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History Museums in New York City

THE 10 BEST New York City History Museums

History Museums in New York City

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Eric G
    8 contributions
    The Cloisters Fort Tryon NYC
    Visited these museum grounds over Memorial Day weekend. Absolutely beautiful location on a hillside overlooking the Hudson River, this museum resembles an old fortress/castle. Cost us 25.00 recommended but pay what you can/wish. Some beautiful tapestries and statues/carvings fill the castle like interior. Awesome raised ceilings add to the "feel". Courtyard gardens are an excellent touch and seem well maintained. Well worth an early Saturday trip for this treasure. We are planning to head back to explore the trail system all around the museum. A treasure in NYC's backyard.
    Review of: The Met Cloisters
    Written 14 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Deaf_Leopard
    Trondheim, Norway435 contributions
    Must do when in NY
    There was renovation work going on that kind of decreased the calmness i guess you get at the island normally.
    But the views are great and the history of the island itself is something that one must experience.
    Review of: Ellis Island
    Written 8 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mark G
    3 contributions
    Cheeky fun
    The history, games, and 3D experience. Drinks were good and prices reasonable. The exhibit shows the long history and different expressions of sexuality. The 3D ride was a blast.
    Review of: Museum of Sex
    Written 25 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adventure Diva
    Manchester, CT1,950 contributions
    History Matters
    You get to experience years of history here with the museum's exhibits, collections and films. We saw the "I'll have what she's having...the Jewish Deli" exhibit and enjoyed the experience. It showed how Jewish delicatessens became a cornerstone of American food.
    Review of: New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
    Written 14 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adventure Diva
    Manchester, CT1,950 contributions
    Only 19th century home preserved intact
    This Merchant House is a designated landmark for the State of New York. This personal glimpse of a wealthy merchant family was fascinating. The collection of the Tredwell's include decorative arts, photos, household items and furniture.
    Review of: Merchant's House Museum
    Written 14 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ashely Fang
    New York City, NY232 contributions
    Super Fun Museum for All Ages
    While tickets are a bit pricey, the overall experience was super fun. The SPYSCAPE museum offers some games you can do at home in advance of the visit, and the Batman experience has a section to play in advance of your visit and hours more of playtime for after your visit. The games may be a bit frustrating for younger children, but all-in-all it was fun to challenge myself to do well and to beat my friend. I would definitely be open to visiting again. I advise against getting VIP tickets - they are expensive and unless you want the nice baseball hat that comes with it. The bracelet that comes with VIP tickets is not worth the money.
    Review of: SPYSCAPE
    Written 15 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CaesarBrutus
    Boston, MA311 contributions
    An important museum for all to visit
    We visited Nov 2019, but Trip Advisor app won’t let me go back that far.
    Important museum to visit; we went due to the Auschwitz exhibit, but also visited the museum itself. I signed up for emails from the Museum and have attended virtual events. I am not local, so I appreciate being able to attend virtually.
    So much to learn and the museum store has a lot to offer. We will definitely be back here when back to New York.
    If you can, you should visit and bring others. If not, ‘like’ their Facebook page, check out their website, and sign up for emails. There are virtual evens you will most likely be able to attend.
    Review of: Museum of Jewish Heritage
    Written 28 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,020 contributions
    Wonderful tour of Theodore Roosevelt's family home
    The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace home is interesting tour on the early life of President Roosevelt. The house is a recreation of the original house that had been demolished on the same site. The house is as realistic as it was when the family lived in it. It is furnished in period pieces and some of the family heirlooms so that makes it interesting.

    Being part of the National Parks system, the tour is very informative and thorough. You get to hear the history of the family, the dynamics of many members of the immediate family. You get to hear about the early members of the family and how his parents met and the history of the Roosevelt family.

    Each room is tastefully decorated and you learn about how the family lived in a day in day out basis. What is nice is in the downstairs gallery is the original Teddy Bear that was made for the president which ended up starting the Ideal Toy Company and the shirt that the attempt on the President's life was made. I never knew this.

    If you are interested in decorated homes or Presidential or New York City history, this tour of the home you will find fascinating. The nice part also is that since it is part of the National Park system, the admission is free.
    Review of: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
    Written 13 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • orcasgal
    Orcas Island, WA508 contributions
    Nice displays
    I really enjoyed this small museum. It is well signed and has interesting exhibits of the era it covers. The admission price is well worth it.
    Review of: Fraunces Tavern Museum
    Written 4 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Conny Wylie
    Ottawa, Canada539 contributions
    Celebrate NYC's Seaport Heritage.
    The Seaport district is situated on the East River in Lower Manhattan. It is a top nyc destination for unusual culinary, fashion, entertainment and cultural experiences. I couldn't resist a custom face cookie from the funny face bakery....it seemed almost too pretty to eat and the book-worm in me nudged me into the McNally & Jackson bookstore. I explored New York's origins as a world seaport in the South Street Seaport Museum and to get into a historical mood I toured the Wavetree cargo ship.
    Review of: Seaport District NYC
    Written 27 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BRYAN T
    ELK GROVE51 contributions
    Cool place to learn about NYC
    We really enjoyed our visit at RiseNY. It was on a weekday in the afternoon and it was almost empty. We used our Go City pass and had no issues. The first thing is the documentary film about NYC history with some really good effects. You end up feeling like you are in an actual NY subway. After that, you walk through the museum where there are lots of interesting facts to read and cool exhibits to see. You are rewarded at the end by going on a soaring journey over NYC using a simulator ride that makes you feel like you are actually flying around the city. You will also smell different scents and receive small splashes of water during the ride. It really was enjoyable and the whole experience took us less than 90 minutes to finish.
    Review of: RiseNY
    Written 13 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA14,813 contributions
    Fortress of Money
    Build sort of like a fortress, maybe a castle of money. Lots of power in this grand building that we stumbled upon while walking from Wall Street to City Hall.
    Review of: Federal Reserve Bank of New York
    Written 1 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cindy
    1 contribution
    Hidden Jewel of History!
    Not to be missed! I've been walking by for years and always intrigued with this lovely house on the hill. Being in the holiday spirit, I went yesterday, and couldn't be more pleased with the experience. I was welcomed by two lovely ladies, Meg and Carol, and felt like I was visiting family. Carol the volunteer, was knowledgeable and you can feel her passion when she takes you back to a wonderful time in N.Y. I learned so much and can't wait to share this great find! I think I'll go back in Spring. Cindy
    Review of: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
    Written 15 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland17,729 contributions
    Excellent little find!
    The museum of interesting things is really quirky and well worth the $15 fee for about 90 minutes of entertainment. The proprietor (Denny Daniel) is quite the character and very engaging. His interest in photography and film is deep. It’s in a residential building so don’t be surprised when you ask the doorman about the location.
    Review of: The Museum of Interesting Things
    Written 21 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,020 contributions
    Hidden gem of a museum gallery run by New York University on Ancient Arts
    I must have passed this museum dozens of time when visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art but never knew that is was a museum. The Institute specialty is the ancient arts and history. In two small galleries it still packs a punch when it comes time for showcasing works of ancient cultures.

    I went in recently to see the exhibition on Babylonian Art called "A Wonder to Behold: Craftsmanship and the Creation of Babylon's Ishtar Gate". In two small galleries, it showed the excavation of the site, some of the art pieces found, the use of glazed brick art on the walls and floors of the palace and the creativity of the artists who made them.

    What is also nice is that the museum has free lectures to attend on the subject and it is free to enter the museum as well. You can make a small donation if you want. It is a nice way to spend the afternoon and see the art of ancient times.
    Review of: Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
    Written 17 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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