It's true that our 12-year-old New-Yorker friend warned us this place was "way too boring".
But out-of-towners should grab the chance to visit this world-class institution, which really does have much that appeals to kids: for instance, the Egyptian collection; or the galleries with armor from days of yore.
And for young kids, the information desk offers many brochures for art hunts and museum searches.
Price of admission is: whatever you'd like to donate. This museum's location is family-friendly, too: on 5th Ave., tucked into Central Park.
Not so far away-- on West 53 Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues -- is another five-star spot:
Museum of Modern Art
Head straight to Floor Five of this great Museum, that's looking very spiff after a $425M renovation.
On this floor you'll find a hit parade of the early "modern" age, starting in the late 1800's. Van Gogh's Starry Night is next to Henri Rousseau's LSleeping Gypsy; there are works by Picasso, Chagall, Magritte, Klimpt, and more. I visited with two reluctant teens, who both ended up being wowed.
Also, check what's on at the Guggenheim Museum, not far from the Metropolitan, on Fifth Ave. at 89th St. At the least, you can walk into the lobby for an inside look at the Museum's famed spiral architecture (by Frank Lloyd Wright.)
At any of New York's great museums, be sure to rent the audio guides! Here's how they work: beside a painting (or sculpture etc.) you'll see a number: press it into your keypad, and get an interesting audio insights into the painting. Sometimes you can press again for more in-depth comments, perhaps by a curator or museum director. And bonus for families: some art objects have a special number for commentaries geared to kids.
- continue to More Top Things to do in NYC with Kids
*photo © Teresa Plowright
