Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

“Loved the Made in America exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt museum! As a celebration of America's 250th birthday, this beautiful photo exhibit celebrates industry and craftsmanship in America. I had no idea so many things we love and use are made right here in this area! The free public tour gets into the passion of the photographer Chris Payne for highlighting a part of America we rarely see, factories filled with diverse people who take joy in making what they make. From an ideological standpoint, this museum was so refreshing, proudly honoring our country and our industrious history and our hopeful future! The actual mansion has tours on Tuesdays and Fridays, we went on a Wednesday and got a docent led tour of the photo exhibit by Sara who was lovely and knowledgeable. She was patient, welcoming and very helpful in getting a more full perspective of what was behind the photos. The first floor of the museum is absolutely beautiful with one original piece of art over the fireplace and carefully crafted intricate wood/plaster carvings on the walls and ceilings. A guilded age mansion in Manhattan is special in and of itself, but the history of the building is also fascinating. I didn't know it was used as an extension of Columbia University for the social work program. We will definitely be coming back when the 3rd floor reopens and when the snow melts and the spring flowers fill the garden.”

“Fantastic breakfast right across the street from the main entrance to Grand Central Station. Best cup of coffee I had during my 8 days in NYC. They supposedly have really good chicken pot pie later in the day, it's on my list for my next trip!”

“This is one of my favorite museums in NYC. Housed in the former residence of Andrew Carnegie, a spectacularly opulent setting, the curated exhibits at this design museum are always interesting, informative and beautiful.”

“We visited Cooper Hewitt around 5 PM during their “pay what you wish” hours. Housed in the former Andrew Carnegie mansion, the building is just as much of a draw as the exhibitions inside. The blend of historic interior detailing with cutting-edge design installations creates a layered and stimulating experience. The exhibit we saw was both thought-provoking and beautifully presented, bridging the gap between speculative design and practical innovation. The museum shop, in particular, stood out—clean, well-curated, and arguably one of the best design retail spaces in NYC. It’s a more relaxed and introspective museum compared to others in the city, perfect for a slower-paced cultural outing.”