List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City

New York City is home to hundreds of cultural institutions and historic sites, many of which are internationally known. This list contains the most famous or well-regarded organizations, based on their mission.

Museums

Also included are non-profit art galleries, arts centers and cultural centers with galleries.

See List of museums in New York City for a complete sortable list in alphabetical order.
See List of museums in New York for museums in the rest of New York state.

Region and tradition

Western by era

Traditional European art

Modern art

Defunct museums

American Museum of Immigration, Liberty Island
Barnum's American Museum, Manhattan
Chelsea Art Museum, Manhattan, closed in 2011
Children's Museum of the Arts, closed in 2022 and declared bankruptcy in 2024.
Con Edison Energy Museum, Manhattan
Choco-Story New York, 2017-2019
Discovery Times Square Exposition, closed in 2016
Fisher Landau Center, Long Island City, closed in 2017
Forbes Galleries, closed in 2014
Ground Zero Museum Workshop, history of the September 11 attacks and the workers at the World Trade Center site. Status unknown after 2014
Guggenheim Soho, Manhattan
Kurdish Library and Museum, Brooklyn, collections now owned by Binghamton University
Met Breuer, building turned over to the Frick for temporary use.
MICRO Museum, Brooklyn, closed exhibit space
Morbid Anatomy Museum, Brooklyn, closed in 2016
Museum of the American Piano, Manhattan,
Museum of Biblical Art, closed in 2015
Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, closed in 2012, collections now part of the Society of Illustrators
Museum of Primitive Art, closed in 1976, collections now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
National Museum of Catholic Art and History, closed in 2010
New York Jazz Museum, Manhattan
New York Tattoo Museum
Onassis Cultural Center
Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Manhattan, closed in 2021.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex, opened in Soho in 2008, closed in 2010
Sony Wonder Technology Lab, closed in 2016
Sports Museum of America, Manhattan, opened in 2008, closed in 2009
9/11 Tribute Museum, Manhattan, opened in 2006. Closed its physical location in 2022.

Proposed museums

Zoos and gardens

Performing arts

Lincoln Center

Alice Tully Hall
David Geffen Hall, formerly known as Avery Fisher Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic
David H. Koch Theater, formerly known as the New York State Theater, home to New York City Ballet
Film Society of Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center
The Juilliard School
Metropolitan Opera
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Vivian Beaumont Theater

Music

Theaters

Historically significant sites

Historic House Trust

Most of the following are Registered Historic Places covered in the county lists.

National Parks of New York Harbor

Despite its name, National Parks of New York Harbor does not oversee any national parks proper.