Best Art Galleries and Contemporary Art in New York City

New York City is one of the world's great art capitals, with roughly 1,500 galleries spread across Chelsea, the Lower East Side, SoHo, and Brooklyn, plus a cluster of world-class museums that define modern and contemporary art globally. This guide cuts through the noise to identify the essential institutions, experimental spaces, and outdoor art experiences worth your time.

Black and white interior of a modern art museum with people walking and exploring multiple levels and open spaces filled with natural light.

No city on earth concentrates more art energy than New York. The galleries are free, the museums are encyclopedic, and the street art fills entire neighborhoods. Whether you have a single afternoon or a full week, the art here rewards deep exploration. For a broader cultural itinerary, see our guide to the best museums in New York City. If you want to focus on specific neighborhoods where galleries cluster, the NYC neighborhoods guide will help you plan your route. The art seasons peak in September through November and March through May, when openings are densest and museums launch their marquee exhibitions.

✨ Pro tip

Commercial galleries in NYC — Gagosian, Pace, David Zwirner, and hundreds more — are free to enter and require no booking. Just walk in during open hours. Save your budget for museum admissions and timed-entry tickets, which are best purchased in advance online.

Essential Modern & Contemporary Art Museums

Modern silver building of The Shed arts center at Hudson Yards, surrounded by skyscrapers and The Vessel in New York City. — Photo Following NYC

These are the institutions that define New York's standing as the world's contemporary art capital. Each has a distinct identity: MoMA sets the canon, the Guggenheim challenges it architecturally, and the New Museum exists purely to push boundaries. The Upper East Side's Museum Mile alone contains several of these, making it possible to visit two or three in a single day.

Glass entrance of The Museum of Modern Art with visitors entering the brightly lit lobby and the museum name above the doors.

1. See Starry Night and the World's Greatest Modern Art Collection at MoMA

The single most important stop on any NYC art itinerary. MoMA's permanent collection includes Van Gogh's Starry Night, Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, plus landmark holdings in design, film, and photography.

1. See Starry Night and the World's Greatest Modern Art Collection at MoMA

The single most important stop on any NYC art itinerary. MoMA's permanent collection includes Van Gogh's Starry Night, Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, and Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, plus landmark holdings in design, film, and photography.

Glass entrance of The Museum of Modern Art with visitors entering the brightly lit lobby and the museum name above the doors.

A wide, sunlit view of the iconic white spiral exterior of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum against a deep blue sky, flanked by New York City buildings.

2. Spiral Through Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Masterpiece on Museum Mile

The building is the argument: Wright's continuous ramp gallery means you experience art while moving through one of the 20th century's most radical architectural ideas. The modern and contemporary collection inside is formidable, with strong Kandinsky and Impressionist holdings.

2. Spiral Through Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Masterpiece on Museum Mile

The building is the argument: Wright's continuous ramp gallery means you experience art while moving through one of the 20th century's most radical architectural ideas. The modern and contemporary collection inside is formidable, with strong Kandinsky and Impressionist holdings.

A wide, sunlit view of the iconic white spiral exterior of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum against a deep blue sky, flanked by New York City buildings.

The New Museum’s distinctive stacked gray facade dominates a busy Lower East Side street, with people and vehicles passing in front at dusk.

3. Experience the Most Challenging Contemporary Art at the New Museum

Manhattan's only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, the New Museum's stacked-box Bowery building signals its intentions immediately. Expect boundary-pushing exhibitions by living artists, often provocative, consistently relevant, and unavailable anywhere else in the city.

3. Experience the Most Challenging Contemporary Art at the New Museum

Manhattan's only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, the New Museum's stacked-box Bowery building signals its intentions immediately. Expect boundary-pushing exhibitions by living artists, often provocative, consistently relevant, and unavailable anywhere else in the city.

The New Museum’s distinctive stacked gray facade dominates a busy Lower East Side street, with people and vehicles passing in front at dusk.

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s striking modern exterior, featuring glass and metal panels, stands on a city street under a clear blue sky.

4. Explore the Definitive Collection of American Art at the Whitney

Renzo Piano's building at the foot of the High Line is the right frame for the Whitney's mission: the most comprehensive collection of 20th and 21st-century American art anywhere. The Hudson River terrace alone is worth the visit, and the Biennial defines the art conversation every two years.

