Nicholas Roerich Museum New York
Painter of mountains
Paula from New York
If you are looking for a unique, intimate museum experience that is off the beaten path, the Nicholas Roerich Museum is a great spot to check out. This independent museum is dedicated to the artwork of Nicholas Roerich, a painter from Russia whose worldwide travel made him an advocate for world peace, a Buddhist spiritual writer, and of course a painter of incredible landscapes. The museum is located in a brownstone on the Upper West Side, founded by the artist himself.
If you are not familiar with the artist and his work, I recommend starting with the photo hallway on the ground floor. The photos, along with descriptions, will give you context to Roerich's fascinating life. From there, you may ascend the steps to the 2nd and 3rd floors, where about 150 paintings are displayed. Folk sculptures and antique furniture adorn the rooms as well, giving the impression of souvenirs collected during Roerich's worldwide travel.
Roerich's art has a surreal, spiritual quality, using glowing color palettes to depict stark landscapes of the Himalayas, American West, and Europe. My favorite room is on the 3rd floor, where nearly all the paintings are of the Himalayan mountains. I love Roerich's use of vibrant color, and the sensitivity he brings to the mountains. If you look closely, there are few hard lines; many of the edges are blurred, allowing the painting to move within its own frame.
Every Friday at 7pm, the museum hosts free classical music concerts. Registration on the website is required.
New York Spotter Paula
About this spot
Our New York City Guide
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Birria-Landia Tacos
NYTimes 2 Star Food Truck
Choose: tacos, quesadillas, tostados or a hot, chunky beef based soup called consommé composed of birria, chopped onion, cilantro and squeezed lime.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Old Print Shop
Flatiron District Gallery
"The Old Print Shop" in New York is my hands-down, hands-on museum/gallery of choice. I love mid-twentieth century 'industrial' or 'city' art...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sea & Sea
Fried fish takeout
"Sea & Sea " in NYC is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand, busy with customers from near and far...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Modern Bread and Bagel
Extreme gluten-free bagels
"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pain d’ Epices
French / American patisserie
"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Django
Tribeca jazz boîte
"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Dublin House
Irish Bar Centenarian
"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pastrami Queen
Traditional kosher Jewish deli
"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sisters Uptown Bookstore
African diaspora hub
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Grandma's Place
Inclusive Books and Toys
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Color World
Curb Side BBQ
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Don Alejo Coffee
Coffee, toasts and burritos
Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
