VIBE

It’s a commonly told tale: heartless robber baron makes mindboggling fortune at the expense of many others, and then makes good (or tries to) with extravagant acts of philanthropy. Take steel magnate Henry Clay Frick: he donated his entire collection of priceless art, as well as the elegant Fifth Avenue residence in which it was housed, to the public. The mansion, an ornate Beaux-Arts affair, was purpose built to accommodate his exquisite collection of paintings and objets d’art, meaning few changes were made after Frick’s death–visitors to the museum can wander rooms which are much the same as they were when he lived here, drinking in not only the art, but also the lifestyle of a wealthy industrialist. The assembled artworks are all incredible, but highlights of the collection include European paintings by names like Rembrandt, Turner, El Greco, and Vermeer; rare Limoges enamels; and the world’s finest collection of small bronzes.

GO HERE WITH

Art buffs; a date; friends

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s a gem of a museum. Because the collections were mainly developed by a single individual, they have a cohesion and personality that others can’t match, and the unique setting–which was custom built for their display–enhances that. It’s also a much more manageable collection than (for example) the exhaustive offerings at the Met, making it a perfect choice when we just want a quick hit of culture, rather than a full day of scoping canvases.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

This is not a great place for families, since children under 10 aren’t allowed in and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Also, ticket prices are pretty steep when compared with other museums in the neighborhood.

GOOD TO KNOW

If you really want to connect with Frick himself, check out the Living Hall, because while most of the rooms have undergone small adjustments over the years, the Living Hall remains almost exactly how he left it. Ticket prices may be a tad steep, but admission does include an audio guide. The Frick Collection regularly hosts events like chamber music concerts and lecture series, and the onsite Frick Art Reference Library offers a fantastic (and free!) set of resources to researchers demonstrating “a serious interest in art.”

CLOSEST COMPS

Wallace Collection (London); Sir John Soane’s Museum (London); Hammer Museum (Los Angeles)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.