NYC Museums: Free and Suggested Admission
So every since I started my plan to see one museum a week, I’ve noticed that I simply cannot find a reliable, comprehensive list of museums in New York that are free/suggested admission. This makes it especially hard when your plans to go to the Whitney go awry (grrrr!) and you can’t find a replacement museum, so you just end up going to the same old places over and over.
Well Alaina to the rescue! I’ve put together such a list, and because I am so sweet and helpful, I’m sharing it with you! Enjoy!
I’m also putting together a list of museums that are free/pay-as-you-wish on specific days of the week. I will post it later this week.
Museums that are Always Free
- American Numismatic Society (Broadway at West 155th Street, New York, NY, 212.234.3130; Hours: Tu-F 9am-4:30pm) – exhibiting coins, medals and related objects, including Hellenistic artifacts, as well as Roman Republican, Islamic, Far Eastern, United States, and Latin American coinage.
- Artists Space (38 Greene Street, 3rd Floor, 212.226.3970; Hours: Tu-Sat 11am-6pm) – providing an exhibiting space for unknown art and artists.
- Drawing Center (35 Wooster Street b/n Broome and Grand Streets, 212.219.2166; Hours: Tu-F 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm) – a not-for-profit institution dedicated to the exhibition of contemporary and historic drawings.
- Forbes Galleries (62 Fifth Avenue, 212.206.5548; Hours: Tu-Sat 10am-4pm) – The home of Malcolm Forbes’ personal collection, housed within the Forbes Magazine building.
- Goethe Institut (1014 Fifth Avenue, 212.439.8700; Hours: M, W, F 9am-5pm, Tu, Th 9am-7pm, Sat 12pm-5pm) – Exhibiting German language and culture.
- Hispanic Society of America (613 W. 155th Street at Broadway, 212.926.2234; Hours: Tu-Sat 10am-4:30pm, Su 1pm-4pm ) – offers a survey in Spanish painting and drawing from the Middle Ages to the present.
- Municipal Art Society (Urban Society, 457 Madison Avenue @ 51st Street, 212.935.3965; Hours: M-W, F-Sat 11am-5pm) – The mission of the Municipal Art Society is to promote intelligent urban design and architecture. Its exhibits focus on New York City architecture.
- Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, 212.217.4558; Hours: Tu-Fri 12pm-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm) – The museum is dedicated to advancing knowledge of fashion and fashion studies. The museum’s permanent collection consists of more than 50,000 garments and accessories, some dating back to the 18th century.
- National Museum of the American Indian (1 Bowling Green, 212.514.3700; Hours: Su-W 10am-5pm, Th 10am-8pm, F-Sat 10am-5pm) – This Smithsonian Institution museum is dedicated to the culture and diversity of the native people of America. Exhibits include native fashion, modern mixed media art by Native American artists, and carvings.
- New York Public Library – The New York Public Library hosts exhibitions at its main library in Bryant Park, as well as its branches throughout the city. There are multiple locations in all boroughs. Check here for times/locations/areas of interest.
- Sony Wonder Technology Labs (550 Madison Avenue at 56th Street, 212.833.8100; Hours: Tu-Sat 10am-5pm, Su 12pm-5pm) – The museum is dedicated to science and technology, and provides a hands on experience that is directed towards children, but that adults who are really just big kids will enjoy as well. The Lab boasts a personalized experience for each visitor by having each person log in and create a profile upon entering.
Museums that have Suggested Admission
- American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West and West 79th Street, 212.769.5100; Hours: Su-Sat 10am-5:45pm, Space Show M, Th-F 10:30am-4:30pm, W 11am-4:30pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $16, Students/Seniors: $12) – The museum is one of the world’s pre-eminent science and research institutions. There are 42 permanent exhibits, and many temporary ones relating to biology, anthropology climatology, astronomy, and geology. Adjacent to the original museum building is the Rose Center for Earth and Space. If you wish to see any of the temporary exhibits or the space show, and additional (non-negotiable)) fee must be paid. You can still pay as you wish for the general admission portion.
