Rubin Museum of Art in New York
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New York, New York County, New York, US
Site: https://rubinmuseum.org/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:Closed
- Thursday:11AM–5PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–5PM
- Sunday:11AM–5PM
Wonderful pieces, just wish the ample space would have included more of the over 3,600 other works the museum owns. Beautifully lit meditation room, interesting example of using sound for healing and variations in tone via gongs that can be submerged to illustrate changes in vibrations, intensity, and resonance. Beautiful and accurate descriptions accompany the works. Small, but impressive museum for lovers of the Himalayas and Buddhism in particular.
Incredible collection of Himalayan art across centuries, there are often new exhibits on mindfulness related themes. Free Friday evenings are wonderful and its a great place to take a public school class. I always leave feeling more at peace than I did before entering. :)
Really interesting and educational museum about Himalayan (mainly Buddhist) art. Even if you know nothing about Buddhism, the second floor gives a quick explanation about some of the fundamentals of the religion and common themes throughout the art. I enjoyed the interactive activities (the gongs and scent exhibitions) and the exhibit about healing/COVID on the topmost floor.
Marvelous 5 Floor Buddhism and Hinduism history. Lots of history, self discovery learning opportunities. Especially loved the self guided tour, meditation temple, sensory rooms, contemplative experiences. The gift shop is filled with one of a kind special gift ideas.
Museum had a mix of traditional displays, history and commentary, interactive displays, and quite contemplation spaces. Overall an awesome integrated way to experience Himalayan Buddhist art and culture.
Take advantage of free Friday evenings!Most of the exhibitions have been refreshed since my last visit three years ago. I enjoyed the shrine room the most. I’ve visited Tibetan temples and this one is a pretty decent display of the interior, the chanting and the dimmed light.A little disappointed that this time around the interactive displays weren’t as many as before.
Went for the opening night of a new exhibition. It was a great, interactive experience!! Well done :)
Amazing museum. Lovely staff and great selection of pieces in the museum. Truly a gem in NYC.
Exceptional exhibits, very well thought out. COVID precautions in place & very clean.Particularly enjoyed the Shrine room & the Mandala Lab.Also they have free admission on Friday evenings :)
Awesome museum! Tons of cool sculptures and paintings to see. Different perspective than what you usually see at other art museums.
Mandala Lab features playful experiences - videos, sculpture, and curated percussion instruments—that guide you on exploration of inner self. Breathe your way through the exhibition, designed to inspire eternal learning of yourself...
If you know nothing about Buddhist art, this is still a great place to go. The exhibition on the second floor is like a Buddhist 101, and it really sparked my interest.
This is a very deep dive into Buddhist culture. A lot of statues, everything is well explained. Visiting this exhibition feels like a very great blessing.After being the whole eternity among statues and pictures you can get slightly grounded in a cafe. They serve Indian food, salads, coffee and whatever else you want.Also you can have a craft class and make your own print with wooden forms.There’s a lot of books and buddhism related items in the shop. Even puzzles with mandalas.Definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in Buddhist culture.
Its a beautiful Asian Art Museum with breath-taking art work and a lot of interactive installations. There are 6 floors filled with statues, paintings, silk art and limited time installations. I was here for an evening event, it was interesting and very well executed. The staff members are very helpful. The gift shop has so many unique treasures and the staff is exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. Overall, it was a great trip and I learned so much in terms of history and art. You should definitely check it out. They also offer specials and a lot of different interactive events for families.
I came in with a friend looking for a experience of Art that was interactive as well as educational. This museum offered all I was looking for. Filled with ancient art from the Himalayas and surrounding countries. I was blessed with a abundance of beauty and also was able to enjoy a quiet sit in the Temple space they have there for all to see. I really had a nice time and when done, one can enjoy a nice tea with a meal or a drink and a meal on the lobby level. Gift store has lots if goodies to peek at and a great book store as well.
Had an incredible time here. It’s free on Friday evenings so you can walk right in. Loved the wall of anxiety vs hope. Really unites us all as humans. The exhibits about Buddhism were beautiful and pretty interesting.The restaurant food was really good (surprising for a museum restaurant). They have good cocktails available. The curry salmon was cooked well. The matcha ice cream included some biscuit and candied ginger and the combo was delicious- i would recommend to anyone looking for a sweet treat for just $5. Overall a lovely visit!
Private museum, beautiful, great ambience, broad and open space; you cannot only watch and experience great expos of arts artists but also sit and relax, enjoy restaurant, mouth watering food, and even have long hours of working space and enjoy the climax of Asia centric gift shop.
The Rubin presents art is a great place to see Buddhist art. Along with the Asia Society and the Met its a treasure in NYCT that traverses Asia’s diverse cultures, regions, and narratives. The Museum’s special exhibitions celebrate art forms that range from ancient to contemporary, including photography and multimedia, while its permanent collection galleries are focused primarily on art from the Himalayan region.
Interesting museum with a focus on Tibetian art - both modern and ancient. I went on a Friday evening and admission was free. Check out their website for K2 nights - where they have a series of music performances and a live DJ. You might be tempted to take the elevator up and work your way down the stairs - but its much better to go up in order. The first floor offers basic guides to understand Tibetian Buddhist art and will set the context for the rest of the visit.
Wonderful museum with fantastic gift shop and cafe. The bao buns are a must try. Gift shop has wonderful unique items. they have many activities available so check their website. Smaller museums are lovely because you can go through the whole place in less than a day. The gift shop has so many unique items for gifts or yourself especially wonderful books.
Really awesome place. Loved the layout, loved the exhibitions. They are interactive, educational and even help you relax. The top floor is where the om exhibit is located. You get to be apart of art and history by participating. They also have a nice cozy cafeteria with good selections.
I was not too happy with my visit to the Rubin Museum of Art, except for my favorite part - A Monument For The Axious and The Hopeful - Closes Jan 7th 2019, so go check it out soon!!! I went on an organized tour. The docent focused too much on the teaching and history of Buddhism rather than that of the actual art. I was also under the impression the museum would have variety, not that is was soley focused! on Buddhism. I learned a lot, but would have rather just stood at the Hope & Anxiety wall. Also, the wood exhibit was pretty cool - A Lost Future by Shezad Dawood, The Otalith Group & Matti Braun - closes Feb 4th 2019.
Interesting Museum with a spiral staircase and an adjoining cafe that transforms into a lounge on Friday nights called K2 Serai. Nice for those of you who enjoy art from Nepal, Himalayas, China, etc. and a drink or two.
I visited this museum today using a culture pass. This pass is a perk given to Library card holders who go online and reserve and retrieve tickets via the culture pass website.In my personal opinion this museum is a mix of sophistication and simplicity at its best . You have to visit this museum at least once to understand what I mean.Upon entering you will stumble upon the hostess desk. The women at this desk are accommodating but not friendly. My date and I were taking care of swiftly and then left to figure out how to navigate the museum on our own.Today we were able to access almost every floor except the second because it was under construction. Nevertheless my date and I had fun navigating through each floor .One thing we did notice was that security guards were in plain sight at all times. At first we honestly felt like we were being followed.All in all I had a great time at this museum . It took my date and I an hour to get through 5 floors of art , and when we finished we felt full of art and ready to go home and rest our feet.
Interesting museum for Himalayan art. We went on a tour and the topic was a big of a miss but the atmosphere of the space is very welcoming. Each floor is quite small but there is a beautiful spiral staircase in the center.
Great warm and welcoming space inside and (as New Yorkers will appreciate) the only clean, public restroom in blocks around. Gift shop has great selection of cards and stationary, candles and knick knacks. Pictures of dining/waiting area, where you can hang out and write, or drink coffee, or order food from the menu.
I was recently here for a charity event for Apex for Youth and it was great. Was able to explore the museum and they have a great collection of South Asian art. Really enjoyed them and they have great unique pieces.
The Mandala Lab was pretty cool but the rest of the museum was amazing. Learning about Buddhist culture and art was a nice way to end a hectic week. The Shrine Room... I could have stayed for days. The only downside was people hitting the gongs to hard. Maybe to release their anger but still a little jarring.
Beautiful museum! Came here on a Wednesday evening and it was not packed at all. We were able to leisurely enjoy every floor. I loved it and would definitely be back. Cool installations on the top floor!
Went to special event premiere of a move about how Tibet fell to the Chinese Government. This is a great place to immerse in Tibetan culture, wonderful displays and education. Gift store is full of Tibetan items, dont forget to checkout the wine/snack lounge. Real hidden gem, become enlightened to a different world.
A stunning and full-of-surprise museum located in the charming neighborhood. Definitely a top-notch cultural hub thats more than competent enough to be coupled with any museums or galleries in the world in the similar scale.
Gift shop is great! Bought this Lotus flower. I really like the lighting. Each floor has rooms that lead to other rooms full of intricate Himalayan artifacts. Enjoyed hanging out on the first floor with a coffee from the cafe.
Interesting and was open after traditional hours on friday! Also was free!! Learned a lot in a peaceful space. The staircase resembles the Guggenhiem which is a lovely architectural feat
My favorite place to go end of the day and recharge myself silencing the mind. Highly appreciative of their Friday free admission nights!
As an individual of Himalayan descent, I am disappointed to see Rubin Musuem be so blatantly disrespectful and insensitive towards the religious sentiment of our community by selling merchandise with Buddhas image, like coasters. It is a well known fact among our community that they contribute nothing back to the community even though they make profits off of our culture, Art and people. This is new low. Even major e-commerce platforms like Amazon have taken a stance against sale of merchandises disrespecting the religious sentiment of their consumer. Disgusting! Do better Rubin.
I absolutely love this Museum . It might not be as popular as some of the bigger museums ...but such a great place. There is always something new to experience . Relaxing and Zen. Its a must visit.
I am fascinated by this Museum because of my name “TARA” had a entire room dedicated to the name “TARA” the history of the name and the 8 headed dragon who’s name is “TARA”......the purpose of attending was because of an intensive writing class I took in college. I even brought my daughter with me.
Nice museum, not that much to see- tends to be one theme. I was there at an event. The drinks are very overpriced, food more average priced for the area
Fantastic museum that provides an educational introduction to Himalayan art through its rich and extensive collection. It features both historical and contemporary work and a cafe with Himalayan cuisine (and happy hour!). Don’t miss the beautiful panorama on the lowest level.
Great collection of Hindu and Buddhist art over 5 floors. Cool basement lounge and delicious cafe with excellent tea selection. Hidden gem of a museum in the heart of Flatiron.
Top notch museum in NYC emphasizing on Himalayan culture and art. Moreover, they put on more innovative contemporary exhibitions in contrast with classic historical artifacts.
This place is such a treasure for the Himalayan-Buddhist culture-religion. So much to see & learn, and in a beautiful organised way. And its even kids friendly with their special activities on Sundays for kids.
Peaceful museum, great for meditation and thinking. I like to go and write. Buddhist/Asian art theme. They currently feature an Om booth where you can record your Oms and have them added to an audio track they are creating.
What a wonderful experience. A must see museum. I dont know why Ive never been there before.
Cultural enlightenment ; bliss in a building
Always a great museum to visit, with both an extensive permanent and rotating collections. Love the concept of the current staircase artwork - A Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful.Fridays the cafe turns into a great happy hour spot, with great looking food and 2-for-1 on selected drinks. In addition, Fridays are also open to the public for free! Perfect for a bit of culture with the family 😊
Small specialized Museum in Asian art, lots of religious figures and even a shrine where some people use it as meditation site. The building is beautiful. Fridays night free entrance.
Nice museum dedicated to Himalayan art and culture in present-day Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Northern India. The museum also provides spaces for meditation and spiritual experiences. Free admission every Friday evening.
Fantastic museum. Nicely litt and well explained, Himalayan treasures from BC to today.
A beautiful and impeccably curated museum of east and central Asian art, a not so hidden gem well worth your time.
Friday nights are lovely. Its beautiful inside, and the art is intriguing.
I like a lot, especially because I went at Museum for k2 Friday night . Friday always admission is free from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. If you come at 6:00, you can enjoy the happy hour until 7:00 Pm with a 2-for-1 on selection drinks. Besides You can find pieces of art magnificent relatives to tibetan art. I really enjoy it
One of the most beautiful small museums and etc in the USA. Its a temple, gallery, museum, gift shop, hangout spot, restaurant, gorgeous place.
Art museum with Himalayan art and happening Friday night hang outCrowded bar with DJ, free entry, grab a drink and visit the six floors of exhibits.Free from 5 pm on FridaysRestaurant and bar on siteGreat for evening with colleagues, friends or dates
I really enjoy the experience I got to learn about Tibetan and the Himalayas art.
Really nice specialized museum. Be sure to check out the Mandala Lab
Wonderfully, interesting and well presented yet small enough to not overwhelm. Best museum gift shop in NYC.
I love visiting the museum. Its a small/medium sized museum, so its a great place to visit with other people while doing other things during the day. The happy hour on Friday is also a great moment for visiting with friends.
Such a wonderful place. Fits historic with a visually contemporary environment with eastern philosophy and story. Always fresh and compelling. Highly recommend for an experience thats memorable.
Amazing free museum with incredibly well curated collections. Went recently for the RT/SR/VS Lost Future exhibition and loved the immersive lake feature.
I was working on a business trip and didnt get off until 4:30 on a Saturday. I walked 30 minutes to The Rubin and couldnt have spent a better 45 minutes anywhere else. It was awesome. Soundscales cool but the museum has so much more.
Great museum. We saw a great exhibit on Buddhism. Not so great for kids though.
A smaller and quiet museum in the middle of a busy city. Alot of Himalayan and Nepalese art which is pretty unique.
They have an amazing Buddhist shrine with candles and throat humming/Himalayan horn music for a fully immersive experience. Too bad that they allow workers to perform massive drilling and vacuuming next to it during peak hours which ruin the experience. Beyond the diminishment to the viewer, it feels highly disrespectful - almost like having your cellphone ring and taking a call while in church.
One of the best museums in NYC. A great experience all around. Very thoughtfully structured with great exhibits. Couldnt recommend more highly.
Nice museum. Great insight into Himalayan art.
One of my favorite museums. They have a beautiful Shrine room and unusual Tankas and statues from Tibet and Nepal that you would never normally see.
Great Asian religions and artwork representation with numerous immersive experiences.
Happened to be volunteering here one day w my colleagues, and thats when i discovered it. Small yet very nicely maintained, good security and nice cafe on ground fl.
Amazing experience. Sleek and unique architecture with a large spiral staircase transversing the entire building. Himalayan exhibition is particularly thought provoking and beautiful to look at, combined with great staff and many interactive experiences. 10/10 recommend you check this place out, even if its not as well known as other museums.
Amazing museum of zen and art. Sunday’s are the day to go w kids if you like free admission!
A great museum, well worth the visit, from the architecture of the building which was tastefully designed with subtle majesty to the collection of Art which is truly extraordinary. In many traditional cultures, circumambulating a sacred site is part of the religious experience and I deeply suspect that the spiral staircase in the center of the building, winding up the floors was a truly inspired touch that compels the participant to walk around the building and around the beautifully displayed Art.
I loved the progression of art throughout time from the bottom floors to the upper floors with modern art, especially the photography. So wonderful to see representation of real people in photographs rather than what we might assume them to be like. Went on a Friday night with free admission for a date and we loved it. Gift shop is stocked with beautiful cards and souvenirs and there is a bar and restaurant with bites to eat. Lived in New York for years and never went there but now planning on many return trips.
Well curated items but perhaps not as strong of a narrative around Buddhism as you might expect for a museum. Consider it more of a gallery. Beautiful none the less.
I know museums and other institutions need our support, especially during times of COVID, but it was a bit surprising to pay $19 when 2 floors were closed, some art installations were removed (because they were interactive), and the lower level floor had a photography piece of the Himalayas that was completely in the dark with none of the focus lights on. Very odd, the museum itself was beautiful, but was a bit shocked by the price given so much was missing (I would suggest posting about this or at least lowering the price while so much has been removed or isn’t available).
Low key, displays were kind of 1 dimensional, lighting could be better. Overall it felt lacking. Museum was empty during Free Fridays 7/2021
This peaceful museum became an unlikely favorite of mine. Im neither scholar nor student of Eastern traditions. Yet, I return again and again to find truly interactive installations, superior contemporary works and engaging displays of artifacts. On a recent trip, I stepped across an artists water pond...and noticed the shrine room has expanded to include chairs and shared meditation beads. This museum is truly a model for others to follow. The cafe is excellent. The only area in need of fresh ideas is the gift shop.
This chamber museum is not too large , focused on one topic - the art of the Himalayas. Including modern vision.
I am listening to the Awakening podcasts. I am excited to have this opportunity to hear the experiences and thoughts of theparticipants. I am excited to have their views awaken me to the different possibilities of what is and what can be and how these differences are not threats to me but are what life is about.
Simply Magical! 6 Floors, Camera-friendly, Spiral Staircase, Red-walled, Multimedia Museum of Tibetan and Himalayan art. Free admission on certain days and Happy Hours top off this great little museum. Ultimately, its the atmosphere that encourages a shared appreciation of art and culture that makes this place so special. It is somewhat esoteric and diverse, with many interactive pieces, clear explanations of what symbols mean, and spaces that encourage discussion between guests. Definitely worth a visit!
Good collection of South Asian art. The artwork mainly consists of paintings and bronze sculptures. Be sure to read the signs for learning more about the culture. Dont forget to see the Buddha room, which was very tranquil. If you have some time, be sure to check it out. Admission is free Friday evenings.
One of my favorite museums in NYC... if you appreciate buddhist art (Tibet) its a must-visit place.
One of my favorite museums. So serene, I could stay there all day gazing at the Buddhas.
Great spot to enjoy Buddhist art or just CHILL!! Seriously this museum is perfect to be just zen especially at the shrine room. I do short meditation sometimes when Im around. Their programs like meditation classes and music shows are all fantastic that Im so glad to be a member. Cafe is also wonderful. Im not so crazy about their food but coffee or small snacks are good. They serve alcohol too.
Outstanding and insightful. A great experience of Tibetan Bhuddism. Highly Recommend.
Honestly surprised at how much I liked this museum. The general atmosphere of rich-white-person-discovers-the-orient that dominates the gift shop (expensive Om throw pillows, Herman Hesse novels, etc etc) was thankfully absent in the exhibits themselves. The museum takes its area of focus (Buddhism) seriously and has a good mix of historic pieces and work by contemporary artists. As an added bonus, its free Friday evenings.
Some beautiful pieces of sculpture and other artworks, mostly focussed on Tibetan Buddhist art. The recreation of a Buddhist shrine was particularly interesting.We went on a Friday evening for the late opening, and had a lovely time. The music and food really added to the atmosphere and theme of the place.More aimed at adults than families. If you want a family experience with similar content, parts of the Natural History Museum would be more appropriate.
The Rubin Museum is ranking very high in my top 10 list of most favorite museums world-wide. The museum’s exquisite collection of Himalayan art delights at every visit. The Thangka paintings are absolutely beautiful and rare gems of Buddhist teachings. The sculptures are equally superb. In addition, the Shrine Room, featuring numerous ancient spiritual artifacts, is one of my most beloved places to visit. The daily, weekly, and monthly events range from educational to academic, meditational and yogic immersions, to fun-filled dance- and music nights. Do visit often.
This was the worst museum I’ve ever been to. There are 6 floors, not many art pieces and most of them are very repetitive. It is not worth $15 a person, even if admission was free I would not recommend this place to anyone. The art is essentially some black and white pictures taken out of a National Geographic magazine. The small statues look very similar and there isn’t much to see here. Go to any other museum to actually have a good experience.
Really great Buddhist related exhibits with scents, gongs and more. Super easy to move about.
My husband and I celebrated our 35th anniversary in the city for the weekend! On the last day he surprised me with a visit to the Rubin Museum of Art. I was shock because its an Art Museum and I said wow....really baby....he said its an era and area of the world that you love. Himalayan art and religion. Omg I was in heaven. The artwork and religious artifacts were spectacular! Love, love ....love... He was told 2 hours to view 3 floors no way 3 1/2 and that is due to having to get to the airport to get our flight home. Oh the gift shop was wonderful. I picked up 3 gorgeous and informative books. I took over 50 pictures! Did I say how much I enjoyed my visit! Oh when you walk in the wheel of desire..dreams a great start!
I have visited the Rubin many times and always enjoyed my time there. It is a small and very manageable but lovely well curated museum. This past Friday was easily the best time. The museum is now hosting K2 Friday Nights where admission is free, there is a DJ and easily the best happy hour in the city - 2 for 1 on beer wine and wells from 6-7. Meaning, I had 2 glasses of sparkling rose for $10. The current exhibition is also really cool. It is called world of sound and has many auditory components.
Very interesting collection of Buddhist art from China, India, Nepal and Tibet. They have an interesting melange of philosophy, craft, historic and political background that is hard to get otherwise.Make sure to find the buddhist altar room on the third(?) floor: the visual and audio environment molded together for a haunting experience.
The Rubin Museum specializes in Himalayan art, and has a fantastic collection of items from around that part of the world. It is set on 6 floors in a building that has great character and design but to its previous use with a great circular staircase in the middle. There is also a very nice restaurant in the museum. Yo u could easily stay a whole day and enjoy it.
Spiral central stairway between exhibition floors. Ancient Hindi & Buddhist art.
Had an incredible time here. It’s free on Friday evenings so you can walk right in and have a seat. Loved the wall exhibit of anxiety vs hope. Really relatable and unites us all as humans. The exhibits about Buddhism were beautiful and pretty interesting. Loved that I can do my yoga meditation there also.The restaurant food was really good and flavorful (surprising for a museum restaurant). They have excellent cocktails and craft beers. The curry salmon was cooked perfectly. The matcha ice cream included some biscuit and candied ginger and the combo was delicious- i would recommend to anyone looking for a sweet treat for just $5. Overall a lovely visit and would definitely take my visiting relatives to this museum
I really enjoyed this place. Definitely a museum worth checking out if you’ve already seen all the major nyc museums.
It is one of most beautiful museum of art in NYC. I thoroughly enjoyed every piece and those creative exhibitions. The best of everything is it allows to take memories with you by taking pictures. I have huge collection of the exhibits which gave me new idea and additional knowledge.It focuses more on Asian and Himalayan art and I could also view few pieces from Bhutan too!A great place to visit if you are in NYC and learn on Himalayan Buddhism art and related culture and traditions.
