New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [88]
Ukrainian Museum.
Folk art, fine art, and documentary materials addressing the life of Ukrainians make up the permanent collection. Ceramics, jewelry, hundreds of brilliantly colored Easter eggs, and an extensive collection of Ukrainian costumes and textiles are the highlights. | 222 E. 6th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves., East Village | 10003 | 212/228–0110 | www.ukrainianmuseum.org | $8 | Wed.–Sun. 11:30–5 | Subway: 6 to Astor Pl.
Merchant’s House Museum.
Built in 1832, this redbrick house, combining Federal and Greek Revival styles, provides a glimpse into domestic life for the three decades before the Civil War. Retired merchant Seabury Tredwell and his descendants lived here from 1835 until 1933. The home became a museum in 1936 with the original furnishings and architectural features preserved; family memorabilia are also on display. Self-guided tours are available without reservations. Kids under 12 get in free. | 29 E. 4th St., between Bowery and Lafayette St., East Village | 10003 | 212/777–1089 | www.merchantshouse.org | $8 | Thurs.–Mon. noon–5 | Subway: 6 to Astor Pl. or Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; R to 8th St.
The New Museum.
Focused on contemporary art, the New Museum moved to 235 Bowery in late 2007, marking the first time in its 30 years of existence that the institution has had its very own building. It’s also the first building in downtown Manhattan constructed from the ground up with the purpose of being a museum.
The seven-story, 60,000-square-foot structure—a glimmering metal mesh-clad assemblage of off-centered squares—was designed by avant-garde architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. Previous exhibits include Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton, the painter’s first survey in an American institution, and shows on computer hacking and life inside “the grid” of modern society.
Be sure to run up to the seventh-floor “sky room” for a twirl around the panoramic balcony above Lower Manhattan. | 235 Bowery, at Prince St., Lower East Side | 10002 | 212/219–1222 | www.newmuseum.org | $12 | Wed. and Fri.–Sun. 11–6, Thurs. 11–9 | Subway: 6 to Spring St.; F, M to 2nd Ave.
CHELSEA
Chelsea Art Museum.
In a former Christmas-ornament factory, this contemporary art museum was created to display a collection of postwar European art and to host traveling exhibitions from European museums. Exhibits examine relatively unexplored dimensions of 20th- and 21st-century art, as well as display the work of French abstract painter Jean Miotte. | 556 W. 22nd St., at 11th Ave., Chelsea | 10013 | 212/255–0719 | www.chelseaartmuseum.org | $8 | Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. 11–6, Thurs. 11–8 | Subway: C, E to 23rd St.
Rubin Museum of Art.
Opened in 2004, this sleek and serene museum is the largest in the Western Hemisphere dedicated to art of the Himalayas. It provides a great deal of explanation for the colorful works, which are religious and rich with symbols.
Six floors contain paintings on cloth, metal sculptures, and textiles dating from the 2nd century onward. Many of the works from areas such as Tibet, Nepal, southwest China, and India are related to Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and other eastern religions. A pleasant café and gift shop are on the ground floor. | 150 W. 17th St., near 7th Ave., Chelsea | 10001 | 212/620–5000 | www.rmanyc.org | $10 | Mon. and Thurs. 11–5, Wed. 11–7, Fri. 11–10, weekends 11–6 | Subway: 1 to 18th St.
MURRAY HILL