4. Explore the Definitive Collection of American Art at the Whitney

Renzo Piano's building at the foot of the High Line is the right frame for the Whitney's mission: the most comprehensive collection of 20th and 21st-century American art anywhere. The Hudson River terrace alone is worth the visit, and the Biennial defines the art conversation every two years.

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s striking modern exterior, featuring glass and metal panels, stands on a city street under a clear blue sky.

The exterior of the Brooklyn Museum on a sunny day, showcasing its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and monumental staircase.

5. Discover Encyclopedic Art and a Strong Contemporary Program at Brooklyn Museum

The second-largest art museum in NYC punches well above its tourist profile. Beyond the Egyptian and African collections, the contemporary program is ambitious, and the First Saturdays free evening events draw a lively local crowd. The Beaux-Arts building is worth the trip to Brooklyn alone.

5. Discover Encyclopedic Art and a Strong Contemporary Program at Brooklyn Museum

The second-largest art museum in NYC punches well above its tourist profile. Beyond the Egyptian and African collections, the contemporary program is ambitious, and the First Saturdays free evening events draw a lively local crowd. The Beaux-Arts building is worth the trip to Brooklyn alone.

The exterior of the Brooklyn Museum on a sunny day, showcasing its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and monumental staircase.

Wide view of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s grand exterior facade with iconic columns, steps, and visitors sitting and walking outside on a sunny day.

6. Survey 5,000 Years of Human Creativity at the Met

The Met's two million objects make it the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. For contemporary art specifically, the Roof Garden installations (April through October) offer some of the most inventive site-specific commissions in the city, with Central Park views behind them.

6. Survey 5,000 Years of Human Creativity at the Met

The Met's two million objects make it the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere. For contemporary art specifically, the Roof Garden installations (April through October) offer some of the most inventive site-specific commissions in the city, with Central Park views behind them.

Wide view of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s grand exterior facade with iconic columns, steps, and visitors sitting and walking outside on a sunny day.

Specialist Museums and Intimate Collections

Serene museum courtyard with a stone fountain, green plants, benches, and a quiet, intimate atmosphere in New York City. — Photo Sam Lu

Beyond the headline institutions, New York's smaller specialist museums offer some of the most rewarding and unhurried art experiences in the city. Several cluster on Museum Mile, but others are scattered across boroughs in ways that reward off-the-beaten-path exploration. The Long Island City alone has two of the best: MoMA PS1 and the Museum of the Moving Image.

MoMA PS1's historic red brick building stands among industrial structures in Queens with the New York City skyline visible in the background.

7. See the Most Experimental Art in NYC at MoMA PS1 in Queens

MoMA's satellite in a converted Long Island City schoolhouse runs the most experimental programming in the city, free from the commercial pressures of the main museum. The summer Warm Up DJ series transforms the courtyard into one of NYC's best outdoor events. Plan at least two hours.

7. See the Most Experimental Art in NYC at MoMA PS1 in Queens

MoMA's satellite in a converted Long Island City schoolhouse runs the most experimental programming in the city, free from the commercial pressures of the main museum. The summer Warm Up DJ series transforms the courtyard into one of NYC's best outdoor events. Plan at least two hours.

MoMA PS1's historic red brick building stands among industrial structures in Queens with the New York City skyline visible in the background.

Exterior view of Neue Galerie New York, a historic Beaux-Arts mansion with red brick and stone facade on a city street corner.

8. See Klimt's 'Woman in Gold' at the Exquisite Neue Galerie

A small, focused museum in a Carnegie-era mansion on Fifth Avenue, dedicated to early 20th-century German and Austrian art. Klimt's 'Woman in Gold' is here, as is a remarkable Wiener Werkstätte decorative arts collection. Café Sabarsky downstairs serves proper Viennese pastries.

8. See Klimt's 'Woman in Gold' at the Exquisite Neue Galerie

A small, focused museum in a Carnegie-era mansion on Fifth Avenue, dedicated to early 20th-century German and Austrian art. Klimt's 'Woman in Gold' is here, as is a remarkable Wiener Werkstätte decorative arts collection. Café Sabarsky downstairs serves proper Viennese pastries.