- Bronx Museum of Arts (1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street, Bronx, NY, 718.681.6000; Hours: Th, Sat-Su 11am-6pm, F 11am-8pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $5, Students/Seniors: $3) – The art of the museum focuses on the diversity of the area, in particular the African American and Latino populations with an emphasis on twentieth century and contemporary works.
- The Cloisters (Fort Tryton Park, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, 212.923.3700; Hours: Mar-Oct Tu-Su 9:30am-5:15pm, Nov-Feb Tu-Sun 9:30am-4:45pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students: $10) – The museum, which displays medieval art and artifacts, is housed in five medieval cloisters from France. The gardens are also impressive.
- Dia Center for the Arts (545 and 548 W. 22nd Street, 212.989.5566; Hours: W-Su 12pm-6pm; Suggested Contribution: Adults: $4, Students/Seniors: $3) – The center is located at the Hispanic Society of America. Dia is a non-profit institution whose mission is to initiate, support, and present art projects. The New York City location presents projects by contemporary artists.
- El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street, 212.813.7272; Hours: W-Su 11am-5pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $6, Students/Seniors: $4) – The museum is New York City’s only museum dedicated to Latino art and culture.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, 212.535.7710; Hours: Tu-Th 9:30am-5:30pm, F-Sat 9:30am-9pm, Su 9am-5:30pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students: $10) – One of the largest art galleries in the world, the permanent collection includes an eclectic mix of works, including a sizeable Ancient Egyptian art gallery, and paintings and sculptures from almost all of the European masters.
- Museum of Biblical Art (1865 Broadway at West 61st Street, 212.408.1500; Hours: Tu-W 10am-6pm, Th 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $7, Students/Seniors: $4) – MoBIA exhibit religious art related to the Bible and the Christian and Jewish traditions.
- Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212.534.1672; Hours: Tu-Su 10am-5pm (Free Su 10am-12pm); Suggested Admission: Adults: $10, Seniors/Students: $6; Free for residents of East Harlem) – The museum explores New York City’s history and investigates current and future City trends.
- New York City Fire Museum (278 Spring Street, 212.691.1303; Hours: Tu-Sat 10am-5pm, Su 10am-4pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $5, Seniors/Students: $2) – Located in a renovated firehouse, the museum houses an extensive collection of fire related art and artifacts, some dating back to the 18th century.
- P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center (22-25 Jackson Avenue @ 46th Avenue, Long Island City, NY, 718.784.2084; Hours: Th-M 12pm-6pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $5, Students/Seniors: $2) – A non-profit institution associated with the MoMA, P.S. 1 is more of a site specific exhibiting space than a collecting gallery. It displays mostly experimental art and installations.
- Queens Museum of Arts (New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY, 718.592.9700; Hours: W-F 10am-5pm, Sat-Su 12pm-5pm (Summer Hours: W-Su 12pm-6pm, F 12pm-8pm); Suggested Admission: Adults: $5, Seniors/Students: $2.50) – This museum and educational center in Flushing Meadows Park is located in the New York City building, hich was constructed for the 1939 World’s Fair. The museum focuses on contemporary art exhibits reflecting the diversity of the area.
- Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences (75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, NY, 718.727.1135; Hours: M-F 12pm-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Su 12pm-5pm; Suggested Admission: Adults: $2, Seniors/Students: $1) – New York City’s only general interest museum, the Staten Island Museum focuses on the scientific and cultural heritage of Staten Island.
Free: For the musically inclined, outdoor concerts this week…
What’s up with New York City being the new St. John Newfoundland & Labrador (I could have just said it was the new Seattle, but I am histrionic). I have St. John on the brain because it was the random city I’d never been to that I had to write about for my travel writing class. It is apparently the rainiest city in Canada, and the average July temperature is 68 degrees Farenheit. Getting the picture now?
