Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all New York City places

New York City, New York / Landmarks

Museum Mile

A prestigious stretch of Fifth Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side, home to eight world-class cultural institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Museum Mile
www.nyctourism.com, og_image_www.nyctourism.com

What is Museum Mile?

Museum Mile is a stretch of Fifth Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side, typically described as extending between 82nd and 110th Streets.

What is the Museum Mile Festival?

Established in 1978, this annual festival turns Fifth Avenue into a block party to increase public awareness of member institutions and promote support for the arts. It offers free admission to participating museums during extended evening hours.

Is it free to visit?

While museums generally have their own admission policies, the annual Museum Mile Festival provides free admission to participating institutions during extended evening hours.

Which museums are part of Museum Mile?

The core participating institutions include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Neue Galerie New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, The Jewish Museum, Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio, and The Africa Center.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Museum Mile is a renowned cultural corridor located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, stretching along Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 110th Streets. This prestigious stretch of the city is defined by its high concentration of world-class art collections and cultural institutions. Established in 1978, the Museum Mile Festival is a cornerstone of the area's identity, created to increase public awareness of member institutions and promote public support of the arts. This annual celebration turns Fifth Avenue into a block party, offering free admission to participating museums during extended evening hours. Since its inception, the festival has drawn upwards of two million visitors from across the country. The corridor's core participating institutions include eight major museums. These include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Neue Galerie New York, and the Museum of the City of New York. Other notable members include the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, The Jewish Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and The Africa Center. Visitors can experience the architectural diversity of these institutions, from the iconic spiral of the Guggenheim to the historic elegance of the Met. Walking this mile of art is a primary way to explore New York City's art, history, pop culture, and civic life.

Visitor tips

  • If visiting during the Museum Mile Festival, expect crowds and look for free admission between 6 and 9 p.m.
  • Plan for extended hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fridays and Saturdays until 9 p.m.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the stretch extends from 82nd to 110th Street.

Nearby context

Situated on the Upper East Side, Museum Mile is a landmark of Manhattan's cultural wealth, providing a transition between the midtown area and the quieter residential neighborhoods of the Upper East Side.

Sources

Evidence and links