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History museums

Dublin, Ireland
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302 posts
9 reviews
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History museums
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I'm heading to new york on thursday (15th) until next tuesday and just trying to plan a few museums/indoor activities in case weather doesn't go our way. My mum wants to go to the MoMa so we'll do that anyway but we're also considering ellis island. I'm interested in history and museums with a historical aspect as opposed to another art museum (even though I know art is part of history too!). Is ellis island a very good museum and an important one to visit from a immigration history point of view or just a bit of a touristy gimmick? We went to the natural history museum on our last trip and really enjoyed it.

Are there any other good museum recommendations or any other really interesting indoor activities apart from shopping?

Thanks in advance for any help, I always find this forum so helpful!

Memphis, TN
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1,530 posts
4 reviews
1. Re: History museums
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Ellis Island is very interesting. I would definitely recommend it. Also consider the New York Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York.

Brooklyn, New York
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27,650 posts
2. Re: History museums
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The Tenement Museum is another great museum that showcases immigrant history.

Ellis Island is both touristy and also very good. most museums are both.

Other museums focused on history:

Museum of the City of New York

New York Historical Society

National Museum of the American Indian

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Dublin, Ireland
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302 posts
9 reviews
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3. Re: History museums
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Thanks for the quick responses!

Brooklyn bridge - Would you recommend the tenement museum over ellis island or is it actually better to see ellis island first as the place where so many immigrats arrived?

Thanks for all the other suggestions, i'll check them out.

Melbourne, Australia
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25 reviews
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In addition to those museums already mentioned, I would also go to the Met Museum and focus on looking at the works in the American Wing.

Other indoor activities - the theatre?

What about a boat ride around the entire island of Manhattan with the Architecture Institute of America: https://www.sail-nyc.com/browse-by-theme/architecture/ This is amazing. It might not be great on a day with lots of rain, but if it's just cold, the boat is indoor and beautiful.

What about tours of buildings such as the Woolworth's Building?

A tour of the subway art with Darryl - that's all indoors for the price of ONE ride - FABULOUS few hours:

http://www.nycsubwaytour.com/

Whilst thinking of the subway - the Transit Museum in Brooklyn is a excellent source of NYC history.

Melbourne, Australia
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25 reviews
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5. Re: History museums
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I've been to both the Tenement Museum and Ellis Island. I'd recommend both and I'd try to visit Ellis Island before the Tenement Museum. At Ellis Island you could try for a Hard Hat tour which takes you on a tour of the hospital on Ellis Island.

Sheffield, United...
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591 posts
14 reviews
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6. Re: History museums
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You may also like the Merchant's House

http://www.merchantshouse.com

Dublin, Ireland
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302 posts
9 reviews
3 helpful votes
7. Re: History museums
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Thanks Jennyr261, some great recommendations there.

Yeah I thought it might be a better idea to go to ellis island first and then see about the tenement museum or possibly leave it until our next trip.

Really interested by the subway art tour!

Dublin, Ireland
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302 posts
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Thanks Kate S, another one to look into.

Sorry I forgot to say we're already going to a show one evening, the color purple.

Melbourne, Australia
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14,368 posts
25 reviews
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9. Re: History museums
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Oh yes, the Merchant House Museum is an excellent idea.

The subway art tour is wonderful.

Here's a couple of websites about the art on the subway; in case you don't do a tour. You can look out for the works while you're out and about:

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork

http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct This one's great - you can see what art is along what line...... It also tells you WHERE in the station the art is; quite handy when you're looking for a piece of work in a large station!

USA
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24,117 posts
27 reviews
21 helpful votes
10. Re: History museums
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+1 on the Merchants House Museum. They offer free tours with admission, check their site for times. But it's a great time capsule and the history is great.

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