New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

Forget Fifth Avenue—head to one of these neighborhoods, where you can hit several New York City museums (and grab a bite to eat) in one fell swoop.

By Lucy Cohen Blatter Thu Feb 14 2013

  • Photograph: Gavin Ashworth

    New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

    American Folk Art Museum

  • New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

    New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

  • Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

    New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

    Bouchon Bakery

  • Photograph: Courtesy ABS

    New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

    Museum of Biblical Art

Photograph: Gavin Ashworth

New York City museum itineraries: Beyond Museum Mile

American Folk Art Museum

  1. Flushing
  2. Financial District
  3. Upper West Side

Upper West Side

Start your exploration in Lincoln Square at the American Folk Art Museum (Columbus Ave between 65th and 66th Sts; 212-595-9533, folkartmuseum.org; free), which has an unparalleled collection of folk and outsider art. Through May 26, 2013, view “Women’s Studies,” which presents work by Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Nellie Mae Rowe and other mid- to late-twentieth century artists.

You’ll find the also free-of-charge New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (40 Lincoln Center Plaza at 64th St; 917-275-6975, nypl.org; free) in Lincoln Center proper. Highlights include the Billy Rose Theatre Collection, an impressive archive of posters, letters, script notes and costume designs for theatrical productions dating back to the 1700s; the museum also regularly hosts musical performances, film screenings and lectures.


Grab lunch at Bouchon Bakery (Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway, third floor; 212-823-9366, bouchonbakery.com) to sample Thomas Keller delicacies, minus the Per Se price tag. Chow down on the niçoise-style tuna sandwich ($14.50), and leave room for a house-made Nutter Butter cookie ($4).


Finish your outing at the Museum of Biblical Art (1865 Broadway at 61st St; 212-408-1500, mobia.org; free), which displays Judeo-Christian art that has been influenced by the that ever-popular book. The institution unveils its latest exhibit, “Ashe to Amen: African Americans and Biblical Imagery,” on February 15, 2013.


  1. Flushing
  2. Financial District
  3. Upper West Side

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  • Great post, but I think you forgot to add some. FiDi is full of historical sites. You should check these out as well: http://newconstructionmanhattan.com/blog/2013/02/top-five-museums-in-manhattans-financial-district

    Janna Fri Feb 8
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