Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

We visited Cooper Hewitt around 5 PM during their “pay what you wish” hours. Housed in the former Andrew Carnegie mansion, the building is just as much of a draw as the exhibitions inside. The blend of historic interior detailing with cutting-edge design installations creates a layered and stimulating experience. The exhibit we saw was both thought-provoking and beautifully presented, bridging the gap between speculative design and practical innovation. The museum shop, in particular, stood out—clean, well-curated, and arguably one of the best design retail spaces in NYC. It’s a more relaxed and introspective museum compared to others in the city, perfect for a slower-paced cultural outing.

Love, LOVE this mansion on Carnegie Hill. I just love sitting in the courtyard and read. I also love how the details of the architecture. Premium located on 5th Ave and across the street from the 90th Street Central Park entrance. I also love their seasonal exhibition and how they connect with the neighborhood and the local artists. A gem on UES!

Not a big conspiracy theorist, but this "museum" seems to be a case of "the emperor's new clothes". Charitable foundations and the wealthy need tax write offs and most of the content here fit the bill. No life changing cathartic exhibits that one would regret never having experienced. Like seriously a pillow (see photo) was on display that wasn't used by Cleopatra or Jesus. No FOMO present. The mansion itself is located in a spectacular address right across from Central Park, but the exhibits felt patronizing and uninteresting. Without minimizing the work that folks put into the exhibits, the content was not ground breaking or particularly thoughtful. I enjoy architecture and interior design, but the exhibits on display on the Sunday we visited lacked originality and did not impart a sense of substantiality. My mind is probably too unsophisticated to fully appreciate the subject matter displayed. We immediately rushed to the Met afterwards to rejuvenate our souls with full-cafe, undiluted, heaping servings of mind-numbing masterpieces.

I do not visit the Cooper Hewitt as often as I do other museums but I should!!! The current Design Triennial that will be up thru August 2025 is fantastic and beautifully installed. Cooper Hewitt also has a wonderful garden area where you can relax, get a bite from their cafe. Really wonderful place. Highly recommend.

Find the time to go there in the evening and take advantage of pay as you wish! Then may be stop by at Salon 94 after for another free gallery. The museum is classic and beautiful. The reading room is probably my favorite because of all the cool book collections. The current exhibition is about home across US interpreting by different artists’ lens. You will be amazed how it is connected to our current society, yet uniquely represented in their own ways. It’s on view through this Summer. Go there when you can!

I've been to museums all over the world, and unfortunately this was one of the least interesting. There was really nothing about design in museum, and other than the building (it's a really amazing mansion that Carnegie built), the exhibits were not well organized or interesting. I like to support learning institutions, but I think there's much better things to do in NYC. The security staff were super nice (there were so many of them) but the museum staff were not (one of the guides scolded my wife for listening into her tour, (she said " ma'am, this is a private tour"). Really rude and unfortunate because we got nothing out of the museum otherwise.

A couple of interesting exhibits on biobanks and birthing centers in Alabama. The main exhibit on making home was mildly interesting, at best. The Carnegie mansion built in 1902 is beautiful.

Fabulous museum and exhibition. I like that you can interact with certain exhibits. I left feeling quite homesick and reflecting on what 'home' is. Very thought provoking - which is what art should be.

Located on 91st Street between 5th and Madison Avenues, Cooper Hewitt is one star in a small constellation of museums known as the Museum Mile in Manhattan's upper east side. Dedicated to historical and contemporary design, the museum started off as a museum for Arts of Decoration, founded in 1897 by Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt, grand daughters of prominent businessman Peter Cooper, and was associated with the Cooper Union school. While the museum collections grew to include all types of decorative objects, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and multi-media items, they lost their initial popularity and exhibition space at the school in the 1950-60s, closing in 1963. Saved from dispersing its collections by the Smithsonian between 1965-68, the Cooper Hewitt became its first location outside of Washington DC. The Smithsonian negotiated a lease for, then was subsequently donated the building by the Carnegie Corporation, reopening in 1976 to the general public. Since then total collections have grown to encompass 215K+ items. The building which houses the museum is the former mansion of turn of the 20th century industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, with its English Georgian design constructed and completed between 1899-1902. Planned as a family residence that would later transition to a post-retirement homestead, it was the first home to have a steel structural frame and one of the first to have an elevator. Its location north of major developments at the time allowed land for a private garden, which is still part of the museum grounds today. Arriving at around 5:10pm (after visiting the Met), I figured a quick spin would be sufficient, though it turns out for only two stories, 45-50 minutes isn't quite enough. A good 2-2.5 hours is needed if you want to take your time, read through the descriptions, interact with the exhibits. The building has a ton of fine architectural and decorative details which are worth checking out too. February 2025 the current exhibition is Making Home - Smithsonian Design Triennial, on view thru summer 2025, featuring "25 commissioned installations exploring design's role in shaping the physical and emotional realities of home across the United States, US Territories, and Tribal Nations" (according to their website www.cooperhewitt.org). I felt an urgency and poignancy to the works that the artists wanted to share, and hope others can appreciate these pieces too! Tickets are $22 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for students/disabled. Available for purchase online or in person. 5-6pm daily tickets are by suggested donation, I believe these need to be purchased on-site. Cafe, gift shop coat/bag check and bathrooms on site.

