Whitney Museum

Description

Checklist

Distance to venue:  **
Paths and walkways:  concrete sidewalk
Doors:  ***two revolving doors and two, single doors
Number of floors:  8
Elevators:  4
Steps and staircases:  to all floors
Width of aisles:  spacious galleries
Places to sit:  benches in some galleries and lobby
Location of restrooms:  Floors 1,3,5,7,8 (multi-stall),Floors 1,3,5,8 (single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible
Type of restroom:  multi-stall, handicapped accessible and single-occupancy
Ease of entry and exit:  OK
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  Full-service restaurant (Untitled) on main floor. Studio Cafe on 8th fomloor
Friendliness of staff:  helpful and professional
Notes:  * There is no dedicated parking facility.** You can download a map of the surrounding area showing accessible paths from public transportation, parking facilities and The High Line*** One must ask a security guard to open one of the single doors if you cannot manage the revolving door.The Whitney "seeks to give every visitor an equal opportunity to experience and connect with the art on display." (brochure)

Read More

The Whitney is considered to have “the finest holding of 20th century American Art in the world” (website). The Biennial is their flagship exhibit. It is “…the country’s leading survey of the most recent developments in American art. ” (website) We headed to Manhattan early on a Sunday morning to see it. There is no dedicated parking lot or garage at the Museum, but early on Sunday morning street parking is usually plentiful.  This day was no exception. We easily found a space close by. Note that you can download a map of the area  (from the museum’s websitesurrounding the museum, highlighting accessible parthways from public transit, parking facilities and the High Line.

There is an accessible path to the main entrance running from Washington Street along the south side of the building, past the Museum’s restaurant. If using the steps, there are two or three depending on where you are along the street. There are two revolving doors to enter and exit. If you cannot use a revolving door, there are two single doors, with push-button assists. Apparently they do not work. If you need to use one of them you have to ask a security guard to open them.

Once inside, the main level has low admission desks, the gift shop area, and a small gallery. There are a few benches near the entrance to the restaurant. The Whitne has eight floors with elevator access to all, as well as stairs, both within the building and at each terrace.  The floors are smooth wood. All galleries are spacious, but only some  have benches. Most floors have an outdoor terrace with sculptures. All terraces have steps leading up/down to the other floors.  Studio Cafe is on the eighth floor.  There are double doors to enter.  Indoor or outdoor seating is great for coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches and soup. Some locations throughout the Museum have windows that almost appear to be  works of art, providing intersting views as one walks by. The fifth floor has a very large, floor to ceiing window facing the river – one can sit on the bench and contemplate the scene outside. The Museum’s full-service restaurant, “Untitled,” is located on the main floor. You do not need to enter the Museum to enter here.

The building itself (designed by Renzo Piano) is worth a visit. The Biennial is always intersting in giving perspective to what’s happening in the American Contemporary Art world today. Don’t miss it!

Multi-stall restrooms that have a handicapped stall are located on floors 1,3,5,7 & 8. Single-occupancy, handicapped-accessible restrooms with baby-Changing facilities are located on floors 1,3,5 & 8.

As always, we at Destination:Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, www.whitney.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby