Your New Jersey Museum Guide to Great Art Exhibits
You can’t possibly cover all the best New Jersey museums in one article — there are over 240 of them! New Jersey is home to some of the finest historical, arts, industrial and science museums in the country.
NJ art museums deserve an article all their own. From university-backed facilities at Rutgers and Princeton, to unique experiences at WheatonArts and Grounds for Sculpture, to culturally significant works at the African American Heritage Museum, the range of art featured at NJ museums is immense.
This article features 15 excellent New Jersey art museums to explore. Each features its own unique array of exhibits, interactive features, educational opportunities and art gallery space.
What Makes a Great NJ Art Museum?
The diversity of art exhibits at New Jersey museums is what sets them apart. From fine art to contemporary art, large-scale sculpture to fully interactive art installations, each museum on our list offers a new, enriching experience.
These art museums also vary greatly in shape and presentation. Some are modest buildings or exhibitions within larger spaces, while others are sprawling buildings that house multiple exhibitions at once.
Where Can I Find New Jersey Art Museums?
The Garden State art museums on our list range from the NYC suburbs down to Cumberland County in South Jersey. Whether you live in Jersey City, New Brunswick, Cherry Hill or Cape May, there’s a NJ art museum on our list within driving (or walking!) distance.
Each region of New Jersey showcases art steeped in local history and flavor. WheatonArts in Millville is a celebration of South Jersey’s fine glass making tradition. Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in Oradell pays homage to the wildlife conservation efforts of its founders in Bergen County.
Our list of NJ art museums appears in alphabetical order, and features hours of operation, cost of entry (if any), website, and key facts. Let’s explore!
African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey
What to Expect: The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey is a living tribute to the experience of Black Americans in New Jersey throughout its history. It features 2 locations — one in the Noyes Art Garage in Atlantic City, and one at the Dr. Martin Luther King Center in Newtonville, NJ.
The AAHMSNJ is equal parts inspiring and unflinching. Their 2 African art museum spaces are curated to educate current generations about the contributions (and sacrifices) made by black Americans. It also features gallery space for outstanding African American artists, photographers, sculptors and more to display their work.
Can’t make it to AC or Newtonville? The AAHMSNJ offers a traveling museum for schools, corporate events and community groups.
2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401, and 661 Jackson Rd, Newtonville, NJ 08346
Hours of Operation: Atlantic City: 11 am – 6 pm, Wednesday through Saturday; 11 am – 5 pm, Sunday
Newtonville: 11 am – 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: Free to enter, donations encouraged
Website: https://www.aahmsnj.org/
Grounds for Sculpture
What to Expect: The 42 acres of Grounds for Sculpture feature nearly 300 contemporary sculptures and structural art pieces. Recent installations are as interactive and unique as ever — our recent Grounds for Sculpture tour featured exhibits you can touch and even climb on.
This isn’t a decorative arts exhibit that never changes. Grounds for Sculpture offers a seasonal exhibit calendar — from summer and winter garden tours to nighttime light-up displays, there’s always something new on offer.
Visitors must reserve a timed entry online — don’t show up without a reservation. Tickets are $25 for adults, but there are discounts available for active military, healthcare workers and seniors. Students ages 6-17 enter for $12 with valid student ID.
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Hours of Operation: 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Thursday; 10 am – 9 pm Friday through Sunday
Cost: $25 adults, $18 seniors, healthcare workers and active duty military, $12 students, free under 5
Website: https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/
Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum
What to Expect: The Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum is one of northern NJ’s best-kept secrets — it’s easy to drive by the converted carriage house and miss it entirely. But step inside, and you’ll discover one of the most well-curated wildlife art displays in America.
The Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation established the museum to promote wildlife art and the need for greater local and national conservation efforts. Frequent visitors note that Blauvelt exhibits are meticulously selected — they may only be seen by 3-4 American museums per year.
The Blauvelt Art Museum hosts a series of artists in residence with a furnished house and studio space on premises. Visit the museum for lectures, round-table discussions and demonstrations on art and conservation.
705 Kinderkamack Rd, Oradell, NJ 07649
Hours of Operation: 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday through Friday; 2 pm – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Free to enter, donations are encouraged
Website: https://blauveltartmuseum.com/
Hunterdon Art Museum
What to Expect: Clinton, NJ is a wonderful hub for history and culture — we’ve highlighted the historic Red Mill in a previous article about NJ’s best Christmas towns. Clinton is also home to the Hunterdon Art Museum (HAM), a local treasure since 1952.
