spectacular, as is the American art collection with works by Edward Hopper, Norman Rockwell and Winslow Homer.

In addition, with this ticket to the Brooklyn Museum, you will receive a 10% discount in the gift shop, which is always a bonus. Take advantage of your visit to the museum to explore the Brooklyn area, one of my favourites in the city.

Practical information

• Where is it? The Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn.
• How long does it take to see the museum? My advice is to plan your visit to the Brooklyn Museum well and set aside at least two hours to explore the museum at your leisure. If you don't have much time, it's best to be selective and go straight to the rooms you want to see.
• Opening hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• How to get there: Subway lines B, D, Q, N, R. / Bus lines B41, B45 and B69.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, popularly known as the MET, is the largest museum in the city and one of the best museums in New York. Its collection brings together works of art from around the world spanning more than 5,000 years of history. It is a temple for travellers with the soul of Indiana Jones!

As one of the most visited museums, the queues to enter the MET can sometimes be very long. However, skip-the-line tickets to the MET are valid for three consecutive days and allow you to enter the three locations that make up the MET Museum (The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer and The Met Cloisters) directly to enjoy all the art.

What to see at the MET?

One might almost ask, what is there not to see at the MET Museum? Everything here is absolutely fascinating. If you are passionate about history and art, you will enjoy every corner of the museum like a child and should not miss it during your trip to New York. This ticket includes all exhibitions and free public guided tours, which are available in 10 languages.

Since the MET museum opened in February 1872, when Robert Lee Jenkins donated his private collection, it has continued to grow and attract visitors. Every year , more than 6 million people visit its rooms filled with treasures from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, Islamic art, art from America, Africa, Oceania and much more.

In order to bring art and art education closer to Americans, the MET organises dozens of exhibitions each year, as well as events and programmes that include films, talks, performances, guided tours and family activities.

Speaking of families, did you know that children under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult?

How to plan your visit

A good place to start is to take a look at the MET map to locate the permanent collections and rule out any areas that are not of interest to you. I know that once you're there it's difficult to do this because you'll want to see as much as possible. It's happened to me, but believe me, to avoid going crazy, it's best to select the areas that most appeal to you and leave the rest for another time.

What I like most about the skip-the-line ticket to the MET, valid for three consecutive days, is that you can return to any of the museum's locations to continue your visit right where you left off the day before. So take it easy!

All the pieces housed in the MET are fascinating, but in my opinion, the Egyptian, Greek, Roman and medieval art galleries are an essential treasure to see, along with the European painting gallery.

If you have some time left, don't forget to visit the other MET Museum locations: The Met Breuer (dedicated to modern and contemporary art) and The Met Cloisters (dedicated to medieval art and architecture).

Practical information

• Where is the MET? It is located on 82nd Street and 5th Avenue.
• How long does it take to see it? You'll need at least three hours for a quick visit if you know what you want to see beforehand. Ideally, you should allow a whole morning or afternoon to explore the museum, but as this ticket is valid for three days, you can take your time to organise your visit as you wish.
• How to get there: Bus lines M1, M2, M3 and M4. / 86th Street underground (lines 4, 5 and 6).
• Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open until 9:00 p.m. Closed every Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

During your tour of the Upper East Side, a must-see is the Guggenheim Museum, one of the best museums in New York.

Not only for its magnificent collection of modern art, which includes works by Marc Chagall, Vasily Kandinsky, Edouard Manet and Vincent van Gogh, but also for its spectacular architecture. A modernist building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that has become an icon of the 20th century.

That's why the Guggenheim Museum never disappoints. I assure you that you won't tire of wandering its corridors, with a spiral interior design that naturally leads visitors from one space to another, or as Wright himself called it, an "uninterrupted symphony".

With these credentials, it's no wonder that it's one of the most popular museums in the city, with long queues forming at its doors. To save time that you can spend on your visit, with this skip-the-line ticket to the Guggenheim Museum, you'll have direct access to one of the best collections of modern and contemporary art in the world.

What to see at the Guggenheim Museum?

Upon arrival, you'll be amazed by the impressive building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, his last major project before his death. The exterior is designed as a large white cylindrical structure that seems to swirl like a whirlwind towards the sky.

Upon entering, the first thing you notice is a great sense of spaciousness and emptiness. On either side of the entrance is a long ramp that flows along six floors until it rises to a glass dome through which natural light penetrates. This slope creates the illusion of experiencing the art on display as you ascend in an organic, very natural way.

Among the criticisms levelled at the building, some people believed that its design would overshadow the works of art displayed on its walls, but nothing could be further from the truth. Architecture and painting have merged into one to become an emblem of New York.

As for the paintings, the collection is spectacular, including works by Kandinsky, Toulouse-Lautrec, Magritte, Chagall, Picasso and Miró, among others. All this is complemented by fascinating temporary exhibitions and a collection of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe, famous for his large-format black and white images.