Exterior view of Neue Galerie New York, a historic Beaux-Arts mansion with red brick and stone facade on a city street corner.

Framed Renaissance painting 'The Triumph of the Eucharist and the Catholic Faith' by Leonard Limousin with five figures in elaborate clothing and a vibrant pastoral background, displayed at The Frick Collection.

9. Spend Time with Vermeer and Rembrandt in the Intimate Frick Collection

One of the world's finest Old Master collections, displayed in a mansion setting that feels closer to a private home than a public institution. Vermeer, El Greco, Rembrandt, and Holbein all hang here, in rooms where you can stand within feet of the paintings without crowds.

9. Spend Time with Vermeer and Rembrandt in the Intimate Frick Collection

One of the world's finest Old Master collections, displayed in a mansion setting that feels closer to a private home than a public institution. Vermeer, El Greco, Rembrandt, and Holbein all hang here, in rooms where you can stand within feet of the paintings without crowds.

Framed Renaissance painting 'The Triumph of the Eucharist and the Catholic Faith' by Leonard Limousin with five figures in elaborate clothing and a vibrant pastoral background, displayed at The Frick Collection.

The exterior of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum features a historic brick mansion covered in ivy with a lawn, trees, and outdoor seating area.

10. Interact with Historic and Contemporary Design at Cooper Hewitt

The only U.S. museum dedicated exclusively to design, housed in Andrew Carnegie's 1902 mansion on Museum Mile. The interactive Pen lets you collect objects from the galleries and create your own designs. A must for anyone interested in graphic design, product design, or architecture.

10. Interact with Historic and Contemporary Design at Cooper Hewitt

The only U.S. museum dedicated exclusively to design, housed in Andrew Carnegie's 1902 mansion on Museum Mile. The interactive Pen lets you collect objects from the galleries and create your own designs. A must for anyone interested in graphic design, product design, or architecture.

The exterior of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum features a historic brick mansion covered in ivy with a lawn, trees, and outdoor seating area.

Exterior view of the Studio Museum in Harlem, featuring modern architecture, a bright red accent wall, and people entering on a busy sidewalk.

11. Engage with the Leading Institution for Artists of African Descent in Harlem

The Studio Museum in Harlem has been central to Black cultural life in NYC since 1968, championing artists of African descent through exhibitions, residencies, and acquisitions. A new David Adjaye-designed building is under construction; check current programming during your visit.

11. Engage with the Leading Institution for Artists of African Descent in Harlem

The Studio Museum in Harlem has been central to Black cultural life in NYC since 1968, championing artists of African descent through exhibitions, residencies, and acquisitions. A new David Adjaye-designed building is under construction; check current programming during your visit.

Exterior view of the Studio Museum in Harlem, featuring modern architecture, a bright red accent wall, and people entering on a busy sidewalk.

Colorful mural featuring a portrait and the Puerto Rican flag in an East Harlem community garden, decorated with small flags and flowers on a sunny day.

12. Explore Latin American and Caribbean Art at El Museo del Barrio

The leading Latino cultural institution in the United States anchors the northern end of Museum Mile with a collection focused on Latin American, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican art. The permanent collection spans pre-Columbian objects to contemporary works, and temporary shows are consistently strong.

12. Explore Latin American and Caribbean Art at El Museo del Barrio

The leading Latino cultural institution in the United States anchors the northern end of Museum Mile with a collection focused on Latin American, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican art. The permanent collection spans pre-Columbian objects to contemporary works, and temporary shows are consistently strong.

Colorful mural featuring a portrait and the Puerto Rican flag in an East Harlem community garden, decorated with small flags and flowers on a sunny day.

The ornate, gold-accented ceiling and towering bookcases of the Morgan Library & Museum’s historic reading room under warm lighting.

13. See Rare Manuscripts and Fine Drawings at the Morgan Library

J.P. Morgan's private library, now public, holds a Gutenberg Bible, Dickens manuscripts, and a remarkable collection of master drawings and prints. The McKim, Mead & White building is magnificent, and the rotating exhibitions frequently touch on art history in ways that larger museums overlook.

