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Museum of Chinese in America

Tourist attraction Museum Event venue Gift shop Art museum History museum

Small museum focused on the Chinese experience in America through exhibits & public programs. People often mention museum, Chinese, free, history, exhibits, visit, America, small, recommend, time,


Address

215 Centre St, New York, NY 10013

Website

www.mocanyc.org

Contact

(212) 619-4785

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (880 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday: 2 to 9 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 11 AM to 4 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (32) Chinese (29) free (22) history (17) exhibits (11) visit (10) America (10) small (9) recommend (9) time (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Victor W. 1 year ago on Google
    Went on a Saturday and it was free admission. While it wasn’t a massively large museum it was still packed with information. Very impressive amount of artifacts in a small space. Some of the artifacts were lost in a fire recently but they were able to salvage quite a few of the artifacts thankfully.
    14 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wall F. 6 months ago on Google • 353 reviews
    Wonderful free museum, includes so much history and a great anti racism exhibit currently. Some very moving art pieces as well as a very well designed and maintained space. Admission was free and they have bathrooms too. Would recommend if you have some extra time!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Louisa Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Small museum that packs a big impact! Photos, mementos and recreated spaces like a herbal store. Cheerful area for kids to play in. Admission was free when we visited thanks to a generous donation received by the museum.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keren M. 2 years ago on Google
    Highly recommend . It's free on first Thursday of every month. There was no line at all.. It's a small museum but if you in the area already I recommend you to have a short visit. Enjoy.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorna B. 7 months ago on Google • 95 reviews
    as a BBC (British born Chinese) this place was like a beacon drawing me to it. so glad I went - the exhibition they have on the history of Chinese oppression and culture in America is so well curated and presented. I found myself surprisingly moved - definitely recommend any Asians passing through NYC to check it out!!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joanna S. 8 months ago on Google • 15 reviews
    First time visiting MOCA, I have to say, 'WOAH.' The staff are super friendly, patiently introducing the museum and its exhibits. The museum staff even prepared water for visitors and allowed them to microwave their coffee. As far as the exhibits go, MOCA was one of the best Chinese American museums I've been to. The exhibits were eye-catching and easy to navigate, with both English and Chinese available for visitors. The 'Raise Above Hate' exhibit was astonishing!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Johnny Y. 5 years ago on Google
    Great place to hang out especially on hot days like today. Family friendly and window seats to chill until the temperature drops. It's also within walking distance of Little Italy and all the best eating in the city; and, a few blocks down, you'll hit Broadway for some great shopping.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JoMo 1 year ago on Google
    I cannot rave about this museum enough! It's a wealth of knowledge related to Chinese in America history! The staff is at lovely, and for all of 2022 the museum is free! I don't know why you WOULDN'T go. I encourage everyone of all cultures to go and learn more about a history you never thought you'd be so fascinated with!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isabelle T. 5 years ago on Google
    Small museum but full of detail! The stories are amazing, and the staff are friendly. It takes you through the history of the first Chinese in the US and the struggles each generation experienced. There was a special exhibit section as well. Everything is written in English and Chinese. It is great place to spend one or two hours while you are in this part of town.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rzx 7 months ago on Google • 44 reviews
    The entry is free . The Museum of Chinese in America is a museum in New York City which exhibits Chinese American history. Even if you are not Chinese (I am not) this is a rewarding and important stop when in the area. There is a small gift shop. A visit should take between and and two and a half hours.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lila E. 1 year ago on Google
    It's quite small but really packed with information, you learn a lot about plenty of different things, and all of that for free! Really worth checking out!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer W. 5 months ago on Google • 85 reviews
    Fascinating little gem of a museum! Filled with interesting facts, items, and a video exhibit I was pleasantly surprised with what i learned and saw. Id definitely recommend for tourists to come learn about chinatown and then have some great food--and of you're not in the mood for Chinese, you're only 2 blocks from Mulberry Street😛
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Riki Y. 8 months ago on Google
    An amazing museum dedicated to the Asian American heritage. Open and free to the public with limited hours only on Saturday. Worth the short visit while in Chinatown NYC.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amelia L. 2 years ago on Google
    The place to learn the Chinese immigrant history- to understand our ancestors rising spirit and their journey of achieving American dreams. It makes me feel proud to be Chinese.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hope C. 9 months ago on Google
    Excellent museum with free admission! When we went, there were some live performances (dance, music, etc.) which were very impressive. I learned a lot and recommend anyone visiting the area stops by!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon M. 1 year ago on Google
    An emotional walk through the Chinese Immigrant experience which culminated in a moving curation of relevant contemporary topics. We were on the verge of tears the entire time, which perhaps speaks volumes about Chinese oppression and resilience in America; however we hoped to find more CELEBRATORY exhibits as well. When this museum reaches its full size, I can imagine it will be a powerful experience. The woman who greeted us was lovely, so warm and welcoming. Admission was free and we were gifted a tote bag as a thank you for making a donation! Highly recommend supporting this important, meaningful cultural/historical center.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Virginie 2 years ago on Google
    I really recommend anyone visiting Chinatown to go to MOCA. Beautiful museum with so much information !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gen 5 years ago on Google
    Underrated museum. You can learn a lot about Chinese migration to America here. A little small compared to other museums but its worth the visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arad K. 7 months ago on Google
    Visited the Museum of Chinese in America and was blown away by its beauty and cultural richness. The exhibits were incredibly informative, offering a captivating insight into the Chinese-American history and heritage. The fact that admission was free during my visit was a wonderful bonus. The museum's dedication to preserving and showcasing this important aspect of American history is truly commendable. A must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the vibrant Chinese-American community, its contributions and struggles.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lara S. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic museum visit and prearranged tour led by the museum education director. The exhibits preserve and explain the history of Chinese in America, including their migration, contributions, struggle for legal rights in the US, and tremendous perseverance. I attended as part of a company outing with Thomson Reuters Asian Affinity and Black Employee Networks.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Youngjin L. 1 year ago on Google
    Liked this place as a non-chinese. Learned a lot about the history of chinese americans. 1 hour is enough to enjoy all there is. And it is free for now.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 S R. 10 months ago on Google
    Fun little free museum with interesting exhibits on Chinese in US. You can see it in less than an hour. They have free performances also - ask about it. We saw some great traditional and contemporary Chinese music and dance
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ken Chester J. 2 years ago on Google
    A must-see destination, if you're in the area! It's like a mini-Smithsonian about the Chinese experience in America & a great addition to any trip to Chinatown.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meredith B. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent museum. We learned a lot. It’s in its interim space (after the fire), but very nicely exhibited nonetheless. Extremely welcoming and knowledgeable staff. We will be back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Phuong Anh Tran H. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely museum. Happen to be there while they have the Drag Stories with Book Reading session. It was so amazing and the host was lovely and beyond! Love every moment!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jiggly P. 2 years ago on Google
    Friendly staff. Clean. Its free admission until March 2022. Children’s area downstairs. Filled with toys and books for all ages.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 mirellevvi 1 month ago on Google • 28 reviews New
    Although it's a small museum, less than an hour to walk through, it showcases such a rich history! Donation based admission. Great place to visit if you are downtown!