Why I like it

The great thing about this ticket is that you can explore the museum with a guide for free every day at 2 p.m., which gives you a comprehensive and different view of the Guggenheim.

Practical information

• Where is it? On 89th Street and 5th Avenue.
• How long does it take to see the Guggenheim Museum? For a quick visit to enjoy the architecture and the building's collection, at least two hours.
• Opening hours: The Guggenheim Museum is open Friday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. On Saturdays, it is open until 7:45 p.m.
• How to get there: 86th Street underground station (lines 4, 5 and 6). / Bus lines M1, M2, M3 and M4.

If you're spending several days in the Big Apple soaking up the city's history, learning about what life was like for New Yorkers and how it became one of the most important cities on the planet, you have to visit the Museum of the City of New York, south of East Harlem.

What to see at the Museum of the City of New York

Housed in a beautiful colonial and Georgian-style building, the Museum of the City of New York displays objects, paintings, photographs and recreations across its four floors that help to piece together the history of New York from its origins to its future.

In addition, this ticket gives you access to the documentary Timescapes: a half-hour multimedia narration that takes you on a journey through 400 years of the city's history. Highly recommended!

Why I like

the Museum of the City of New York
Along with the documentary, I loved the museum's exhibition of antique toys and full-scale models.

Practical information

Do you like stories about spies during the Cold War? Then you should add this to your list of the best museums to visit in New York. It is a surprising exhibition of objects used by Soviet agents in their missions against the United States to try to obtain its secrets.

Interestingly, the KGB Spy Museum is the work of a single person, Julius Urbatis, a Lithuanian historian who has spent decades collecting original items such as images of Lenin and Stalin, cameras and microphones hidden in books, rings and belts, gas masks, lipstick-shaped pistols... some of the objects are almost a century old!

Why visit this museum

If you like history and spy adventures, with this ticket to the KGB Spy Museum, you will have direct, queue-free access to the world's largest collection of KGB items, some of which have never been seen before!

You will also discover the secret activities, strategies and methods used in many of the most important top-secret espionage operations in history.

Practical information

• Where is it? This museum is located at 245 West 14th Street.
• How long does it take to see it? About 90 minutes for a quick visit is sufficient.
• Opening hours: Open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If visiting museums is your thing when you travel, here are two more options to include in your Manhattan itinerary:

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

This museum is for history lovers. Here you can see some of the elements that are part of the United States yesterday and today, starting with the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid as the centrepiece of the museum, which then built up an interesting collection.

You can tour this iconic ship that participated in two world wars and see the best fighter planes in American history, such as an F16, a MIG-21 and the famous Blackbird spy plane, all impeccably restored.
You will also have access to the Glowler submarine and see what life was like inside these places.

The great Concorde is another of the museum's stars. It is the fastest commercial aircraft in history, capable of breaking the sound barrier. And let's not forget about space. At the Intrepid, you can also explore the space shuttle Enterprise, the world's first spacecraft.

So if you want to see first-hand the "heavy artillery" of the United States in military, maritime, space and aviation matters, be sure to buy tickets for the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. You'll be fascinated!

Ice Cream Museum

This 13-room museum is one of the most curious (and delicious) you'll find in New York. If you have a sweet tooth, here you can enjoy all kinds of interactive and colourful installations to photograph and flavours to taste.

If you decide to buy tickets for the Ice Cream Museum, prepare your palate for the most unusual flavours, such as peanut butter with salty pretzels covered in chocolate or mango with hot chilli and sweet raspberry. You can also enjoy a floating table full of sweets, a three-storey slide and a giant beehive.

This museum leaves no one indifferent, and you're guaranteed to have fun when you dive into a pool full of coloured sprinkles that simulate the typical candies on cakes. Your inner child and your Instagram profile are sure to enjoy it!

Have you thought about buying a New York Pass to get the most out of your trip to New York? It's a tourist card that gives you access to the city's main museums, monuments and points of interest. These are the tourist passes available in New York:

• New York Pass
• New York CityPass
• New York Explorer Pass

There are several advantages to purchasing one of these passes, but the main one is that if you use it wisely, you'll save money and time by not having to buy individual tickets for each place you visit. In some cases, with a New York Pass, you won't have to wait in long queues to get in, and having all your tickets in one place is very convenient.

The tourist passes include most of the museums on this list, as well as access to other lesser-known but equally enjoyable attractions.

Which pass should I buy?

The million-dollar question that every traveller asks themselves! In this regard, the most important thing to consider is that there are two types of New York Pass: by number of days and by number of attractions.

Finding the perfect pass depends on the type of trip you are going to take and your budget. In our post on New York tourist cards, we help you choose the one that is right for you.