13. See Rare Manuscripts and Fine Drawings at the Morgan Library

J.P. Morgan's private library, now public, holds a Gutenberg Bible, Dickens manuscripts, and a remarkable collection of master drawings and prints. The McKim, Mead & White building is magnificent, and the rotating exhibitions frequently touch on art history in ways that larger museums overlook.

The ornate, gold-accented ceiling and towering bookcases of the Morgan Library & Museum’s historic reading room under warm lighting.

Public Art, Street Art, and Outdoor Installations

Colorful street art mural with hearts painted on the side of a building in New York City, partially obscured by tree branches. — Photo Louis

Some of the most compelling art in New York requires no ticket. The High Line has become one of the city's most important sites for commissioned public art, and Bushwick's outdoor murals constitute one of the city’s best-known open-air galleries. For more free cultural experiences across the city, the free things to do in NYC guide covers the full range.

View of the High Line elevated park in New York City, showcasing lush greenery, the iconic walkway bridge, historic brick buildings, and a lively city street below.

14. Walk the High Line for Commissioned Art in an Elevated Linear Garden

The 1.45-mile elevated park through Chelsea is one of the city's most consistent public art venues, with rotating large-scale commissions integrated into the plantings and architecture. Walk it south to north to end near the Whitney, or start at Hudson Yards and work south toward the Meatpacking District.

14. Walk the High Line for Commissioned Art in an Elevated Linear Garden

The 1.45-mile elevated park through Chelsea is one of the city's most consistent public art venues, with rotating large-scale commissions integrated into the plantings and architecture. Walk it south to north to end near the Whitney, or start at Hudson Yards and work south toward the Meatpacking District.

View of the High Line elevated park in New York City, showcasing lush greenery, the iconic walkway bridge, historic brick buildings, and a lively city street below.

Large, colorful street art mural featuring a woman's face and the words 'Big City of Dreams' painted on a brick building in an urban setting.

15. Walk 14 Blocks of World-Class Murals at the Bushwick Collective

A 14-block stretch of Bushwick, Brooklyn where internationally recognized artists have covered virtually every surface with large-scale murals. It is one of the world's most impressive outdoor art spaces, and it is entirely free. Weekends are livelier; weekday mornings offer better light for photography.

15. Walk 14 Blocks of World-Class Murals at the Bushwick Collective

A 14-block stretch of Bushwick, Brooklyn where internationally recognized artists have covered virtually every surface with large-scale murals. It is one of the world's most impressive outdoor art spaces, and it is entirely free. Weekends are livelier; weekday mornings offer better light for photography.

Large, colorful street art mural featuring a woman's face and the words 'Big City of Dreams' painted on a brick building in an urban setting.

Governors Island in the foreground with green open spaces and walking paths, Lower Manhattan skyline rising across the harbor on a clear day.

16. Explore Art Installations Across a Car-Free Island in New York Harbor

Each summer, Governors Island hosts large-scale art installations across its 172 acres of historic grounds, mixing site-specific work with the island's extraordinary skyline views. The ferry from Lower Manhattan takes 7 minutes and the island is free to access on weekday mornings.

16. Explore Art Installations Across a Car-Free Island in New York Harbor

Each summer, Governors Island hosts large-scale art installations across its 172 acres of historic grounds, mixing site-specific work with the island's extraordinary skyline views. The ferry from Lower Manhattan takes 7 minutes and the island is free to access on weekday mornings.

Governors Island in the foreground with green open spaces and walking paths, Lower Manhattan skyline rising across the harbor on a clear day.

The Vessel's geometric copper staircases framed by Hudson Yards skyscrapers at dusk, offering a striking view of the structure and surrounding cityscape.

17. Climb Thomas Heatherwick's Extraordinary Sculptural Staircase at Hudson Yards

Heatherwick's honeycomb of 154 interconnected staircases at the center of Hudson Yards is one of the most ambitious public sculptures built in NYC in decades. Walk up through its 16 stories for shifting views of the skyline and the structure itself, which changes entirely depending on your angle.

17. Climb Thomas Heatherwick's Extraordinary Sculptural Staircase at Hudson Yards

Heatherwick's honeycomb of 154 interconnected staircases at the center of Hudson Yards is one of the most ambitious public sculptures built in NYC in decades. Walk up through its 16 stories for shifting views of the skyline and the structure itself, which changes entirely depending on your angle.

