Fotografiska New York: opening times, price and things to do
Can you imagine having a drink in a church converted into a museum while enjoying the best photos of the moment? The Fotografiska gallery, inaugurated in 2019, surprises all its visitors. Do you dare?
Façade of the Fotografiska Museum in New York City | ©Keko Ediale
"Have fun, stay late, dig deep and spill your drink". Although it could be the slogan of an alcohol brand, it is the motto of the new Fotografiska Museum in New York, which has revolutionised the cultural world with a mix of photography, art, music and nightlife.
Yes, a lot of nightlife! Drinking in this church-turned-gallery and dining in its secret restaurant are just some of the attractions of this spectacular building.
The good news and the bad news is that the exhibitions are constantly being renewed. Don't miss it!
NYC Fotografiska Museum Ticket
Get your tickets in advance to the Fotografiska Museum in New York City.
The best of modern photography with these tickets that will help you avoid the queues at the box office.
If you're already convinced to visit New York's hottest new venue, I suggest you buy your ticket in advance, on the Hellotickets website. You will see the prices available, depending on whether you go in a group, with children or if you prefer the premium option with which you can include a drink with your ticket.
With this option you will pay for your preferential access to the Fotografiska Museum, where you can contemplate hundreds of photographs with a glass of wine. Plus, you'll be spared the hellish queues that form every day at the ticket office.
Why it's worth a visit: Opened in December 2019, it's a twist on traditional museums and offers talks, fashion shows, DJ nights, poetry evenings, wine tastings and? much more. The highlight of the moment: the building houses the oldest works of pop artist Andy Warhol, icons of the famous American dream, which have never seen the light of day.
Recommended if... you don't have much time to visit New York and you're a demanding traveller who doesn't like to waste a minute of your time. Like me!
How much does it cost to enter the Fotografiska Museum?
The best thing to do is to buy the priority ticket, which costs 22 € and is even cheaper than buying it directly at the ticket office. This way, your reservation will be confirmed immediately and will be sent to your email so that you can access it and enjoy the most complete experience that a museum can offer you.
Here, you will test almost all your senses: your taste with its modern cocktails; your sense of smell with the cappuccino in its wonderful café; your hearing, with the music and poetry evenings; and your sight with some of the best photographs in the world. What more could you ask for?
Did you know that...?
The Fotografiska Museum in Manhattan is located in a former evangelical church from the late 19th century, which was closed to the public for four decades. That's nothing!
How to get tickets for the Fotografiska Museum at the box office
If you prefer to buy your tickets at the box office, you can do that too, although it will cost you more (22,50 €) and you will miss out on the great benefits of advance purchase, such as discount, preferential access and free cancellation. Of course, you will also waste a lot of time waiting in line. I only recommend this option if you are one of the reduced-price groups, such as the over 62s and students.
Be careful! Especially if you intend to go to the museum late in the afternoon and enjoy the atmosphere, I recommend that you buy your ticket in advance, as this is the busiest time for visitors and you may find it very difficult to get in. At that time everyone wants to come in and have dinner!
Ticket prices
- Adults - €22.50
- Senior (over 62) - €13.85
- Student (with ID card) - €13.85
- Military and veterans - €13.85
- Children under six - Free
Nuria's Traveller Tip
During the winter it is likely to snow in New York. So if you're travelling at this time of year, don't forget to pack a good coat, hat, scarf and lined gloves - you'll appreciate it. But don't worry, because the snowfall will be anecdotal and will leave you with stunning photographs.
Are tickets to the Fotografiska Museum included in any of the city's tourist passes?
Yes, if you want to explore all the attractions of the great metropolis but without leaving your pocket in the attempt, the New York Pass Tourist Card is a very interesting option that you can customize according to the duration of your trip and the number of activities you want to do, including a visit to the Fotografiska Museum.
Specifically, this tourist pass gives you access to more than 100 attractions and activities: from the most iconic sights, such as the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial, to hidden treasures and alternative plans for all tastes.
How to get to the Fotografiska Museum
Public transport is a great way to get to the gallery - and with less pollution! The Fotografiska is located at 281 Park Ave South in New York City. The six-storey museum is housed in a historic neo-Renaissance building from 1894. As a New York landmark, you'll find it in no time - you can't miss it!
In my opinion, the quickest way to get around the Big Apple is to take the underground, which costs around €2.60. I'll admit that at first I didn't like it. Although at first, I admit, it can be a bit nerve-wracking. The New York underground is literally a city under the city. So that you don't panic, here are some basic tips on how to use it without any mishaps.
Recommended methods of transport
- Underground: the nearest underground station is 23rd Street Station, which is served by the 6 and R/W lines.
- Bus: Several city bus lines stop nearby, including the M1, M2 and M3.
- Bicycle: The Citibike parking system (dedicated to New York's public bicycles) is available on the northeast corner, between Park Ave S and 20th Street.
Opening hours of the Fotografiska Museum in New York City
The Fotografiska is one of the few museums in New York that is open 7 days a week. Its opening hours are Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 9 pm. It is important to note that the last entrance to the museum is one hour before closing time.
However, if I may make a suggestion, I would advise you to check the opening hours on the website when you plan to visit the exhibition, as they tend to change from winter to summer. In addition, events such as comedy nights or concerts with saxophonists are usually after 9pm.
Are there guided tours for the Fotografiska Museum?
