Dear travelers,
Let me guess: you’re planning a New York trip, your Google Maps is already screaming “saved places limit reached”, and now you’re wondering:
Do I really need to go to museums in NYC?
Short answer: yes.
Long answer: yes, but only if you choose the right ones.
New York has a lot of museums. Like… a lot a lot. You could spend your entire trip walking from gallery to gallery and still feel like you missed half of them. So instead of trying to see everything, we decided to focus on three very different experiences:
One classic and iconic
One modern and creative
One pure pop-culture fun
Here are the three museums we visited in New York.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) – The Classic NYC Museum
If New York had a “main character” museum, this would be it.
The MET is not just a museum, it’s an institution. It’s the kind of place you’ve seen in movies, books, and probably at least 20 Instagram posts without even realizing it.
First impressions
The building alone is impressive
Located right next to Central Park
Those iconic stairs? Yes, they’re those stairs
(If you’re a Gossip Girl fan, you already know.)
What makes the MET special
It’s huge
Covers art and history from all over the world
You’ll find:
Ancient Egyptian artifacts
European paintings
Sculptures
Fashion exhibitions
Entire rooms that feel like different centuries
This is not a museum you “quickly pop into.”
Important tip (learn from us)
You cannot see everything
Trying to do so will:
Exhaust you
Overwhelm you
Make you stop enjoying it
Best approach:
Pick a few sections that interest you most and focus on those.
How we experienced it
We walked in thinking:
“Let’s just see where it takes us.”
Bad idea.
The MET does not “just take you somewhere.” It swallows you whole.
But once we slowed down, chose a few areas, and stopped rushing, it became magical.
MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art (For When You Want Something Different)
After the MET, MoMA feels like jumping into a completely different world.
Where the MET is classic, historic, and grand, MoMA is:
Modern
Bold
Creative
Sometimes confusing (in a good way)
Why MoMA is so popular
MoMA is home to some of the most famous modern artworks in the world, including pieces by:
Van Gogh
Picasso
Warhol
Monet
What I loved about MoMA
It’s easier to navigate than the MET
The exhibitions feel lighter and more playful
You constantly stop and think:
“Is this genius… or could I have made this?”
(That’s part of the experience.)
Expect the unexpected
Some artworks will make you:
Smile
Question art
Question life
Question why a white canvas is worth millions
And honestly? That’s what makes it fun.
Who MoMA is perfect for
People who think museums are “boring”
Art lovers who enjoy modern expression
Anyone who wants something visually stimulating but not overwhelming
The FRIENDS™ Experience – For the Fans (And the Nostalgia)
Now let’s switch gears completely. Because not every museum has to be serious, educational, or quiet.
Some museums are about pure joy.
If you love FRIENDS, stop scrolling
The FRIENDS™ Experience is exactly what it sounds like:
A walk through the world of the show
Recreated sets
Costumes
Props
Photo opportunities
And yes…
You can sit on the orange couch.
You can pose in Monica’s apartment.
What to expect
Very interactive
Very Instagrammable
Lots of smiling adults pretending they’re not emotional about a sitcom
It’s less about reading facts and more about:
Reliving scenes
Quoting lines
Pointing at things and saying:
“Oh my God, remember this episode?!”
Is it a “real” museum?
Not in the traditional sense.
But it is:
Fun
Lighthearted
Perfect as a break between heavy sightseeing days
My verdict:
If FRIENDS was part of your life (or still is), this experience is 100% worth it. Zero regrets.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick breakdown:
Go to the MET if:
It’s your first time in NYC
You want something iconic
You love history, art, and impressive spaces
Go to MoMA if:
You like modern art
You want something creative and different
You don’t want to feel overwhelmed
Go to the FRIENDS™ Experience if:
You’re a fan of the show
You want something fun and light
You need a museum that doesn’t feel like a museum
Don’t miss this blog about New York too.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
