Guggenheim Museum in New York: Tickets and Tours

If you dare to walk up the spiral ramp of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, you will discover one of the pinnacles of 20th-century architecture. This institution, which has become a must-see opposite Central Park, brings together art, design, architecture and gastronomy. Yes, gastronomy too!

If you're already convinced to step inside this icon of design and contemporary art and want to be dazzled by the impressive works of Van Gogh, Kandinski and Picasso, among others, I recommend buying your tickets online in advance to save time and money. Take note!

The best option

NYC Guggenheim Museum Tickets

Skip the lines and enter directly into the Guggenheim Museum

Enjoy one of New York's architectural and artistic gems without waiting, with access to all its exhibitions.

From S$40 at Hellotickets

With this ticket to the Guggenheim Museum in New York, you'll get skip-the-line access to one of the city's most iconic spaces. Located on the Upper East Side, opposite Central Park, the building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is not only a masterpiece of modern architecture, but also houses some of the world's most important collections of modern and contemporary art.

You will have access to its permanent and temporary exhibitions, where you can see works by artists such as Manet, Degas, Picasso, Cézanne, Kandinsky and Pollock, among many others. If you are interested in both art and architecture, this visit offers a double visual experience that will not leave you indifferent.

Recommended if... you want to visit one of New York's most iconic museums without wasting time in long queues at the entrance.

As I mentioned, the best option is to buy priority tickets starting at S$40 The good thing? Your booking will be confirmed immediately and, in case of any unforeseen circumstances, you can cancel for free, so you can book without any risk or worries.

Don't let this trip turn into your worst nightmare if you arrive without tickets and have to go to the ticket office. It is one of the most popular museums in the Big Apple, so the queue is usually quite long, even wrapping around the building, especially in high season (June, July, and August and during the Christmas season) and first thing in the morning (it opens at 11 a.m.).

Fun fact! When the Guggenheim Museum opened its doors in 1959, 62 years ago, the admission price was only 50 cents, which is less than one euro.

Take advantage of discounts for seniors and students

However, if you prefer to go it alone and don't mind spending the morning or afternoon queuing because you have plenty of time, take a look below at the groups that are eligible for a reduced rate:

• People over 65,
• People with disabilities
• Students, who must provide proof with their university card.
• Children under 12 can travel for free. Yes, you read that right: free! This plan is therefore very economical if you want to travel as a family with young children.

If you're looking to save some cash, you're in luck! One Saturday a month, the foundation allows visitors to enter the Guggenheim Museum in New York for free, an initiative sponsored by Macallan. However, due to capacity restrictions and high demand for these passes, this option is quite uncertain. Therefore, to make sure you don't miss out on your ticket, I suggest you buy it in advance at Hellotickets.

The great thing about New York is that there is so much culture on offer and there are options for all budgets. Some are very, very cheap. Don't miss this article on the best museums in New York. Remember, too, that on Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm, the Guggenheim Museum allows visitors to enter for a donation, which you decide yourself.

If you're on a tight budget when visiting New York's museums, you should know that some, such as the MoMa, also offer free admission at certain times of the week, and tourist passes (check here for the best tourist card in New York) are also a good way to save money.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

I recommend buying your ticket well in advance as there is usually high demand. Don't miss out on visiting this temple of art!

Yes, as it is such a touristy city with so many cultural wonders to visit, if you don't want to miss any of them, you can opt to buy the New York City Pass® tourist card, which will allow you to enter the Guggenheim Museum as the tickets are included in the price.

In my opinion, it's a great idea to buy this pass when you have several days (at least 9) because you'll avoid the crowds and queues. That way, all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself. You won't even need a travel guide because the main attractions are included in the price, and you'll save money and time.

Recommended if... you're going to be in New York for at least a week and want to visit the main monuments without having to queue for ages or spend too much money.

Are there guided tours of the Guggenheim Museum?

The Guggenheim Museum does not currently offer official guided tours as part of its general admission, but if you want to learn more about the context of New York and also access the museum, you can sign up for a guided city tour with admission to the Guggenheim included.

This tour combines a walking tour of some of Manhattan's most iconic neighbourhoods, such as Wall Street, Little Italy and Chinatown, with access to the Guggenheim Museum, which you can explore on your own after the guided city tour. This is an ideal option if you are looking for a comprehensive introduction to the city and want to finish off your day by immersing yourself in modern and contemporary art at one of the world's most iconic museums.

Recommended if... you want to make the most of your day by combining sightseeing in New York with a visit to the Guggenheim without queuing or worrying about tickets.

The Guggenheim in New York is located on 5th Avenue, between 88th and 89th Streets.

Despite being one of the largest cities in the world, New York City is perfectly connected by public transport. To get to the Guggenheim Museum, you can take New York subway lines 4, 5 or 6. You can also use bus lines M1, M2, M3 or M4.

