Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum 2 E 91st St
One of the 19 museums on New York’s Upper East Side “Museum Mile,” the Cooper Hewitt – officially the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum- is the first design museum in New York City. Housed in the historic and beautiful Andrew Carnegie Mansion, the museum underwent a huge renovation in 2012 and the wonderful gardens and terrace, a free area open daily at 8 AM, was just completely revamped in 2015. The museum’s focus is on both historical and contemporary design and decoration, boasting a huge collection of design-related pieces of all kinds, including one of the first steel chairs ever mad, as well as a chair used by Abraham Lincoln. There is an interactive digital space called the Immersion Room, and a detailed 3D mapping of the entire museum. Entry is free on Saturdays from 6-9 PM, and children are always free. Free tours are offered twice a day. The museum’s café, Tarallucci e Vino Café, offers a seasonal menu, coffee and a thoughtful selection of artisanal wine.