Yes, if you would like to enjoy a more elevated cultural experience, the museum offers two kinds of guided tours: a group tour for groups of 10 people or more, or a personalised private tour with a one-hour tour. Let's take a look at the two options available:
Option 1: Group tour (for 10 or more visitors)
Adult: 19 € (regular ticket costs 22,50 €) Senior (over 62 years old): 11,25 € (regular ticket costs 13,85 €) Student: 11,25 € (regular ticket costs 13,85 €)
Option 2: 1-hour private guided tour
You can create a personalised one-hour tour with one of the Fotografiska experts for €130 (maximum 20 people per guide).
Is it worth it to pay extra for a guided tour?
The million-dollar question: Is it worth it? Personally, I think that the first option (the group guided tour) is a fantastic alternative for families, university trips, companies and large groups because, in addition to saving a little on your ticket, you will enjoy a more exclusive immersion with detailed explanations so that you can spend twice as much time. Important: with this ticket you also get a discount on drinks, although you have to buy your drinks beforehand!
The temporary and unique collections of the Fotografiska Museum
The peculiarity of this gallery is that it has no permanent exhibition. Here, everything is ephemeral! Instead, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions that allow it to show a large number of works. The aim is to always have a wide selection of photographs on display - from fashion and commercial pictures to artistic and documentary photography - to attract all kinds of audiences for repeat visits to the gallery.
One of the most striking exhibits on display at the museum is "Andy Warhol: Photo Factory", which offers an intimate visual diary of the artist's life and work with over 120 images, including his earliest work and dozens of never-before-seen photographs.
The exhibition pays homage to Warhol's famous studio in New York City. In particular, it showcases a collection of his iconic Polaroid portraits of celebrities and friends such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, Grace Jones and Keith Haring. You can also travel back in time and see photobooth strips from the 1960s and four short black and white films.
Nuria's Traveller Tip
After your visit, I suggest you go to the impressive Flatiron building, located in the same neighbourhood as the museum, which was the city's first skyscraper in 1902.
How much time do you need to visit the Fotografiska Museum in New York?
That's a very personal answer that will depend on your interest in photography, whether you also want to attend the shows it organises and your time in the city. In my opinion, the exhibition can be covered in an hour if you want to do a quick tour or in an hour and a half if you want to go through it more thoroughly.
Keep in mind that, as I mentioned, the museum offers a wide range of programming, from live music and presentations to intimate discussions and dinners, which will extend your stay in this charming building. The aim is to create community around the museum and for people to meet, discuss, share and celebrate photography. So, my advice, don't rush because you'll miss the best.
This is the Fotografiska Museum shop in New York
In the shop you can find for sale hundreds of posters and posters (from 22 €) with photographs from previous exhibitions. There are classic, black and white, pop art themed and protest images, among others - ideal for decorating your home! Among them, a self-portrait of Andy Warhol or snapshots of Kurt Cobain, David Bowie or Charlize Theron.
Which one should I choose? It depends on your taste, but I'll tell you that the best-selling posters are those by English photographer Miles Aldridge, which always feature transgressive women. No wonder he is so successful. Aldridge grew up surrounded by such greats as John Lennon, The Rolling Stones and Elton John, for whom his father, the illustrator Alan Aldridge, designed album covers. He's a natural born greyhound.
Nuria's Traveller Tip
Before visiting the museum, take a look at its programme. You can enjoy performances with comedians, evenings with saxophonists, photography workshops, guided meditations and even family concerts - a very complete experience!
Where to eat and drink in New York's Fotografiska Museum
The Fotografiska Museum in New York turns its bar-cafeteria into a place for artistic discussion and a place to meet before and after experiencing the exhibitions. These are all the options you will find
Fotografiska Café New York
By day, you can enjoy the delights of the café, and in the evening, the museum's advice (and mine) is to order a delicious glass of wine (which costs around €12) or a cocktail and head to the upper floors to explore the artworks. Like the idea? Then get ready because there's still the final surprise in store for you: its curious and forbidding restaurant that will have you chomping at the bit because... it's for members only! It's for members only!
Café Fotografiska New York opening hours: Open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm. The daily menu is served from 10am to 5pm and the evening menu from 5pm to 8pm.
The secret restaurant Chapel Bar (members only)
The clandestine Chapel Bar restaurant is hidden inside the Fotografiska Museum, in an old 19th century chapel that has been reinvented and now houses an exclusive and mysterious members-only lounge with cocktails, events and live performances to share culture and confessions in a very intimate and dimly lit atmosphere. It looks like a haunted castle. It feels like an enchanted castle - what do you have to do to get in? Like everything else in life, pay and become a member of the museum.
Prices to become a member of the Fotografiska Museum:
- Collector level: for fans of art, ideas and community. The price is 173 € per year
- Apprentice level: students pay a fee of 77 € per year
- Family level: aimed at families with children (the programme allows you to include two adults and two children for a total of 388 € per year)
- Patron level: this is the highest subscription and costs 1.1,731 per year
In conclusion, this is one of the best museums in New York and one of my favourites in the city because it has a very young spirit that mixes all the arts, banishes the concept of the "boring museum" and shows that culture is not incompatible with leisure and nightlife.
Just ask the master Joaquín Sabina. So enjoy the "19 days and 500 nights" of the Fotografiska Museum and the Big Apple. No doubt, you will be amazed!