A really unique and lovely museum to explore. The museum tenants were so helpful and informed and shared really great information and history about the space. The selection was unique to the current exhibitions theme and layered throughout the various floors. The exhibits allowed for a variety of sensory experiences such as a room a fragrance and to immersive spaces related to homes. Used my museum teacher pass so it was very affordable and lovely.

This museum really depends on what is on display as a temporary exhibition, so check out what is currently on view from their website before you go. The Es Devlin exhibit was fabulous and really well-done, but other times, I have looked online and found that what was currently on view did not really interest me all that much. The building itself is beautiful on the outside and has a pretty courtyard as well. They have a cafe with places to sit indoors all year round and outdoors part of the year. The museum is also nearby the Met, Guggenheim, etc if you want to visit more than one museum on the same day.

An interesting small museum located in a beautiful historic home. Took us about an hour to visit and we always appreciate when there is a kids activity book/sheet. There were funky small exhibits about architectural design when we visited. Is part of NARM network, so well worth a visit if you have a reciprocal membership.

Another small and less crowded gem on the upper east side of New York. When Cooper Hewitt says they focus on design, they mean ALL types of design, from architecture, to ad/sign campaigns, clothing/fashion, as well as other creative engineering endeavors. This time I went to see "An Atlas of Es Devlin." I had no idea who Es Devlin was, but DAMN! I do now! This artist designed some of the most innovative large scale entertainment installations in recent memory (think the hiphop extravaganza halftime show for the Super Bowl, displays for Coachella, stage arrangements for some big names--The Weekend, Adele, Beyonce, Dr. Dre). This huge, immersive exhibition was multi-media--sight, sound, light, vibration. It took me through her entire creative process--her sketches, paintings, drawings, mockups--I really learned about how these GIANT, WOWING shows come to life--something I never even knew I was curious about! They also had a cool, interactive, creatively presented spot on signs and their meanings. Cooper Hewitt also shows us how design permeates the world and the issues important to us--social justice, sports, nature, racism, the power structure, artificial intelligence, and more. This is a true Smithsonian museum, top notch. Another fave of mine. It's no longer free of charge, but it's totally worth the small fee! The last hour of the day is free.

We came in with no expectation and had a blast. The Atlas to Es Devlin exhibit which is open til Aug 2024 was by far my favorite. It chronicles a journey of Es Devlin from there scrapbooks to replicas of live concert stages and real sculptures she has designed over the year. It's a journey where you can appreciate all the thought and symbolism in concert stage design and sculpture designs created by her seen all over the world. Truly a great informative museum exhibit. The permanent exhibits also revolve around design and were nice to walk through. The interior of the museum is cozy and great! Check out the gift shop to see great design products - we didn't buy anything, but it was really cool to see design embedded in different cool products.

The Cooper Hewitt is a very manageable museum to visit. It is only 3 floors, and if you go quickly an hour is sufficient. My favorite time to visit is 5-6pm when you can pay what you wish, which is so worth it! They seem to change out the exhibitions every few months so you can keep going back. The building itself is also a wonder to enjoy. There is some outdoor seating and a beautiful lawn (though I don't think anyone is allowed on it). The outdoor lawn area, gift shop, and cafe are free to visit. The cafe has always been closed by 5pm when I go.

Es Devlin's retrospective exhibition is one of the best 2023 one in NYC. Def worth the visit. It's on till August 2024!

A nerdy design museum - located on Museum Mile - that has my nerdy design companions buzzing. Delightful exhibit contents for even the less design-savvy. Satisfying inside café, attentive and informed staff, all within a beautifully-restored mansion.

Cooper Hewitt is a DESIGN museum, which gives them a huge space to be creative and meaningful. And they did it! From handmade fabric items, to hospital & medical equipment, to porcelain & silverware, they bring out the human intentions, dedication, creativity, and craftsmanship that achieve either beauty or utility, or both combined. If you're a designer of anything, this place may inspire you; and if you're not, this place may entertain or even educate you. The building itself is a work of art, with ornate wood carving and panels inside, and spacious gardens and grounds outside. They used to have many visitor-interactive devices (like the AI Lab) but at this writing many are closed. The large display table (see pictures) is a great way to pick and choose what you like to learn more about their collections. Not a large museum and does not have iconic pieces as some of it neighbors (like the Met or the Guggenheim) so you may be disappointed if you are expecting another one like those. It is, however, a place to look deeply and quietly into the objects (likely there won't be too many people around you) and perhaps reflect upon your own work and draw some inspiration for your own creativity. They have a tiny cafe and I wouldn't recommend it if you'd like a dining experience comparable to your visiting experience! ;) There are many good eateries right outside. The Bluelane cafe a block away is a good choice.

