The Best New York Museums and Landmarks for Your Next Party

Harold Pratt House

Harold Pratt House has been the picture of elegance on Park Avenue since its construction in 1919.  Home to the Council on Foreign Relations, the impeccably preserved mansion features original crystal chandeliers, parquet floors and beautiful wood inlays. The library adds the right amount of drama to your event with its marble fireplace and wraparound balcony, while the ballroom’s stately windows overlook Park Avenue. With several event spaces, this spot lends a historic grace to celebrations with as few as 40 to as many as 275 guests.

Peterson Hall Capacity: 180 (seated) – 275 (standing)

Ballroom Capacity: 130 (seated) – 200 (standing)

Library Capacity: 60 (seated) – 120 (standing)

Cipriani Wall Street and Cipriani 42nd Street

The opulent architecture of the Cipriani locations on Wall Street and 42nd Street makes them two of the most impressive event spaces in Manhattan. The Wall Street location originally housed the New York Merchants Exchange and Stock Exchange and features stunning views at every turn, from the breathtaking domed ceiling to its monolithic columns. It has a multiple spaces to accommodate a large number of guests, including a beautiful terrace. Cipriani 42nd Street is ideal for any sophisticated affair, treating guests to Italian Renaissance-style décor that includes grand marble columns and glittering chandeliers. With its massive grand ballroom, the spacious 42nd Street venue offers the flexibility to create your perfect day.

Wall Street Capacity: 900 (seated) – 2000 (standing)

42nd Street Capacity: 850 (seated) – 1800 (standing)

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The cultural significance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is immeasurable.  The profound exhibits and classic galleries within the museum have influenced the city for over 140 years, and make it an ideal setting for your special occasion.  From the first impressive moment of entry into the Great Hall with its marble mosaic floors and stunning archways, your guests will be fully immersed in a unique experience rich with original art.  Guests can stroll through the French and Italian sculptures in the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court or through the more modern installations in the The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden.  Multiple spaces available within The Met allow you to entertain anywhere from 220 to 1000 guests.

Great Hall and Great Hall Balcony Capacity: 1000 (seated) – 1000 (standing)

The Temple of Dendur Capacity: 550 (seated) – 800 (standing)

Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court Capacity: 200 (seated) – 600 (standing)

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

The Museum of Modern Art presents a unique opportunity to add vibrant color and intrigue to personal or corporate events.  With choices like The Agnes Gund Garden Lobby, with its exterior views of the sculpture garden, or the Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium’s dramatic skylight, your celebration is bound to be unique and memorable.  Terrace 5 is perfect for intimate events and multiple state-of-the-art theaters are also available. Various spaces within the museum can accommodate groups from 60 to 1500.

Agnes Gund Garden Lobby Capacity: 150 (seated) – 500 (standing)

Donald B. And Catherine C. Marron Atrium Capacity: 250 (seated) – 500 (standing)

Terrace 5 Capacity: 60 (seated) – 100 (standing)

Museum of the City of New York

Located on Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile, the Museum of the City of New York is a trendsetting social space that will captivate guests at your next event.  After completing a major renovation, the museum now boasts luxe marble staircases, two fabulous outdoor terraces, and an awe-inspiring light installation that sparkles above the Rotunda which also features a floating staircase and iconic columns perfect for a grand entrance.  The South Terrace hosts a clear-top tent for evenings under the stars, even on chilly nights.  This New York museum also features a handsome, wood-paneled library with stunning views of Central Park for an intimate cocktail hour .

Fifth Avenue Terrace Capacity: 225 (seated) – 450 (standing)

Rotunda Capacity: 250 (seated) – 250 (standing)

South Terrace Capacity: 225 (seated) – 225 (standing)

Whitney Museum of American Art

The architecturally-important building that houses The Whitney Museum of American Art can be found in New York City’s home to high-end design, the Meatpacking District.  With sweeping views of the Hudson and dynamic art exhibits throughout, events at The Whitney will spark conversation and fun.  There are event spaces for celebrations of 75 to 500 guests, including an outdoor gallery and a modern terrace spot. There are, however, specific membership and donor thresholds required for booking an event at The Whitney.

Kenneth C. Griffin Hall Capacity: 350 (seated) – up to 500 (standing)

Fifth Floor Outdoor Gallery: 250 (seated) – 350 (standing)

Museum of American Finance

In the heart of the Financial District, the Museum of American Finance is appropriately housed in a former bank building.  Constructed in 1927, the space has maintained much of its original architecture within The Grand Mezzanine Banking Hall, including a breathtaking marble staircase and Palladian windows that reflect the Art Deco style of the era. The museum’s exhibits, which include the first to celebrate Alexander Hamilton, are easily arranged to best display your event, and smaller rooms are also available, depending on your needs.

The Grand Mezzanine Banking Hall Capacity: 220 (seated) – 400 (standing)

London & Amsterdam Auditorium Capacity: 200 (seated) – 200 (standing)

New York Public Library

Book lovers and architecture buffs alike can appreciate the incredible possibilities in hosting a celebration in the New York Public Library (NYPL).  As home to one of the largest public libraries in the world, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building has ample space and various divisions in which to host a spectacular event.  The white marble of Astor Hall gleams under professional lighting designs and the Celeste Bartos Forum captivates guests with an ornate glass dome ceiling.  Bonus: all event fees support the NYPL’s important services to the public.

