No fee..but you have to go through metal detectors it seems
That's because it is run by the Smithsonian
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“There is also newer art made by or inspired by Native Americans.”In 31 reviews
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“All beautifully preserved and of Smithsonian quality.”In 15 reviews
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“In a beautiful beaux arts customs house, which is an added bonus.”In 7 reviews
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- Glenn C.
- Fair Lawn, NJ
- 30 friends
- 451 reviews
Of the free museums, this is probably the best. I didn't know how good this museum was up until a short while ago.
A lot of interesting exhibits and it explors so many different tribes. I mean it is somewhat smaller than many others, but it is free -
- Stephanie G.
- Buffalo, NY
- Elite ’13
- 29 friends
- 57 reviews
This was a fun museum, though we only spent about a half hour going through the whole place. Beautiful architecture, just not too terribly interesting. And quite frankly, there just isn't a whole lot to look at here, though there ought to be!
Aside from being centrally located near a ton of street vendors selling cheap jewelry, the museum is free! There's really no reason why you shouldn't check it out. The gift shop is full of really neat items, such as traditional instruments, clay pots, books and t-shirts. We did get yelled at for taking pictures by a pretty grumpy security guard. We knew better, just so many fun things to look at and try to remember!
As long as your down by the Staten Island Ferry and the Financial district, you should take a few minutes to check out this museum. -
- Kevin Y.
- Philadelphia, PA
- 45 friends
- 106 reviews
This museum is FREE. Honestly, that's all you really need to know.
Go educate yourself about the Native American.
...
Okay okay, if you really want a more in-depth review, here's what I thought of the actual museum.
For the most part, there really isn't that much to see in this building. Many of the exhibits appeared to be under renovation, so there were only two sections that were open for public viewing. While both sections were pretty interesting and educational, you can easily walk through both of them in less than an hour.
But again, you're not paying for any of this...so why would you complain about that?
The building itself used to be the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House, so the main room is quite large and ornately decorated. I personally thought that the symbolism behind the four statues outside the building was incredibly interesting...but I'm not going to tell you about that here. You should just go into the museum and learn about it yourself.
Again, this museum is FREE. You really can't beat a better deal than that.
If you're in FiDi and you need to kill an hour or two, this is a good place to do just that.
Learn about something new! -
- Tony J.
- Stanford, CA
- 14 friends
- 139 reviews
It's certainly nice to have a free museum in the middle of downtown. When you walk in (and pass through security!) you are greeted by a large rotunda with paintings of steamships on the ceiling and an oval in the center with panels providing an introduction to Native American culture.
Proceeding past the rotunda, you get to an exhibit showing all the different indigenous cultures throughout the Americas, not limited to just the United States, with traditional clothing and artifacts on display. Then there is an exhibit showing various American musicians of (part) Native American descent, like Jimi Hendrix. Unfortunately, I don't think the influence of Native American culture on those musicians was explained well enough, and it ended up just being generic biographies of people who happened to have a certain blood in them. The lower level had real deerskin and buffalo hide, which was really cool.
If you're ever in the area, the museum is worth a visit, though it's nothing special. -
- Laura Kate S.
- London, UK
- Elite ’13
- 70 friends
- 732 reviews
Came here with my in-laws, not really knowing what to expect from this little sister of the DC museum. It's mainly one large exhibit of artifacts from native peoples of the Americas as well as (currently, anyhow) 2 smaller exhibits - one about musicians with American Indian ancestry. There's also a small room around the corner focusing on the people of the New York/New England region.
It was beautifully laid out and put together. As a Smithsonian institution, it's free (a great example of tax dollars at work). Did I leave with a sense of White Guilt? Totally. Is that a bad thing? Not at all.
Definitely something to check out if you're in the Financial District or also totally worth a trip to that part of the city for this alone. Since it's right near Battery Park, there's a lot to see & do nearby as well. -
- Hadron Collider P.
- Manhattan, NY
- 687 friends
- 1001 reviews
What they have is pretty cool, they just don't have a lot of it. No worries about getting "museum back," at least, because you can breeze through in under an hour. -
- Emily S.
