Cultural Treasures: The Museums of New York
From art and natural history to architecture, culture and even more niche subjects, some of the world's most diverse and renowned museums live in New York. While it's impossible to see all of the state's storied institutions in one trip, there's certainly no shortage of options, with something fascinating for every group to discover.
At the Corning Museum of Glass, groups could explore 35 centuries of glassmaking through nearly 50,000 objects. Through group experiences such as the Museum's live Hot Glass Demos, groups are treated to the artistry that goes into the creation of glass, while group glass glassmaking experiences at the (newly expanded) "The Studio" allow groups to try out glassworking techniques themselves to create their own customized souvenirs.
From May to October, the Museum operates a free shuttle from the Welcome Center to the Museum and downtown Corning, New York, and includes a stop at the institution's sister museum: The Rockwell Museum.
The Rockwell Museum, named for local business owners Bob and Hertha Rockwell, is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum housed in Corning's former City Hall and features a variety of American art through the ages. Groups could venture through both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions, or take advantage of a guided group tour led by one of the museum's friendly and experienced docents. From art of the American West to that of the American Experience as a whole, the diversity of American visual culture is on full display.
At the Intrepid Museum, groups can be surrounded by technological marvels that showcase the intersection of history and innovation. What began with the acquisition of the storied WWII aircraft carrier Intrepid today has grown to boast bold and immersive collections which include Enterprise, the world's first space shuttle, and Growler, the only nuclear-weapons-carrying submarine open to the public. Customizable itineraries and add ons, along with performance opportunities, make a group visit to the Museum a must-do.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in Midtown Manhattan is another can't-miss group experience. Its six curatorial departments specialize in various media including Architecture & Design, Drawings & Prints, Film, Media & Performance, Painting & Sculpture and Photography. 2025 brings an array of diverse exhibitions to MoMA, including a new photography series (Lines of Belonging), a design exhibition (Pirouette: Experiments and Turning Points in Design) and a look at iconic African portraiture (Ideas of Africa: Portraiture and Political Imagination). While visiting, groups will want to stop by MoMA's Creativity Lab, which offers hands-on art-making activations that change throughout the year.
Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world to visitors looking to explore ideas, cultures and art from across time. One of the world's largest and finest art museums, The Met offers groups endless opportunities for discovery, including through private group tours. It's here that groups could see iconic items such as Van Gogh's Self Portrait with a Straw Hat, Jacques Louis David's The Death of Socrates, Edgar Degas' Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, Monet's Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Sphinx of Hatshepsut (1479–1458 B.C.) and plenty more.
In the heart of Times Square is The Museum of Broadway—a must-see museum for fans of live performances who are looking to discover the magic of Broadway. This interactive and experiential institution invites groups to step inside Broadway's rich history through hundreds of rare costumes, props and artifacts. From projection mapped videos outlining the timeline of Broadway to a behind-the-scenes look at all the jobs that go into creating a Broadway production, there's much to enjoy. And unlike many museums, photos and videos here are not only allowed at the Museum, but encouraged!
With a mission of preserving and presenting the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality, the Museum of Sex has become known as a cultural touchstone since its 2002 inception. While visiting, groups are welcomed to reflect upon the many different perspectives on sexuality presented through fun and cultural exhibits. They could even enjoy a drink at the Museum's Carnal Carnival Bar and shop at the institution's award-winning retail store.
Dedicated to preserving, illuminating, and celebrating the rich history and contributions of Chinese in America, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is a wonderful option for groups. Book a MOCA Masterclass Museum Tour, which works to debunk stereotypes and break down unconscious bias to enable the creation of more opportunities for development and growth. Don't miss viewing With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America, MOCA's permanent exhibition that presents the diverse layers of the Chinese American experience, while examining America's journey as a nation of immigrants.
Situated on New York City's Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History has been one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions since its founding in 1869. It's here groups are able to admire AMNH 5027, a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the Museum's Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs; more than more than 5,000 specimens from 98 countries in the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals; the history of Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures in the Northwest Coast Hall; a 94-foot-long model of a blue whale—the largest animal known to have ever existed; and more. With over 40 permanent halls and rotating ticketed exhibits, groups will never run out of things to admire and discover.
More New York Museums for Consideration:
- The 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Adirondack Experience - The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- The Tenement Museum
- Museum of Illusions - New York
- The National Museum of Mathematics
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
This article originally appeared in the Jan/Feb '25 issue of Groups Today.
Photo courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass.
