New York City Sights

Brooklyn Museum of Art

#23 of 1880 things to do in New York City

#78 of 19983 things to do in USA

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: architecture, history, art, modern art, brookyln's history

  • Address
    • 200 Eastern Parkway
  • Transport
    • 2, 3 to Eastern Parkway
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 718-638-5000
  • Price
    • suggested donation $8
  • Hours
    • 10am-5pm Wed-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat & Sun

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Lonely Planet review for Brooklyn Museum of Art

Though it’s the country’s biggest art museum after the Met, with 1.5 million pieces and the largest Egyptian collection in the Americas, it sees far fewer visitors. The five-floor Beaux Arts building – built by McKim, Mead and White to be the world’s biggest museum in 1897 – is big, yet only a fifth of its originally planned size. Highlights are many. For much of the year, visitors linger by the museum’s glass esplanade entry to watch the fountains. Inside, the African Arts display (near the ground-floor cafe) offers several short video loops about fascinating traditional masks and costumes; the huge Egyptian collection on the 2nd floor features 13th-century mummy boards. Leave time for the 5th floor, where a few dozen Rodin sculptures are laid out, and look for the grab-bag of American art relics (eg the 1894 Thomas Edison film of the Sioux ‘Ghost Dance’). Temporary exhibits can be hit-or-miss – lots of urban, Americana and feminist art of late. Its free night – the first Saturday of the month – is a Brooklyn classic, with a wide turnout for free screenings, concerts and a wine/beer bar.

 

Traveller reviews for Brooklyn Museum of Art (2)

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    Even a native can be surprised.

    remelila recommends this,

    Believe it or not, but I grew up in NYC and never once went to the Brooklyn Museum – until my most recent trip home, when I decided to finally visit. What a great surprise! Besides the famous Judy Chicago piece "The Dinner Party", there's also a comprehensive collection of New York City art; a fantastic costume collection with some stunning 19th-century dresses; and a dozen or so preserved historic rooms, including an entire 18th-century Dutch farmhouse that was moved in its entirety from its original location in Canarsie.

    Good for: architecture, history, art

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    Brooklyn's finest

    raphamatics recommends this,

    The museum has been recently renovated which makes it a treasure to visit plus it has its own subway stop, so easy to get to. On the first Saturday of every month, they open it up to the community to showcase local musicians and artists (think DJ house party). The couture fashion exhibit and the spooky mummy room were stand outs. A large potion of the museum's art storage can also be viewed by the public.

    Good for: modern art, brookyln's history, public transport, community parties

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