- Franklin, TN
- 1 friend
- 34 reviews
It's really sad and kind of embarrassing, actually, that there isn't more representation and study of Native American history and culture here in... America. The National Museum of the American Indian is a pretty good start though, and it's free. Yes, totally free. So you have no excuse not to go! Its very easy to get to as well seeing as it's literally the first thing you lay your eyes on as you walk out of the bowling green subway stop.
The museum is pretty small, especially compared to the DC version, but it's a very nice and interesting collection. I actually kind of like that it's small, because it doesn't feel overwhelming or exhausting, and you can still do other things with your day. The building is the old NYC Customs House as well, so it's a piece of history/art in itself and also very cool to check out!
Definitely go. fun weekend activity! -
When you find something free in New York City, you do it.
I found this place while I was exploring Lower Manhattan on my own and I decided to check it out since it was free. It's not an incredibly big museum but some of the artifacts there are definitely worth seeing, especially if you're into history. The only thing is that the exhibits do more "show" than "tell." That is, there's not much else other than the artifacts, and you're not given much context to what they actually are other than a small blurb right next to what you're seeing. But hey, it's free. So definitely check this place out when you go see New York City. -
Location- Bowling Green- Take the 4 or 5 train walk up the stairs and the Museum is right up the stairs from the subway station. Other trains-1,2,3,R, J & Z- Check subway map for name of subway station.
This Museum is Free. Hours 10-5 PM daily. Thursday till 8 PM.
Upon entering, you will be going through security. Not as bad as the airport. You do not need to take off your shoes. The security personnel are friendly and guide you through the process.
Yes, even though it's a small museum it blends in with the days activities of going to Battery Park, getting on a ferry as well as other main attractions in the financial area.
The National Museum of American Indians is located in the United States Custom House building. When you are in the front entrance of the museum, notice above the four marble statues that greets you. Each statue symbolizing one of the four continents-(from left to right) Asia, America, Europe and Africa.
Always wanted to go to learn more about Native American history and this is the perfect place to be. They also have family events. Check their schedule.
The exhibit you must check out is "Up Where We Belong:Native Musicians in Popular Culture"- You be astonished. Don't forget to check out Stevie Salas-Green Guitar.
The Teepee tent- favorite amongst children for they just want to play and hang out there all day. -
- Mike W.
- Washington, DC
- 1 friend
- 9 reviews
To be honest, if you've never been here, please skip the first floor and head straight to the 2nd. There are only a couple of exhibits on 1st, mediocre, but the 2nd floor is absolutely amazing. Don't waste needed energy.
The music exhibit is great. So much rich history and just stuff to make you go shut the front door. It's quite a bit to read so be sure to allot at least an hour to combs through. -
It's free! You get to see how the original natives lived before...well, you know the story. There's a security check point on entering this place, but it moves pretty quickly. There's a cool teepee on the lower level, which is pretty cool for the kids (and well, I found it cool too) because it gives you a real feel for the way they lived.
It's a great place to visit with your family or you can take a break from the heat--that A/C sure felt good ;) -
- Rocio G.
- Bakersfield, CA
- 30 friends
- 54 reviews
Great exhibit, beautiful venue, quiet and peaceful. The only thing I was bummed about was not being able to take pictures. -
- Christopher B.
- Rochester, NY
- Elite ’13
- 91 friends
- 329 reviews
3 and 1/2 stars.
Big selling points (1) its free, (2) its location is near many other sites and subway stations, (3) the items in the museum are interesting and extensively representative of many cultures, (4) it is small enough to be good for a short visit &/or kids.
The shortcomings are that the exhibits lack any real depth (and the space to display any) and so only cover the surfaces of the multitudes of cultures from which they show pieces On my visit, a third of the exhibit spaces were closed-off. Lack of material or staff, or transitions in exhibits, who knows? The security screening to get in was annoying - equal to the airport.
If you're in the area of Battery Park and Bowling Green Park and Staten Island Ferry then you're here and you should stop in for a quick free visit. -
- Tushar G.