I was very impressed with the well thought-out exhibition which incorporated every part of the museum in its scope. From the grand swirling staircase, to the food in the cafe and on every floor. Wonderfully curated collection of historical and contemporary pieces staged with excellent contextual information. A must visit museum!
Understated and underestimated museum. Great place to bring your friends to. Unique Asian art and all the pieces selected with care and knowledge. Me and a friend spent couple of hours there, enjoying the collection. That was my second time there. They do have discount for students and seniors.
Other guests were conversing loudly. Staff said nothing. I thought it would be a quiet space.
Definitely worth a visit ! If you are interested in Asian/South Asian art and culture this is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Quiet respite from the city. I do wish the café offered more authentic food. I visited during their annual festival and enjoyed the dancers.
If youre into art history or just something new to do, this is the place to come. The artwork is beautiful and detailed and it really tells you a lot about the Buddhist history and religion. On the very top floor they have a meditation room so you can have a peace of mind. Occasionally on the weekends they have a small violinist group that compliments the atmosphere of the museum. They also have a dinning area that you can sit and eat there and have a splendid time.
Beautifully constructed boutique museum with permanent and temporary exhibits of Asian art. Interactive exhibits well suited for young and old alike. A wonderful restaurant on the ground floor serves delicious salads, appetizers, sandwiches and main courses with an Asian influence. Mulligatawny soup is the best I have ever tasted!
I really enjoyed how well kept and cleanly laid out the galleries are. Every room looked perfect. No one artwork was too crowded. Great mixture of old and new art. I loved my visit!
This museum was absolutely amazing. The exhibits were very well set out and really easy to follow. Every floor was incredibly informative with descriptions of every piece of art and with background information about culture and process. I know so much more about Buddhism and Hinduism and India and Tibet!
Very interesting museum.
Fantastic place to go see a little bit of history. A great snapshot of Asian history told in a beautiful setting. I loved every bit of it. Definitely check out the book stall downstairs. It has some really amazing stuff. The cafe in the basement was underwhelming though. Wouldnt recommend it.
Nice museum in Chelsea. Not sure if exhibits change but this visit had mostly Himalayan art
Very nice museum. Showcases Himalayan Art, Nepalese art, Tibetan art, Indian art. Being an Indian, I felt proud while looking around some masterpieces as it reminds you of your origin.
It is a blessing having the Rubin Museum of Art in my backyard.
I love this place. Small space but expansive inside with gorgeous central staircase. Unpretentious exhibits line the walls throughout. The prayer room is a highlight. Friday night visits are free, with cool house and dance music. Bar and appetizers also on Friday. You must go.
I liked being surrounded by the art at the Rubin. I felt it to be a sensual experience. The colors and the feelings went together. The Asian art was thrilling. It was nice that the museum was free on Friday nights gathering young adults to view art and experience it. There was also a nice bar available. I thought the drinks were heavy on price and not the best I ever had but it was still fun to have a bar in a museum!
Great collection of Himalayan art, culture and history. Dont forget to go with the kids on Sundays for family activities.
The architecture of this building is reminiscent of the donut nature of the Guggenheim. This means that the exhibits are displayed in the outer circle and makes it easy to navigate and ensures you will pretty much get to see everything. With that being said, its not a big museum but does showcase an impressive collection of Asian art, specifically focusing on the Himalayan region. I am not particularly into older pieces of art so your experience will depend on your interests but its a museum that is in a great location and is worth checking out if you are interested in this particular type of art.
Space is beautiful. Art collection is interesting, but a little one-noted for me. I went for a specific exhibition, but was not overly impressed. However, I was impressed by another exhibition that was there. Didnt visit the permanent exhibition so Ill probably go back to have a better idea about the art. Still museum is inexpensive and the space is definitely gorgeous.
I really love this museum enough that I decided to purchase a membership after my familys fourth visit. We discovered the museum during a field trip with my son. He asked to return and have been enjoying the space, programs and experience with the staff ever since. Patrons can leave a note for a future patron. Recieving your red sealed letter is a great treat and way to connect visitors to each other. The talks are excellent and organized by theme. The Sunday family events are well worth attending and the Friday night jazz and cocktail hour is the perfect way to end the week. I would highly recommend checking the Ruben out.
Came here with my dad a few months ago, and loved it. Great combination of art and culture of Tibet. 10/10 would totally come back here to see all the artifacts and tapestries. Love the layout of the museum and overall feel of it. If you want to learn more about Buddhism or just Tibet, this is a great start. Love it!
Extensive collection of amazing Buddhist art. Many excellent, varied, thought-provoking events, includung films, concerts, meetups, and lecture/discussions. Tempting gift shop. Very good casual restaurant/wine bar. Lovely interior architecture. Who could ask for more?
I am a member to this museum. It is one of the most remarkable museums. Their Friday nights packed. The lounge area encouraging socializing. This museum covers history, anthropology, East Asia and also educated me more about catholicism in Europe more than any other institutions. It is well rounded and supports their main objective, the culture of Tibet. Shrine room is awesome.
One of my favorite museums in NYC. It has a nice vibe, I always feel peaceful after visiting it. Was there with my mom and a 11 years old daughter - everyone enjoyed the experience. P.S there is also a bar inside the museum on a first floor😉
Amazing. I am pretty new to the museum scene, but this one was instantly a favorite. The layout is really nice and has a natural flow that is easy to follow. Placards next to the artwork/artifacts explains the historical context surrounding the piece and then a separate paragraph describes whats going on in the piece itself. The cafe has some delicious lunch selections!
This is one of my favorite museums in all of nyc. It’s small, intimate, and well curated. Their regular collection is excellent, so it’s worth going to the Rubin no matter what special exhibit is there. But the special exhibits tend to be fantastic too. This isn’t a museum to be missed!
