The Guggenheim Museum in New York can be found along the famous Museum Mile on the eastern edge of Central Park. It may not be as well visited as some of the other museums along Fifth Avenue but it is still a major destination, especially for art lovers.
New York City is filled with museums and if you are looking for one that holds a variety of art, the Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side could be one to add to your list of things to do in Manhattan.
Here are some reasons to pay a visit to the Guggenheim Museum as well as some tips and ideas for you to enjoy your visit.
The Guggenheim Museum: 5 Reasons to Pay a Visit
1. Admire UNESCO World Heritage Site Architectural Masterpiece
Even before you enter the museum, you will be greeted with the amazing architecture of the Guggenheim Museum.
This large white building is striking with its curves that almost seems to wraps itself around your mind.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim is one of eight buildings by the renowned architect that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1943, Hilla Rebay, co-founder of the Guggenheim Museum, had asked Wright to build a “temple of spirit” to house the art collection of Solomon R. Guggenheim and the building is what he delivered. Its design invites people to explore as much it aims to show off the art.
Inside, the building shines even more.
From the large central rotunda, you can look up and it seems as if you are caught in a spiderweb – one filled with some of the world’s best art – as the daylight streams in from the skylight above.
The building has an organic quality to it, almost as if drawing inspiration from Central Park across the street. From the rotunda, you get teased with views of the artwork.
In 1990, the museum was designated as a New York City landmark.
Take a moment to stop and appreciate the architecture of the museum, a destination that attracts visitors from around the world.
2. Thannhauser Collection
One of the highlights of a visit to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is the Thannhauser Collection. This important collection is located within the second floor of the museum.
This collection features works by important artists such as Edgar Degas, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.
It is an opportunity to view the artworks by famous artists including Impressionists.
Amongst the key works that can be found in the Guggenheim Museum’s Thannhauser Collection include Landscape Near Antwerp by Georges Braque (1906), The Hermitage at Pontoise by Camille Pissarro (ca. 1867) and Edgar Degas Dancers in Green and Yellow (ca. 1903).
The Thannhauser Collection is sure to be a highlight for anyone who has an appreciation for late 19th century and early 20th century art.
3. Changing Art Exhibitions that Introduce Different Artists
Not just confined to the art works of the masters found at the Thannhauser Collection, the Guggenheim Museum also presents more contemporary modern art works and works of artists from all around the world.
Check the museum’s website for the latest exhibitions that are ongoing. It is a good opportunity to get view new artworks and be exposed to artists that you may not otherwise have known about.
4. Little Guggs for Families
Families, did you know that on certain days the Guggenheim Museum has got special programs designed for young ones?
Little Guggs is a family-friendly, inter-generational program that encourages adults and children to explore the art and collection at the museum togehter.
It is often held on the weekends or the earlier parts of the week.
Adults with infants can go on a Guggenheim Stroller Tour. After all, new parents need art too, right?
Other Little Guggs programs are designed for 2 to 4 year olds and accompanying adults. It is a great way for kids and families to get inspiration from exceptional, world-class art from an early age.
5. Guggenheim Store
Want to take back a souvenir from your visit to the Guggenheim Museum, or wish to purchase a gift for an art lover?
The Guggenheim Store on the first floor offers plenty of different gifts to delight the art lover.
Look out for exhibition inspired gifts. These are based on the current exhibition that is ongoing at the museum. So if you stop by at different times of the year, you will find different treasures depending on the changing exhibition.
You will also be able to find gifts based on the Thannhauser Collection, such as Van Gogh and Picasso foldable tote bags.
There are also Guggenheim branded apparel such as shirts, beanies and hats too. These sit alongside mugs, books and posters.
We especially like the Guggenheim Building Ornament that you can hang on your Christmas tree to remind you of your visit to the Guggenheim Museum.
In addition to the Guggenheim Store at street level, you will also find a smaller one at the top of the building as well.
Useful Information to Know for Visiting the Guggenheim Museum
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets to the Guggenheim Museum can be purchased in advance online. That is the recommended way to get hold of your tickets.
However, tickets can also be purchased in person at the museum on the first floor when you enter the museum.
Concessions
Students and Seniors 65 and older get to enjoy discounted admission prices. However, be sure to bring along an ID to enjoy the reduced price.
Visitors with disabilities also enjoy discounted admission prices.
How to Save on Guggenheim Museum Admission
What is also useful to know is that there are ways to save on admission into the Guggenheim Museum.
Children who are under 12 years old get to enter into the museum for free. This is especially good for families with young children.
Another “hack” to save on your admission into the Guggenheim Museum is to visit on a Saturday between 5 pm to 8 pm.
It is Pay What You Wish on Saturdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. If you arrive at 5 pm, that should give you plenty of time to view the collection and exhibits at the Guggenheim Museum.
On the flip side, since it is Pay as You Wish, you may also find the museum to be busier as well.
Where to Start: Top-Down or Bottom-Up
When you enter into the building, you will find the ramp spiralling upwards and teasing little glimpses of the various collections.
While you maybe tempted to start climbing upwards from the first to get to start viewing the art as quickly as possible, it was originally intended for visitors to take the elevator up to the top floor and then walk downwards along the ramp to view the art and galleries.
The rotunda elevator can be found close to the coat check area.
Ride the elevator up to the 6th floor. Then make your way down the spiralling ramp downwards.
This has the advantage of being less physically tiring and you also get to end up at the Thannhauser Collection on the second floor as one of the last few exhibits that you’ll get to experience within the museum – and the Thannhauser Collection is one of our favorite galleries.
Guggenheim Digital Guide
Go on your own tour of the Guggenheim by downloading the Guggenheim Digital Guide, part of the Bloomberg Connects app. You can use this to learn about the artworks on display and also to learn about the building’s story.
There are signages around the museum that prompt you when to make use of the app too.
These are audio guides. Therefore, you should bring along your ear buds so that you can listen to the audio commentary without disturbing other museum-goers.
Cafe Rebay
Named after the first director of the Guggenheim Museum, Cafe Rebay is a spot where you can stop for a drink and break from the artworks.
The cafe is located on the third floor of the building. You will find some seating areas along with a counter that serves both food like sandwiches and soup, as well as cakes and beverages.
Views of Central Park
From the upper floors of the museum, you can also get views of Central Park. The galleries at the Frank Lloyd Wright building have large windows facing westward. These provide a chance to take in the views of Central Park from an elevated vantage point.
A Visit to Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is an iconic landmark at the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
It is much smaller than the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has a rather interesting mix of artworks on display. It is also less busy than some of the bigger museums, making the experience of exploring its galleries more pleasant and less hassled.
We would suggest checking out the museum’s website for the latest changing exhibits and seeing if those artists interest you. Or you can find out more about what is on display at the Thannhauser Collection too.
Where: 1071 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10128 (Between 88th and 89th Streets)
Visit the Guggenheim Museum website.
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