You’ve just landed in New York, or maybe you’ve lived here for years, and you’re ready to sink your teeth into all this culture you’ve been hearing about. You’re eager, starry-eyed, and a little bit nervous.  Put down the guidebook and take a deep breath. We’re here to help .

If you've tried your luck with museums before, you may know that dizzy, slow, sleepy feeling when you've been traipsing around a museum for too long? You want to see the art but only if someone pushes you around in a rolly chair? I like to call it "museum head,” but whatever you term it, this overwhelming feeling can be quite unpleasant. Perhaps it comes from spending too long inside the museum, or following someone else’s agenda. This is a guide to the biggest, baddest museums in New York so that you can get your culture-fix without a major dose of weariness.

Take a gander—it's safe to say you’ll find something appealing, whether it’s Monet, McQueen or a laid-back summer concert series.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

WHAT IS IT? 
A New York hallmark, the Met houses one of the most extensive permanent collections of art in the city. With 19 curatorial departments, the collection ranges from ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Asian art to European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern work. And there is a beautiful costume department—the same one that held the Alexander McQueen show last summer.

PLAN OF ACTION: 
No matter how ambitious you’re feeling, you probably won't be able to cover the 2 million sq. foot building in a single visit, so either amble freely for an hour or two, or pick out a couple of important wings to see.

DON’T MISS: 
The Temple of Dendur, built by Augustus Ceasar in 15 BC. It’s housed in a huge, light-drenched room with a penny pool.

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY: 
Haven’t you ever seen Gossip Girl? The steps of the Met are one of the Upper East Side’s most famed lounging areas. Also—the Met is directly on Central Park, so take a stroll outside when you’re all museum-ed out.

MoMA

WHAT IS IT?A giant among modern art museums, smack-dab in midtown Manhattan. Remember that Modern Art survey class you took in college? Well, you’re likely to find most names on that list somewhere in MOMA. Their collection of art photography is among the finest in the world – developed under the care of Edward Steichen in the 1950s, who was succeeded by the legendary curator John Szarkowski.

PLAN OF ACTION:Beware of the special exhibitions, they tend to be very crowded on weekends!

DON’T MISS:
The Cindy Sherman retrospective that’s up right now

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY:
The Sculpture Garden, which is currently home to Yoko Ono’s "Wish Tree."

The Brooklyn Museum

WHAT IS IT?One of the oldest and largest museums in the US, the Brooklyn museum is located right on the northern tip of Prospect Park. It is housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building by McKim, Mead and White from 1895. The permanent collections range from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art from a wide range of cultures. They have a great rotation of current exhibitions and long-term installations, like the famed feminist piece "Dinner Party" by Judy Chicago. Unlike many of the Manhattan museums, the Brooklyn Museum has an open feel is and conducive to actually seeing the art rather than avoiding people’s elbows.

PLAN OF ACTION:
Hop on the subway early so you have time for a walk around Propsect Park afterwards.

DON’T MISS:The Keith Haring retrospective, up until July 8th.

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY:
Visit the Brooklyn Botanical gardens right around the corner in Prospect park.

The Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum

WHAT IS IT?
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim has one of the most distinctive architectural styles of any New York museum. Their collection of modern and contemporary art isn’t always on view, but there are always great special exhibitions in the museum.

PLAN OF ACTION:
Start at the bottom and spiral your way to the top! Try to avoid visiting on Mondays: that's when the art-thirsty crowds flock to the Guggenheim because most other museums are closed. There's also a pay-what-you-wish Saturday night option.

DON’T MISS:
The Francesca Woodman show, up until June 13, and John Chamberlain, up until May 13.

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY:
Luckily, the Guggenheim is on Museum Mile, just a few blocks north of the Met, so you can go relax in Central park afterwards.

The Whitney Museum of American Art

WHAT IS IT?
This museum focuses on 20th and 21st century American art, emphasizing showing the works of living artists. Bauhaus-trained architect Marcel Breuer designed its granite building on the Upper East Side, but the museum is set to change locations by 2015 to a new building designed by Renzo Piano on Gansevoort street.

DON’T MISS:
The often-controversial Whitney Biennial, up until May 27th, is the show everyone "loves to hate."

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY:
If the Biennial is still up, go and hang out by the Red Krayola interactive skype piece and have a chat with one of the band members via internet.

MoMA PS1

WHAT IS IT?
Unlike the other museums on this list, MoMA PS1 is not a collecting institution, but rather an exhibition space or, as it has termed itself, “an artistic laboratory.” It focuses entirely on contemporary art, pursuing emerging artists and new genres. True to its name, PS1 is located in an old school building—a beautiful brick structure with classroom-sized galleries. It began in 1971 when Alanna Heiss founded the Institute for Art and Urban Resources Inc. The PS1 Contemporary Art Center opened in 1997, and partnered with MoMA in 2000.

PLAN OF ACTION:
Be ready for anything and everything.

DON’T MISS:
The “Warm Ups,” a series of concerts at PS1, especially during the summer.

IF YOU’RE SLEEPY:
There was a big, fluffy yarn pit by Surasi Kusolwong up from November until April, but since that’s already down, you’ll just have to tough it out.

The New Museum

WHAT IS IT?The only museum in Manhattan to exclusively show contemporary art. The New Museum has been around since 1977, but moved into its current building on the Bowery in 2007. The new spot made headlines for the distinctive design by the Japanese firm Sanaa and Ugo Rondinone's rainbow “HELL YES," installed on the exterior of the building from its opening until 2010. This shiny new addition to the Bowery is a serious indicator of how much the Lower East Side has changed in the past decades.

PLAN OF ACTION:Many New Museum shows are often controversial. Perhaps it’s because the museum is aiming to push the boundaries of the New York art world.  In any case, be ready for something out of the ordinary.

DON’T MISS:The New Museum doesn’t have much of a permanent collection, so stay posted on their ever-changing exhibition schedule!

Now get out there and start exploring. Paying half your salary in rent is just one part of the New York experience. The City is an incredible cultural resource, but only if you use it. Before you’ll know it you’ll have your friends dripping with envy (and just a touch of resentment) at how cultured you’ve become.

Text by Waverly Mandel, photography courtesy of the Internet.