- Manhattan, NY
- 13 friends
- 60 reviews
Housed beautifully inside the old U.S. Custom House, the Museum of the American Indian is a pleasure and a revelation. I came here on a quiet Saturday afternoon, the crowd was thin and there was plenty of time to learn and explore. I left with a book form the museum store called "Native New Yorkers: The Legacy of the Algonquin People of New York ". Most highly recommended. -
Free entertainment is always great. You will have to go through a security check but it doesn't take very long.
It's not a big museum and it was not very crowded when I was there, but it's enough to keep you busy for a little while. I liked the room with displays of the clothing on each side. -
- Larisa T.
- Financial District, Manhattan, NY
- 11 friends
- 174 reviews
I've lived in the neighborhood for almost 2 years and sadly just visited the museum (by myself) on a boring Sunday. I wish I had gone sooner -- this museum is great!
This is an amazing FREE museum in a beautiful building! It's a great place to hang out for a couple hours when it's hot (air conditioned within) or raining. It's open every day and it's not crowded. It's rare to find such a gem in NYC, but you've found it.
I was really moved by the photography exhibit. They show pictures of a big reservation in New Mexico that was visited by "the white man". I love how they let the Native Americans caption the photos and point out things that are ridiculous (like every single photographer capturing a woman with a pot on her head. It seems as trite an image for them as photographing Times Sq to represent a visit to NYC).
There are a ton of artifacts, tools, artwork, pottery and clothing from Native Americans spanning many centuries. There is also newer art made by or inspired by Native Americans.
They really seem to focus on education and awareness, not just "oooh look at the Indians", which is great to see.
Great place for kids, families, or anyone with a curious and empathetic mind. Warning: you might leave feeling a little sad/guilty. -
- Steve G.
- Union, NJ
- 340 friends
- 600 reviews
The National Museum of the American Indian has, in recent years, received some of the treasures shed by the Smithsonian in Washington. Going back to the 60's all of this material was housed in the original Museum of the American Indian in Harlem, and it was one of the most impressive and imagination-inspiring museums I've ever seen. As late as 2008 the Bowling Green facility had only a few dozen pieces of art and sculpture; they have added quite a bit since. Admission is free, security is stringent and (unless something has recently changed), the exhibits are self guided. My understanding is that some of the National Archives overflow will also be moved to this building in the coming year.
This Museum is housed in the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, a 105 year old Beaux-Arts facility designed by the renown architect Cass Gilbert (Woolworth Building). It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Manhattan, and I was fortunate to have an office which overlooked it for two years.
Most New Yorkers don't realize that this was the site of Fort Amsterdam from 1625 until being torn down shortly after the Revolution. Adjacent Bowling Green Park, the city's oldest park, was a military parade and training ground through the Revolutionary Era.
The building's rotunda has some magnificent historically-inspired artwork, and the building and its grounds are adorned with sculpture from some of the leading names of the early 20th century. My favorite feature of this building are the different profiles carved into the building between the upper row of windows. These faces, each different, became silent friends during long working days-- I miss them. -
- Alissa S.
- Manhattan, NY
- 37 friends
- 315 reviews
Finally, after being mobbed everywhere else, we found peace and quiet at this museum.
There are some definite federal overtones of conquering might, having this museum in a Beaux-arts style customs house, but that aside, the museum mixes contemporary Native American and treasures from a major collection. And its free. It does seem that not all of the building is in use, but the three galleries filled our time well. There are some splendid pieces, including clothing and cradle boards. -
- Rost B.
- Brooklyn, NY
- 7 friends
- 6 reviews
Probably the worst museum in NYC. Located in a magnificent building, which is deceiving. The actual museum is very small and extremely lame. -
As a collector of Native American art and sculptures I was fascinated to finally have a chance to visit this museum a few days ago. Not only is it easily accessible right across the street from the bowling green subway stop, it is also FREE every day. You can't go wrong when you can explore one of the city's museums for free in a historic building that is fully air conditioned and secure.