The Vessel's geometric copper staircases framed by Hudson Yards skyscrapers at dusk, offering a striking view of the structure and surrounding cityscape.

Gallery Neighborhoods Worth Exploring

A view of the Chelsea gallery district in New York City, featuring the elevated skybridge over a street lined with red-brick buildings, trees, and busy traffic below. — Photo Andres Daza

Chelsea remains a major commercial gallery capital, with Gagosian, Pace, David Zwirner, and dozens of others concentrated around West 21st to 24th Streets in West Chelsea. But the gallery landscape has spread considerably, with strong clusters now in SoHo, the Lower East Side, and Williamsburg. For a deeper dive into Brooklyn's creative scene, our Brooklyn guide covers the borough's art neighborhoods in context.

Wide view down a street in SoHo, New York, lined with ornate 19th-century cast-iron buildings and people crossing at a crosswalk, capturing the area’s unique architecture and shopping vibe.

18. Browse Art Galleries Alongside Flagship Stores in SoHo's Cast-Iron District

SoHo's cast-iron loft buildings on Prince, Spring, and Broadway were the original NYC gallery district, and independent art spaces still mix with retail here. The architecture itself is worth the walk: the concentration of 19th-century cast-iron facades is unmatched anywhere in the United States.

18. Browse Art Galleries Alongside Flagship Stores in SoHo's Cast-Iron District

SoHo's cast-iron loft buildings on Prince, Spring, and Broadway were the original NYC gallery district, and independent art spaces still mix with retail here. The architecture itself is worth the walk: the concentration of 19th-century cast-iron facades is unmatched anywhere in the United States.

Wide view down a street in SoHo, New York, lined with ornate 19th-century cast-iron buildings and people crossing at a crosswalk, capturing the area’s unique architecture and shopping vibe.

View of the iconic Chelsea Market skybridge connecting historic brick buildings over a busy street, showcasing the market’s industrial architecture in New York City.

19. Use Chelsea Market as a Base for Exploring the World's Densest Gallery District

Chelsea Market is a practical lunch and coffee stop before or after hitting the galleries concentrated in the surrounding blocks. The West 20s near the Hudson River contain more serious contemporary galleries per square mile than anywhere on earth. Most are free and open Tuesday through Saturday.

19. Use Chelsea Market as a Base for Exploring the World's Densest Gallery District

Chelsea Market is a practical lunch and coffee stop before or after hitting the galleries concentrated in the surrounding blocks. The West 20s near the Hudson River contain more serious contemporary galleries per square mile than anywhere on earth. Most are free and open Tuesday through Saturday.

View of the iconic Chelsea Market skybridge connecting historic brick buildings over a busy street, showcasing the market’s industrial architecture in New York City.

Brooklyn Navy Yard industrial waterfront with brick buildings, satellite dishes, red boats docked, and city skyscrapers in the background on a sunny day.

20. Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Art Studios and Creative Industry at Scale

The 300-acre former naval shipyard now hosts artists' studios, creative manufacturers, and cultural programming alongside the BLDG 92 museum. Open studio events and curated tours give access to working artists in a genuinely remarkable industrial setting that captures Brooklyn's ongoing reinvention.

20. Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Art Studios and Creative Industry at Scale

The 300-acre former naval shipyard now hosts artists' studios, creative manufacturers, and cultural programming alongside the BLDG 92 museum. Open studio events and curated tours give access to working artists in a genuinely remarkable industrial setting that captures Brooklyn's ongoing reinvention.

Brooklyn Navy Yard industrial waterfront with brick buildings, satellite dishes, red boats docked, and city skyscrapers in the background on a sunny day.

Architecture as Art: Buildings Worth Seeing for Their Design

Exterior view of the Guggenheim Museum’s iconic rounded white facade against a blue sky in New York City with surrounding buildings. — Photo Charles Parker

In New York, architecture and art overlap constantly. Several buildings are so significant as design objects that they belong on any art itinerary. For a full treatment of the city's built environment, the NYC architecture guide goes deep on the city's most important structures across all five boroughs.

Exterior view of The Met Cloisters with medieval stone walls, towers, landscaped gardens, and leafy trees under a bright blue sky.

