Whitney Museum: Tickets, Free Days and What to See

The Whitney Museum holds the world's largest collection of 20th century American art. It traces the origins of American modernism all the way to the forms of abstract expressionism.

If you're into Edward Hopper, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns or Jackson Pollock, this one is a must.

The Whitney's permanent collection

I'd suggest starting your visit to the Whitney on the 7th floor, where you'll find the permanent exhibits of American artists from 1912 through the mid sixties.

You can admire Edward Hopper's most iconic paintings, like «Early Sunday Morning» (1930), inspired by a real stretch of Seventh Avenue in Greenwich Village stripped down to its bare essentials.

Hopper painted the silence and isolation of his subjects in the middle of the city. He captured the mood of an America that was changing before his eyes.

You'll also find a selection of works by Alexander Calder, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jasper Johns and Jackson Pollock, among other artists.

Temporary exhibitions

The Whitney Museum in New York refreshes its exhibitions every year, and you'll find them on levels 5 and 6 of the museum.

These temporary shows are a great way to see the latest trends in contemporary art in the United States. In 2024 there were two temporary exhibitions:

• «Paths of Color»: A retrospective on the impact of color in American abstract art from the mid 20th century on, with works by Mark Rothko and Helen Frankenthaler, among others.
• «Emerging Voices»: A group show featuring young contemporary artists whose work tackles themes like social justice, identity and climate change.

The Whitney also always has some retrospective on view, such as the show dedicated to the work of Alice Neel, an artist whose portraits capture the diversity of life in New York.

The Whitney Museum building

For nearly half a century it sat in Upper Manhattan, but in May 2015 it opened the doors of its new home in the Meatpacking District, steps from the High Line.

The building was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the same man behind the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

The galleries are big and full of light, with an industrial look that fits the history of its new neighborhood. Even the elevator is art here: it was designed by painter and sculptor Richard Artschwager.

The Whitney's terraces

Beyond the quality of the collection, it's a pleasure to visit for the panoramic views from its terraces.

The Meatpacking District and the Hudson River stretching out in front of you. Off in the distance, the classic Empire State and the much newer One World Trade Center…

Besides being terrific New York viewpoints, the terraces double as exhibition space for various works.

Free admission to the Whitney Museum

Admission to the Whitney, like most New York museums, is expensive. But under certain conditions you can save.

Since December 2024, admission to the Whitney Museum is free for everyone under 25, at any time of day!

There's also the «pay what you wish» option, available Fridays from 7 pm to 10 pm and Thursdays from 1:30 pm to 6 pm. To pay what you want, you need to reserve your ticket online.

If you're over 25 or visiting another day, the discount tourist passes that include the Whitney can help, for example the New York Pass, the Sightseeing Pass and GO City New York.

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Address
99 Gansevoort Street, Meatpacking District

Getting there
Nearest subway:
L line, 8 Av station.

Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 10:30 am to 6 pm
Friday and Saturday 10:30 am to 10 pm
Closed Tuesday

Updated Whitney prices

• Adults: US$ 30
• Students and visitors over 65: US$ 24
• Free admission for anyone under 25, at any time.

On Fridays from 7 pm to 10 pm and Thursdays from 1:30 to 6 pm you can «pay what you wish» to get in, but you have to reserve your ticket online on the Whitney's website.