Whitney Museum of American Art Guide
Located in a privileged enclave on the Hudson River, this art gallery offers the largest collection of American art in the world and spectacular views of New York.
Detail of the façade of the Whitney Museum in New York. | ©Julia Juncadella
If you are a lover of modern art, one of the must-see stops on your visit to New York is the Whitney Museum, which houses the best collection of 20th century American art in the world. But what's so special about it? Inside, you'll find many of the iconic paintings of the great realist painter Edward Hopper (1882-1968). So, if you haven't already, I suggest you make a note of this cultural gem on your trip.
This museum, which has been able to enrapture even Michelle Obama herself, who attended the inauguration of the new building in 2015, will surprise you. In this article I explain how to get tickets at a very affordable price, the best days of the week to visit, what works you can not miss inside and everything you need to know to make the most of your visit. Keep reading!
NYC Whitney Museum of American Art Entry Ticket
Avoid the queues and get your priority entrance to the Whitney Museum
Perfect if you want to visit this museum without having to waste time at the ticket office and enjoy the guided tour that is included in the price.
With this option to visit the Whitney Museum so economically, in which you only pay a little more to have your preferential access, you will see unique works of art without having to wait in the very long queues that form daily. Believe me, this can be exhausting. Besides, we already know that "time is money, and when traveling, even more so!"
With priority access, you will have the opportunity and time to discover the most complete collection of American art ever. A fact: this museum places special emphasis on works by living artists, which proves that the premise that "any time in the past was better" is not always true.
What does priority admission include?
- Direct access to the exhibits, with no lines or unnecessary waiting.
- A daily guided tour to get to know all the secrets of this museum in depth and not leave any questions unanswered.
- Free cancellation if your trip suffers last minute changes.
Recommended if... you want to avoid the crowds and lines that form daily at the Whitney Museum ticket office.
How much do tickets to the Whitney Museum cost?
If you buy your tickets to the Whitney Museum of New York online in advance you will pay only 32 ¤ on the Hellotickets website. However, if you are traveling with children, family or have access to a special discount, you may get better prices.
Prices at the box office
It is also a very valid option to buy tickets at the box office and the rate you get will be very similar, although as mentioned above, you will lose the advantages of acquiring the priority ticket (preferential access, free cancellation and guided tour).
Do not forget that the queues can be very heavy, so I do not recommend buying tickets the same day of the visit (especially to enter at the last minute, since these are sold out weeks before).
Take advantage of special group discounts
However, if you are a free soul, one of those who like to improvise and do not mind going to the ticket office (even if it takes you longer), check if you can benefit from a reduced price for belonging to the following groups:
- Seniors over 65 years old,
- Visitors with disabilities,
- Students, who must present the accreditation card.
How to get free admission to the Whitney Museum
On the other hand, children under the age of 18 can enter for free. Yes, free of charge. Also, remember that New York museums have implemented the option of entering with a donation, the famous pay what you wish (" pay what you wish "). Didn't you know?
Every Friday, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Whitney Museum allows visitors to enter through this option. However, it is required to apply for admission in advance because there is a high demand. If you go on very specific dates, it is best to be cautious and book on their official website well in advance.
Whitney Museum opening hours
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10:30 am to 6 pm.
- Tuesday (closed).
- Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Best time to visit the Whitney
My advice is to book your ticket to the Whitney Museum in New York in advance and try to visit the Whitney Museum during the week and avoid Saturdays and Sundays. In particular, the best days to discover its collections are Mondays and Wednesdays because they tend to be the least crowded weekdays.
Most museums and monuments in New York are closed on holidays and the Whitney is no exception: on December 25, January 1 and Thanksgiving Day, the institution closes its doors.
Book in advance
As the museum explains on its official website, buying same-day tickets can be tricky. To avoid spoiling your plans, I advise you to purchase your ticket in advance.
Important fact: keep in mind that the last entrance to the museum is 45 minutes before closing time. And if you are like me, you love sunsets, and you don't know where to enjoy the best sunsets in New York, the terrace of the Whitney Museum is your place. You have my word!
Where is and how to get to the Whitney Museum
Once you have booked your ticket to the Whitney Museum, please note that it is located at 99 Gansevoort Street in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, just steps from the Hudson River and the West Side Highway.
The Whitney is easily accessible by bike, subway, bus and cab.... For most, the easiest way to get to the Whitney Museum (located at 99 Gansevoort Street) is to use the New York City subway.
You can take the A, C, E and L lines (get off at the 14th St stop). The price of a single ticket is about 2,60 €. Here you have this subway map so you can move around the Big Apple without any problem.
The New York MetroCard
A little tip! If you plan to use public transport several times during your trip, the best option is to buy the MetroCard, valid for subway and buses. Unlike major Spanish cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, both the New York subway and buses run 24 hours a day. Here you have the practical guide to use the New York subway.
The Citi Bike system in New York City
If, on the other hand, you are one of those who are easily overwhelmed in the subway, I recommend you to get to the Whitney Museum by bike, the most sustainable and ecological means of transport in the city of skyscrapers. In addition, you can park almost at the very door of the museum.
The best option to rent this vehicle is to use the Citi Bike application, the public bike rental system in New York, a cheap and fun option to enjoy every corner of the Big Apple on two wheels; although you can also rent a bike for hours in New York.
Main works you can't miss at the Whitney Museum
When booking your ticket to the Whitney Museum, keep in mind that it consists of more than 21,000 pieces created by more than 3,000 artists and is specially designed to appeal to a young-spirited audience. It has several floors among which are distributed the temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection, in addition to the own collection of the founder Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.
