American Folk Art Museum
While this folk-art museum has long had a presence in the city, it now has a new name and a spiffy new building to house it -- and you need not be a lover of folk art to appreciate a visit. The edifice itself is noteworthy: Its angular, metal-panel facade is striking, as is the building's interior. Designed, built, organized and outfitted with great care and affection, this sliver of a museum is a welcome addition to 53rd Street. Much of what's on display came from the collector Ralph Esmerian, who specialized in works borne of European tradition. Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm, Friday until 8 pm. US$9 (free 6-8 pm Friday). 45 W. 53rd St. (between 5th and 6th Avenues; 5th Avenue subway station at 53rd Street), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-265-1040. http://www.folkartmuseum.org.

American Museum of Natural History
This museum has long been known as the largest collection of dinosaurs, fossils and skeletons in the world. But with the opening of its Rose Center for Earth and Space, it's gaining a reputation for innovative museum design. We find the new exhibits a welcome change from the musty and dated dioramas that used to be a big feature of the museum. The Rose Center includes an improved version of the Hayden Planetarium that trumps the old facility with its stunning architecture: a giant metallic orb 87 ft/27 m in diameter, enclosed within a huge glass housing. It contains two theaters: one presenting space programs and one showing a film that focuses on the origin of the universe. The museum's terrific dinosaur exhibits -- huge fossils and skeletons that are truly awe-inspiring -- include interactive computers. Elsewhere, there are informative exhibits of early Asian, Mexican and precolonial North American life. The life-size replica of the blue whale that towers over the Ocean Life room is also worth a look. Sunday-Thursday 10 am-5:45 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-8:45 pm. Suggested donation US$10 adults for the museum. Admission to most of the Rose Center for Earth and Space is included with a museum ticket, but an additional fee is charged for the planetarium Space Show. Combined admission to the museum and the Space Show is US$19 adults. Central Park West at 79th Street (81st Street-Museum of Natural History subway stop), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-769-5100. http://www.amnh.org.

American Museum of the Moving Image
Located in Queens, the museum holds the country's largest permanent collection of artifacts related to motion pictures, television and digital media. An absolute must for film buffs and those even remotely interested in film history. The museum hosts screenings, classes and lectures that are always well attended by area film students. Evening screenings are held Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 pm (call for programming information), and tours of the museum's highlights are offered Tuesday-Sunday at 2 pm. Tuesday-Friday noon-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-6 pm. US$8.50 adults. 35th Avenue at 36th Street (take the G, R or V train to Steinway Street in Queens, exit at 34th Avenue and walk south along Steinway Street, then turn right on 35th Avenue and walk to 36th Street), Astoria, Queens, New York City. Phone 718-784-0077. http://www.ammi.org.

Brooklyn Museum of Art
The city's second-largest museum has had a hard time drawing visitors away from museum-rich Manhattan, despite its exceptionally strong collections. The museum remains an under-appreciated treasure -- just to walk through this grand beaux-arts building is worth the trip to Brooklyn. It has exceptionally strong Egyptian, African and Native American collections, as well as significant works by such masters as John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. Also a Rodin sculpture court and paintings by Monet, Degas and other 19th-century French artists. Temporary exhibits are also presented -- phone the museum for the current schedule. Wednesday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-6 pm. On the first Saturday of each month, the museum remains open until 11 pm, with free performances, gallery talks and other events taking place in the evening. Suggested donation US$6 adults. 200 Eastern Parkway at Washington Avenue (take the 1 or 2 train to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum), Brooklyn, New York City. Phone 718-638-5000. http://www.brooklynart.org.

Children's Museum of Manhattan
The exhibits are designed to make learning fun and interactive: In the SoundFun area, children walk through a simulated ear; in the Time Warner Media Center, children can act as camera operators and learn about animation. Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm. US$6 adults and children, discounts for seniors. Tisch Building, 212 W. 83rd St. (79th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-721-1234. http://www.cmom.org.

