You checked out of your New York City hotel at 11 a.m., your flight doesn’t leave until the evening, and you want to squeeze in one more museum.
There’s just one problem: your suitcase.
So, can you bring luggage into New York City museums?
In many cases, full-size suitcases and large travel bags are restricted. Policies vary by museum, and smaller backpacks may be permitted, but arriving at a major NYC attraction with luggage can leave you scrambling for another option.
Here’s what to know before planning a museum visit on your last day in New York.
Can You Bring a Suitcase Into the Met?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art allows small backpacks with restrictions, but large bags and luggage are not permitted.
That can be especially inconvenient for travelers staying on the Upper East Side who have already checked out of their hotel but still have several hours before a flight from JFK, LaGuardia or Newark.
Instead of arriving at the museum with your suitcase, plan your luggage arrangements before heading to Fifth Avenue.
Can You Bring Luggage Into MoMA?
MoMA also restricts luggage. The museum screens bags upon entry and prohibits luggage as well as items exceeding its size limits.
For travelers spending their final afternoon around Midtown, that means carrying a suitcase from hotel checkout to MoMA isn’t a practical plan.
What About the American Museum of Natural History?
The American Museum of Natural History offers lockers for certain personal belongings, but large bags and luggage are not permitted.
Policies and available storage can change, so always check the museum’s current visitor guidelines before arriving.
What Should You Do With Luggage After NYC Hotel Checkout?
Travelers traditionally have a few choices:
- Ask the hotel to hold the luggage
- Find a luggage-storage location
- Go to the airport early
- Arrange for the luggage to be picked up and sent ahead
The drawback of hotel or traditional luggage storage is that you normally have to return to the same location later.
That can mean visiting the Met, MoMA or another attraction and then traveling back across Manhattan just to collect your bags before starting another trip toward the airport.
Send Your Bags Ahead With Bagzee
Bagzee offers another option.
If you’re flying from JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, Bagzee can pick up your luggage from your NYC hotel, Airbnb or other address and transport it toward the airport while you continue enjoying New York.
Instead of planning your last afternoon around where you stored your suitcase, you can head directly from your final museum, lunch or sightseeing stop toward the airport.
Your bags are returned to you before you complete your airline’s normal check-in process.
Spend Your Last Hours Seeing New York — Not Watching Your Suitcase
A late flight can give you several extra hours in New York City.
That’s enough time for one more museum, lunch, a walk through Central Park or some last-minute shopping.
Don’t spend those hours dragging luggage through Manhattan or making an unnecessary trip back to your hotel.
Let Bagzee send your luggage ahead while you enjoy your final hours in NYC.