Tour the Art of New York City

Having the “art bug” means that no trip would be complete without a tour of New York’s best art. Satiate your need to admire ancient, modern or contemporary art at these New York museums, galleries and public spaces. 

Street Art in New York
Let’s start with art on the streets of New York. And to make your experience more fruitful, we recommend you take a New York Graffiti and Street Art tour by Free Tours by Foot. You can choose from seeing artwork in Manhattan, like the murals in Chelsea or the Bowery Mural in Lower Manhattan. If you want a taste of Brooklyn’s artwork, their tour won’t disappoint: it focuses on Bushwick Graffiti, a neighborhood known for its industrial landscape. 

Art in Unexpected New York Locations
Did you know that Central Park is home to many sculptures and unique architecture? Some examples of iconic architecture in Central Park are Grand Army Plaza, the Naumburg Bandshell, and Ladies’ Pavilion, Delacorte Theater, Swedish Cottage to name a few. If you want to photograph famous sculptures, check Alice in Wonderland, Hans Christian Andersen, Balto the sled dog, and Frederick Douglass.

Another public park with clusters of art is the High Line. This elevated park was one an abandoned freight line, but it’s hard to see it as such now that it’s covered in perennial plants and brimming with local wildlife. The High Line organizes art exhibitions year round, which means that alongside a flowering bush you may see a contemporary art installation or sculpture. 

Popular Art Museums in New York
Now that we’ve covered unconventional places to spot art, let’s move on to the world-class museums housing unique artwork from masters throughout the ages. Be it ancient Greek statues and Egyptian tombs, or medieval and romanticism paintings, New York’s art museums are among the best in the world.

Contemporary Art Galleries in New York
If you prefer art from this century, we know exactly where you need to go. Trendy neighborhoods like Chelsea and SoHo are famous for many things, one of them being their contemporary art galleries. Chelsea is a great place to see artwork by up-and-coming artists alongside that of veterans, all for free. Head to SoHo for even more modern creations and a chance of spotting a celebrity or two. 

Get more tips for your trip to New York at The New Yorker Hotel’s blog.