As the saying goes, “Earth without art is just ‘eh,’” so why not explore the best museum exhibits in NYC for a much-needed dose of creativity?
Whether you have a passion for impressionism, want to take a step back in time, or feel inclined to revel in pop culture’s best moments, NYC museums have just about anything you can imagine.
Since we know you likely only have a New York minute to spare, we’ve rounded up the best selections for your bucket list. Now, without further ado, we present the coolest exhibits to catch right now:
“The Year of Flaco”
From February 7th to July 16th, 2025
Upon his escape from the Central Park Zoo, Flaco quickly swooped in as the city’s unofficial mascot. (No offense to the pigeons.) The Eurasian eagle-owl expressed the same traits as any New Yorker — independence, curiosity, fierceness — as he traveled throughout the city in 2023. This exhibit documents his journey, rise to fame, impact on legislation, and the profound mark he made in our city’s history.
📍 New-York Historical Society: 170 Central Park W
“Baseball Cards from the Collection of Jefferson R. Burdick”
From February 13th to July 22nd, 2025
It’s safe to say the Syracuse native knowns a thing or two about baseball, considering he donated over 300,000 trade cards, postcards, and posters to The Met, capturing the sport from 1895 to 1956. Any athlete or historian will find something to appreciate with this exhibit.
📍 The Met: 1000 Fifth Avenue
“Breaking the Mold: Brooklyn Museum at 200”
From February 28th, 2025 to February 22nd, 2026
The iconic Brooklyn institution is celebrating a milestone. What better way to do so than by showcasing its esteemed collection and adding some new works for good measure? With 200 years of history, there’s a lot of ground to cover, so the exhibit is divvied up into three parts: “Brooklyn Made,” which explores the art and design of Kings Country from the 17th century to today; “Building the Brooklyn Museum and Its Collection”, which shifts the focus to the attraction’s signature collections as well as the gorgeous Beaux-Arts building itself; and “Gifts of Art in Honor of the 200th” puts a contemporary spin on all that it features.
📍 Brooklyn Museum: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
“The Legacy Of The Handmaid’s Tale: June’s Evolution From Handmaid To Rebel Exhibit”
From April 4th to June 8th, 2025
Explore the world of Gilead as the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale streams on Hulu. This exhibit lets fans take a sneak peek at the props, costumes, and artifacts that have come to define the powerful characters in the series.
📍 The Paley Center for Media: 25 West 52 Street
“Amy Sherald: American Sublime”
From April 9th to August 10th, 2025
Have a look at the artist’s moving paintings from 2017 to present day, which feature notable figures such as Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor. Her focus on Black subjects intends to “include a population who has historically been omitted from portraiture and representation.”
📍 The Whitney Museum of American Art: 99 Gansevoort St
“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry from the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels”
Beginning April 11th
For the celestially in-tune, don’t miss your chance to take in “Cosmic Splendor.” This show-stopper is a stunning display of nearly 70 dazzling spectacles: the High Jewelry Maison founded in Paris’ Place Vendôme in 1906. Expect necklaces that depict rockets in flight, and gem-encrusted pendants with inspiration from distant nebulae.
No matter which piece speaks to you, we assure you that they’re all out of this world!
📍 American Museum of Natural History: 200 Central Park West
“Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers”
From April 18th, 2025 to January 18th, 2026
There’s no ignoring the Guggenheim’s latest exhibit: “Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers” spans the entire rotunda and features over 90 pieces.
Per the museum, “Johnson brings nuance to exploring the human psyche amid the profound historical influences of our time, all while reflecting on themes of masculinity, parenthood, and care for self and others.”
📍Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation: 1071 Fifth Avenue
“Maestros and the Machines”
Beginning April 24th
The past and the future collide in “Maestros and the Machines,” Mercer Labs’ latest exhibit that begs the question: “What happens when the timeless mastery of iconic artists meets the disruptive power of modern technology?” Visitors can expect cutting-edge digital tools, immersive soundscapes, and interactive installations to deconstruct works from famous artists throughout history.
📍 Mercer Labs: 21 Dey Street
The Banksy Museum
Ongoing
The elusive artist always manages to capture our attention, and this ode to the super-secretive creator is a must for all urbanites. Catch 160+ recreations of his most famous work like “Girl with the Balloon” and “Flower Thrower.”
📍 Banksy Museum: 277 Canal Street
“Apex”
Ongoing for four years from December 8th, 2024
When venturing through AMNH’s Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, you’ve likely stumbled upon Apex. At nearly 12 feet tall and 27 feet wide, the Stegosaurus fossil is pretty hard to miss. After his unveiling in December 2024, Apex quickly became the museum’s buzziest attraction, and with good reason: he’s one of the most complete Stegosaurus specimens ever discovered at 80%. Undoubtedly, all dino enthusiasts will appreciate this extraordinary find.
📍 American Museum of Natural History: 200 Central Park West
“Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100”
Through July 20, 2025
Celebrate the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm and how she made an impact as a Black politician.
📍 Museum of the City of New York: 1220 Fifth Avenue
“Anne Frank: The Exhibition”
Through October 31st, 2025
Anne Frank: The Exhibition opened on International Holocaust Remembrance Day to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz. This groundbreaking and moving display recreates Anne Frank’s house where she and her loved ones hid for two years to avoid the Nazis. Visitors can expect over 100+ artifacts, large-scale photos, archival videos, and more.
📍 Center For Jewish History: 15 W 16th St
If you’re looking for more creative outings in NYC, stop by our favorite immersive experiences and VR experiences.