Awesome place with a very nice gift store. A very amazing place for asians to know how their roots are one with so many similarities in our culture...China, India, Nepal and Tibet. The shrine was so beautiful and powerful.
This museum is so peaceful, calming and intriguing. The exhibits are well curated and the staff are friendly, engaging and welcoming. I highly recommend coming here to visit even if you attend and do work in their cafe area.
This whole museum was well tied together, beautiful, informative, and I had a great visit.For anyone who is wondering: the bathrooms are very clean!
Absolutely amazing. I wasnt sure if Id enjoy this museum as I wasnt too keen on the Rockefeller collection in the Asia society and museum, however the Rubin museum explains everything so succinctly anwd clearly that its impossible not to be interested, intrigued and absorbed - I dont even know anything about Buddhism etc! As a lover of modern and contemporary art, I am very surprised that my favourite museum in new York has not been Whitney, MoMA, Guggenheim, but the Rubin museum! Bring your debit card, the shop is amazing beyond belief .......
The Himalayan art exhibit was superb. I wish i could have spent more time but I had a class scheduled. There is a restaurant but due to short time did not eat. The museum is organized so that you start at the 6th floor and descend with stairs or an elevator. Each floor has art in various media, video etc. Wednesday is the late [til 9 PM] when I attended a musian was conducting a meditation with a noise bowl. Lovely. A wonderful introduction to Eastern religions.
Great museum. They do not have many permanent exhibits so its a different experience every time you go. I love the main staircase; it has an auditory component to it. As you move up and down the staircase the sound changes. There are also many places within the museum where you can sit and meditate it contemplate.
This is a niche museum dedicated to the art of the Himalayans and especially Tibet. If youre inclined that way you will love this place, because the space is beautiful and the art is amazing. If you have no particular interest in this kind of work, there are other museums you might find more enjoyable. And if youre socially inclined, think about going later in the day to take advantage of their well-stocked (though not very well-priced) bar or one of their screenings.
Absolutely fantastic exhibit. This is a museum that specializes in Himalayan art. The building itself is interesting. Start at the top floor and work your way down. You;d find lectures being given, discussions held, and live demonstrations. Its a very Zen space and you will be peering at the art to see all the details. There is a movie theater at the bottom and a bar which seems to be very hip.
If you are visitng the city dont forget to check the Robin Museum of Art. You will find really interesting art innovations who are one of a kind. I had great experience and I hope all of you to enjoy this museum like me. In this area you will find a lot of good restaurants if you get hungry or just to take a drink.
Great vibe and atmosphere. Interactive and informative. Loved it & will be back!(:
The Rubin has a very special, highly curated collection of Buddhist art that is very inspiring. The curators and staff create a wonderful experience that stretches across several floors and a theater, with seasonally rotating exhibits that extend themes across the year. Surprisingly, the museum flies under the radar of most New Yorkers and tourists but is absolutely worth visiting, even if the subject matter seems foreign to you. The building itself is also quite special, with a large ascending circular staircase that is very impressive. Additionally, they have a great café.
Cute. Has a nice cafe for food and drinks. Interesting art. Went for a panel talk and it was full but still felt intimate due to the set up. I think that they have a theme for the year and the panel discussions are based of different aspects of that theme. Very interesting and def will be back.
Very nice enjoyable museum devoted to Himalayan art.Had some sensory exhibits that were very relaxing. Got a sense of the spiritual.fir the average person unless you are deeply into it,I would suggest the excursion takes about an hour to an hour and half.
Absolutely amazing collection of Himalayan art on display.
A wonderful place for lovers of Tibetan culture and arts.I particularly love the themes of the Rubins exhibitions and the intelligent selection of beautiful art pieces from Nepal, Tibet and North India displayed in accordance.Meditation sessions happen every Wednesday.A very unique and transforming journey in the middle of NYC.
Definitely a hidden gem in NYC. Its a great place to get your Zen on. All of regular exhibits are really well laid out and provide a lot of insight for people less familiar with the Buddhism etc. The special exhibits are always fascinating and worth the many trips back. Oh, and its not so ginormous that you get museum headache
Great front windows, wonderful stairwell, inviting snack bar and gift shop...The employees didnt bother to tell me there was a free tour starting in 10 minutes, so I bought the audio docent. The collection is impressive but the audio docent was dry as burnt toast. Displays manage to subdue vibrant art. These days museums must be more than fine art on dark walls.
Very authentic place showcasing excellent exhibitions. I visited when they were showcasing exhibitions on Himalayan ary, Tibetan, Mongolian, Indian, Chinese and Nepalese artwork. Staff were friendly, the place really easy to navigate and overall a wonderful experience. Really well curated I must say.They also offer student discounts, if you are eligible.
Great museum with some good stuffs from Himalayas.
Beautiful museum. For every lover of Himalayas art is a must in New York. Six floors, beautiful staircase, fine artistic arrangement. Soft background music, from the East. An amazing Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room. You will love it.
Very nice surprise in the middle of a hectic city. The place features artifacts from the Himalayas and provide a great escape from the city outside. You have corners in the museum itself where you can just sit and relax. They provide a free audio tour which you can request at the ticket reception.
A great museum to visit with family or friends. Probably one of the best collections of Himalayan art in the US that is open to the public. The coffee shop and store are also nice opportunities to find different teas, coffees, snacks, and shopping.
The Museum was started with the private art collection of a couple who had a passion for Tibetan Art. The Museum itself has a beautiful and very sacred feeling to it. They also have a variety of films and musical performances that are good. The art is so beautiful and special that I like to revisit the permanent collection from time to time.
An interesting discussion about consciousness of animals and how they are affected by being around humans
Its more about the religion and culture of Tibetan Buddhism.
