Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

This place is actually not a very big exhibit because the exhibit seems to rotate through different seasons. However, the overall architecture and interior design is extraordinary. Furthermore, this place has a pretty nice café with a lot of outdoor seating as well as a very impressive private garden that requires admission, as in, you have to have admission to the museum in order to access the garden. Very nice place.

If I could visit only one museum while in the city it would be Cooper Hewitt. Yes, it is small in comparison and I think that adds to its appeal. The exhibitions are thoughtfully curated, inviting you to slow down and think about the design decisions behind the objects we use every day. In addition to displaying beautiful things, they explore how design influences the way we live and connect with the world. The museum's setting in the Carnegie Mansion makes the experience even more memorable. The historic home feels intimate and uncluttered with rooms scaled to encourage curiosity instead of rushing you from one exhibit to the next. The Cooper Hewitt celebrates the simple iterative beauty of design with a lightness and admiration that, if you are lucky, you carry with you as you leave.

Obtain free admission through culturepass.nyc The architectural details preserved in this former Carnegie mansion are stunning. Be sure to view the touch screen display for its history. The first floor has an overview of the museum’s collection (Design Across Time). The second and third floors showcase changing exhibits.

A mansion worth visiting by itself. Extraordinarily pleasant garden to sit in while savoring something from the annex café. Good gift shop. Temporary exhibitions are the main attraction here, but they have been regularly shrinking in the last years.

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.

Great museum - even for those who don't like museums. The collection I saw included innovations in America and some sound experiences. All were very unique and interesting. The house and garden are also beautiful! It's small, so it's easy to see everything in an hour or so.

Lovely guards and staff. Nice exhibits and extra cool that it’s in such a gorgeous mansion! Nicely curated exhibits. Nice museum store that gives teacher discounts!

We had a great visit to this museum. We especially loved the Art of Noise exhibit they have right now. It’s a bummer that it isn’t free like other Smithsonians but that probably keeps it less crowded. You can get away with a couple hours here. There are only two floors with a small cafe and a shop. The earlier in the day you come the better Pro Tip: the sound exhibit has live DJs on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday from 1-4. Be sure to come during that window for the immersive experience!