Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City

My favorite type of art is by far realism and I didn’t see too much of that in the Guggenheim. I actually think that’s a good thing, though, because I was able to see a lot of sculptures and other types of paintings. Another cool tidbit about the exhibits is that they follow the stages of each artist’s career. You can see the difference in works between Picasso’s blue and red phases, which is very intriguing. Regardless of the actual exhibits in the museum, the architecture of the Guggenheim is cool, and well laid out. I enjoyed being able to walk through the spiral and check out all of the exhibits, and once you move up a level you can peer down at the exhibits you’ve already seen. I had a great time here, and the museum definitely opened me up to other art forms!

Easy entry any time of day, not crazy crowded. Take note: they do not allow rolling full size luggage, only bags or packs. Amazing architecture on the building itself, exhibit space was smaller than I expected as a result of its unique construction however (and the bathrooms are weirdly cramped) High quality compelling art on display and a quiet and mature atmosphere compared to some larger art museums. If you're an art buff who doesn't like massive crowds and clueless tourists you'll love it, if you're a tourist looking for an all day art and culture crawl the Met will dominate this place.

The Giacometti exhibition which is currently on display brings almost 200 pieces of work to the fore. Much of this show's content has never been seen in America until now. This is a rare opportunity for tourists and NYC residents alike to view Giacometti in a new way. The exhibition is exhaustive in its scope, presenting work from his entire career in a variety of media. Don't miss the clip from a recent documentary of Giacometti, near the end of the exhibition (at the top of the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright spiral ramp). In English and French, it provides a unique perspective on his life and work. For an extra treat, stop back at the cafeteria on Level 3 for a post-viewing salad or a nice glass of wine.

The Guggenheim is for sure among the best museums I have ever visited. The collection is small but the way the art is placed makes for a totally different experience. It's difficult to describe but you get a totally distraction free feeling as you see each work in it's own brightly lit white alcove because the space is so organic and unlike anything else. Beyond that it's great to see such a famous Frank Lloyd Wright Building. Tickets are a steal at $25 and crowds are very well managed. The museum store is quite nice as well and worth a look even if you aren't shopping.

Native New Yorker here, don’t waste your money here. Small, underwhelming, pretentious and dull. Some really nice paintings from the greatest, but very few. DEFINITELY do not bring kids, they’ll be bored to DEATH. Even for native New Yorkers, you have to pay full price for tickets. Go to the Metropolitan instead. Much more interesting, and for native New Yorkers you pay whatever you’d like.