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In addition to hosting art exhibits, the National Academy Museum runs the oldest art school in New York. Its members have included Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, I.M. Pei, Cindy Sherman, John Singer Sargent and Frank Lloyd Wright, all of whom have contributed works to the museum's collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and architecture models. The Annual Exhibition highlights new work by contemporary artistsBest and worst times to go to the National Academy MuseumIf you can, schedule your visit during the summer when the Annual Exhibition takes place. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends. If you must go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive in the morning, rather than mid-afternoon.Must see/do at the National Academy MuseumDon't miss the chance to see highlights from the museum's permanent collection, which now includes over 7,000 works, assembled over the years as members (who have been nominated by their peers and are elected annually by the current membership) present their work upon induction into the Academy. These works span the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.Admission to the National Academy MuseumThe museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Museum admission is free for seniors, children under 12 and academy students, and "pay what you wish" for everyone else.Parking and Public Transportation to the National Academy MuseumThe museum is located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 89th and 90th Streets. To reach the museum by subway, take the Lexington Avenue 4, 5, or 6 lines to the 86th Street Station and then walk 3 blocks north and 3 blocks west. By bus, take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 buses on Fifth and Madison avenues to 89th Street. The museum does not have a parking garage, but on-street parking is available in the neighborhood (just be prepared to feed the meters on the avenues).Food at the National Academy MuseumThe museum does not serve food, but the church next door has a lovely and reasonably priced café with outdoor seating available in nice weather. Or grab a hot dog from one of the street vendors in Central Park, which is across the street.Insider tip for visitors to the National Academy MuseumBe sure to pay some attention to the museum building itself, which features ornate woodwork and beautiful ceilings. The elegant staircase leading from the first floor was featured in an episode of Sex and the City.Other places to visit near the National Academy MuseumThe National Academy Museum is on a stretch of Fifth Avenue known as Museum Mile. The Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Neue Galerie, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper-Hewitt, and the Jewish Museum are all within a 7 block walk.Author's Bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.

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