By the way, you should know that the museum is accessible for people with disabilities: it has a lift and is wheelchair accessible, except for the High Gallery.

The Guggenheim Museum is open from Thursday to Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I recommend checking the opening hours on the official website before you go, as they are subject to change. Please note that the museum is closed all day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as on certain public holidays (such as 25 December).

• Monday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: closed
• Thursday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

It's best to visit this museum in the morning so you don't miss the interesting guided tour included in the price at 2pm.

Here is a list of the museum's most iconic works:

• 'Dining Room in the Garden' by Pierre Bonnard.
• 'Mountains of Saint-Remy' by van Gogh.
• The mural 'Painting' by Joan Miró.
• 'Woman in Front of a Mirror' by Édouard Manet.
• 'Composition 8' and 'Black Lines', by Wassily Kandinsky.
• 'Red Lily Pads' by Alexander Calder.

The main focus of the Guggenheim Museum, which also has branches in Venice, Bilbao and soon in Abu Dhabi, is on Impressionist and Expressionist art by great figures such as Van Gogh and Kandinsky, as well as modern and contemporary art.

As for its main paintings, its collections are extremely varied and spectacular. Get ready for this visual journey with Toulouse-Lautrec, Magritte, Chagall and Miró, among others.

As we have seen, there is something for everyone. The museum combines permanent exhibitions with temporary displays and a collection of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe, famous for his large black and white images, especially of flowers and male nudes.

Exchange of works between the Guggenheim Museums

One of the characteristics of the Guggenheim Foundation museums, which makes them unique and different, is that their exhibitions are constantly changing due to the exchange of paintings between their institutions. The foundation itself argues that this dynamism contributes to enriching the public's artistic perception and encourages people to visit more than once. That way, you won't get bored!

The Picasso collection at the Guggenheim Museum

Are you a lover of Spanish painting? Then pay attention, because the Guggenheim in New York has one of the largest collections of works by Pablo Picasso, considered the most influential painter of the 20th century.

Among them is the work "Woman with Yellow Hair", inspired by Marie-Thérèse, whom Picasso met when she was 17 and he was 45. The two began a very intense romantic relationship, but kept it hidden from those around them for years, as she was very young and the Malaga-born artist was married. Later, the genius made her his muse and left us portraits of great beauty such as this one.

You will need at least two hours to visit the museum and explore the six winding floors that rise towards the imposing glass dome, which is flooded with natural light. As is common with all tourist attractions, the best time to visit is usually first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon to avoid large crowds and the museum being at full capacity.

Therefore, it is best to arrive early and plan your trip in advance. Personally, I prefer to spend two or three hours on a leisurely tour of the museum rather than rushing through it all in an hour. However, this decision will depend on how much time you have available.

Take advantage of the workshops for children

The museum organises various activities for children. For example, on the second Sunday of every month, the museum runs an interactive tour for families, which includes creative and hands-on activities in the galleries.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

The views from the top of the building are incredible. Don't forget to take a selfie on the sixth floor before you leave. You'll be the envy of your social media followers!

Any time of year is perfect for falling in love with the Guggenheim Museum in New York. However, visiting this enclave in winter is an ideal activity to escape the cold and soak up its culture.

Christmas in New York is magical. Who hasn't dreamed of seeing out the year here? A perfect plan is to visit the museum in the morning and then spend the afternoon wandering through Central Park or the streets of the Big Apple, admiring the Christmas lights.

We mustn't forget the wonderful autumn and the picture-postcard views of Central Park with its colourful leaves. It's a beautiful scene that you can photograph as soon as you leave the Guggenheim Museum.

On the other hand, the Guggenheim Museum is ideal in summer for getting out of the sun and enjoying a little shade while you enjoy the art. In conclusion, any month is a good time to visit this attraction in New York.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

It's very cold in New York in winter, but the museums are nice and warm. My advice is to dress in layers, like an onion. You'll be glad you did!

This cylindrical building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and conceived as a "temple of the spirit" and of art. Unfortunately, Lloyd did not live to see his work completed, which was inaugurated in 1959, months after his death.

On this visit, you will immerse yourself in the avant-garde architecture of the 20th century and contemplate some of the most beautiful works of contemporary art. The Guggenheim building is constructed from 700 tonnes of steel and 198 square metres of concrete. That's quite something!

In 2019, the monumental building was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Did you know that it took this architectural genius almost 15 years and 700 sketches to create this marvel?

Of course, if after a long morning walking around the exhibition, during which you will have burned countless calories, you start to feel hungry, I recommend stopping off to enjoy the quintessential American fast food: hot dogs and hamburgers, to recharge your batteries. I'll tell you all about it here: the 10 best places to eat in New York.

Enjoy your culinary and cultural experience!