The 8 Best Museum Exhibits in NYC Right Now

• Location: 170 Central Park West, NYC
• Known for: fashion, historical artifacts, gender studies
• Time Commitment: 45 minutes

Celebrate women’s fashion as a form of self-expression and empowerment by witnessing its evolution over the ages at this fascinating (and decidedly fun) exhibition at the New York Historical Society. You won’t find any snoozy Cinderella dresses here, but you can feast your eyes on kitschy waitress outfits from the ‘50s, tailored Abercrombie & Fitch suits from the early 1900’s and micro mini skirts that challenged societal norms with regard to how a ‘good’ woman should dress. You don’t have to be a fashionista to appreciate this exhibit, since it very cleverly speaks to the ways in which race, class and gender roles have shaped our lives through the decades.

• Location: 2 Columbus Circle, NYC
• Known for: pop culture history, Barbies, design
• Time Commitment: 45 minutes

Barbie has been a global sensation since she was first introduced 65 years ago, and the Museums of Arts and Design has an exhibit dedicated to the cultural impact the franchise has had, as well as how the doll’s designs have evolved with the times (think: the introduction of Black Barbies after the Civil Rights Movement, etc.). The exhibit boasts 250 vintage dolls, life-size displays and recorded interviews with the doll’s designers, so it’s a rich and varied experience for all.

• Location: 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn
• Known for: urban history, vintage posters
• Time Commitment: 30 minutes

Nothing says ‘New York’ quite like mass transit, and the New York Transit Museum has a wonderful new exhibit that brings the early days of the subway system to life. The Subway Sun was a campaign that “advised, informed and admonished” New York City commuters for over five decades, and the New York Transit Museum is sharing a selection of vintage posters and distinctive artworks—most created between 1936 and 1965—with anyone inclined to visit. If you’re interested in learning more about this slice of urban history, you can also attend a virtual curator talk and tour on March 6.

• Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 913, NYC
• Known for: architecture, urban renewal, historic artifacts
• Time Commitment: 30 to 40 minutes

My close friend (a cultural savant) recently visited this exhibit at the Met and was very impressed. This compact exhibit is dedicated to the work of the influential modernist architect Paul Rudolph, and showcases the full breadth of his visionary talent—featuring everything from urban megastructures to experimental homes and immersive New York interior designs. If you have any interest in urban renewal, this one can’t be missed.

• Location: 928 8th Ave., New York, NY 10019
• Known for: spy personality profile, lie detector test
• Time Commitment: one to two hours

Unlike some novelty museums, this critically-acclaimed experience actually feels educational. (I should know, I have visited three times.) The exhibits incorporate fascinating history relating to the secret lives of spies and the methods they used, complete with historic artifacts. The museum also boasts a genius design that allows visitors to move through various interactive games and challenges that mimic spy training tests—all of which can be repeated as many times as you wish—and the whole experience culminates in an individualized spy profile that speaks to the unique strengths you might bring to the world of espionage. If you’re looking for a fun and interactive cultural experience, this one fits the bill.

• Location: 99 Gansevoort Street, NYC
• Known for: contemporary art, sign language, experimental
• Time Commitment: 45 minutes to one hour

Modern artist Christine Sun Kim uses her musical notation, drawing, video, sculpture and, perhaps most importantly, her native language of American Sign Language (ASL) to produce a non-auditory experience that challenges the superiority of the spoken word. It’s experimental modern art at its finest and it’s pretty mind-blowing.