In the museum you can find the best collection of paintings by Edward Hopper, famous for his portraits of loneliness in American life, whose legacy when he died was donated to this institution. Also on display are works by Andy Warhol, Peggy Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Basquiat, George Bellows and Stuart Davis, among many others.
The museum's must-sees
Don't miss the gallery's best works:
- Music, Pink and Blue, by Georgia O'Keeffe (1918).
- Early Sunday Morning, by Edward Hopper (1930).
- The Brooklyn Bridge, by George Stella (1939).
- Three Flags, by Jasper Johns (1958).
- A Woman in the Sun, by Edward Hopper (1961).
Don't miss the traditional Whitney Biennial
On the other hand, every two years the museum organizes the Whitney Biennial, the longest-running exhibition in the country, held since 1932, which shows the public the latest developments in American art. It is dedicated, above all, to emerging artists and new proposals.
This exhibition, which attracts thousands of onlookers and visitors, has established itself as one of the most important exhibitions in the world of contemporary art, so much so that it usually leads the trends in the sector. Would you like to attend? Well, you're in luck, because the 2021 Biennial has been postponed and the next one will be held between April and August 2022.
Don't worry if you don't speak English because the museum usually offers resources and programs in Spanish during the Biennial, such as a mobile guide, guided tours and free tours of the exhibition. Exhibit signage is also in Spanish.
How much time do you need to visit the Whitney Museum?
Once you have booked your ticket to the Whitney Museum, please note that you will need to set aside two hours for your visit. Keep in mind that visiting the museum with a specialized guide will give you more time than if you see it on your own. As the Instituto Cervantes proverb says, "lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno ".
My advice is that when you leave the museum, take a short walk through the Meatpacking District, a neighborhood of about twenty blocks with a bustling community of artists, galleries, restaurants and nightlife. You can also take the opportunity to tour the High Line, a new urban garden built on an old railroad line. Here's my handy guide to 10 things to do and see on New York's High Line
Then, you can spend the afternoon aboard a two-and-a-half hour cruise on the Hudson River that will allow you to take in the Manhattan skyline and discover the other side of the Big Apple from the water. I advise you to take a look at the best cruises on the Hudson. And if you like street art, I suggest you leave the High Line at the 23rd Street entrance to see the colorful graffiti of Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra.
Where to eat at the Whitney Museum
If you want to grab a snack or enjoy the sunset with a cocktail, you won't have to leave the building, just take the elevator up to the eighth floor. The museum is home to the Studio Bar restaurant, which serves American cuisine with a modern twist. I recommend you arrive early to get a seat on its fabulous terrace with views.
- Water (2,60 €).
- Beer (7,80 €).
- Glass of wine (12 €).
- Cappuccino (4,30 €).
- Cocktails with alcohol (13 €).
- Aperitif (18 €).
Also, if you just want to make a stop during your visit to the gallery and, in the meantime, enjoy watching the passers-by go by with their busy New York life, go to the Andrea and James Gordon restaurant on the first floor, accessible to both museum guests and the general public.
Its walls are large glass windows that allow you to enjoy the bustling city at your leisure with a coffee in hand. If you are not convinced by any of the options, take a look at this guide to the best places to eat in New York and choose well where to satiate your appetite! And if you want to enjoy the view from the terrace of the Studio Bar, but don't want to sit down to eat, I suggest you order a cappuccino coffee - it's delicious and will warm you up!
Recommendations for visiting the Whitney Museum
My advice is that even if you do not like art, book your ticket to the Whitney Museum and go up to the outdoor terraces of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th floor that serve as art galleries and spectacular viewpoints. As I said, the top floor is perfect for a romantic aperitif with a view!
And although in the past it was described as the "ugliest building in New York", the Whitney Museum has ceased to be the ugly duckling and has been transformed into a swan thanks to the portentous hands of architect Renzo Piano, who has designed the new building with an industrial and modern aesthetic and one of the most impressive views of the Big Apple.
Now all you have to do is buy your tickets, put these recommendations into practice and get ready to see one of the most beautiful viewpoints in New York. Bon voyage to the heights!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Whitney Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, if you book your ticket to the Whitney Museum and you have an accessibility issue, you can rest assured that all levels of the museum are accessible by elevator. In addition, the entrances to the outdoor terraces are equipped with automatic openers for easy access.
Is there parking for cars near the Whitney Museum?
Yes, there are three parking garages nearby, at 99 Jane Street, 134-36 Jane Street and 385 West 15th Street.
Can I park my bicycle near the Whitney Museum?
Yes, bike racks are available directly in front of the museum. In addition, parking for the Citi Bicycle System (New York's public bicycle system) is located at the southwest corner of Gansevoort and Washington Streets.
Are Whitney Museum tickets included in any of the city's sightseeing passes?
Manhattan has an endless list of things to see and do And the best way not to miss anything like the Whitney is to book the New York Explorer Pass from 72 ¤, which allows you to visit up to ten attractions in 60 days. Among them, you will be able to enter this gallery, visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty or tour the city by bus. If you have time to spare, this is definitely the best alternative for you.
Keep in mind that if you had to see all the attractions on your own, it would be impossible to concentrate them in such a short time, so this is the most efficient way to make the most of your stay without crowds or queues.
Why I like this option: in addition to its good value for money, I recommend the tourist card for including a very complete tour of New York with which you will make the most of your days in this city.
Practical information about the New York Explorer Pass
- Recommended: if you are going to be in New York for at least two weeks.
- Number of attractions to choose from: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10
- Price: from 72 €
- Advantages: saves time and money (the card allows you to enter the main attractions at a reduced rate)
Ideal also for families with children, who like to relax and enjoy the tour buses