Great hidden gem. Free and open late on Friday night. Had an himilayian Buddhism and Indian photography show when I went. Had a great in depth description of art and process of creating certain peices in the show. Has similar spiral effect as the Guggenheim. Bookstore and restaurant options as well despite being a smaller gallery.
Small, intimate setting helps you really focus on the art
Really neat museum! Very different from the typical art museum, and I like the narrow focus of Tibetan art. The food is DELICIOUS so be sure to go for lunch or dinner with your trip. They also have events like live music.
Beautifully done museum with Tibet/Buddhist art. The building and layout is modern and very well done. I recommend starting from top floor and working your way down.
I stopped by here just for the lounge for a friends birthday party. The atmosphere was nice and as expected considering it was inside a museum. The drinks were overpriced ($20 + tip for a gimlet and a bottled beer) but the cocktails were well made. As for the food, I only tried the pizza, and it really did taste like something coming out of an oven. Id make sure to eat somewhere else.
Beautiful unique must-see collection of Buddhist art from Tibet and Nepal punctuated by exhibits of contemporary photography and art from these areas. A real gem of a museum that is very different from everyrhong else in Manhattan.
This is a beautiful museum; I feel nothing but peace here. There is an area (dont remember which floor) where there is OM being softly played on well placed speakers. I sat in this area for a bit and I nearly cried I dont have a reason why but the sound was just so peaceful. I didnt have none of the NYC noise blasting into my mind. THE WORLD IS SOUND exhibit is really nice, gentle, and relaxing. Wish I could volunteer here part-time. Love this museum.
Fantastic museum and respite from the bustle of New York City. Also great programming and events. Like Dream over where you sleep next to the art! Also happy hour every friday night with free DJ. Great place to meet friends and start the weekend!
Highly recommend the current contemporary special exhibition - Clapping With Stones - the Art and Acts of Resistance. Creative, powerful. The works of worldwide contemporary artists are highlighted. Beautifully architected building, superb permanent collection of Vajrayana Buddhism art from the Himalayan areas.
They have a great collection of Tibetan art. Its the only museum of its kind that I know about in Manhattan. They sometimes have special performances. I once went there when they had a special aerial acrobatics performance over the spiral staircase. It was amazing and unexpected.
One of the sexiest places in New York that most people do not know about. This museum is dedicated to art from the Himalayas. There are new exhibits all the time and special events. It is free on Friday night and there is a DJ in their sensual cafe where you can get beer and wine.
Beautiful art, and a classy party scene on Friday nights! Be sure to catch the tour that night as well. Huge props to Evan for an amazing, insightful time (if hes still working there).Seriously lovely (mostly) Tibetan/Buddhist, psychedelic art!
$19 adult for non member. Well worth a trip
This is a fantastic addition to our cultural storehouse in New York. Six floors dedicated to Tibetan art including a full sized shrine and high quality rotating exhibitions. On the first floor is a great and affordable restaurant of regional inspired dishes.
The Rubin museum is a large museum for the neighborhood its in- with six levels if exhibits, with a focus on Buddhist Himalayan art. Their other exhibits focusing on South Asia are also praiseworthy. They have informative audioguides for free and $1 fee for coat check.
This is a hidden gem of a museum--really awesome place for Himalayan and Tibetan art. It is like a sanctuary, with a pretty spiral staircase and spacious layout. Take time to explore the cafe and gift shop too.
The Rubin consistently has interesting and thought-provoking exhibits, many of which engage many of your senses. The VR exhibit I went to a few months ago was fascinating, I recorded my voice as part in the OM lab that resulted in another beautiful sound-based exhibit several months later. Always something to do and Ive never been disappointed in a visit.
The museum has a beautiful collection of Himalayan art unlike anything else in the city. Its a place perfect for reflection.The Naked Soul concert series brings in great artists performing unplugged.
A hidden gem. The museum has a lot of artifacts of interest and well laid out. You can spend around 2-3 hours if you were to read things in detailThe staff was very courteous and helpful. I would recommend this to anyone.
Love this museum. They open their doors every Friday evening and theyre always doing sweet little things to give back to the city. The organization really seems to embody the ethos of the beautiful and serene art they exhibit.
Nice place with caffee, where you can pick a glass of wine and take a good not expensive dinner before starting checking all floors with lots of really good pictures, masks, statues and lots of other stuff. I like the room with candles where you can seat and to think. I will definitely recommend to visit this place!!!
Unique museum that helps set the context for the art of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Bangladesh (Buddhist and Hindi). A nice mix of contemporary and historic in a beautiful and inspiring collection.
A small 3 story museum with a small collection of Tibetan art. Includes a replica of a Buddhist temple for meditation. Beautiful gift store too. Expensive admission given the size of the collection but free with NYU student ID.
The Rubin is a beautiful museum! I went on a guided tour of the Chitra Ganesh exhibit, and the tour offered a lot of insight and context that allowed me to better understand the exhibit. The Chitra Ganesh exhibit was an amazing sight to see- there was a mix of ancient art and more modern art, using a variety of mediums (including digital!). They also sometimes play music, and they have free admission to the public on Friday afternoons I believe!Its only a few blocks away from the 14th Street subway stop, and its truly an amazing museum.
Love this museum. Asian art throughout winds around a central staircase. The current exhibit on the top floor is unique and challenging. The gift shop features overpriced interesting items - on par with any other museum shop.
Very interesting museum of Hymalayan, Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist art. They have tours at 1pm and 3pm, which appeared to be very useful for us. The museum cafe is also very good.
Beautiful facility. Very educative content. Loved the gift shop has lots of cool stuff. I wish the Cafe was open...