Housed in a stone mill listed on the National Register of Historic Places, HAM showcases a lovely blend of world-renowned and emerging contemporary artists. The result is an eclectic mix of exhibits that always feels fresh — recent exhibits by Monica Ong, Ellen Siegel and Kate Dodd speak to the diversity of HAM’s presentations.
HAM’s location along the Raritan River is one of the most picturesque places to see art in New Jersey. Their website offers plenty of information about upcoming events, educational programs, and permanent collection pieces.
7 Lower Center St, Clinton, NJ 08809
Hours of Operation: 11 am – 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: $7 adults, $5 seniors, military and students, free for Hunterdon Art Museum members and children under 5
Website: https://www.hunterdonartmuseum.org/
Mana Contemporary
What to Expect: Mana Contemporary’s flagship location inside a converted 1920s tobacco warehouse in Jersey City is a combination of artistic experiences. These include high-quality artist studios and exhibition spaces designed to promote conversation and real-time art making experiences.
The appeal of Mana Contemporary is simple: contemporary art happens in front of your eyes. Watch artists create, present and discuss their art pieces.
Membership to Mana Contemporary in Jersey City is particularly valuable for today’s artists. It includes courses on career development, health insurance, questions regarding art law, and discounts on select art supplies and frames. You’ll also receive notifications of job listings, residences and grants.
Not a member? Schedule visiting hours by appointment at the email address listed above. Mana Contemporary also has primary locations in Chicago and Miami.
888 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Hours of Operation: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday
Cost: $10/month or $100/year membership; visiting hours by appointment at [email protected]
Website: https://www.manacontemporary.com/
Montclair Art Museum
What to Expect: Montclair Art Museum (MAM)’s past and upcoming exhibitions speak to a space that values a variety of perspectives. A recent student art exhibit by the Youth Bias Task Force was particularly moving, as was the contemporary woman artist exhibit “Taking Space” — the latter was featured on NPR’s All of It with Alison Stewart.
The museum hosts a consistent presentation of Native American art — both in gallery pieces and seasonal exhibitions. These pieces sit alongside collections of American paintings — pieces from the Carol and Terry Wall collection are on display from May 2024 through February 2025.
Drop in on weekend hours for Sketching in the Gallery — no registration is required, and gallery stools and art supplies are provided upon request with paid admission. Private tours must be booked in advance through the website.
3 S Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
Hours of Operation: 10 am – 6 pm Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm Sunday (contact MAM for private weekday tours)
Cost: See website for details — seasonal discounts alter ticket prices regularly. Members and children under 12 are free.
Website: https://www.montclairartmuseum.org/
Morris Museum
What to Expect: Morris Museum hosts an ongoing series of art and Earth science exhibits that provide equal educational value to adults and children. Permanent exhibits include a Native American art display as well as contemporary Native American pottery. The Earth science gallery includes dinosaurs, fossils, ancient petrified wood and a massive amethyst geode.
A unique feature of Morris Museum is its display of art in engineering and technology. The Guinness Collection features mechanical music and automata. There is also a large-scale permanent mega model train gallery on display. The 300 square foot train set was originally on display at Nabisco Headquarters in East Hanover, NJ.
Morris Museum has one of the best admission practices for active military members in New Jersey. Active duty military members enter the museum free of charge along with 5 of their family members. Museum members have special access to the premises the first Tuesday of each month from 11 am – 2 pm. Check the website for a schedule of performances at the Bickford Theatre.
6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
Hours of Operation: 11 am – 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: $12 general admission, $8 for seniors, students under 25 w/ ID and children ages 3-17. Members and children 2 and younger enter free. Active military members enter free with 5 family members.
Website: https://morrismuseum.org/
Morven Museum & Garden
What to Expect: It’s rare to find a location like Morven, steeped in over 200 years of history as a notable New Jersey historic home. Today, Morven Museum walks a delicate line between showcasing some of the finest art in the Garden State while acknowledging the totality of its past.
The current Morven Revealed exhibit speaks to that history. Morven played host to George Washington, Princess Grace of Monaco and Buzz Aldrin. It also housed some everyday Americans whose lives are revealed in art pieces, photographs and other memorabilia of the time. Morven also speaks to a point in its early history where slaves were owned on premises.
Be sure to visit Morven for one of its Signature Events. These include the Morven Moves dance exhibition, the winter Festival of Trees and the Spring Garden Party in May. You can visit the website for unique Online Exhibitions.
