New York City is a visual masterpiece. It contains the most recognizable and cherished landmarks and entertainment venues imaginable.  There are more than 35 museums in New York City to enjoy and most tourists visiting New York are looking to stay in the Times Square area of Manhattan since it is ideally located near the entertainment and cultural districts. The best loved arts and cultural programs in the world and are housed at the world's most familiar addresses. Those listed below are the most popular.  here is a small sampling of the most popular venues.

The American Museum of Natural History Open in 1869. It hosts a revolving series of temporary exhibits, so there is always something new to see.

Children's Museum of Manhattan is an interactive museum designed for the children in mind and is a great place to visit for family outings.

The Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers visitors a fascinating look into the immigrant experience and speaks to the hardships and challenges faced by immigrants passing through Ellis Island. It's well done interactive presentations and overall history is well worth the trip to the museum.

Housed on a retired World War II aircraft carrier docked in the Hudson River, this floating museum holds some of the most iconic air, space and sea vessels in history including the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a wealth of medieval art, horticulture and architecture with expansive views of the Hudson River and gardens styled after plots from the Middle Ages. It hosts a vast and diverse collection of over 2 million works of art from around the world and throughout history.

The Museum of American Finance is the nation's only public museum dedicated to America's finances and financial history.

The Museum of Modern Art is the first museum dedicated entirely to contemporary art. MoMA has a diverse collection and has something for everyone, including kids.

With so much to see and do, a trip to New York City may seem a little overwhelming. The city is so big, mere words penned from a few local tour guides cannot capture the true essence of the city... there is simply too much to comprehend!

No trip to New York would be complete without a visit to the Historical Society Museum where four centuries of history, art and artifacts tell the story of American through the eyes of New York.