Museum of the City of New York, New York

Following a comprehensive renovation in 2016, this museum, which has been in operation for nearly a century since its establishment in 1923, is finally living up to its name. Presently, it provides visitors with an immersive and captivating experience, showcasing the remarkable and unlikely journey of a small and obscure Dutch colony that evolved into a global metropolis, while also highlighting its tumultuous history of growth, destruction, deception, and conflict.

Embark on your exploration in the basement, where a captivating 30-minute film serves as an introduction to the narrative. Moving to the ground floor, one gallery takes you on a chronological journey through Gotham's history, starting from the Native American era and spanning until the 1900s, and showcases a diverse collection of artifacts accompanied by interactive electronic panels that offer biographies of both renowned and lesser-known New Yorkers. These profiles shed light on various aspects of the city's story, including individuals ranging from Alexander Hamilton to a tragic victim of crime. The panels, enriched with interactive maps, replicated paintings and drawings, newspaper clippings, graphs, and more, provide a deeply engaging experience.

The adjacent gallery continues the narrative with equal flair, covering the period from 1901 to the present day. On this floor, you'll also find the Future City Lab, an exhibit that invites visitors to tackle sustainability and population density challenges using individual tablets. These solutions are later displayed for all visitors to see, making it a popular attraction for children.

Ascending to the upper floor, you'll encounter rotating exhibits, a renowned dollhouse, galleries showcasing the extravagance of the Gilded Age, and an exceptional permanent exhibition on activism in New York City.