I was a Francophile since day one! I read books written by French authors, love their art periods specifically the Impressionistic period! Claude Monet being my #1 favorite!. Watched many French Films over the years! Love Edith Piaf, & many other French singers! And: Was a student & member of FI/AF, in NYC for about 3 wonderful years! I was also fortunate that I visited France twice!...TWICE! The first time, I visited just Paris. Beautiful! The second time, I took a 2 week tour that started out at the south of France & ended up in Paris. I don't remember the exact year. The tour was from: TWA & it covered everything! An incredible deal now that I look back on it : Plane tickets, transportation from one city to another, meals, hotel rooms, all covered! During this amazing Tour de France, once I finally got to Paris I went to the Louvre Museum. This was my second visit. ( I also visited the Palace of Versailles twice! What an amazing palace! ). I do remember that on one of the side wings of the Louvre palace, there was a gorgeous exhibit of needlework, sponsored by: DMC the well known French thread co. since 1746. I had designed & executed many embroideries, for national USA magazines, using their threads! For: Woman's Day, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, etc., etc.!. In my opinion, they are the best embroidery threads available, to this day! Then a much smaller exhibit came to NYC, & it was showcased at: The Cooper-Hewitt Museum, in Manhattan, NYC. Since the DMC representatives, here in the USA knew me very well they asked me to promote their threads, during this exhibit, for a number of days! When you visit " The Mansion", you are visiting a branch of the Smithsonian in Washington DC, & you are stepping into a great home, of the Gilded Age, here in NYC! Many of the mansions that existed back then, are gone! The air space on top of those fine impressive homes, was not being put to good use, so they were torn down! This beautiful residence was built between 1899-1902 by the architectural firm of: Babb, Cook & Willard for Andrew Carnegie, his wife & daughter, in the Georgian style. It has 64 rooms! Understandably not many owners had the money, to be able to have the necessary staff, or pay all the expenses of a mansion this size! I do remember that it was Summertime here in NYC! Very hot & humid! So, I would travel to: "The Mansion", 5 days a week, from my small & modest rented apartment in the Queens area, & answer questions + do embroidery demonstrations on the main floor for all the museum visitors that came up my table, during that beautiful exhibit, so many years ago! A Stitch IN Time!...Another wonderful NYC memory!

This is another museum along the Museum Mile that I went to during their free night of the month. It appears that they have eliminated the free night. However, they currently offer a pay whatever you want option for the final hour of their visitor hours (5:00pm to 6:00pm daily). The building the museum is in is an impressive looking mansion that was one of the former homes of Andrew Carnegie. In terms of its collection, the museum is dedicated to showing off innovative designs of every day objects. You will see furniture, clothing, sculptures, musical instruments, and architecture. It is a very focused collection and may not appeal to those looking for a wide range of items you'd find in the usual art museums. For a free visit, it was satisfactory to me.

Cooper Hewitt is an absolutely beautiful museum located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NY. The museum has 4 floors that include their business offices, various exhibits, the "Shop Cooper Hewitt" giftshop, the museum cafe, the Arthur Ross Terrace + Garden, a design studio + an educational center. There was so much to view which made for an enjoyable experience. Cooper Hewitt "Timed-Entry Tickets" can be ordered via the website-www.cooperhewitt.org. it is pretty cool that the tickets are free and will continue to be free to the public until 11/29/21 due to generous donations from the Board of Trustees.- they also hold a number of tickets each day to the side for "walk-in" patrons which is nice. Upon arrvial, everyone has to enter at 2 East 91st Street, show security their COVID Vaccine Card and then go to the front admission are to receive a physical ticket. Once you get yout ticket, security request that you peel off the sticker on the ticket and place it on your person so that you will be allowed to go around the museum. Although this visit was made to ensure being able to view the "Willie Smith: Street Couture" Exhibit that was ending on 10/24/21, it was also beautiful to view the other following exhibits: Suzie Zuzek For Lily Pulitzer: The Prints That Made The Fashion Brand - on view until 1/2/22. Nature By Design- on view until 1/2/22. Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer - on view until 4/10/22. Jon Gray of Ghetto Gastro Selects - on view until 2/13/22. The Immersion Room (view on an ongoing basis). Cooper Hewitt has fantastic and Informative Exhibits. Security throughout the museum are kind friendly in their greetings/ conversations with patrons and are knowledgeable about the museum. The Ground Floor Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. The Sprawling Garden lawns are gorgeous and the quaint cafe area and "Shop Cooper Hewitt" giftshop are lovely. The Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden are so pretty. It was great to have a seat + enjoy the beautiful Saturday Afternoon weather in the garden after going around the Cooper Hewitt Museum. The museum is open everyday from 10am-6pm except on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving + the Christmas Holiday. No proof of vaccination is required if an individual wants to visit the garden...you just have to wear a mask + maintain social distancing. Go onto the website to plan your visit, view the museum map, make donations if you choose to + to obtain a wealth of information of the museum's educational programs, virtual programs, etc. Twitter - @cooperhewitt. Instagram-@cooperhewitt.

Beautiful architectural preservation efforts, interesting design exhibitions. Social justice themes and curation. I love the indoor and outdoor cafe space that are inviting even if not viewing the exhibitions, but want a space for reflection and relaxation in the UES.

