The 10 Museums to See at the Museum Mile Festival

10 museums. One destination.Fifth Avenue’s amazing array of museums will be opening their doors free of charge on June 12 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in what is being billed as “New York City’s biggest block party.” The 34th annual Museum Mile Festival, a collaboration between all 10 museums that call Fifth Avenue home, looks set to be as popular as ever. There will be 23 car-free blocks, live bands and entertainment, and art-in-the-street activities for the kids — all of which are sure to draw out the crowds, so try to get there early.The festival started in 1978 as a way of encouraging visitors to go to the museums, thereby increasing their visibility, and its success led directly to upper Fifth Avenue’s designation as New York City’s “Museum Mile.”Kick-off is at 5:45 p.m. at the National Academy Museum, and from then on, the motto is simple: “Ten museums. One Destination.”Here’s a look at the 10 museums you can visit — completely free — at the festival:The Metropolitan Museum of Art1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street)Ah, the Met. One of the world’s largest art galleries, this national institution boasts an astounding display of art and artefacts from around the world, including permanent art collections from classical antiquity and Ancient Egypt, Europe, the U.S., Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Also encompassing theCloisters and Gardens, which feature the art and architecture of medieval Europe, the Metropolitan Museum of Art received nearly 6 million visitors in 2011, making this a top destination for anyone in NYC.Museum for African Art1280 Fifth Avenue (at 110th Street)The Museum for African Art is dedicated to the finest arts and cultures from Africa and the African Diaspora. Internationally recognized as one of the world’s preeminent exhibitors of both historical and modern African art, the museum is currently in the process of moving to its new Fifth Avenue address, where it will be a fantastic addition to Museum Mile.El Museo Del Barrio230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)Dedicated to the artistic and cultural treasures of the Caribbean and Latin America, El Museo Del Barrio is New York’s foremost cultural institute for Latino art and film. Its mission is to preserve the culture of Puerto Ricans and Latin Americans in the U.S., and it also offers a wide range of educational programs and cultural celebrations.Museum of the City of New York1220 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)New York City’s own museum is dedicated exclusively to the history, culture, and art of NYC past and present. From the very first plans to build up Manhattan as a modern city to contemporary showings of “Activist New York” and the Occupy Wall Street movement, this is the museum with NYC at its heart.The Jewish Museum109 Fifth Avenue (between 92nd & 93rd streets)The Jewish Museum is devoted solely to Jewish art and culture. From its humble beginnings in 1904 (with just 25 donated items!) the museum has grown into a 27,000-item strong collection, preeminent in the exhibition and preservation of Jewish art and artefacts. The permanent display, Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey, tells the story of the Jewish people through 800 specially chosen items, ranging from print and sculpture to radio and installation art.Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution2 East 91st Street (off Fifth Avenue)One of the 19 museums that collectively make up the Smithsonian Institute, the Cooper-Hewitt is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to historical and contemporary design. With more than 240 years worth of decorative art and creative design, the museum moved to its current home in the 1970s, and is now firmly established as the place to go in New York for design exhibitions.National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts1083 Fifth Avenue (between 89th & 90th Streets)Founded 185 years ago and modelled on the Royal Academy in London, the National Academy’s mission is simple: to promote the fine arts in America and to be a home for exhibitions. From the start, it has had artist and architects at its heart, and with a school fully integrated with the museum, the National Academy is uniquely placed to promote and teach American fine art.Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum1071 Fifth Avenue (at 88th Street)The Guggenheim is iconic in its own right. One of the architectural landmarks of 20th Century New York, the museum acts as a cultural and entertainment center and is an internationally renowned art museum. Since its foundation on a series of early modern masterpieces, the ever-growing collections of the Guggenheim have supported and promoted art from the 20th Century and beyond.Neue Galerie New York1048 Fifth Avenue (at 86th Street)The Neue Galerie is devoted specifically to early 20th Century German and Austrian art and design. This multi-story exhibition, including special focuses on 1900s Viennese art and the relationship between fine and decorative arts, has its roots in various European galleries and show houses of the 20th Century. Aiming to capture the innovative, modern spirit of contemporary art, the Neue Galerie has never lost sight of its cultural roots.Goethe-Institut New York1014 Fifth Avenue (between 82nd & 83rd Streets)The Goethe-Institut is the cultural wing of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York City. Promoting German culture, language, and art, and aiming to foster international cooperation with a global reach, its mission is one of both culture and policy. There is also a pretty broad spectrum of events organized through Goethe-Instutut, all to do with German culture and exchange.