Anyway, despite whatever shenanigans mother nature is choosing to play on us these days, summer is almost here. And that means… music festivals! And music festivals are….FREE! Yay!
So here’s a listing of the ones that are going on this week:
- Summer favorite, Central Park Summerstage kicks off Friday, June 12 with Josh Ritter and the New York Pops playing from 8:00 – 10:00 pm. On Saturday, June 13, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm Smoky Norful, Tye Trippel & G.A., and American Idol winner Ruben Studdard ($5 suggested donation) will be performing Gospel. I actually do kind of like Gospel, probably because its pretty histrionic, until you actually listen to the words and realize that they’re just singing Jesus, Jesus, Jesus over and over again (with a line about not being able to wait to go home to Jesus).
- If you’re unemployed, freelance, or have a flexible schedule, catch a concert at BAM’s ongoing R&B Festival at Metrotech Park, held outside in Metrotech Park. New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint will be playing at 12:00 noon, tomorrow, Thursday, June 11th, and I love me some New Orleans, so I’m very sad I can’t go. Someone go and I can live vicariously through you.
- Vision Festival, an avantjazz festival, which started on Tuesday, June 9 and goes through Monday, June 15. Times start between 7:00 and 7:30 pm each night. Tomorrow night the show is on the Abrons Main Stage at 466 Grand Street. Check the website for artists and times.
- If you’re an early bird and don’t mind crowds and screaming tourists, check out the Toyota Concert Series on the Today Show, held every Friday in Rockefeller Center from 7-10am. They recommend showing up 1-2 hours early. This week, Friday, June 12th, Black Eyed Peas are performing. Although the temptation to see Fergie pee her pants is fierce, I won’t be going to this one. And this is why: this combines three things I hate: crowds, Rockefeller Center, and getting up early. I will only consider my ban for New Kids on the Block. Hear that Donnie Wahlberg? I’d get up at 4:00 am for you — that’s saying A LOT.
- This is not really a music festival per se, but there will be Blues, soul, country, and rock & roll, at the Snapple Big Apple Barbeque Block Party going on this Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13 in Madison Square Park (E. 23-26th Streets between Madison and Broadway/Fifth Avenues). The music is going to be a big part of the atmosphere of this event and I will definitely be there, in part to get my $8 plate of Hill Country and/or Dinosaur BBQ (other BBQ vendors are listed here). Admission is free to the event and the bands, you only have to pay for beverages and food. Click here for the line up. I’m going to go to this one on Sunday and I’ll post a review next week.
Well, that’s it for free concerts for this week. If anyone knows of additional concerts, feel free to post them in the comments or send me an e-mail, and I will update the post.
Vote for me!
So, I applied for a position as a lifestyle correspondent for Murphy-Goode Winery in Healdsburg (Sonoma Valley), California. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, the position sounds so cool that it almost sounds fake. My cousin asked me if it was actually real (it is, I checked). The job would be perfect for me… it involves exploring vineyards and finding off the beaten path places in Sonoma County (!), tasting wines, learning the wine making process, hanging out with people in Murphy-Goode’s tasting room, and possibly monitoring the owl and raptor population (why does this maybe sound like one of the coolest parts?). Then I get to blog about it all!
Hello, this is what I already do. I explore New York City, drink a lot of wine, and blog about it. And I also like animals. Perfect job for me.
Anyway, part of the application process involved making a video, and posting it on the job application site. The public gets to vote on their favorites. Vote for me here, and tell everyone you know to as well, here’s my video. Objectively speaking, it honestly is one of the best (and I, of course, am objective).
We’re Back, and go to Things Left Behind…
And…we’re back. Even unemployed girls need a weekend off. If it makes you feel any better, I spent Sunday and half of Monday being trapped in the suburbs of New Jersey with my grandmother trying to force feed me. I didn’t suffer alone. Instead, I took it out on poor Kelly from Suburban Sabbatical, who I forced to chauffer me to various locations, including, but not limited to, suburban favorites such as Best Buy and Target (where I engaged in an enlightening discussion with a suburban mom about why one should never buy Rose Art art supplies because they generally suck).
