I went to the National Museum of the American Indian on Indigenous Peoples Day which was very cool. The museum showcases artifacts from the Native Americans of North and South America. It was so cool and because it was Indigenous People’s Day, there were Native Americans teaching about their culture, in the main hall. Overall, I highly recommend this museum! It was incredible!

Spent a couple of hours here on Thanksgiving day - was pleased to see it was open. Free entry. The building used to be a Custom House and is very impressive indeed. Check out the murals on the top of the oval main hall. Also the old elevators. The cafe is worth a visit - the Mexican hot chocolate was delicious. I was pretty tired so I think some of the exhibits went over my head but it’s certainly worth a look.

Enter through support style security as this building processes federal programs, such as Global Entry. Once inside, head for the revelatory to the 2 floor to start your tour. interesting links to past New York and native Americans.

Great experience here at the museum. There isn't much to complain about this FREE museum. No advance reservations required. You can enter onto the main first floor or the lower floor and must go through a security checkpoint: a walkthrough metal detector. There are lots of interesting exhibits throughout the museum. The main section covers the native american tribes throughout the north, central and south americas. Lots of great information and exhibits there. There is also another area that covers the native american history throughout New York state specifically...covering Niagara Falls, Manhattan, The Bronx and Long Island. Downstairs has a great interactive exhibit area. Although everyone could appreciate this area, I could see how kids would gravitate toward this area. Lots of interesting and relatable information here. The main rotunda area (along with one of the museum wings) is undergoing some renovations at this time. Huge gift shop with lots of items...clothes, jewelry, food and tons of trinkets. Also a cafe area with beverages and some food items. Easy public transportation...right in front of the Bowling Green (4/5) train station. Parking, as expected, is tough in the area. A bit easier on weekends (particularly on Sundays) where parking restrictions are NOT in effect.

Wonderfully well curated exhibits in a gorgeous building. However, the museum is very unwelcoming. To enter, one is required to go through a TSA type security check. We had to remove our belts and shoes and go through a metal detector. ( We could keep our shoes on.) Ok, that wasn’t so bad. But, there is no coat check. It is January in New York! Everyone has heavy coats, hats and gloves. And the exhibition rooms are overheated. I tried to leave my coat on a bench while I looked at an adjacent exhibit. Nope. I was told I had to have it with me at all times. It made for a pretty miserable visit. I would have been happy to pay to check my coat like many museums do.

Interesting museum housed in the former US Custom House. The museum shop is in what was the cashier's office and has beautiful ornate grilles and doors weaving through it. Beautiful domed ceiling in the main hall, painted with scenes of significant ships from America's history. One of the galleries was closed when I visited but there is still plenty to see and entry is free, which is unusual! One gallery looks at general American Indian history and another gallery displays various artistic and cultural artefacts from indigenous groups throughout the American continent. So much to take in and absorb, and it was not an area I knew anything about before visiting so it was definitely worth a visit.

Significantly smaller than the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC, but we're still glad we visited this NY museum as well. Since tickets are free, it's a great deal in the city. Our favorite piece was in the rotating exhibit on level one (we didn't see anyone else down there, so make sure not to miss it!). Level two had a lot of representation of tribes throughout the Americas, but at a very surface level. They did a great job, however, of digging into the NY tribes.

This is a fantastic place! The building alone ( former Customs House) is an architectural treasure. We spent much more than an hour here- perhaps others that spent less time missed some of the galleries? It has a fantastic collection of artifacts from indigenous people. It also tells the stories of the Native American Iron Workers that built much of NYC. There is an interactive room downstairs all about Native American foods, and products influenced by indigenous people. We loved this museum- it is part of the treasured Smithsonian Museums in our country. Be sure to check out the amazing architecture and paintings in the rotunda. Outstanding on all levels.