Posts Tagged ‘Ellis Island Immigration Museum’

Many Museums Make New York Come Alive

April 5, 2011 in Museums | Comments (0)

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When you think of New York, you probably think of great restaurants, Broadway shows, endless kinds of entertainment, and of course, museums.

New York has about 80 museums, most of which are found in Manhattan. Here is a list of some of New York’s most famous (and rightfully so) temples of western culture.

•    The Museum of Modern Art

MOMA has an astounding collection of at least 150,000 pieces of art, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs and more. Also stored with her walls are 22,000 works of media, videos and films. The library of the museum has 300,000 books, periodicals and artist books. MUSEUM HOURS Galleries open Sat., Sun., Mon., Wed., and Thurs. 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Fri. 10:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Thurs. in July and August 10:30 a.m.–8:45 p.m. Closed Tues., Thanksgiving day, and Christmas day. (212) 708-9400.

•    Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This extraordinary museum is itself a piece of artwork. Designed by the avant-garde architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this museum of modern and contemporary art or as the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Guggenheim, Nancy Spector says, “It’s the museum of the new,” is certainly worth a visit.  1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128, Phone: 212 423 3500.

•    Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, at this unique museum the immigrant experience comes to life as visitors learn about the moving stories of the 12 million people who entered the US through the ‘golden door’ of Ellis Island. It is necessary to take a ferry to the island, which is located at the mouth of New York Harbor. Ellis Island is one of the country’s most important historic sites and also one of the most heavily visited monuments. Carefully planning your trip will make it more enjoyable. Statue Cruises provides ferry transportation to Ellis Island from Battery Park in New York and Liberty State Park in New Jersey from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, with extended hours in the summers. For ticket rates and availability and schedule information, call 1-877-LADY TIX or 1-877-523-9849 or visit www.statuecruises.com. The audio tour can be purchased along with your ferry ticket or on site at the Discovery Audio booth.