55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
Hours of Operation: 10 am – 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday
Cost: $12 adults, $10 seniors, students with ID, active military, veterans, and children ages 7-18. Free for children 6 and under. Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.
Website: https://www.morven.org/
New Jersey State Museum
What to Expect: The New Jersey State Museum blends art, history and science under one roof. The museum holds over 2 million artifacts in natural history, cultural history, fine art, archaeology and ethnography. There’s an effort to showcase a blend of world and local art and history — exhibits range from international art to Civil War artifacts to traditions of the Delaware Indians.
While NJ State Museum has many fine art exhibits, there’s a great balance of hands-on exhibits and events for children and families. The Discovery Den is specifically designed for children ages 8 and under. Local families may enroll in the Small Explorers series, which features family-friendly interactive events about art and science.
In-person and virtual field trips are available via the website as well.
Admission to NJ State Museum is free, except for the Planetarium — visit the website for current Planetarium pricing. Weekend free parking is available to the public in lots adjacent to the museum, and on the street in front of the museum. Weekday metered parking is available — there are a few free visitor spaces in the State House Garage if you can nab them.
205 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608
Hours of Operation: 9 am – 4:45 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
Cost: Free admission, donations greatly appreciated. Note: Planetarium admission is a separate fee.
Website: https://www.nj.gov/state/museum/
Newark Museum of Art
What to Expect: The Newark Museum of Art is New Jersey’s largest fine art museum, and stands in over a century of tradition that art and learning are for everyone. The NMOA features over 300,000 pieces of fine art, artifacts and pieces of natural history, with a special emphasis placed on local artists and science initiatives.
NMOA’s 4.5 acre campus holds multiple historic places and sites. The Ballantine House is a national historic landmark visitors may explore, alongside the beautiful Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden. Special events of note include the annual Newark Black Film Festival and the four-day Newark Arts Festival.
Art After Dark is a true highlight event series, where guests experience music, art, cuisine and community in one space. Families with children should attend Family First Saturdays for a guest experience tailored towards interactive, imagination-building activities.
Members enjoy free admission to NMOA, as well as an exclusive premium events calendar.
49 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102
Hours of Operation: 11 am – 5 pm, Thursday through Sunday
Cost: Free for members, Newark students and Newark residents. $10 adults, $8 for seniors, visitors with disability, non-Newark students and children ages 3+.
Website: https://newarkmuseumart.org/
The Noyes Museum of Art
What to Expect: The Noyes Museum of Art is a bastion of fine arts in South Jersey — perhaps the only currently existing one of its kind for the area. As partners of Stockton University, the Noyes Museum provides a cultural environment for South Jersey students and residents to learn and experience the arts.
While the Noyes features art from around the world, it thrives on its unique blend of local art — including pieces from the staff and student body of Stockton. The museum emphasizes the importance of providing fine art to residents of Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Salem and Camden Counties.
The museum grew from the legacy of Fred & Ethel Noyes. They not only founded the roots of the museum, but also of the Towne of Historic Smithville. Diverse recent exhibitions featured artists including Lennox Warner and Fred Staloff.
Of note: The Noyes Art Garage in Atlantic City is home to one of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey’s locations — scroll up in the article to read more about it. Other Noyes exhibitions exist in Galloway and Long Beach Island.
Kramer Hall, 30 Front St, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday (check their website, hours may change)
Cost: Free admission and parking (Hammonton), donations are encouraged
Website: https://noyesmuseum.org/
Princeton University Art Museum
What to Expect: Princeton University boasts a comprehensive visual arts museum for staff, students and visitors alike. Since 1750, the Princeton Art Museum has amassed a collection of over 115,000 works with international roots.
The museum as we now know it came into existence in 1882, alongside Princeton’s Department of Art and Archaeology. This dual launch allowed the museum to flourish as a center for learning and culture, and grow alongside one of America’s most prestigious universities.
Lovers of fine art will enjoy Princeton’s variety — art from antiquity through the present is on display. From ancient, Byzantine and Islamic Art, through ancient American art, through modern pop and contemporary pieces, the museum has an incredible range of curatorial areas.
The museum holds exhibit spaces throughout Princeton for residents and guests to experience art in new spaces and from new vantage points. Art@Bainbridge is located on Nassau Street within the historic Bainbridge House. Art on Hulfish is conveniently located next to Hulfish Garage on Palmer Square.
