This post originally appeared on Ryan Hemphill.
New York City has some of the best museums in the country. Whether you enjoy art, history, or religion, New York’s museums have something to offer every visitor. Here are some of the city’s must-visit museums.
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the memory of every person who was killed during the September 11 attacks. In the locations where the towers used to stand, two pools now occupy the areas. Waterfalls surround the walls of both pools, and around their edges, you will find the names of every person who was killed during the attacks. The surrounding plaza features numerous trees and sitting areas. The designers of the memorial paid special attention to its design to ensure that it would be sustainable. Located beneath the plaza is the museum itself. One section of the museum is called Foundation Hall. It features a wall from the World Trade Site that wasn’t destroyed. To learn more about the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, visit the official site.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The MoMA is one of the most well-known art museums in the United States. It features a number of famous paintings like Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, and Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum features many temporary exhibits that highlight various mediums like film, sculpture, and photography.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
The history of America has been shaped by the influx of immigrants who came to the country with dreams of finding a better life. During its heyday, Ellis Island served as the gateway for the majority of immigrants who made their way to America. In the 1950s the immigration station was closed. For many years the building sat unused and deteriorating. Yet after an expensive renovation, it was reopened in 1990 as a museum. The museum’s exhibits examine the immigration experience and bring it to life through photos, interactive displays, and artifacts.
The Met Cloisters
If you feel like stepping back in time to Medieval Europe, then you need to visit the Met Cloisters. Each of the cloisters features materials from authentic Medieval European monasteries. The pieces were shipped to New York and then reconstructed to form the current cloisters. In the gardens around the structures, you’ll be able to see plants and flowers that would have grew in real Medieval gardens. Medieval art, manuscripts, and stained glass are located inside of each cloister. To learn more about this fascinating space, read this article.
Ryan Hemphill 