As others have pointed out it is a smaller branch of the Smithsonian Museum in D.C. It is also more centered on tribal art and artifacts. I don't think it is fair at all to compare the NYC branch to the D.C. branch as that is their main facility. We also had no problems with the security and staff here as all we encountered were decent folk. Sure, going through a metal detector and screening took a few minutes, but big deal, as that is the world we live in today. I'd rather know we are safe.
Personally, I loved the selection of art to view. They were showing an exhibition on Preston Singletary's glass art which was beautiful. When you enter the museum there are two rooms to view. One is small with some artifacts and a tee-pee which is more for the kids to enjoy. Another features an impressive selection of dolls from tribes all around the world. From the simplest forms to intricate detailed dolls with amazing bead work.
The second level is where you can pick up a map and museum information, and view the other rooms. The glass art exhibit is up here and it was impressive that someone can do that kind of work with molten glass all in an Indian vein. The rooms here are centered off a rotunda that is majestic and breathtaking. There are no artifacts to view here, but look up to see some amazing art and architecture.
The other large room features all types of tribal artifacts, costumes, pottery, art, hunting and fishing pieces, and many other relics hundred and thousands of years old. There is so much to see and read about in this room be sure to give yourself enough time. Even though this museum is not big they do close at 5PM, so be sure to allot at least a few hours to explore.
I did notice that as this covers more of the tribal art there is no mention of the negative aspects of how the tribes were treated by the U.S. which is a shame as it is part of our history as bad as it is. Even so, this is a nice but small representation of tribal art.
Also, every once in a while they have performances in the downstairs showroom where the dolls were. Try to plan a visit when you can view a concert or some tribal dance presentation. Events are listed on their website. Clean bathrooms and a free locker/coat room are on the second floor. Did not seem too crowded either so it made it easier to view everything. It's a very easy museum to get to and explore as it's not that big, and hey, it's free! -
- Flora G.
- New York, NY
- 30 friends
- 120 reviews
A completely underrated historic site and museum...The site of this museum is the old US Customs House built at the turn of the 20th century, the architecture alone is worth a visit to see. It's right by my office and it doesn't matter how many times I've walked by (twice a day at least!) I still get caught up in the beauty of this building and can't stop staring. Supposedly this was the original site where the Dutch settlers in 1626 traded beads to the local American Indian tribe for the purchase of Manhattan.
The American Indian Museum only consists of two floors out of seven in the building as the rest are still in use for the Bankruptcy Court and other Federal Courts, that's why security is so tight there. The front entrance of this building is adorned with 4 gigantic sculptures by Daniel Chester French (He's the guy that sculpted the Abraham Lincoln Memorial in DC)representing Asia, America, Europe, and Africa. These sculptures are absolutely beautiful, they look like they were transported from some 300 year old fountain in France.
Inside the building, the interior is just as magnificent as the exterior, with marble and granite columns and floors. The walls are decorated with murals of shells, marine creatures, and the sea. Inside there is a huge skylight rotunda. The murals around the dome depict early explorers of the Americas in one series of paintings and traces the course of a ship entering New York's harbor in the other. Its really breathtaking..
But back to the actual museum exhibits, just strolling through the museum, the collections are really unusual and eye-catching and always make me stop and want to learn more...I always feel I like I come away from them with more respect and knowledge about the American Indian culture. The way the exhibits are presented and categorized (by region)really helps portray the complexity and magnificence of American Indian art. The other great thing about this museum is that they have a small but informative library and a couple of gift shops, that I'm very fond of getting presents at...
This really is a wonderful place to visit whether you're a New Yorker or just visiting because: one its free, two because its neverrrrr crowded here, and three because this is an amazing piece of American History! -
I've experienced better. Much better.
Although this lackluster museum is not as good as other museums I've been too I don't think it deserves a lousy 2 stars. The building is beautiful, the interactive rooms are fun, and my bf and I are convinced that they filmed a scene from Black Swan in one of the lower floors.
First floor:
The building itself is gorgeous and majestic. Tall columns frames the main entrance. It's spacious and lovely inside. The rotunda, while aesthetically pleasing, feels like a barren space devoid of any relevant Native American artifacts.
The museum was not very highly populated when I last went, and I have a feeling that it does not get as much visitors as more popular museum, but the peaceful lull is welcoming. It is very serene.