Formerly steel magnate Andrew Carnegie's home, this museum, now a Smithsonian network museum, displays ever changing displays historic and contemporary design. Carnegie, arguably the richest man in the world, was estimated to be worth around $660 billion in today's dollars.

It seems that if you've made your fortune and built a mansion in Manhattan that a hundred years down the line, your descendants will donate your home for public use and turn it into a museum. So it was with Andrew Carnegie and his residence becoming the Cooper Hewitt Museum along Museum Mile on 5th Ave between the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum. I would want it to be prestigious enough to be part of the Smithsonian too. The Cooper Hewitt is dedicated to design, which has a wide range from the artistic to the functional and is perfect if you've balanced both in harmony. As an engineer, I tend towards the functional side, but the aesthetic side always has appeal and function has a beauty all its own. When my wife wanted to visit, we checked online and admission was free until the end of October to spark NYC's rise out of the pandemic seclusion. The current highlight exhibit is a retrospective of a true New Yorker that passed way too early, Willi Smith: Street Couture. Willi was a fashion designer in the 80's that made a mark for himself in a bright, but short career. It was a walk down memory lane for my wife because she worked for Willi as one of her first jobs out of college and this was a bittersweet reunion for her. Another cool current exhibit is Suzie Zuzek for Lilly Pulitzer showing the textile print designs of Ms Zuzek. The animal prints are amazing. This flows seamlessly into the adjacent Nature By Design exhibit that you can't even tell that it's separate. Best to check these out before they're gone in January. When you go through the rest of the mansion, you see a lot of the original woodwork, especially the grand stair case, but a lot of the structure has been modernized. Some of the bedrooms have kept the original decor and serve to complement the exhibits. The History of Design going back to ancient times artifacts fit in very well with the turn of the century interiors. The museum itself is a bonus experience I would definitely go back for again!

Tl ;dr - Fuck this place. Longer, with no invective: I was really early for my Guggenheim time, but I saw that this place was a couple of blocks away. I like design, am a lifetime art student, so let's go. Not only was the museum open, it's closed door was guarded by a surly security guard in FULL ARMOR. He stood with his hands behind his back, but when I approached, his hand went down slowly to his sidearm. In America, I guess paid security forces decide whether you should have art or not. After hurrying away, I found that you needed a ticket to even go to the museum shop. No art museum I've ever been to demands that you buy a ticket to go to their onsite store. Ridiculous. They can have whatever they got in there. I have no desire to see it.

Fabulous museum located in the former Carnegie mansion on 91st St. near central park. Under the umbrella of the Smithsonian. It's my understanding this museum will be free until October-ish although reserved timeslots seem to be 'sold out 'weeks in advance. They offer a limited number of walk up tickets which was how I was able to get in. I arrived about 10 minutes before they opened and lined up at the entrance on 91st St Three floors of changing exhibitions. Excellent Curation. Someone I spoke to mentioned they have some type of interactive pen that can be used during your visit which can make it more fun for younger kids. There is a small café and a beautiful garden to sit outside with umbrellas to Shade you from the sun. The gift store also had a lot of great options. I highly recommend this museum when you are next in New York City .

This museum is a hidden gem. It's close to Guggenheim and The Met. When you go into the museum, you encounter a small cafe. Then, you walk into a lobby where you purchase a ticket. Your admission ticket comes with a digital pen. This item needs to be return after you finish your tour. It's a cool device. You tap it next to an artwork and it saved the information to your ticket. The immersion room is an amazing experience. You can create your own wallpaper and it flashes on the walls. Here is a video about the museum: https://youtu.be/5V6AlRZ9Gbs I would love to bring my friend who is in the IT field. He would appreciate these features. If you have never been to Cooper Hewitt, you need to add it to your bucket list.

Design museum in a stunning building! The current Es Devlin's retrospective exhibition, one of the best of 2023 on till August 2024 - over the top. Entertainingly educational as the rest of the exhibits of historic and contemporary design. Impressive interactivity's provide a variety of learning experiences. Cozy Café inside and out into a magical garden where someone actually lived albeit 100+ years ago. Continuing rotation of thought provoking educational entertainment for curious minds. The building itself worthy of an afternoon of admiration.

Their customer service stinks. I called multiple times regarding items to donate and they NEVER called me back.

This is one of my favorite museums in Manhattan and it is located in the Carnegie Mansion! It is smaller and more low key than the others on the Upper East Side along Museum Mile, but definitely worth spending an afternoon walking around. It takes about two hours to do a thorough walkthrough of the museum, including looking through all four floors of exhibits (currently, one floor is under renovation), checking out the shop, and exploring the garden. Throughout the exhibits, there are some interactive digital touchpads, which allow you to learn more about the pieces on display or create your own custom designs for things. For example in the Immersion Room, you can design your own virtual wallpaper, which gets projected onto two walls. As of spring 2023, the Designing Peace exhibition was one of my favorites. There are about 40 different works presented to help provoke thought and dialogue related to designing for things such as conflict, confrontation, instability, etc. Exhibitions are constantly being rotated so check to see what is available online before visiting!

