Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue (at 75th Street)
East 77th Street station (4, 5, or 6 train)
120 Park Avenue (at 42nd Street across from Grand Central Terminal)
Grand Central-East 42nd Street station (S, 4, 5, 6, or 7 train)
1-877-WHITNEY (944-8639)
Founded in 1930, the Whitney now houses more then 12,000 works by nearly 2,000 artists. The museum features twentieth-century and contemporary American art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, and more. Most famous for its awesome collection of New York impressionist painters of the Ashcan school, it has an extensive collection of works from the estate of Edward Hopper. Also included in the Whitney's collection are examples of Alexander Calder's circus figures and mobiles. The museum also has significant holdings of works by Reginald Marsh, Marsden Hartley, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Louise Nevelson.
For more than half a century, the Whitney Biennial has been the place where emerging artists launch their careers. If you are lucky enough to be visiting during a biennial year, try to make this event. Any material that is inappropriate for children will be marked as such outside the room.
The original 1966 building, designed by German Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer (of Breuer chair fame), has been expanded to help accommodate the nearly half a million visitors who come to admire the art each year. It is actually the third structure to house this famous collection started by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. The oddly shaped building, a work of art itself, is surrounded by a sculpture garden and walls.
Sarabeth's Restaurant (212-570-3670) is open for lunch and brunch within the museum. The Whitney Museum Store and Museum Bookstore offer gift ideas and books primarily about American art.
The museum has an extensive program of family and children's art activities. Go online before exploring and see if there is a half-day program when you are visiting.
Parking, Hours, and FeesTake public transportation; this is a very busy area not known for its street parking.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11
