All ethnology museums to visit in New York

Explore the cultural diversity and heritage at 23 ethnology museums in New York. These museums offer insights into the traditions, customs, and ways of life of various communities.

Are you interested in learning about different cultures and their histories? Here are the ethnology museums to visit in New York:

  1. Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration1

    Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

     New York, NY
    Between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island served as the primary immigration inspection station for approximately 12 million passengers who arrived in the United States through the port of New York. These immigrants were inspected both legally and medically, marking a significant chapter in the history of American immigration. Today, the island's Immigration Museum is dedicated to preserving this history and the stories of those who passed through its doors.
  2. Museum of Sex2

    Museum of Sex

     New York, NY
    The Museum of Sex, colloquially known as MoSex, is situated at 233 Fifth Avenue, at the intersection of East 27th Street in Manhattan, New York City. This location is easily accessible and central, making it a convenient stop for tourists exploring the city.
  3. Lower East Side Tenement Museum3

    Lower East Side Tenement Museum

     New York, NY
    The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is a historical museum situated in the heart of New York City. This museum offers a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the living conditions and experiences of immigrants who made their homes in the Lower East Side during the 19th and 20th centuries.
  4. Brooklyn Museum4

    Brooklyn Museum

     New York, NY
    The Brooklyn Museum, situated at 200 Eastern Parkway in the borough of Brooklyn, is a significant art museum in New York City. It holds the position of being the second most important art museum in the city, following the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This museum is a part of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and is a notable destination for art enthusiasts visiting the city.
  5. Rubin Museum of Art5

    Rubin Museum of Art

     New York, NY
    The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is a unique institution dedicated to showcasing the art and cultures of the Himalayas, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and other regions within Eurasia. The museum's permanent collection is particularly focused on Tibetan art, offering visitors a chance to explore this rich and diverse cultural heritage.
  6. Online discount!Statue of Liberty6

    Statue of Liberty

     New York, NY
    Poverty Point, a prehistoric earthwork of the Poverty Point culture, is a historical monument and World Heritage site located in the southern United States. It is situated approximately 25 kilometers from the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The site features several earthworks and mounds built between 1650 and 700 BC during the Archaic Period in the Americas by a group of Native Americans from the Poverty Point culture. The culture extended 160 kilometers through the Mississippi delta.
  7. New-york Historical Society7

    New-york Historical Society

     New York, NY
    The New-York Historical Society is renowned for its large-scale historical exhibitions. These exhibitions cover a wide range of subjects, including the founding father of the United States Alexander Hamilton, New York abolitionist, the Hudson River School, Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, Louis Comfort Tiffany's stained glass, and the September 11 attacks.
  8. The Jewish Museum8

    The Jewish Museum

     New York, NY
    The Jewish Museum in New York City is recognized as the leading institution for Jewish art and culture in the United States. It offers a comprehensive collection of Jewish art, culture, and history, making it a significant destination for those interested in exploring Jewish heritage.
  9. African Burial Ground National Monument9

    African Burial Ground National Monument

     New York, NY
    The African Burial Ground National Monument is a significant historical site located in Duane Street in lower Manhattan, New York. This monument houses the remains of over 400 Africans who were buried here between the 17th and early 19th centuries. It serves as a poignant reminder of the history of slavery in the United States and the contributions of African people to the development of New York City.
  10. The Jewish Museum10

    The Jewish Museum

     New York, NY
    Today, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) serves as the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism in the United States and, according to its own claim, the whole world. This makes the museum an important destination for those interested in understanding the development and current state of Conservative Judaism.
  11. El Museo Del Barrio11

    El Museo Del Barrio

     New York, NY
    El Museo del Barrio is a museum located in East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. It is dedicated to showcasing art from Latin America and the Caribbean. The museum was founded in 1969 as a response to the lack of cultural diversity in New York City's educational offerings. It is situated on Fifth Avenue and 104th Street at the northern end of the Museum Mile.
  12. Tibet House12

    Tibet House

     New York, NY
    Tibet House was initially set up in New York, United States, and continues to be based there. This makes it a significant cultural landmark in the city, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore and understand the rich Tibetan culture without having to travel halfway across the world.
  13. American Irish Historical Society13

    American Irish Historical Society

     New York, NY
    A cultural center focused on Irish American history, art, values and community. It also organizes several events and exhibitions.
  14. Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture14

    Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture

     New York, NY
    The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a significant cultural institution situated in Harlem, New York. It operates as a branch of the New York Public Library, making it a part of one of the most extensive library systems in the world. The center's location in Harlem, a neighborhood rich in African American history and culture, adds to its significance and appeal.
  15. The Africa Center15

    The Africa Center

     New York, NY
    The Museum for African Art is situated in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York City. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city. The museum is dedicated to the arts and cultures of Africa and the African diaspora, promoting public understanding and appreciation since its establishment in 1984.
  16. The Ukrainian Museum16

    The Ukrainian Museum

     New York, NY
    The building housing The Ukrainian Museum is a work of art in itself, designed by Ukrainian-American architect George Sawicki of Sawicki Tarella Architecture + Design. The construction of the museum was made possible through the generous contributions of the Ukrainian-American community, reflecting their commitment to preserving and showcasing their cultural heritage.
  17. George Gustav Heye Center17

    George Gustav Heye Center

     New York, NY
    The George Gustav Heye Center, a branch of the National Museum of the American Indian, is located at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in Manhattan, New York City. This museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution and features both contemporary and historical exhibits of art and artifacts by and about Native Americans.
  18. Center for Jewish History18

    Center for Jewish History

     New York, NY
    The Center for Jewish History in New York City is a unique collaboration of five organizations dedicated to Jewish history, scholarship, and art. These include the American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute New York, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Each organization brings a different perspective and approach to Jewish history and culture, making the center a rich and diverse resource for visitors.
  19. Yeshiva University Museum19

    Yeshiva University Museum

     New York, NY
    The Yeshiva University Museum houses a vast collection of over 8,000 artifacts. These include fine and folk art, ethnographic and archaeological artifacts, clothing and textiles, Jewish ceremonial art objects, documents, books, and manuscripts. This diverse collection offers a comprehensive insight into Jewish culture and history.
  20. Museum of Chinese In America20

    Museum of Chinese In America

     New York, NY
    The Museum of Chinese in America, located in New York City, is a cultural institution dedicated to showcasing the history of Chinese Americans. It is a nonprofit organization that presents the living history, heritage, culture, and diverse experiences of Chinese Americans through exhibitions, educational services, and public programs.
  21. Weeksville Heritage Center21

    Weeksville Heritage Center

     New York, NY
    The Weeksville Heritage Center is a historic site located on Buffalo Avenue between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore one of America's first free black communities during the 19th century.
  22. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art22

    Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

     New York, NY
    The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is situated in the residential area of Lighthouse Hill in Staten Island, New York City. This location offers a serene environment that complements the museum's focus on the rich cultural traditions of Tibet and the Himalayan region.
  23. Museum of Food and Drink23

    Museum of Food and Drink

     New York, NY
    The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) is an educational non-profit organization based in New York City. The museum's mission is to alter the way people perceive food and drink. It does this by exploring the impact of food and beverages on our culture, politics, economy, history, and more.