The next time you find yourself at the Guggenheim (and mind you, it was thirty years between visits for me), do yourself a favor and walk the extra block up 5th to come here because it's a thoroughly unique, world-class museum offering exhibits focused purely on design. Granted it's not an architectural touchstone like the Guggenheim, it's a lot friendlier with docents who voluntarily provide helpful insights into the art objects and design elements presented in the various rooms. The museum takes quite the opposite of the Guggenheim by repurposing the palatial Georgian Revival mansion. It belonged to Andrew Carnegie and his wife Louise until her death in 1946. The Carnegie Corporation gave it to the Smithsonian in 1972, the museum was born, and the interior has been ideally modernized for the eclectic designs it currently houses. With its most recent renovation about five years ago, touch-screen tables were introduced to allow us to customize the designs of key objects to suit your taste. Sensory pens were lent to us to record preferred objects to produce our own catalog of favorites. The museum's more traditional exhibits were most appealing as well. My favorite collection was called appropriately Iridescence which was epitomized by objects like the leaf-form pitcher (photo: http://bit.ly/32wlV6J). The diaphanous dresses showcase fashion that RuPaul would look at with awe, especially the glowing transgenic silk of the Fantasma gown (photo: http://bit.ly/2HM0HKa). You would think the diversity of design displays - including architectural miniatures like a university housing project in Ho Chi Minh City (photo http://bit.ly/32tIRTQ) - would work against each other like a consignment store, but no it's pretty impeccable within the grandeur of the Carnegie manor. RELATED - Planning a trip to NYC? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F

The historic Andrew Carnegie mansion built in 1902 is now this museum. Given to the Smithsonian in 1972 it now exhibits unique pieces and immersive installations. Textile designer Suzie Zuzek from Designer Lily Pulitzer is showcased. Made reservations online a couple weeks before for free tickets.

The Cooper Hewitt wallpaper exhibit is so cool and fun! It has many different colors and designs to play with. You use your fingers to control the screen. You could zoom in so there were less and zoom out so there were many. The only thing is there are only 2 spots and it can get crowded and only one person can present at a time. In my opinion it was a very cool and interactive exhibit. I came in with lower expectations and mind was BLOWN! I got to make my own wallpaper and take a picture by it. The symbols exhibit was not my favorite. You make a symbol on paper and hang it up on a wall. There is also a projecter that displayed sports and you did them. In conclusion the Cooper Hewitt was an impressive museum so it gets a solid 4 stars. Also kids under 18 are free.

rainy weather + museums = one fine day the cooper hewitt museum is perfect for design/architecture enthusiasts. it's a beautiful building with beautifully curated pieces that you will marvel over. so much detail throughout the building and special moments created to leave one inspired. i just wish it was bigger! admission prices: adult - $18 senior - $12 visitor with disability - $10 student - $9 1. buying tickets online in advance saved us time 2. we had to show proof of vaccination

Formerly a mansion of Andrew Carnegie's, this 64-room, 3 story building is impressive in its architectural details. This design museum houses a scattershot of items from jewelry, pottery, electric sound effects, art, retro items, furniture, sculptures, interactive process lab, etc. It doesn't seem as comprehensive as the major arts & design museums like MOMA and the Met, although I would say this is definitely one of a "must visit" museums for artists and designers. Nevertheless, I found the exhibit on the medical technologies quite impressive and the jewelry exhibit quite interesting. The highlight of our visit was probably the 3D object designs. Admission is $18 for general admission, $9 for students, $12 for seniors, and is free on Saturdays. Everyone gets a large stylus pen to save objects with and to use it on interactive screens throughout the museum.

Highly disappointed . My friend and I booked 3:00 pm tickets today to specifically to see the Willie Smith fashion exhibition since it is ending on October 24th. Only to be literally pushed out with no warning because they had a wedding reception planned. This is totally UNACCEPTABLE ! There was no notice or nothing on the website. The most shocking is when I saw them taking down part of the exhibition that was supposed to end the next day. How sad this museum values wedding receptions over their own museum patrons and art exhibitions. I'll never set foot in this museum again. Was not an enjoyable experience at all.

For $18 on a rainy day the Cooper Hewitt was really cute. I wish I would've stayed longer but lunch on the other side of town beckoned. There was an interesting installation of potential inventions(?) Some sort of science project best picked explanations.... Really thoughtful items for the elderly and disabled. If those are the politically correct terms, and if not, too late, I said them. Jewelry, detailed pottery, architecture design, a range of items to admire. If you're in the area, I recommend you check it out. I believe they have interactive events as well, so check their calender.

As an artist and designer I found the Cooper Hewitt a wonderful museum. The building is the former mansion of Andrew Carnegie, it is a beautiful space. The exhibits are on three floors and a beautiful old staircase can be used to get you to the exhibits. They also have an elevator. They have an eclectic mix of art and sculpture and furniture. There are also some Lewis Tiffany lamps and art objects. One of the exhibits when I was there featured old radios and "portable" music devices. My favorite was the portable combination radio / phonograph, see my photos. There was also an exhibit of staircase models showing the different designs used through the ages. Other elements of design are on exhibit and are too numerous to list here. We were able to take advantage of the free museums Saturday that was offered by the Smithsonian. Otherwise the admission is $18, 12 for seniors and 9 for students.

