Top Museums in NYC: The Met, MoMA, and Natural History

New York City boasts perhaps the greatest collection of museums in the world. If you are visiting for the World Cup and have a free afternoon—especially if it is raining or the summer heat becomes oppressive—ducking into the air-conditioned, marble halls of Manhattan's museums is the perfect escape. However, these institutions are unimaginably massive; you must strategize your visits.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)

Located on the eastern edge of Central Park, The Met is the crown jewel. It spans over two million square feet and houses 5,000 years of global art. You cannot see it all in one day. The most spectacular exhibit is the Temple of Dendur, a massive, complete ancient Egyptian temple reconstructed inside a soaring glass pavilion overlooking the park. Note: The Met no longer has "pay-what-you-wish" admission for out-of-state tourists; you must buy full-price tickets.

Other Essential Institutions

• American Museum of Natural History:

  Located on the western side of Central Park, this is the ultimate museum for families. It features the world's most impressive dinosaur fossil halls, a massive blue whale model, and the stunning new Gilder Center with its incredibly beautiful, cave-like architecture.

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA):

  Located in Midtown, MoMA houses the definitive collection of modern and contemporary art, including Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and works by Picasso, Warhol, and Dalí. It is sleek, brilliant, and usually incredibly crowded on weekends.

• The 9/11 Memorial & Museum:

  Located at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. The outdoor memorial pools are free and breathtaking. The underground museum is profoundly heavy, emotional, and meticulously curated. It is an essential, albeit sobering, part of any NYC itinerary.

Always check museum operating hours before you go; many major NYC museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays to accommodate cleaning and curation.