  • 5/5 Mabel 1 month ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    Incredible museum. Well organized and inclusive of so much information. The extended exhibition was very interesting too. There is a children's play area, my kids had a blast with the lion dance costume.

  • 5/5 Albert W. 1 month ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Excellent place to learn about Chinese American immigration history from mid-18th century through mid-1950s.

  • 2/5 HaneGraceYagel 1 year ago on Google
    Was kind of underwhelming. There is so much to tell and show about the Chinese in America and the museum felt confusing and lacking. A lot of the audio buttons weren't working, the explanation plaques peeling off and there was a room with two different audios playing at the same time constantly. It was free so nice to walk through if you're in the area but nothing more

  • 5/5 Iris C. 4 months ago on Google
    Great permanent exhibition that was very informative and gave an overview of Chinese American history. We spent about 2 hours in the permanent exhibition. The temporary exhibition was small and not as interesting in our opinion but had a great time overall.

  • 5/5 Alice y. 2 years ago on Google
    Great collection. Includes mix of audio/visual & a gallant on AAPI hate during quarantine, it’s free now so perfect time to go and see!

  • 5/5 Craig S. 2 years ago on Google
    So important to know this ongoing history told in a compelling way.

  • 5/5 Charles G. 2 years ago on Google
    fabulous place for learning chines culture.

  • 5/5 Seth Jeremy H. 2 years ago on Google
    Stumbled upon this museum on Google Maps, and decided to visit when I saw online that it was free at the moment. Very impressive museum, would be well worth it even if it wasn't free. Very modern and a lot of exhibits detailing the Chinese experience in the US.

  • 2/5 William 7 months ago on Google
    Museum wasn’t that good. The Chinese American experience turn into stereotypes by itself. Chinatown isnt a museum, think chinatown does better at showing this with the same message

  • 4/5 Eric T. 2 years ago on Google
    MOCA is located in Chinatown, NYC. This is the new location and it's very modern and you can tell well funded as well. It's FREE to get into by the way so no harm in visiting if you're in the area. Each exhibit shows different aspects of Chinese American history with artifacts and photos all from the corresponding historical era. Be prepared to READ a lot when you visit here. It's good know the history of any culture in general and MOCA does a great job of displaying all that. They have some live events on certain days, it wasn't there when I went though. They have more modern exhibits as well that deal with current events like the Asian hate crimes that were happening in 2021 for example. Not sure if that was a permanent exhibit or just a temp one. Overall, I would say just take your time and it really absorb all the history and culture that the museum is trying to teach you. Worth visiting while you're in Chinatown!

  • 5/5 naomi f. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a wonderful experience at this museum. As an immigrant myself, this touches my heart. America is our forever home. Very courteous staff and every piece is written in English and Chinese.

  • 5/5 L E. 9 months ago on Google
    It's a wonderful museum located in downtown Manhattan. I took my 3rd grade class and they enjoyed all of the exhibits.

  • 5/5 Ying L. 1 year ago on Google
    A really thoughtful exhibit that I wished I had budgeted more time to explore. I heard it was a small museum, but it's definitely packed with plenty of information. Staff is helpful and kind. Walking through this and reading all the expertly curated stories made me feel empathy and solidarity for my fellow Asian Americans. I'm glad I got to experience this and I recommend you check it out. There is typically a free night a week you can schedule around (check their website) but at the time we visited admission was free in general because of a grant.

  • 5/5 Sophie C. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved my visit! It's a small place but it's filled with artifacts and important information. We were greeted warmly by the woman at the front and I'm so grateful that the experiences of Chinese immigrants are preserved and documented here.


Call (212) 619-4785 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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