As much as I love this museum, I hadn't been here in an embarrassingly long time. However, there was no way I wanted to miss 'The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s'. It just closed but I made it in time to see the eclectic mix of paintings, sculpture, crafts, and furniture. If I had a time machine, I'd gladly take a trip back to this era. There was an incredible energy and it's reflected in everything that was on display. I just wish the exhibition has been four times the size because the 20's design output was dramatic. Probably the biggest change at this museum is the Pen. Yes, the Pen. Once you pay your admission, you are given a large black pen that can be used in the galleries to capture images of the items you see. Just press the 'eraser' end on the item label and you've instantly imported the image. You can also use the 'ink' end of the pen on the large design tables (which are like giant iPads) to search items and design. My attempts at designing a building were failures because they looked like stacked cups and saucers. (I think I'll copyright my bad design so hands off my intellectual rights.) Once I got home, I entered my admission ticket's code on Cooper-Hewitt's website to view everything I had seen. Okay, a camera does the same thing but the Pen was a fun bit of kitsch that made the visit more fun.

I visited the Cooper Hewitt museum for the first time during National Design Week. For this reason there was free admission. The staff on every floor were helpful and a few of them offered suggestions on areas of the museum I needed to experience before leaving. The Immersion Room and the chairs on the ground floor were my favorite during my visit.

My friend and I visited this museum (located along Museum Mile on the UES) for the first time last weekend on a rainy Sunday morning and had the loveliest time! All the exhibits were so aesthetic and designed with intention, and the security guards were especially friendly and helpful in guiding us where to start at each exhibit! Remember to reserve tickets online (seems like free admission is offered until the end of the month!) - because there's a limited number for each time slot, the exhibits never felt too crowded or loud. Can't wait to visit again :)

More than the interactive exhibits (which are good for all ages) is the interior space. Wow. Beautiful parquet floors, gorgeous wainscoting and woodwork, amazing ceilings and doors, love the fireplaces too. Went on a rainy Saturday. Parked on the street!!!! Had fun with the interactive exhibits and more fun watching kids and adults play too. Nice couple of hours!!

This museum is interesting in its exhibits, as it feels like a cross between a museum and an ikea. Most exhibits are found on the first and second floor, with a basement hosting an interactive display, an academic/conference center, and the two restrooms. Upon entry into this place, I was handed a pen with which I could mark my favorite artwork. I didn't do so, but I'm assuming this would help you buy prints/replicas of your favorite work. I took my time exploring the first and second floors. I found the exhibits appealing, since they portray and modern/minimalist style. I liked some of their interactive displays, or which there was an acoustic display on the second floor, and a visual one in the basement area. Other exhibits that caught my eye include: woodwork, elegant furniture layouts, paintings that change with differing colored lighting, and an old staircase with a chandelier that sits near the front entrance to the museum. There is a cafe on the premises, and a "garden," or veranda. All in all, it was a nice place to visit.

For the most recent iteration of Free Museum Day I visited the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on the Upper East Side. The first thing you notice about this museum is that it does not look like your usual museum; it is not a large, modern building that looks like it was designed to be a museum. Rather, it is a gorgeous mansion that is a pleasure to look at. And the inside is just as nice. The interior of the museum is classic. Beautiful wood fixtures and chandeliers are all around the exhibits. This also creates a very interesting contrast within the museum. On the one hand, the building has this traditional, classic appeal and, on the other hand, the exhibits are all about modern design. There is an old meets new feel to it that really conveys the varying concepts of design through the ages. The exhibits are also very interesting and are quite interactive and hands on. As a design museum, there are many exhibits dedicated to the senses. You are invited to touch, smell, hear and, of course, view various designs as you interact with them. Some of the more interesting exhibits allow you to make digital drawings and manipulate their 3D renderings or to create designs and then project them all around the room. This museum is certainly fun for adults and for kids. It is a great way to combine learn and play in a beautiful educational setting. Cooper Hewitt also has a nice cafe if you get hungry, and it leads out into their lawn and garden area. There are beautiful flowers and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. And this garden area is open to the public free of charge for those who simply wish to enjoy a nice outdoor space without experiencing the museum. Cooper Hewitt is a fun and beautiful place. Bring your kids if you have them; they will love it. Or bring your significant other. They will love it too. And after, go for a walk in Central Park along Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir for one of the better views in the city. You won't regret it!

This wasn't on my radar of museums to visit, but was highly recommended, so I gave this place a go... and turns out, I loved it! It's a museum in Carnegie's mansion, so it's not your typical museum, and easy to overlook in comparison to the Guggenheim next door. What's cool about this place is that it's interactive, which sets it apart from your other typical museum options like the Met or Whitney. After you pay, you get this pen that allows you to scan and save exhibits or pieces you like and bookmarks them for you to see at a later time using a code found on your entry ticket. When I went, there was a exhibit on Color, which, if you were a design student like I was, is fascinating to see different applications in which it's used. Create your own color harmonies. Draw out your own wallpaper pattern and have it projected onto the wall. Use your pen to create a shape and watch it rendered into a chair or building. There's a cafe where you can get coffee, and an indoor atrium of sorts where you can stare out the window on a rainy day. If I was still in school I'd come here to study or sketch.

