There is nothing better than exploring unusual spots around New York. So, we decided to share with you 6 under the radar museums in Manhattan! Have fun!
Yes, we know that New York City’s world-famous museums are definitely places to visit, but they aren’t the only ones around. There are some quite amazing under the radar museums in Manhattan.
Indeed, it’s now estimated there are about 100 first-rate museums spread throughout the Big Apple’s five boroughs.
If you have just checked out of your Airbnb, you’re not ready to check out some of New York’s hidden gems before heading out. So, be sure to read our guide.
Below, we share six under the radar museums in Manhattan with amazing experiences but that you can easily find.
So, fire up your Google Maps, store your luggage, and go explore!
1. Travel Back in Time at the Tenement Museum
To get a feel for New York’s gritty past, definitely stop by the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, at 103 Orchard Street.
In addition to touring an authentic 19th century tenement house, this museum hosts highly interactive neighborhood tours with guides dressed in period costume.
All of the Tenement Museum’s exhibits are designed to illuminate the realities of American immigration from the 1800s onwards.
Oh! And before visiting the Tenement Museum, feel free to drop your heavy bags at one of the convenient Stasher locations in nearby SoHo or Chinatown.
Location: 103 Orchard Street
2. Tour the Teensy-Tiny Mmuseumm
Only large enough for three people, Lower Manhattan’s Mmuseumm won’t win any accolades for its extensive collection.
Despite the Mmuseumm’s amusingly small size, visitors rave about the constantly rotating selection of newsworthy artifacts.
We can’t promise you’ll feel overwhelmed by the Mmuseumm’s offerings, but you certainly won’t forget your visit.
The Mmuseumm’s is located close to the Canal Street Metro.
Location: 4 Cortlandt Alley
3. See the Original “Winnie The Pooh” Plush
Despite protestations from British leaders, the stuffed animals that inspired A. A. Milne’s “Winnie The Pooh” remains in the New York Public Library.
In addition to Pooh Bear, visitors will get to see the original Kanga, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet dolls that Christopher Robin once played with.
Note: the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the library branch that holds these treasured toys.
You can easily find this building near the 5th Avenue/Bryant Park Metro.
Location: 476 5th Avenue
https://www.nypl.org/schwarzman
4. Explore the Himalayas at the Rubin Museum of Art
Looking for some Buddhist serenity in the Big Apple? Consider visiting the underrated Chelsea’s Rubin Museum of Art. We truly love exploring it!
This easy-to-miss museum houses thousands of ornate art objects from the mystifying Himalayas.
From Tibet and India to Nepal and Pakistan, you’ll need a few reincarnations to appreciate all the art on display here.
The Rubin Museum of Art is less than a mile’s walk south of Penn Station near the 18th Street Metro. Bag storage is limited, so be sure to check out Stasher’s convenient luggage storage options in Penn Station before your visit.
Location: 150 West 17th Street
5. Get Your James Bond on at SPYSCAPE
Get ready to live out your own James Bond adventure in the SPYSCAPE museum, launched back in 2018. It’s a pretty new addition to New York’s list of attractions.
After viewing dozens of espionage-related artifacts, visitors can test their spy skills through a series of highly immersive challenges, like solving encrypted codes and walking through laser sensors.
You might even be able to talk with resident hackers about the importance of Internet Privacy.
You can find this exhilarating museum on 8th Avenue, which is less than a mile from Carnegie Hall.
Location: 928 8th Avenue
6. Soar to New Heights at the Skyscraper Museum
Honestly, what other city is more deserving of having a Skyscraper Museum?
Sure, the art of skyscrapers has now gone global, but New York City’s skyline will always remain the world’s most iconic.
Inside Battery Park’s Skyscraper Museum, you can learn the engineering behind all of New York’s famous buildings.
This museum also works hard to present the stories of the countless engineers and investors who made New York City what it is today.
Oh, a while back we experienced an amazing 2-day tour with Siemens where they showed us how their technology also helped build NYC! You might find this pretty cool as well!
You can easily reach the Skyscraper Museum on foot from the Wall Street Metro. Before visiting, please take a peek at Stasher’s convenient storage destinations in the Financial District.
Location: 39 Battery Place
If you enjoyed reading this post about the under the radar museums in Manhattan, you might want to see a few more hidden museums around the city!
Check out the 5 Offbeat Museums In NYC You Should Visit or read about the Most Different Museum In New York Of All Times.
If you’re looking for custom tours or need to put together a corporate experience, let our experts help you out!
Photo Credits: Courtesy of all the Museums
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*Last Update on March/2020.*