Cooper-Hewitt, National Museum of Design
Housed in the beautiful Andrew Carnegie Mansion, this Smithsonian institution has a collection of decorative textiles, porcelain and wallpaper that traces the development of design through the centuries. Be sure to visit the spiffy glass-and-steel conservatory. Tuesday 10 am-9 pm, Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. US$8 adults (free Tuesday 5-9 pm). 2 E. 91st St. (at 5th Avenue; eastside 96th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-849-8400. http://www.si.edu/ndm.

Frick Collection
The former mansion of Henry Frick, a U.S. industrialist who helped Andrew Carnegie build his steel empire, faces Central Park and houses Frick's stunning collection of 14th- to 19th-century European paintings, objets d'art and furniture. The collection includes Hans Holbein's Sir Thomas More and Edward Degas' The Rehearsal, as well as paintings by Goya and others. The courtyard, with its fountain, ivy and stone benches, is a fine place to rest. Children ages 10-16 admitted only with adult; those younger than age 10 not admitted. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm (Friday till 8:45 pm), Sunday 1-6 pm. US$10 adults. 1 E. 70th St. (at 5th Avenue; 68th Street-Hunter College subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-288-0700. http://www.frick.org.

Guggenheim Museum
The only New York City structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the building itself is a work of art. Vaguely funnel-shaped, like a modernist tornado, the museum is best experienced by taking an elevator to the top and then strolling downward along the spiraling gallery-corridors. As you descend, you'll pass impressionist, Postimpressionist, modern and avant-garde paintings and sculptures. Holdings include Chagall's Green Violinist, Picasso's Woman Ironing and Kandinsky's Composition 8. Sunday-Wednesday 9 am-6 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am-8 pm. US$12 adults (a pay-what-you-wish policy is in effect Friday 6-8 pm). 1071 5th Ave. (at 89th Street; eastside 86th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-423-3500. http://www.guggenheim.org.

Guggenheim Museum SoHo
This SoHo-area offshoot of the main Guggenheim Museum has closed.

International Center of Photography
The ICP has moved from its Museum Mile location to a modern campus in Midtown. Devoted exclusively to photography, the museum's collection of more than 55,000 photographs includes works by such socially conscious photographers as Sebastiao Salgado and Mary Ellen Mark. The museum also offers well-regarded photography courses and workshops. An extensive collection of books about the art and practice of taking pictures can be found in the museum gift shop. Tuesday-Thursday 10 am-5 pm, Friday 10 am-8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6 pm. US$9 adults (a pay-what-you-wish policy is in effect Friday 5-8 pm). The center's galleries are at 1133 6th Ave. (at 43rd Street; 42nd Street-Bryant Park subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-857-0000. http://www.icp.org.

Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
Board the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier to get a glimpse of what life was like for sailors who served on one of the most battle-tested ships in U.S. history. The aircraft carrier opened as a museum in 1982 and has since become one of the city's most popular tourist destinations. Visitors can also tour the adjacent USS Edson destroyer and the USS Growler submarine. April-September: Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-7 pm; October-March: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm (last admission is one hour before closing). US$13 adults, free for active duty U.S. military personnel. Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street (42nd Street-Port Authority subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-245-0072. http://www.intrepidmuseum.org.