Just returned from a rather unpleasant museum experience. It takes a lot for me to dislike a museum/historical site/garden but here it goes. Everything started off on the right foot at the garden. The garden itself is beautiful, they have ping pong, and colorful designer furniture available for the public to enjoy. The garden is free and you can pick up a snack at the cafe which is open to the public 2 hours prior to museum opening. Unfortunately the pleasantries stopped there. The admission is currently reduced to 5$/pp because only two floors of the museum are available for viewing (1st and 2nd). The exhibits themselves left much to be desired. There were maybe 5-6 rooms in total to see. It hardly seems worth it to go for a few pieces of 70s furniture and a movie on how Pixar drawings are made. The museum space is just too small - I would skip this and go to Guggenheim nearby. What got me the most, however, is the rude staff. I have witnessed people being shushed and yelled at by museum personnel. No smiles at this place. The staff is there to police visitors and rudely remark on everything they do. Just a few things i noticed: 1) They have a few labeled EXIT signs that a some people were walking towards. The staff yelled at them rudely waving a finger "NO" as if speaking to a child. 2) I saw a mother pointing at an exhibit and showing her child one of the pieces on display. The staff yelled at her "DON'T TOUCH THE GLASS!" She wasn't touching the glass. 3) They have several drop off stations for interactive pens. If you drop off at one of them, you will be yelled at when exiting the museum and told to "DROP OFF YOUR PEN" even if you already have. My advise is to avoid this "museum". Enjoy a coffee at the garden for free, save yourself some time and money.

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum is one of my favorite museums in the city. Their exhibits are interesting and creative. They try to make their exhibits very interactive and fun. Even kids will enjoy them. Their latest exhibit incorporates the senses. They invite visitors to touch, smell, and hear the displays. I highly recommend it! Tickets are discounted for seniors and student and there is a $2 discount if you order online. Admission is free for people under 18. There is also pay-as-you-wish admission on Saturday evenings from 6pm to closing at 9pm.

Cooper Hewitt is almost always listed under coolest art museums in NYC lists, and after stalking its website and Instagram page for a good few days I decided to make the trek up to the heart of UES to check out what the hype was all about. I'll be frank here, I was a science major in college, and now going into the health sciences for grad school. Thus, my knowledge of modern art (and art as a whole) is rather limited, but I do appreciate art that speaks to me on a deeper level. I'm always curious to learn more about things I don't know about and I really enjoyed MoMA, so I figured why not! The building is GORGEOUS. We were able to walk by the whole building en route to the entrance due to where the subway stop was, but it was a lovely walk and a lovely day so we were able to really appreciate the architecture. The museum is converted from the late Andrew Carnegie's mansion, and the interior was fittingly equally beautiful. We were both students, so admission was $9 each - not bad for Museum Mile in NYC. After paying and getting our stickers, we were handed a stick pen that was to be used to "save" things we liked, so that we could revisit later. I thought it was a cool concept, but personally I knew myself and probably would never go back to do so but I went with it. The museum itself was really cool! There were three floors of informative, modern applications that were a little bit abstract (but, isn't modern art supposed to be abstract) - first floor was confusingly interactive? I didn't really know what they wanted viewers to get out of the card-filling, sticker taping room but tried my best. The rest of the floor was fine, nothing stood out in my mind, but the textile patches and things they made out of them were pretty cool. Second floor was more digitally interactive, with the draw-your-own wallpaper exhibit (pretty sweet! But not worth the line, especially one wrapping around the entrance along the wall), the design-& solve real life situations. The stairwells of this museum are worth walking up and down! They had infographics on the rent crisis in NYC and how income matches up with rent in the different buroughs, I thought these were worth looking into and learning about. My favorite part of this whole museum was definitely the sun room, with its plane glass windows/ceiling, heated seating and large pink/red plush cushions!! My friend took a nice nap while I ogled the scenery and the beautiful windows. The only thing I unfortunately took a photo of during the whole museum trip because I used my stick pen thing (which was pretty difficult to use, and only worked half of the time?). The sun room also exited into the store, which actually had some cool items for sale. Overall, I might come again, but would check out the other museums NYC has to offer before I would definitively say "yes, let's go!!" to a friend.

This is a fantastic museum! I loved seeing all the design related to medicine and healthcare- fascinating. The museum really makes the visitor consider design in all facets of life - it was eye opening and such a great way to spend a few hours.

