Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum reached it peek a while ago, when it was home to the best art school and it featured collections of some great arts and archeology. Now it is a shadow of it's former self. Recent visit to the museum shows it is lacking in the patronage that used to support the exhibits and the staff isn't as sharp as it once was. I still love wandering through the various collections - the Egyptian Collection is fabulous, and the Oriental collections are still outstanding. This museum really is a great place to visit, just needs to attract interest again. I know my way around, and I did manage to find some collections and the featured exhibit pretty much. But the staff was almost invisible, more

The Brooklyn Museum has had a long and complicated history, as well as its ups and downs. Long in the shadow of wealthier and much-more-visited museums in Manhattan, this was a really down-at-the-heels museum in the 1980s. I recall wandering through gallery after gallery of incredible treasures just with my husband - hardly any other visitors. And the place looked like a mausoleum, with old-fashioned displays that hadn't changed for decades and architecture in desperate need of renovation. All that began to change in the late 80s and early 90s. I am not a total fan of their director (who became infamous for bringing the Sensation Show to Brooklyn in the mid 90s), but I have to acknowledge the incredible progress he has made with the institution. They have many interesting changing shows, and the place has never looked better since they unveiled their recent expansion/renovation a year or so ago. The two major reasons for undertaking the renovation was to create a much larger and more welcoming public space at the museum's entrance, as well as to create a better public space in the front of the building. This has always been a problem since the monumental staircase that originally graced the building face was removed decades ago. I'm not sure if the modern glass canopy that was glommed onto the neoclassical facade was the best solution, but it is an improvement in many ways, and people seem to enjoy milling around the plaza in a way that was never possible before. As for the shows, some are great, such as the Basquiat show earlier this year. They still have a ways to go, but this is a serious institution working hard to serve its public. more

One of the coolest--if not the quietest--times to visit the museum is the first Saturday of every month, when admission is free from 5-11 pm. There's an eclectic lineup of gallery talks, films, and music--some of the activities may require you to wait on line for a free ticket. There's food and drink, and an enormous cross-section of Brooklynites. It's a great opportunity to pop through the museum, as well, and remind yourself of your favorite galleries. more

I went here last weekend and the outside of the museum looks gorgeous (a unique shape and design) and the inside lobby is very spacious. However, I don't think the security and staff inside are really doing their job. I had never been here before, so I wandered inside looking for the admissions desk and I eventually found out the desk in the center handles admission, but not one person asked me if I needed assistance. Also, there aren't many exhibits and the only exhibit I wanted to see--the decorative art section--was under construction. They should at least have posted something about this on the website to let people know. Another thing, they have one or two guards walk around every floor and they are creepy. They look at you like they are shocked to see anyone even there. I guess they get lonely on the job, but still... There was one guy who was somewhat assisting me, but he also gave me weird vibes. It wasn't like at MOMA, where I met a friendly woman who was very helpful and started explaining the history of some pieces to me. more

If you are really interested in some superb Egyptian art collections - you should know about the Brooklyn Museum, and make sure it isn't a best kept secret. Beyond the Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Museum is a true gem, and often a lot less crowed than the NYC museums. There is art of all genres as well, so plan to spend a good part of the day here, and enjoy seeing another borough of the city more

This museum has it all. They have one of the finest collections of Egyptian art anywhere in the world and they have an incredible selection of pieces. It is a huge place with more than 1 million objects in their collection. They are one of the best. I love to visit them because they are always less crowded than the Metropolitan museum of art. more

If your looking for an educational wonder located in the heart of brooklyn, I highly suggest you check out the Brooklyn musuem. They have all kinds of exhibits ranging from ancient art to modern art. They have exhibits which appeal to both children and adults. They have a fantastic gift shop and their eating area serves excellent food. They are open six days a week and there is plenty of parking if you bring your car. Bus and subway service brings you right to the museum so its very easy to get to. more