Jewish Museum
Dedicated to Jewish history and culture, with an emphasis on art. The museum's Cafe Weissman serves innovative kosher foods. Sunday 10 am-5:45 pm, Monday-Wednesday 11 am-5:45 pm, Thursday 11 am-8 pm (pay what you wish after 5 pm), Friday 11 am-3 pm. US$8 adults. 1109 5th Ave. (at 92nd Street; eastside 86th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-423-3200. http://www.thejewishmuseum.org.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum
One of those too-rare institutions dedicated to the history of immigrants' and poor people's experiences in urban America. Located in what was once a predominantly lower-class Jewish neighborhood, this 1863 tenement house has been recreated to depict families' apartments as they would have looked in the 19th century, the Great Depression and the mid 20th century. Tours operate Tuesday-Friday every 40 minutes from 1:20 pm-4 pm; Saturday and Sunday every half-hour 11:15 am-4:45 pm. All tours begin down the block from the museum, at 90 Orchard Street (corner of Broome Street). US$9 adults. The museum is at 97 Orchard St. (Delancey/Essex Street or Grand Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-431-0233. http://www.tenement.org.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
The entire museum covers 5,000 years of art and culture from all over the world, so wear comfortable shoes, and don't try to see the whole place in one visit. The 19th-century European Paintings and Sculpture Galleries house treasures by Monet, Renoir, Manet, Gauguin, van Gogh and a wonderful collection of Degas' ballet-dancer sculptures. There are also many works by old masters, including Rembrandt's masterpiece Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer. The wonderful American wing is graced with paintings by Whistler, Eakins and John Singer Sargent, among many others. The Met's medieval Arms and Armor collection, which includes some 15,000 pieces, is extraordinary, as are the Egyptian galleries, which house the largest collection of ancient Egyptian art outside of Cairo. The Egyptian Temple of Dendur, built about 15 B.C., is among the museum's most-visited sites. The rooftop sculpture garden has a sweeping view of Central Park. We could go on and on -- this is a must-see. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30 am-9 pm. Suggested donation US$10 adults. 1000 5th Avenue (on the east side of Central Park at 82nd Street; eastside 86th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-535-7710. http://www.metmuseum.org.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The 53rd Street home of MoMA has been shuttered for a huge renovation project; it's slated to reopen in 2005. Until then you'll have to go out to Queens to see the collection. Its temporary home is in an old Swingline staple factory, which has been reconfigured to provide 160,000 square feet of exhibition space, study areas and offices as well as a cafe and bookstore.

MoMA has one of the world's very best collections of 19th- and 20th-century paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, architecture, photography, film and industrial design. Artists represented include Chagall, Klee, Magritte, Dali, Stieglitz, Wyeth, Pollock, Mondrian, Rauschenberg and Oldenburg. Thursday-Monday 10 am-5 pm, Friday till 7:45 pm. US$12 adults (pay what you wish Friday after 4 pm). 33rd Street at Queens Blvd. (take a local 7 train to the 33rd Street subway station in Queens), Long Island City, Queens, New York City. Phone 212-708-9400. http://www.moma.org.

Museum of Television and Radio
Founded by broadcasting pioneer William S. Paley -- the longtime head of the CBS network -- the museum is best known for its enormous video and audio library. More than 100,000 radio and television programs are available for listening and viewing. You simply check in at the front desk, scan the database for programs that interest you, and a staff member will set you up in a console room. You can watch I Love Lucy episodes to your heart's content or look up more obscure relics of pop culture. Temporary exhibits showcase parts of the collection. The museum also hosts seminars and screenings, with discussions led by performers, journalists, critics and artists. Tuesday-Sunday noon-6 pm, Thursday noon-8 pm. US$6 adults. 25 W. 52nd St. (between 5th and 6th Avenues; 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-621-6600. http://www.mtr.org.

Museum of the City of New York
A must for history buffs. Historical New York comes to life through period furniture, miniatures and antique toys. Covers New York from the Dutch settlers to the present day. Wednesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. US$7 adults. 1220 5th Ave. (at 103rd Street; we recommend taking a cab to get there), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-534-1672. http://www.mcny.org.

National Museum of the American Indian
Opened in 1994, this branch of the Smithsonian Institution hosts exhibits about Native Americans from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America. Each room is packed with vibrant colors and information about American Indian culture. Among the items on display are ancient clovis-point arrowheads and modern silk-screen designs. Music and dance performances are also given at the museum. The museum is in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, a phenomenal beaux-arts structure with a spectacular lobby (worth a visit on its own). Friday-Wednesday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday 10 am-8 pm. Free. 1 Bowling Green (near the Bowling Green and Whitehall Street subway stations), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-514-3700. http://www.nmai.si.edu.

Neue Galerie
The latest addition to Museum Mile, the Neue Galerie has a wonderful collection of German and Austrian art, both fine and decorative. Works by Klimt, Schiele, Beckmann, Klee and more are housed in a magnificent beaux-arts mansion. Its upscale and very cozy on-site eatery was inspired by traditional Viennese cafes and is furnished with period pieces by Loos and others. Friday 11 am-9 pm, Saturday-Monday 11 am-6 pm. US$10 adults. 1048 5th Ave. (at 86th Street; eastside 86th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-628-6200. http://www.neuegalerie.org.

