Bronx Museum of the Arts

Where is it? 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx

How do I get there? Well, I walked, but you'll want to take B/D train to 167th (the museum is on 165th and the Grand Concourse)

When can I go? Thursday - Sunday, 11:00am - 6pm 

How much do I have to shell out to get in? In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, admission is free

The run-down: Well, the building itself is a pretty good size. But, when I went in I was told only two rooms were open (the main exhibition hall and the Style Lab), so it was a little disappointing. (I may come back at another time if more rooms are open). The museum is self-guided/go-at-your-own-pace. And there are a few interactive aspects of the exhibitions, but not much, so going through both rooms took about a half-hour. All things considered, it's worth it if admission remains free. If you're looking for a museum to bring you out of the familiar, and into a world you might not otherwise be exposed to, this is a good first stop.

What was cool about the museum: My favorite piece was the mural by Bronx graffiti artists TATS CRU (you can check out more of their work, and learn more about the group on their website: tatscru.net). I also found the pieces by Mexican photo-journalist Enrique Metinides interesting. They were a bit intense (and somewhat gruesome), but that is what he was best-known for, after all. 

 This is the mural by TATS CRU

(don't let the small picture fool you, it's pretty big, 
and full of intricate details that you'll want to see in person)

What I could have done without: The 'museum shop' was disappointing. Mostly just books, and most weren't about art or the Bronx. If you're interested in anything they have, you'll be better off getting them from an online retailer.

Need more info? Here's their website: www.bronxmuseum.org