This is a beautiful gallery with some very interesting exhibitions. Your ticket lasts for a year so you can revisit, making it good value. The guides are helpful and knowledgeable and the facilities are also clean and pleasant
The Rubin museum, the jewel of Chelsea, is a wonderful place to visit and explore. The exhibits range and vary between Indian to Native Populations across the world. The atmosphere on Friday is festive with a happy hour and free entrance into the museum. Museum lovers will enjoy interactions with the staff, their knowledge of artifacts and their sincerity and love for the museum itself. This crown jewel is worth taking a look for any occassion.
Nice place the art’s seems more valuable than some museums nearby. Had free admission thanks to Bank of America
Focused and intense. A great experience.
I was part of a group that took a private guided tour through the museum. The collection is absolutely stunning, and even more impressive when given context from the tour guide. One of the best Himalayan and Tibetan art collections in America.
NYC must visit! The best museum about oriental art! Educational, informative, lots of items of art, aesthetically beautiful venue, so much to see, explore, learn! Friday evenings are free (from 7pm)!
Wonderful museum for lovers of Himalayan art and culture. The cafe is excellent, too. Small, quiet, an oasis in the city.
A wonderful display of Himalayan art
Interesting museum with informative knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism.
I was Walking by this museum and had to try it out. I discovered their modern refreshments and nice space. Great to bring girlfriends here and have a stop for refreshments and chat away. Nice to take a break while you are in the area.
A must see for gaining understanding and appreciation of east and South Asian art, religion, and history! Each exhibit is immaculately curated, and the cafe on the 1st floor is delish!
This place is a hidden gem. Not only is the space beautiful and well curated, but Cafe Serai far and away serves the best food Ive ever purchased in a museum. Get yourself there soon to experience the Himalayan wind exhibition before it closes!
I knew bits of the Rubin collection before there was a museum to house them. Last Saturday I interviewed a western Lama about programs of meditation in prison. The Rubin Cafe was a perfect spot for tea and in depth conversation.
It was my first time there with my college class. We were a group of about 15 and we didnt feel in the way, it was roomy enough for us to do out lesson, and it was quite enough for us to have discussions. I will be going back on my own...it was amazing!
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Rubin Museum of Art 2023:
Review №1
2021-12-29This houses a collection of beautiful colorful paintings and sculptures from the Himalayan region - India, Tibet, Bhutan. Once you enter the museum the first thing you see is a wonderful Lord Ganesha statue. It is so peaceful inside-especially the shrine room, you will almost forget you are in the bustling New York City.They also have a Mandala Lab. Each and every exhibit is very well explained. They have free Friday evenings and this is also part of Bank of Americas free weekends. A must-visit.
Review №2
2022-06-26I went on their Free Fri DJ nights within their last hour of closing. The music was loud throughout the museum as expected but if you wanted to experience parts of the museum for total enjoyment it was hard to read, listen, and engage in their exhibitions.I’ve been in the Himalayas a couple of times and have deep respect for their art and rich culture. They have done a great job capturing the essence and its appeal, along with the rare treasures they have.
Review №3
2022-01-24Beautiful, contemplative art museum. Himalayan Buddhist art adorns the walls, including gorgeous tapestries from over 500 years ago. The second floor is more interactive, providing Buddhist lessons alerting one to the transience of existence and shaking one from complacency and habit. There is an elegant gong to strike, hanging over placid water. Note, sadly, that the cafe was inexplicably still closed as of my visit.
Review №4
2022-05-20The museum was a very unique experience and I learned a lot about Tibetan Art ( it’s influence on its neighbors ) , Buddhism and Hinduism . The vibes in the museum were very peaceful and my favorite was the smell exhibit and Himalayan art. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Review №5
2021-12-05The Rubin Museum of Art offers many beautiful works of art and wonderful interactive exhibitions with plenty of informative and instructional information to allow the guest to truly understand what they are experiencing. One of the highlights of my visit was the exhibit the allows guests to strike various gongs and then lower them into a pool of water. Each gong was specifically designed by various artists. After striking and lowering the gong designed by Peter Gabriel, the sound is reminiscent of the deep sea calls of whales.
Review №6
2021-09-28A hidden gem in Manhattan. Our daughter found out that it has free admission on Fridays. So we went there to check it out. A beautiful collection of Arts and mostly sculptures from Tibetan plateau, Nepal and India. Very well organised portrayals of Buddhism in that Himalayan region and influence of Hinduism on it. Thought provoking, serene and very peaceful.Must see
Review №7
2021-10-17One of my favorite NY museums. Extensive collection and displays that teach the precepts of Buddhism. Not just displaying pieces as art. Quiet, uncrowded and calm. Low light levels and reflective glass on frames make some pieces hard to see.
Review №8
2022-04-04Been here a few times. Never too busy. Always something new. Enjoyable museum if you want to avoid the bigger ones. Entry is free on Friday Nights from 6pm - 10pm.Pre-covid, on Friday nights, the cafe turned into a lounge, complete with cocktails and music. I believe they stopped, but will be returning on April 29th,2022, as per their website. Always a great time.
Review №9
2021-12-21This museum is great. I had a free ticket, so I checked it out last week.First: theyre very conscious and careful of Covid. I am as well and I appreciate the extra care they take in this regard.Second: the staff is all very helpful and friendly.Third: obviously....the museum itself. Im not an expert at all on Buddhism or Buddhist art. This museum did a great job of making the art accessible for an average person off the street (me). The meditation room was beautiful and relaxing, and I imagine very meaningful for practicing Buddhists.I also liked that some of their exhibits were interactive. The exhibit teaching empathy by using art designed around scents? How cool!I never visit gift shops, but as I exited the museum through the gift shop, I noticed how nice the gifts were. Id probably hit this place up if I needed a gift for someone: lots of thoughtful, non-Amazon things here.
Review №10
2021-10-22One of the best underrated museums in NYC! A beautiful, tranquil vibe that offers the perfect escape from the commotion of the city.Free entry on Friday evenings. Its a wonderful date spot.