New Museum of Contemporary Art
A SoHo space that shows primarily living, contemporary artists and focuses on work that is political or experimental in nature. Also hosts retrospectives of underrecognized artists and select group shows. Tuesday-Sunday noon-6 pm (Thursday till 8 pm). US$6 adults (free to all Thursday 6-8 pm). 583 Broadway (Broadway/Lafayette or Prince Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-219-1355. Fax 212-431-5328. http://www.newmuseum.org.

New York Hall of Science
One of the top science museums in the U.S., it has more than 200 hands-on exhibits. Divisions of the museum are devoted to cyberspace, molecules, atoms, sound, light and the body. The Easy-View Microscope was first introduced and tested at the New York Hall of Science. The microscope enables you to view microbes effortlessly, and it's now used in museums and science centers worldwide. The Great Hall is renowned for its dalle de verre (slab of glass) installations. There's also a large, interactive playground for children. July and August: Monday 9:30 am-2 pm, Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am-6 pm. September-June: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-2 pm, Thursday-Sunday 9:30 am-5 pm. US$7.50 adults and children ages 16 and older, US$5 children ages 4-15 (September-June free admission Thursday and Friday 2-5 pm). Science playground US$2 per person. 47-01 111th St. (at 46th Avenue, take the 7 train to 111th Street in Queens), Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. Phone 718-699-0005. http://www.nyhallsci.org.

P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center
This immense public-school-building-turned-artspace is partnered with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Its hallways and classrooms contain art installations by a host of contemporary artists. Some of these are extremely successful (especially Meeting by James Turrell, visible only in the late afternoon and during good weather), others are merely puzzling, and some are so subtle you're not sure whether you're looking at an idiosyncrasy of the building or a work of art. Some of the galleries are more traditional, with semipermanent and temporary exhibits. Wednesday-Sunday noon-6 pm. Suggested donation US$4. 22-25 Jackson Ave. (at 46th Avenue; from Manhattan, take the E or V train to 23rd Street/Ely Avenue or the 7 train to 45th Road/Court House Square), Long Island City, Queens, New York City. Phone 718-784-2084. http://www.ps1.org.

Studio Museum in Harlem
The city's sole museum devoted entirely to work by artists of African descent. The collection concentrates mostly on cutting-edge contemporary works. Readings, lectures, artist workshops and training programs are also offered. Be aware that the area is still considered a bit risky, though it has improved. Wednesday-Friday and Sunday noon-6 pm, Saturday 10 am-6 pm. US$5 adults. 144 W. 125th St. (between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Lenox Avenue; 125th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-864-4500. http://www.studiomuseuminharlem.org.

The Cloisters
Located in northern Manhattan on a four-acre stretch along the Hudson River, these reconstructed medieval buildings are well worth a morning or afternoon side trip. The Cloisters are a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are devoted to the art and architecture of the European Middle Ages. They bring together elements from five medieval French cloisters, and several other monastic sites in southern France. They house some 5,000 works of art, including tapestries and stained-glass windows, and feature lovely herb and flower gardens based on gardens of the era. You can make a day of visiting both the Cloisters and the Met for a single admission fee. Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am-4:45 pm (November-February), 9:30 am-5:15 pm (March-October). US$10 adults. Fort Tryon Park (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, take the M4 public bus northward to Fort Tryon Park -- the last stop. By car, take the northbound Henry Hudson Parkway, also known as the Joe DiMaggio Highway, to the first exit after the George Washington Bridge: Fort Tryon Park, The Cloisters), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-923-3700. http://www.metmuseum.org.

Whitney Museum of American Art
A well-respected institution with constantly changing exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, film and video. Past exhibits have featured the works of Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol, as well as more broadly cultural shows. Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-6 pm, Friday 1-9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11 am-6 pm. US$10 adults (pay what you wish Friday 6-9 pm). 945 Madison Ave. (at 75th Street; 77th Street subway station), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-570-3676. http://www.whitney.org.