A refined winter museum guide: New York City’s quiet cultural season

Winter ushers in a more quiet, contemplative New York City, perfect for travelers seeking a cultural escape. January offers the rare opportunity to explore the iconic institutions along Museum Mile and other hidden gems throughout the city without the usual crowds. Allow winter to unfold indoors, through immersive experiences and dynamic exhibitions that are meant to be savored at your own pace. From six of the the best museums in NYC to the city’s most alluring January events, this winter guide offers a thoughtful, art-filled escape into the quieter side of New York Winter.

Many of these museums are mere blocks from The Surrey, which grants you the flexibility to plan each visit entirely at your leisure.

The MET

A cornerstone of the Upper East Side, the MET offers its visitors 5,000 years of art from around the world. Running now through April 5th is Helene Scjerfbeck’s Seeing Silence exhibit, a collection that follows her journey as an artist and as a person. With over 60 works, Seeing Silence offers visitors the chance to reflect upon Scjerfbeck’s artistic evolution. Set against a winter backdrop, the exhibit unfolds with quiet introspection, setting the tone for a more contemplative journey along Museum Mile.

The Guggenheim

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim itself is a work of art that contains both modern and contemporary works. Running through April 26th, Gabriele Münter’s Contours of a World exhibit features paintings and photographs with subjects rooted in the theme of daily life. The exhibit is a reflection of her experiences in the US, Germany, and Scandinavia as well as her artistic journey. Münter’s commitment to curiosity and community creates an intimate experience, well suited to the quieter rhythm of the Upper East Side in winter.

Cooper Hewitt

As the only Smithsonian museum in New York City, the Cooper Hewitt provides a unique, design-driven experience ideal for those on a winter cultural escape. Devon Turnbull transforms the typical museum experience with his exhibit, HiFi Pursuit Listening Room Dream No. 3. Turnbull invites museum goers to embark on a sensory journey through handmade, high-fidelity audio systems intended to envelope the listener. The multi-disciplinary installation offers a design-forward experience that invites visitors to linger. The slow immersion into the exhibition
perfectly mirrors the quiet cadence of NYC winter.

MoMA

While many flock to Moma for its most famous works like Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies, we recommend carving out time for limited exhibitions, like Inuuteq Storch’s seasonal counterpoint, Soon Will Summer Be Over, on view until February 23rd. Storch pays homage to time as he documents his experience in his hometown of Sisimiut, Greenland for over a decade. The exhibit explores themes of transition and memory, confronting the intersection of Inuit traditions and Danish influences, as well as the challenges of climate change and globalization. In winter, Storch’s commentary on passing time feels particularly poignant, slowly unfolding and leaving a quiet, lasting impression.

The Whitney

Set in the Meatpacking District, the Whitney brings a contemporary perspective to the NYC art scene. For travelers seeking both intimacy and energy, the Whitney’s Highwire: Calder’s Circus at 100 is a must-see. On view until March 9th, Alexander Calder’s Circus is a masterclass in movement and expression, a playful contrast to the stillness of the winter season. Set against the stillness of the Hudson in winter, Calder’s dynamic world feels all the more compelling–alive
with bold energy and quiet exhilaration.

The Frick Collection

Visiting the Frick always feels more like stepping into a townhouse than a museum. Originally a private residence, the Frick’s transition into a public museum lends it a rare, lived-in atmosphere. Flora Yukhnovich’s Four Seasons, on display through March 9th, deepens that sense of intimacy with a site-specific mural. Located around a bench in the museum’s Cabinet, the viewer is
invited to linger and be immersed into the artwork–a perfect slow rhythm for an NYC winter. Yukhnovich’s inspiration stemmed from Francois Boucher’s The Four Seasons, also on display in the Frick’s West Vestibule. The dialogue between Yukhnovich’s mural and Boucher’s original works underscores the Frick’s quiet sophistication, reinforcing its enduring appeal as a winter escape in New York City. Both the Frick and The Surrey have recently reopened, continuing their enduring legacy on the Upper East Side as iconic destinations for art, culture, and timeless New York City sophistication

Beyond its proximity to Museum Mile and the Upper East Side’s other premier institutions, The Surrey itself is a distinctive gallery of art. From corridors to guest rooms, visitors can discover original works of art at every turn, creating a seamless journey between the city’s celebrated museums and The Surrey’s curated luxury.