21. Visit the Met Cloisters for Medieval Art in a Spectacular Hudson River Setting

A branch of the Metropolitan Museum built from actual European monastery cloisters, perched above the Hudson in Fort Tryon Park. The Unicorn Tapestries alone justify the subway ride uptown. Plan two hours minimum and combine with a walk through the park afterward for the full effect.

21. Visit the Met Cloisters for Medieval Art in a Spectacular Hudson River Setting

A branch of the Metropolitan Museum built from actual European monastery cloisters, perched above the Hudson in Fort Tryon Park. The Unicorn Tapestries alone justify the subway ride uptown. Plan two hours minimum and combine with a walk through the park afterward for the full effect.

Exterior view of The Met Cloisters with medieval stone walls, towers, landscaped gardens, and leafy trees under a bright blue sky.

Wide interior view of the Oculus at the World Trade Center, showing soaring white ribbed arches, bright natural light, and an American flag hanging in the center.

22. Step Inside Santiago Calatrava's Soaring Oculus at the World Trade Center

Calatrava's white steel-ribbed transportation hub is one of the most dramatic interior spaces built in 21st-century New York. The soaring, rib-vaulted hall is free to enter and photograph, and on the annual September 11 anniversary, the open oculus aligns perfectly with the sky above.

22. Step Inside Santiago Calatrava's Soaring Oculus at the World Trade Center

Calatrava's white steel-ribbed transportation hub is one of the most dramatic interior spaces built in 21st-century New York. The soaring, rib-vaulted hall is free to enter and photograph, and on the annual September 11 anniversary, the open oculus aligns perfectly with the sky above.

Wide interior view of the Oculus at the World Trade Center, showing soaring white ribbed arches, bright natural light, and an American flag hanging in the center.

View of the Chrysler Building standing tall among New York City's skyline, surrounded by skyscrapers and backed by a broad horizon.

23. Study the Art Deco Details of the Chrysler Building's Stainless Steel Crown

The 1930 Chrysler Building's eagles, gargoyles, and sunburst spire remain the finest Art Deco ornament on any skyscraper anywhere. The lobby interior is open during business hours and features striking inlaid wood and painted ceiling murals that most visitors never see.

23. Study the Art Deco Details of the Chrysler Building's Stainless Steel Crown

The 1930 Chrysler Building's eagles, gargoyles, and sunburst spire remain the finest Art Deco ornament on any skyscraper anywhere. The lobby interior is open during business hours and features striking inlaid wood and painted ceiling murals that most visitors never see.

View of the Chrysler Building standing tall among New York City's skyline, surrounded by skyscrapers and backed by a broad horizon.

FAQ

Are art galleries in New York City free to enter?

Commercial galleries — including major names like Gagosian, Pace, and David Zwirner — are free and generally require no advance booking. Just walk in during open hours, typically Tuesday through Saturday. Museums like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney charge admission and recommend timed tickets purchased online in advance.

What is the best neighborhood in NYC for contemporary art galleries?

Chelsea, particularly the blocks around West 21st to 24th Streets in West Chelsea, is one of the city’s most concentrated commercial gallery districts. The Lower East Side has a younger, more experimental cluster, and Bushwick in Brooklyn is a center of the street art and studio scene. SoHo and Tribeca also have significant gallery presence.

What is the best time of year to visit NYC for art?

September through November and March through May are the peak gallery seasons, when many new exhibitions open and programming is densest. Late August sees many galleries dark between shows. The Whitney Biennial (every other year in spring) and Frieze New York (May) are major calendar events worth planning around.

How do I visit MoMA PS1 and is it worth the trip to Queens?

MoMA PS1 is in Long Island City, Queens, about 15–20 minutes by subway from Midtown Manhattan (E or M train to Court Square). Admission is reduced with a same-day MoMA ticket. The programming is consistently the most experimental in the city, and the summer Warm Up DJ series runs on Saturdays from July through early September.

Can I see the Bushwick Collective murals on my own without a tour?

Yes. The Bushwick Collective is entirely self-guided and free. Take the L train to Jefferson Street and walk east on Troutman Street and the surrounding blocks. Weekday mornings offer better light and fewer crowds for photography. Several tour companies also run guided walks that provide artist context, which can be worthwhile for first-time visitors.