Afternoon at Poster House in Chelsea

The most niche museums are the best, which makes Poster House is one of my absolute favorite spots for art and history in New York City.

Here’s how to have the best afternoon at Poster House.

“Made in Japan: 20th Century Poster Art”

Hyperspecific exhibitions like this one make large topics graspable

When should I go to Poster House?

Any time it’s open! It never gets too busy. They host free Fridays, so if you’re on a budget, try then!

How much time do I need?

Personally, I think an hour or so is enough. There is one big exhibit on the main floor, then a midsized one downstairs, and 2-3 small exhibits distributed in the walkways.

How do I get there?

It’s right on top of the 23rd Street F, M, and Path stops. It’s a short walk from the 1, C, E, L R, and W trains, too, and the M23 cross-town bus.

Sell me on it — why should I go?

Poster House is small, so you won’t get museum fatigue the way you might at the Met, where the galleries feel endless. It has only a small assortment of hyper-specific exhibits which change over 2-4 times per year, and you’ll learn a lot. It’s $12 for admission. It has a free photo booth that lets you enter artworks, too! And if you need gifts, their gift shop is just a good store that happens to be attached to a museum.

“Art Deco: Commercializing the Avant Garde”

This exhibit, ongoing through 2024, shows how the popular Art Deco movement transformed advertising in the 20th century

Don’t miss the free photo booth, either:

It’s on the right when you enter, and lets you be part of the art.