The guided highlights tour of the Morgan Library

Why it is on the list

The library was completed in 1906 for J. P. Morgan, to a design by Charles McKim of McKim, Mead & White, and the building and its interior are a New York City landmark and a National Historic Landmark.¹ Morgan's private office and vault have been open since 2006.¹ The tour covers the Morgan's history, architecture, historic buildings and collections, or a special exhibition instead, and it is led by one of the museum's own educators; nobody else may lecture in the galleries without the museum's approval.²

It is the wrong choice on a Monday, when the museum is closed, and for a party that wants the rooms to itself: the tour runs during public hours.³² For a smaller group in a house museum, take the private guided tour at the Neue Galerie, where a docent leads up to ten.

How to get it

Send the Tour Reservation Request Form on the Tours and Group Visits page, or write to tours@themorgan.org or call (212) 685-0008, extension 561, at least four weeks ahead.² A request is not a confirmation: the Group Sales team answers in the order requests arrive, with an invoice and a confirmation letter by email.² Tours run Tuesday to Sunday during museum hours, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., to 8 p.m. on Fridays.²³ The guide's fee is $150, plus $23 for each adult, $15 for seniors and $11 for students, and a party of fewer than ten pays for ten.² Read the group tour terms and conditions before sending the form.²

Discretion

All bags are inspected at the entrance, and coats not worn, backpacks, briefcases and large bags go to the coatroom; luggage cannot be brought in.⁴ Personal photographs are allowed unless a sign says otherwise, without flash, video, tripods or selfie sticks, and phone calls belong in the lobby areas.⁴ The historic rooms are free to all on Tuesdays and Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m.³