This is probably one of my favourite museums in NYC. Aside from the thoughtful exhibitions, helpful staff, charming garden, the woodwork alone will astound you. You basically have to walk through it twice. Once to engage with the exhibitions, the second time to admire the care that has been put in to maintaining the woodwork. Don't forget to look up: the wood panels

CH is an indoor playground for both young and elderly citizens. The former Cooper Union's museum used to be a museum for the arts of decoration. That history is shown mostly on the 2nd floor's permanent collection, from wallpaper to furniture. The rest of CH is a showroom for the newest technologies. You will find sketches, blueprints, photographs, and illustrations of a design process, such as 3D printing and Pixar's animation. CH introduced its Pen in 2015. The Pen allows users to draw their own designs on interactive tables in every floor. The flat end of the Pen has a censor that reads NFC tags attached to each museum label. If you like something, put the Pen on the tag. When you have access to the internet, go to www.cooperhewitt.org/you, then type in the code from your ticket, you will see and even download everything you have liked. Never have I known of such a unique way of storing my museum visit. Since the early 20th century, CH has transformed itself from a decorative arts to a technical arts museum--where anyone can use interactive devices to generate arts and designs. The only downside is that despite having 3 floors, it is a relatively small museum. Expect about 15 minutes for each floor. There is no way you can avoid overexcited children and strollers.

If you love design, product design and innovation you will love the Cooper Hewitt museum. When I visited the exhibits - all housed in Andrew Carnegie's incredible mansion which has wood work details that will blow you away if you love historic architecture - they featured product innovations in accessibility, color, and a variety of exhibits about the other senses. They give you a wand which you can use to scan most exhibit info and get a customized webpage with all of the exhibits you scanned. Hella cool! The store is great and there is a cafe with a variety of seating areas as well as gardens. I left inspired to create and appreciate thoughtful design. It is very interactive and great for kids too.

Cooper Hewitt is beautiful. I can't describe it. There are several special exhibits well worth the visit. The mansion itself is fantastic. You have access to three floors all full of exhibits and displays. I really loved the lower level. They have a display of the employees art work. You can't miss it as you go to the cafe, and restroom, downstairs. The employees have created some great pieces. Very talented. ABOUT ADMISSION COST: I screwed up on my first YELP tip! If you buy on-line it is $16.00 for adults! The web site has the correct admission price, sorry. Tickets now cost $18.00 for adults, and Seniors are $12.00 when you buy at the door. You pay $16.00 if you buy on line and $10 for Seniors purchased on line! I can't wait until spring to sit in the garden. They have brand new benches. Free admission to the garden, cafe, and gift shop at all times. They even have a ping pong table in the garden. The place was full of students of all ages today. It is such a big space it did not interfere with my picture taking. I took over 200 shots. So much to see! They do not mind photography just no flash or selfie sticks. Seeing the Carnegie Mansion with all it's ornate detail was my favorite part. Imagine their lifestyle. Chandeliers so beautiful. Wooden carved staircases and door frames. I imagined the craftsmanship that went into the building. It must have taken a lot of time to build. I'm so glad this mansion is preserved. There were a lot of educational activities going on today. Great for school field trips. I may return on-pay-as you wish Saturdays between 6pm and 9pm. Beautiful renovation! A must see!

Wow. OK, I'm a designer. In fact I had worked for a former director of this museum, ran a successful design business, won Business Week gold, ect. I thought a trip to the Cooper Hewitt would allow me to see works by great designers. Nope, nothing. This is a small poorly lit museum. Current exhibits included "Design Peace" and an exhibit on PPE gear. Visually limited, but lots of text. There is lots of great design in the world, but it is not going to solve world peace. Sorry. I know we are designers, but lets not think we can solve the worlds problems. And do I want to see student project level work on PPE gear? Absolutely not. Only a design educator that is completely disconnected from the world of design would get anything out of this museum.

We weren't completely sure about paying $30 to visit this design museum, but no worriess, well worth it. First of all, admission includes a digital "pen" that allows you to tap the exhibit, and then access it after you return home with a digital key. This is truly interactive and engaging. Each floor of the design museum is dedicated to a theme: First floor was about "access and ability" which featured designs to assist people with disabilities--like low vision, mobility issues, hearing loss--and certainly inspired and gave hope to us who are aging. Second floor was called Immersion, and had a lot of interactive exhibits where we could play and discover. Floor two was even more interactive, called Immersion, and presented many exhibits of color and design that allowed for personal interactin. Floor three, for us, included the guided tour, where Hunter gave our five senses exciting opportunities to experience exhibits that engaged our sense of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Hunter was a brilliant guide, who allowed for questions and gave us a lot ot think about. This is a great family excursion, and also fun for couples. Interaction is the main idea. Show less

This place is so special! Beautifully preserved secret gem and a total steal with free admission. Aside from the enlightening exhibitions, stunning architecture, and fun gift store, the staff and security guards are fabulous. It's most unusual to see the security guards in particular be so gracious no matter the time of year or time of day. Plus, they're enthusiastic about the art! They encourage visitors to learn and get involved with the interactive exhibitions. This may be the only institution where the guards are also like docents. They seem genuinely happy to be there, thus elevating the joy of each visit.

Love this design museum filled with interesting retro items. And the spinning chairs outside intbe courtyard are a lot of fun! Order online for tickets and your I get $2 and the use of the wand to save photos of museum pieces and design your own things.