Of note: The Princeton University Art Museum main building is closed for renovations until 2025 — but the Museum is certainly not closed! Visit Art@Bainbridge on Nassau Street and Art on Hulfish in downtown Princeton for current exhibits.
Elm Dr, Princeton, NJ 08544
Hours of Operation: Closed for renovation until 2025; visit the website for adjacent Museum exhibit spaces in Princeton
Cost: Free and open to the public; includes Art@Bainbridge and Art on Hulfish
Website: https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
What to Expect: Summit’s Visual Arts Center of New Jersey provides a space for exhibitions, programs and art studio users to explore together. The result is a unique community that creates, connects, and communicates through art. What was once a shared space of 7 painters in 1933 has grown into an arts and cultural hub of Union County.
The Center’s Personalized Art Experiences are an outstanding way to get involved and introduce yourself to the space. Have an art-making party, join a Mentor Program, or create an Art Pod of 3-6 members for 4 expert instruction sessions. These experiences allow you to flex your artistic side while exploring the center’s exhibits and art pieces.
The live studio space always makes the Visual Arts Center feel alive. Recent exhibits have reflected that sense of vibrancy — works by Jeffrey Gibson, Elana Herzog and and Jairo Alonso were highlights.
68 Elm St, Summit, NJ 07901
Hours of Operation: 9 am – 10 pm Monday through Thursday; 9 am – 6 pm Friday; 10 am – 5 pm weekends
Cost: $5 suggested donation, $3 suggested donation for seniors & students. Members enter free.
Website: https://www.artcenternj.org/
Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center (WheatonArts)
What to Expect: South Jersey is renowned for its fine glass making and glassblowing tradition. This is celebrated and showcased at WheatonArts, one of New Jersey’s highest-rated art museums by citizens and patrons. WheatonArts hosts the Museum of American Glass, a hot glass studio, and daily glassmaking demonstrations.
The WheatonArts campus is a great walking experience for families and groups. Outside the excellent glass exhibits and facilities, check out a pottery & flamework studio, a gallery of fine craft and the Down Jersey folklore center. Step outside the main campus and stroll along the nature trail to end your day.
If you’re just looking to shop at the General Store, Gallery of Fine Craft and Paperweight Shop, great news — you don’t have to pay an entry fee! (You can’t enter the other areas without a ticket, however.) WheatonArts is a proud Blue Star facility and offers free admission to active duty military members and up to 5 family members.
1501 Glasstown Rd, Millville, NJ 08332
Hours of Operation: 11 am – 4 pm, Thursday through Sunday — open seasonally from April through December
Cost: $12 adults, $11 seniors 62+, $7 students. Active duty military and children 5 and under enter free.
Website: https://www.wheatonarts.org/
Zimmerli Art Museum
What to Expect: The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University is a 70,000 square foot facility that houses roughly 60,000 art pieces. Its key holdings feature American art, Asian art, European art, Russian art, and illustrations from children’s literature.
The Russian and Soviet nonconformist art collection is singular and quite expansive. It features 20,000 pieces of Russian artwork from the 14th century through the present. The collection of children’s literature illustrations is also worth a look, as it features some of the most notable illustrators in the field — including Lois Lenski, Frank Asch and Adrienne Adams.
Families can sign up for family workshops or drop-in art classes for the kids. School groups can sign up for field trips through the Zimmerli website. Último Domingo (“Last Sunday”) is a monthly event focused on celebrating Latinx culture.
71 Hamilton St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Hours of Operation: 11 am – 6 pm Wednesday; 11 am – 8 pm Thursday; 11 am – 6 pm Friday; 12 pm – 5 pm weekends. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Zimmerli Art Museum is closed for the month of August. Please visit the website for updates on annual fall reopening dates and holiday closings.
Cost: Free to the public.
Website: https://zimmerli.rutgers.edu/
Explore Art at a New Jersey Museum
It’s important to visit and support NJ art museums — especially those further away from Manhattan. New Jersey is a vibrant source of art, history, culture and technology, and every corner of the state deserves to be featured and represented. Museums from Hammonton to Millville, Clinton to Morristown keep that tradition alive.
Art museums near Manhattan are incredible sources of fine art and artifacts. Locations in Newark, Jersey City and Oradell offer incredible glimpses into what NJ’s community of artists and curators can offer the world.
Encourage your friends, family and children to join you on trips to museums and arts organizations in the Garden State. Admission to most museums on this list is free, and membership to each comes with unique and enriching perks.
