NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The narrative of New York City—from its beginning as a small Dutch trading post to its status today as one of the world's most important cities—unfolds through special exhibitions and the diverse collections of the museum. The permanent collection here contains over 3,000,000 items maintained by six curatorial departments: costumes, decorative arts, paintings and sculpture, prints and photographs, theater and toys.

Highlights include apparel worn at George Washington's inaugural ball, silver objects from the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany, paintings by members of the Hudson River School, Currier & Ives prints, artifacts from various Broadway productions and several original handwritten manuscripts by Eugene O'Neill. In addition to period rooms, exhibits explore the city's cultural diversity, architecture and economic significance. Such exhibits have included Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington; A Treasury of New York Silver; Stickball Hall of Fame; Ladies Mile: Emporia and Entertainments; A Century Apart: Jacob Riis and Five Contemporary Photographers; and the ongoing exhibitions Broadway! and Family Treasures: Toys and Their Tales.

Founded in 1923, the museum first opened in Gracie Mansion, now the mayor's official residence. In 1932 it moved to its current home, a five-story neo-Georgian building designed by Joseph Freedlander. The education department offers concerts, walking tours, workshops, symposia, lectures and gallery talks.

• Directions: By subway: 6 to 103rd Street, walk three blocks west; 2, 3 to 110th Street - Central Park North, walk one block east to Fifth Avenue, then south to 103rd Street
  Bus: M1, M3, M4, M106 to 104th Street, M2 to 101st Street

• Disability Access: Fully accessible. Stroller and wheelchair ramp access is available at the 104th Street entrance. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available.
• Disability Assistance: American Sign Language interpretation is available with advance notice and for an additional fee.
• Gift Shops: Books, reproductions of antique toys, gifts, photographic prints, greeting cards, collectibles relating to the history of New York City.
• On-Site Parking: None. Nearby public parking garages:
  105th Street and Madison Avenue; 97th Street and Third Avenue; 95th Street and Third Avenue; 95th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues; 88th Street between Park and Madison Avenues; 89th Street between Park and Madison Avenues; 90th Street between Park and Madison Avenues; 94th Street between Park and Madison Avenues.
• Reference Center: Photographs and archival materials on New York; open Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm and by appointment.

Get involved with Museum of the City of New York

• Donations through NYCharities.org