Astor Hall Capacity: 250 (seated) – 750 (standing)

Celeste Bartos Forum Capacity: 425 (seated) – 500 (standing)

Tavern on the Green

Tavern on the Green is an iconic hidden gem tucked away in Central Park, exuding rustic charm ideal for any celebration.  Tavern’s exclusive private event team will take care of every detail, so you can relax and enjoy the day surrounded by its seasonal flora and fauna.  The nearly 10,000-square-foot courtyard comfortably hosts large cocktail receptions, while the South Wing or Terrace are lovely options for an intimate seated dinner.

Courtyard Capacity: 250 (seated) – 700 (standing)

Terrace Capacity: 200 (seated) – 400 (standing)

South Wing Capacity: 125 (seated) – 225 (standing)

The Loeb Boathouse Central Park

Just a short jaunt into New York City’s Central Park, you will find a tranquil lagoon and an event space guaranteed to make any celebration magical.  Steeped in tradition that goes back 150 years, the Loeb Boathouse transports guests to a simpler time, promising a picture-perfect day into evening.  The Boathouse is situated right on the lake, a vintage bastion for romantics and nature lovers, and its Lakeside Restaurant offers open-air fine dining, surrounded by the gentle sounds of birds and gliding rowboats.

Capacity: 200 (seated) – 250 (standing)

Park Avenue Armory

The Park Avenue Armory offers six event rooms steeped in history, including the iconic Wade Thompson Drill Hall which has 55,000 square feet of space inspired by 19th century European train stations.  The Armory aims to push creative boundaries by offering unconventional settings to showcase a multitude of events. Customized by top designers from the Gilded Age, including Louis Comfort Tiffany and Stanford White, the Armory is perfect for creating a memorable soirée.

Capacity: 250 (seated) – 800 (standing)

Guggenheim Museum

Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, The Guggenheim’s structured silhouette stands out as a symbol of creative force in New York City.  Within its cylindrical walls, you have your pick of rooms for hosting your celebration, including the Ronald O. Perelman Rotunda, a contemporary space with abundant natural light. For smaller gatherings, consider The Guggenheim’s exclusive restaurants, The Wright and Cafe 3, which boast gorgeous views of Central Park. Private tours of the museum can also be arranged for your guests, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ronald O. Perelman Rotunda Capacity: 230 (seated) – 1000 (standing)

The Wright Capacity: 75 (seated)

Café 3 Capacity: 40 (seated) – 65 (standing)

The Frick Collection

With a passion for master artists like Rembrandt and Goya, Henry Clay Frick built his Gilded Age mansion with the intent to fill it with classical pieces.  Today, his internationally-renowned art collection remains in the original residence, which also boasts three highly sought-after private event spaces.  All of them feature works of art from various Frick collections.  The Garden Court imparts a unique, garden feel for indoor formal dinners and cocktail receptions. The domed Music Room reflects the style of a 1920s salon, while the museum’s Reception and Entrance Halls contain architectural parallels to Versailles.

The Garden Court Capacity: 180 (seated) – 260 (standing)

The Music Room Capacity: 120 (seated) – 147 (classroom style)

Entrance Hall and Reception Hall Capacity: 50 (seated) – 200 (standing)

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is not only a New York City vacation highlight, but one of the most architecturally magnificent and educationally rich venues in the world to host a special event. Choose one of more than 40 incredible exhibition halls as your setting, and your guests will marvel at creatures from the deep (like a 94-foot blue whale) or majestic animals of the African savannah. The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life is one of the largest spaces in the city for a seated dinner while the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda and multiple theaters offer additional flexibility for hosting up to 3,000 guests in unique fashion. Add a 2-D or 3-D screening in one of three theaters to complete an unforgettable evening.

Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda Capacity: 750 (standing)

Milstein Hall of Ocean Life Capacity: 1,000 (seated) – 1,200 (standing)

Brooklyn Museum

An inspirational collection of art and fascinating objects, the Brooklyn Museum is a perfect choice for a venue that cultivates conversation.  With an exclusive caterer and lighting designer, the museum is well-prepared for all types of celebrations.  The Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby combines historic and contemporary design with a modern glass pavilion and columns constructed of the building’s original bricks.  The regal Beaux-Arts Court has 10,000 square feet of cultivated elegance, with lovely archways and glass-tiled floors, plus a gorgeous skylight reaching 60 feet above.

Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby Capacity: 300 (seated) – 500 (standing) Beaux-Arts Court Capacity: 660 (seated) – 880 (standing)  

New York Historical Society

Found in 1804, the New York Historical Society is the oldest museum in New York City, yet it perfectly balances history and modernity with its luxurious event spaces. The venue is accommodating and flexible, allowing you to host your event any day of the week, even on Mondays when the museum is closed to the general public. The Robert H. and Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History contains grand, vaulted ceilings and large columns built in 1904 which have been updated with digital monitors that allow you to completely customize the gallery for your event. Additionally, the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library offers a gorgeous backdrop for up to 600 guests with its 50 foot ceilings and stained glass windows.

Robert H. and Clarice Smith NY Gallery Capacity: up to 450

Patricia D. Klingenstein Library Capacity: 200 (seated) – 275 (standing)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers event spaces to support their mission to connect people to the world of plants and environmental stewardship. The spot is a beautiful oasis of green in the concrete jungle. The Garden’s Palm House is a gorgeous, greenhouse-inspired setting with glass walls and an outdoor terrace that’s beautiful for daytime or evening events. Another space, the Atrium, features a unique roof of grasses and wildflowers and is perfect for more intimate gatherings with unparalleled views of the Garden’s Cherry Esplanade.  

Palm House Capacity: up to 275

Atrium Capacity: up to 130