From what I hear, Kelly’s show at Urban Alchemist went splendidly. The chickenheads and pop pigs are flying off the walls, people, so get thee down to Urban Alchemist (233 Fifth Street @ Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY) this Saturday, June 13, and buy yourself one before they’re all gone. Better yet – get over there and order yourself one with your favorite custom rap or pop lyrics. And while you’re at it, pick up some jewelry, you need to update your wardrobe.
This is mine, you can't have it, go get your own.
Head’s Up: Things Left Behind @ Urban Alchemist Design Collective Opens Today
Okay, okay… so even though Brooklyn is right across the East River, I rarely venture across the Brooklyn Bridge. However, this is one event that I will be making the trek for, and I encourage all of you to as well. Plus, it will boost your cultural and artistic I.Q., and keep dollars in your wallet, since the event is completely free.
Kelly Murphy, a N.J. based artist, a good friend of mine, fellow Manalapanite, and the writer of Suburban Sabbatical, her blog about art and life in the suburbs of New Jersey, is presenting a show called “Things Left Behind” with the G-Train Salon at the Urban Alchemist Design Collective (343 5th Street @ 5th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York). The show opens today, Friday, June 5, 2009 with an additional opening night on Saturday June 13, 2009.
Kelly’s collection combines mixed media to create jewelry, photography and prints that are both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing. Through art, she explores both the structure of the cells that inhabit our bodies, and the structure of the world we inhabit.
(c) Kelly Murphy, 2009.
(c) Kelly Murphy, 2009.
These pieces will be featured (and for sale, prices range from $30 to $500) at Urban Alchemist Design Collective starting June 5, 2009 until the end of June. Along with Kelly’s jewelry, she will also exhibit her photography, and works from her Chickenhead and Pop Pigs collections, watercolor paintings on handmade paper parodying society’s modern obsession with hip hop and pop cultural icons (available on etsy.com, $35).
(c) Kelly Murphy, 2009.
(c) Kelly Murphy, 2009.
Both the June 5th and June 13th shows will go from 7-9 PM, with complimentary cocktails and a discussion and Q & A with the artist. I encourage everyone to go to both sessions. I will be going on June 13th and will report back thereafter.
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye… but hi world!
When I joined the ranks of the 8.8 million unemployed Americans yesterday, I quoted the Sound of Music in the subject line of my departure memo. Yes, I really did. You’d think that I would feel, sad, depressed, defeated, or even nervous. But I don’t. I’m not embarrassed. I feel free and hopeful. In fact, I feel like Mel Gibson in Braveheart during that scene where he’s hooting and hollering about freedom and such (minus the whole beheading thing). I’m looking at this as an opportunity to do the things that I have wanted to do since I graduated from law school in 2006 and took on a job that took basically all of my free time.
I won’t use this blog as a way to vent about the people at my job or to call them all asshats for laying me off or anything. Instead, I’ll use it to document the things that I’m working on, my take on various social issues, AND to keep things interesting, to review free, practically free, and relatively inexpensive (for New York City, people) activities, including, museums, concerts, restaurants, bars, &c.
In order to keep myself accountable, I’ll let everyone know what I have planned for the next few months on the government dole:
- Learn French
- Brush up on my Spanish
- Exercise obsessive compulsively
- Teach Mr. J (my five year old cranky lop eared rabbit) to walk on a leash
- Tan (even though I’m black, yellowish flourescent light touched skin is not attractive on any race)
- Work on publishing articles on travel and culture
- Study for the GRE
- Go to one museum a week
- Find a way to become rich and famous, thus eliminating the need to ever work again
So this is so long to the law, for now, but hello New York City in the summertime! I can’t wait!