The exhibits are so so and the majority of them are held in the first floor.
There are modern works of arts by current relevant Native American artists, sad photographs of reservations, and a couple of rooms that presents relics from famous tribes. I was surprised at how little artifacts from the legendary tribes the museum had to offer. The American Museum of Natural History offered more complete and informative exhibits about Native American history.
The lower floor:
There is a large showroom where performances are held. Try to plan a visit when you can catch a concert or some tribal dances.
There are interactive rooms for children where you can touch buffalo fur and deer skin, chill out in a tee-pee, and play with beads.
Remember the scene in Black Swan when Natalie Portman is at a fancy party and she is talking to her sexy French director next to a freaky statue of an armless man with angel wings on top of earth? The same freaky statue is in the lower floor of the museum! There's the same winding staircase in the back as well.
PROS:
Free
Beautiful atmospheric
Dances and concerts, make sure to plan ahead.
What little artifacts there is is interesting to look at
A scene from Black Swan was filmed here (I think)
CONS:
Anal security people.
Not much exhibits, very little relics from legendary tribes.
Most of the building is reserved for federal offices. -
Great
Building.
Free Entry.
Smithsonian
Quality. Could use better direction. -
- Michael G.
- Washington, DC
- Elite ’13
- 293 friends
- 606 reviews
Going in, I thought I was going to be going into a large museum about Native American history, social life (ain't no party like a New Mexico party), and ceremony.
What do I get? A small museum (in a lovely, but empty, historic building) of Native American art! Again with the art, New York City?
I think the museum definitely shows the striking difference between N.Y.C. and D.C. since there are branches of this Smithsonian in both. D.C. is all about l-i-f-e. N.Y.C. is all about a-r-t.
Don't get me wrong. The artwork here is fascinating. One room consists of a large chunk of the collection of artifacts amassed by George Gustav Heye which the main D.C. museum is made up of. And the intricate work shows how advanced supposedly "primitive" cultures actually were. The rest of the museum, however, is temporary exhibitions of more modern art made by Native Americans.
For example, when I was there, there was a large display of glasswork by a noted modern glass artist with Native American roots who recently reconnected with his culture and combines elements of both sets of imagery. And it was somewhat interesting. It would have been more interesting if I had, for example, just read a magazine piece on him or something (or been a guest at one of his openings or some other hoity toity soiree). Which I hadn't. Though it appeared as though the mavenly ladies around me who were carefully catching the work from every angle had.
Now, the permanent collection room does try to explain more about Native American history and culture, but it's kind cursory. To interpret the big picture of Native American life past and present through its art is possible here, but not really through words. I would recommend this museum only after getting a context by visiting the much better D.C. offering. Unless someone really only cares about art. -
- Betty C.
- Forest Hills, NY
- 24 friends
- 144 reviews
Great place to go for free. There are such interesting displays of Native American artifacts plus changing exhibits of contemporary Native American artists. Be sure to check out the library where there are things you can handle and computers you can do research.
You will need to go through metal detectors.
There is a gift shop selling some interesting items. We like to pick up a bag or two of the Indian Fry Bread. Sort of like zeppoles.
The Museum hosts plenty of events through out the year with film screenings and demonstrations of beading and other crafts. -
- Eric A.
- Rego Park, NY
- 40 friends
- 13 reviews
It's the New York arm of the Smithsonian sponsored National Museum of the American Indian, so there's no charge.
Also it's located in the old historic custom house, which gives it a very grand feel. all high ceilings and marble. Downside being that they only really have 2 galleries, but it's free.
The exhibits they have rotate over from the main museum on the National Mall in DC, so it's definitely worth it to make multiple trips, which is fine because it's free.
Also check out there gift shops which have a bunch of authentic items for sale, as opposed to your usual mugs and T-shirts (although they have those too). The ground floor is home to their Theater which is a definitely worth taking a peak at while your there, you know 'cause it's free.
Taken as a whole, the museum seems a bit short on content, but the setting is really beautiful and you really get a feel for the culture the way it's displayed. Best of all, it's free.
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