Chelsea art galleries
Chelsea | chelseagallerymap.com
Chelsea’s art scene may be a decent walk away from any subway stop, but unlike museums, all of its galleries are free, offering today’s finest, most cutting-edge art without a cost.
Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Ave. | mcny.org | 212.534.1672
One of the lesser-known places in the city, this museum is home to exhibits about both the distant and recent history of New York City. Its defining feature is its incredible photography.
Paley Museum of Media (formerly Museum of Television and Radio)
25 W. 52nd St. | paleycenter.org | 212.621.6600
Explore the history of radio and television at the Paley Museum by watching and listening to their extensive archives, including screenings of old radio programs, as well as weekend family screenings of ’90s Nickolodeon programs — a perfect way to spend the weekend reminiscing.
The Cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin Dr. | metmuseum.org/visit/visit-the-cloisters | 212.923.3700
The Cloisters is the Met’s greener, beautifully situated branch. Located in northern Manhattan, the museum houses the art of medieval Europe, but the building is reason alone to endure the trip uptown on the dreaded A train.
The MoMA
11 W. 53rd St. | moma.org | 212.708.9400
It’s one of the most famous museums in the city for a reason. With an incredible collection and fascinating rotating exhibits, a free ticket to the MoMA is one perk of having an NYU ID not to be squandered.
The New Museum
235 Bowery St. | newmuseum.org | 212.219.1222
Often overshadowed by the likes of the Whitney and the Moma, the New Museum is the cooler, hipper cousin of the two. It is full of contemporary art from around the world.
Paley Museum — via wikipedia.org, MoMA — via flikr.com, The New Museum — Rachel Kaplan/WSN, all others — via yelp.com