On a budget, weigh it — Whitney Museum of American Art isn't cheap for what it is.
~$30 adult
A focused, well-curated collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art in a light, airy building whose outdoor terraces give you free High Line and Hudson views. The Biennial is a big draw for contemporary-art people. More digestible than the Met or MoMA, and the location anchors a great downtown afternoon.