The Whitney Museum of American Art

A museum with a view

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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”.

Ticket information

Regular ticket from $30.00 buy
Steffen Kneist Loving New York
Whitney Museum

Too much to read?

  • Best time to visit: If you like it less crowded, come here on a weekday (the museum is closed on Tuesdays).
  • Tickets: It is always best to buy your tickets online in advance. This will help you avoid long waiting times. Admission is free for everyone under 25 years yet tickets are still required.
  • Save money: The Whitney Museum is included in most of the New York attraction passes. With a pass, you can visit more attractions and save a good amount of money! Check my New York Pass Comparison here!

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Whitney Museum in NYC

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 History

The Whitney Museum of American Art was originally founded in 1930 by art patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. However, the museum’s current building in New York’s Meatpacking District, designed by architect Renzo Piano, was officially opened to the public on May 1, 2015.

Here’s a quick overview of the Whitney Museum’s locations before its move to the Meatpacking District:

  • 1931–1954: 8 West 8th Street, Greenwich Village
    The original museum space was in a converted rowhouse near Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s studio.
  • 1954–1966: 22 West 54th Street, Midtown Manhattan
    As the collection grew, the museum moved to a larger location closer to the Museum of Modern Art.
  • 1966–2014: 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street (Upper East Side)
    This building, designed by architect Marcel Breuer, became an iconic Brutalist landmark and was the museum’s home for nearly 50 years.
  • Since 2015: 99 Gansevoort Street, Meatpacking District
    The Whitney moved downtown to its current location, gaining significantly more exhibition space and proximity to the High Line.

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)

Whitney Museum Tickets

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.

Food & beverage at the Whitney Museum

The Whitney Museum in NYC offers two great dining spots: Frenchette Bakery on the ground floor, with a full café and fresh-baked goods, and the Studio Bar on the 8th floor, serving snacks and drinks with rooftop views. Both are open during museum hours and give Whitney Members a 10% discount.

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!

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. The closest subway station is 14 St/8 Av which is served by the lines A C E L.

Steffen Kneist Loving New York
Money Saving Tip

Visit the museum for free!

The Whitney Museum offers free admission every Friday from 5–10 pm and on the second Sunday of each month. Both events include special programs and activities, but tickets are still required due to limited capacity—booking in advance is recommended.

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!

Profilbild Steffen Kneist
About the author

Steffen

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide. Also check out my hotel finder for New York!

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