The Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Avenue (between 88th and 89th streets)
86th Street station (4, 5, or 6 train)
212-423-3500
New Yorkers seem to have that same architectural contrariness as the French, who have come to love the blatantly ugly Eiffel Tower, Pompidou Center, and that pyramid at the Louvre. Likewise, Gothamites look upon the giant spiral shape of the Guggenheim with affection and even appreciation. Not that anyone has a choice — it's hard to miss. The distinctive architecture, the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, has just come out of a two-year exterior renovation in time for its fiftieth anniversary.
For $65 for adults and $49 for youths ages twelve to seventeen, City-Pass allows you to experience six of the city's most popular attractions: the Empire State Building Observatory, the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a two-hour Circle Line Harbor Cruise. It's a $131 value and is good for nine days. It also includes discount coupons for shopping and dining, attraction information, a map, and insider tips. You can buy the CityPass at any of the above sites, call 707-256-0490, or go online at
Built in the late 1950s, the Guggy (as it is known to New Yorkers) was designed to display the vast collection of modern works of Solomon R. Guggenheim. Frank Lloyd Wright died before the building was complete, making this his final masterpiece. Patrons wind their way down the six stories of the sprawling circular structure while viewing great works of art in both permanent and special exhibits. An additional tower gallery was opened in 1992 with the intention of housing the growing collection of permanent works, and it's a particular favorite with kids who visit. Picasso, Chagall, Klee, Kandinsky, Degas, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, and van Gogh are all represented in a collection of breathless quality.
The museum occasionally has a program of special events for families. Go online before you come and buy the tickets to these events ahead of time.
On the premises you will find a museum store. The Museum Café is a casual place to grab a snack.
Hours and FeesThe museum hosts Family Sundays on the second Sunday of each month. Admission is $18 for families with children under eighteen and up to two adult companions. There are also free family highlight tours on these days. Other days, admission to the Guggenheim (which includes an audio tour) is $18 for adults, $15 for students with valid ID and senior citizens, and free for children under twelve. Hours for the Guggenheim are Saturday through Wednesday from 10
