Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art features a large collection of significant works by contemporary American artists
Opening in 1931 in Greenwich Village, the Whitney Museum for American Art was borne out of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's recognition of the difficulties faced by American artists whose work was overlooked by traditional institutions. When the endowment of a collection of more than 500 works by living American artists assembled by Whitney was refused by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she founded her own museum.
In 1966, the museum opened on New York's Museum Mile, housing a permanent collection containing over 18,000 important pieces from the first half of the 20th century and exhibiting the work of contemporary American artists. As of May 1st 2015 the Whitney Museum will be moving to a brand new larger facility located by High Line Park in the Meatpacking District. You can learn more about this impressive new facility in the video under the 'Photos and Video' tab. Notable pieces in the Whitney Museum collection include works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jackson Pollack, Georgia O'Keefe and Jasper Johns.
Free gallery tours are offered daily through the Whitney Museum for American Art's current exhibitions and permanent collections. Visitors can download audio and video guides prior to their visit from the Whitney website and check for an updated schedule of film exhibits and performance installations. The website also provides details on available Whitney Family Programs offering interactive tours and workshops for children up to age 12.
Take a break and have a light cafe lunch at Untitled, the new restaurant at the Whitney Museum for American Art. Located on the lower level, the menu features breakfast all day and contemporary coffee shop cuisine, with brunch and dinner service on weekends.
Nearby attractions include High Line Park.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Whitney Museum of American Art Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Phone: (212) 570-3600
Official Website: Whitney Museum of American Art
Whitney Museum of American Art Reviews
Rated out of 5
I'm a big fan of the Whitney Museum—its architecture alone is worth the visit, with open spaces and breathtaking city views. The Whitney Biennial never fails to impress, offering daring and insightful contemporary works. What truly stood out during my visit, though, was the Alvin Ailey performance. It was an unforgettable experience—full of life, rhythm, and creativity. The fusion of dance and art was exhilarating. Definitely a must-see!
FurY - a month ago
This was a really nice museum. It had a beautiful view of a bay and the little island on the viewing floor. The artwork was modern and inviting. The exhibits were done very well and I was never bored. You can chill in the rooftop and try out the cafe on that level. The gift shop has a lot of good items. I bought a magnet, hat and tote for a decent price.
They have coat check for you on the ground floor which was super helpful since this was a work trip and we had our laptop bags. There is also a lot of seating throughout the museum which is a plus.
Brittany C - a month ago
Went to the Whitney Museum this Sunday and absolutely loved it. It’s usually free on the second Sunday of every month, which is such a great opportunity. We went in the morning and it wasn’t too crowded, perfect for exploring at our own pace. The rooftop is incredible gorgeous views and even a bar if you feel like grabbing a coffee or a drink while taking it all in. The art is striking and very contemporary thought-provoking and full of personality. Highly recommend.
Nanna - a week ago
Free Fridays are a fun way to start the weekend, and even though they're pretty popular, it didn't feel too crowded when walking around the exhibits. The line to enter also moves very fast! The staff were all professional and helpful whenever i had a question, and they had a few tours going that you could join in to learn more about the exhibits.
There are a few elevators that help with accessibility because there are 8 floors total. I will say the elevators do take some time to come and fill up quickly, so there may be a wait when trying to change floors.
Anissa Ash - 2 months ago
I registered the free second Sunday ticket. it is really a great museum with mostly the modern art and also you can overlook the city the river from the top floor of the building. it is a great museum worthy to check out.
QQ AA - a week ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| L | 8th Avenue | 6 minutes |
| A,C or E | 14th Street | 8 minutes |
How to get to Whitney Museum of American Art by Subway
Take the L train to 8th Avenue, Cross the road and walk south one block on 8th Avenue to W 13th Street and go right; walk west one block to Gansevoort Street and go left; continue on Gansevoort Street to the museum entrance. Alternately you can take the A,C or E train to 14th Street, and proceed as above, but you'll have to walk a total of 3 blocks south on 8th Avenue adding an extra 2 minutes.
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Accommodations near Whitney Museum of American Art:
Photo Gallery
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An Illusion of a mirror where no mirror exists is one example of the unusual works to be seen in the Whitney Museum cc licensed photo by Andrew Baron -
Photo Credit: Phil Roeder - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Phil Roeder - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Lee Cannon - cc license via Flickr
