If you’re into modern and contemporary American art, the Whitney Museum in New York is an absolute must-visit. Located right at the edge of the High Line in the Meatpacking District, the museum offers not only incredible exhibitions from well-known and emerging artists but also amazing views of the city from its rooftop terraces.
It’s one of those places where the art and the setting together make for a really cool experience – definitely worth adding to your NYC list! In this article, I will show you everything you need to know about this museum that was designed by star architect Renzo Piano, who also designed the Center Pompidou and the London Tower “The Shard”.
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Whitney Museum Facts
The Whitney Museum consists of 50,000 square feet of indoor galleries and 13,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit space as well as approximately 18,000 square feet for special exhibitions. The Whitney Museum is the largest column-free museum gallery in New York City!
The museum also consists of state-of-the-art-classrooms, a black box theater for film, video and performance rooms with an outdoor gallery, a 170 seat theater with views of Hudson River, and a Library Reading Room. These are all firsts for The Whitney Museum!
Whitney Museum Exhibits
The Whitney Museum is home to some of the most spectacular collections of contemporary art. Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, and Robert Rauschenberg are just a few of the names of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and installations that are part of the exhibition at the Whitney Museum.
They also have a rotation of temporary installments throughout the Whitney Museum.
- “The Whitney’s Collection” (ongoing)
- Amy Sherald: American Sublime (Apr 9–Aug 10, 2025)
- Christine Sun Kim: All Day All Night (Feb 8–July 6, 2025)
- Hyundai Terrace Commission: Marina Zurkow (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 11, 2026)
- Collection View: Louise Nevelson (Apr 9–Aug 10, 2025)
- Marina Zurkow: Parting Worlds (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 11, 2026)
- Mary Heilmann: Long Line (Apr 9, 2025–Jan 19, 2026)
- Shifting Landscapes (Nov 1, 2024–Jan 25, 2026)
- Sixties Surreal (Sept 24, 2025–Jan 19, 2026)
Food & beverage at the Whitney Museum
The Café “Studio Café” on the eighth floor invites you to linger and/or enjoy a small snack, both on the terrace and in the indoor area of the café. On the ground floor you find the connected restaurant “Untitled” (reservations needed). Both locations seem very inviting and fit perfectly into the Whitney Museum.
Not far from the museum you will find other worthwhile bars and restaurants in the Meatpacking district such as Bubby’s, which is one of my favorite spots in NYC!
Whitney Museum tickets
Plan to spend about $30 on Whitney Museum tickets if you buy them online. This is the best way to guarantee admission at your desired date and time.
NEW! For anyone who’s 25 years or younger, admission is FREE! You won’t need to buy any Whitney Museum tickets, just make sure you have an ID to prove your age.
That doesn’t mean that adults can’t save on admission. With a New York Pass, Go Explorer Pass or Sightseeing Pass, tickets will be free for you as well as the tickets are included in the pass.
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Not sure which of the attraction passes is the best one for you? You can easily find out by either taking a look at our extensive New York pass comparison or by using our savings calculator. It’s surely the easiest and most convenient way to find the pass that saves you the most.
Where is the Whitney Museum of American Art located?
Cobblestone streets, boutiques, chic bars, and expensive restaurants all come together within the popular Meatpacking District. At the center of this district is the High Line. With over a mile of beautiful views of the Hudson, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. With flowers, shrubs and trees are growing, the High Line is a garden for New Yorkers. And right at the South end where the High Line begins, on Gansevoort Street, is where the Whitney Museum is.
Our Review
Who can claim to have seen every museum in New York City (also in Queens & Brooklyn)? My top list of Museums in New York is fixed – is the Whitney part of the best? I went with great expectations to the Whitney Museum and I was not disappointed.
I booked the tickets in advance to avoid long waiting times. Without waiting, I arrived on the eighth floor of the asymmetric building made of sheet metal.
On the top floor, visitors can also enjoy a nice café and access to the highest point of the scenic road. The weather was fantastic, which really added to the beautiful view. High ceilings, bright, spruce floors, subtle lighting, and a pleasant calm made the visit very enjoyable. In many New York museums, it is often more turbulent.
Conclusion: A must-see
The Whitney Museum is a place of diversity and also an ideal museum for those who are not the typical art museum lovers. In each of the upper floors you can enjoy the fresh air and the great view and in my opinion, the views that you can see from The Whitney Museum add to the wonderful art.
The museum has been consciously designed for young people: it is modern and does not ignore where you are – in New York City – in the Meatpacking District – it offers time and space to enjoy this. Soak in the great atmosphere and enjoy!