Museums in SoHo

THE 10 BEST Museums in SoHo (New York City)

Museums in SoHo

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Art Galleries
Downtown Manhattan (Downtown)
Showing results 1-30 of 32

What travellers are saying

  • Neil D
    4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Such a random place, not entirely sure what I thought of it as an adult but the kids had an absolute ball. They loved the ‘swimming pool’ and enjoyed the slide. We spend a few hours getting through the whole place. Thought the ice cream was a little bland if honest hence the 4 stars. Definitely a good trip for the kids, not sure I’d rush back but worth the visit nonetheless.
    Written 20 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Farwriter
    London, UK113 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely little museum housed in an atmospheric former fire station. The displays cover two floors but there is so much to see. Lots of old fire engines, both horse drawn and early motorised ones, as well as hosepipes, helmets, badges, paintings, toys etc, and lots of information about the 19th century volunteer fire brigade as well as more recent times, including a tribute to 9/11. $15 to enter and well worth it - I spent about two and a half hours here. Warning: it might be full of schoolkids so bring earplugs!
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SunnyOctopus
    Toronto, Canada1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was a very good place, fun. Loved the different colours and the way they showed the., overall it was really cool and fun for kids and family.
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RoadtripMommy
    California172 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had been wanting to visit this museum for awhile. The exhibit shows a timeline of Chinese in America. When we went, there was no admission charge. The interior is beautifully decorated with air conditioning. It was so quiet and tranquil despite being in the heart of Chinatown. It's a perfect location if you want a break but at the same time, learn the important contributions of Chinese immigrants to this country.
    Written 4 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Zipi
    34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The children's museum is a very nice place.
    Gives the children a clever point of view about the arts.
    Written 30 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joan V
    Teaneck, New Jersey, United States17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I brought my 8 year old nephew here - he gives it a 10 out of 10 rating - I only gave it 4 out of 5 mostly because it falls a bit short of the promotional videos - which feature special nights for influencers - not real folks using the museum. This place is a great idea and the staff and execution of the idea are very well done. The experience mostly involves playing with giant piles of various foamy and silky tubs of material - not really slime in the old sense - more like Play-Dough or Silly Putty - but very tactical and fun.
    The best part was the make-you-own slime experience - where you get to pick the texture of slime you want, and the color and scent. And then mix it all together yourself. My nephew also love the slime lava floor - where you get to jump and play on an obstacle where the floor is made up of play dough like slime.
    I don't recommend paying extra for the Ultimate Experience, where they dump liquified slime on your head - Nickelodeon style. We bought those tickets and my nephew opted not to do that - that experience is just in a corner of the Sloomoo Institute and you see people waiting to get their protective ponchos on and standing and waiting and it did not look like enough fun to wait for that. My nephew just wanted to get to the Make Your Own slime and other more fun experiences - so not worth the money.
    The Institute says no children under 3 allowed for good reason. I think the sweet spot for the ages that will most appreciate this is 6-12. I saw lots of pre-teen girls here with their folks who were loving the experience.
    I have been wanting to check out this place since it opened and glad I did
    Written 7 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nycmom22
    New York City, NY3,151 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Donald Judd bought this four story industrial building in 1968, before Soho was Soho. He lived and created here.

    Despite the rules on its website, the tour is surprisingly low key.

    It lasts one hour and starts promptly.

    Reserve ahead as it is limited to six persons per tour.

    I really enjoyed it as did my husband.
    Written 15 February 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, NJ3,734 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I went to the Leslie-Lohman Museum for the second half of the "Art After Stonewall" exhibition that they shared with the Grey Gallery at NYU. It is more of a gallery space than a true museum but still they did a nice job mounting the exhibition.

    The art is mostly from the 70's and early 80's and deals with the sexual revolution and the AIDS crisis. There was a lot of controversial Lesbian art in the exhibition that I would not recommend to small kids unless they have a Gay parent who can explain it to them.

    Outside that, I think that the curators did a nice job of continuing the exhibit and I liked a lot of Keith Waring art. It is nice because you can see the whole gallery in about an hour and a half.
    Written 19 July 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mark P
    Swampscott, MA2,528 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Drawing Center is a very nice gallery in the Village. The current exhibits are good, and the price is quite reasonable($5 per adult)
    Written 13 July 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RGSOUNDF
    Mercerville, NJ11,514 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    When staying in or exploring SoHo, museum choices are not that numerous. Both the International Center of Photography Museum and the New Museum are in the Lower East Side, and so is the Tenement Museum. The Italian American Museum is in the Little Italy and so is the Museum of Chinese in America, while the downtown museums require anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes' walk. Heading north, either to Whitney or Rubins' will also mandate half-an-hour walk. Also, many art galleries are not in SoHo anymore, most of them have migrated to Chelsea by now. One notable exception is NYC Fire Museum on Spring St, by the westernmost boundary of SoHo, but while quite interesting, this museum caters to specific interests.
    CIMA (Center for Italian Modern Art) fills this void perfectly, even though it's not a museum per se, and the premises are rather limited by size. However, the highly dedicated staff and their friendly welcome, the well designed exhibition space, the affordable admission, and interesting, often a times unique art installations, fully compensate for the Center's smaller size, and even offering as a trade-off a more intimate experience.
    Guided tours are timed for specific time slots. Tickets are available online, on the Center's website. While at 421, Broome St, look for the doorphone by the marked plaque of CIMA. After announcing yourself, head to the elevator that is going to take you on the 4th floor.
    The staff, as mentioned, will provide you a cordial welcome and invite you to help yourself to coffee and snacks in the kitchen.
    The current exhibition of Alberto Savinio is briefly described by CIMA as follows. "The Center for Italian Modern Art is proud to present the first exhibition in the United States of the work of Alberto Savinio (1891–1952) in over two decades. Hailed by poet and critic Guillaume Apollinaire as the paragon of a Renaissance man, Savinio was not only an exceptional visual artist and member of the Parisian avant-garde, but also a gifted pianist, composer, musicologist, set designer, critic, and writer. Yet despite his achievements, Savinio, the younger brother of Giorgio de Chirico, is today virtually unknown outside of Italy."
    The exhibition, encompassing "25 rarely seen works", many of them from the private collections, will be on show until June 23. The Italian guide provided us with excellent lecture about the creative career of the artist and was very attentive to the visitors' comments and was equally very helpful in answering the questions.
    Highly recommended.
    Written 18 March 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland18,526 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Opera gallery is quite interesting. There are only a few pieces and they are abstract, many made of glass. Some of the paintings were very average.
    Written 4 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LeonardRego
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A carefully curated selection of instantly appealing artworks by renowned contemporary artists. I bought two works, Nadja Auermann by Warwick Saint and Ralph Ueltzheuffer's 'Sex sells' (Angelina Jolie), both limited edition Lambda prints.

    The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and even if you don't walk in with the intention of buying, it's worth a dekko.
    Written 14 October 2011
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • StephenCross
    Dublin, Ireland18,526 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Eden fine art has some excellent pieces of highly colourful art works. Funky and happy. Really worth a look. Contemporary pieces.
    Written 20 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ktbeenthere2015
    New York City, NY259 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Appreciating the ordinary which is deemed art is not an attribute of mine. I am glad to stop in on my Soho meanderings to chip away at my very practical preconceptions. The other reviews are helpful giving insight to the “purpose” of this work. As for my view having visited, not much changed but it cost nothing to possibly get enlightened.
    Written 28 April 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.