Yesterday afternoon I spent two hours at The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on a blate with Caroline of Perpetually Caroline. Visiting the museum is on my 101 in 1001 list and I was excited I was able to do so on a blogging date. We started off the date at brunch at 83 1/2 on the Upper East Side where we each enjoyed the Salmone Affumicato alla Benndiect, which I highly recommend, yum!
While I love museums I really appreciated Caroline was go-with the flow from the moment we walked in the door. As a rising senior at Stamford she was able to use her university ID and did not mind that I did as well, even though I have long since graduated. We planned brunch and our afternoon to arrive at the Guggenheim for the 2pm tour. Well, little did I know the “highlights” tour was actually the architecture tour. We listened to the first five minutes in the rotunda and when the tour guide brought the group outside into the 86°F humid afternoon we simply did not follow.
Before we bailed though we learned aew interesting facts about the Frank Lloyd Wright designed building: the building is 100 feet high, 1/4 of a mile and exactly the same height as Westminster Abby, you can not see any art from the lobby, and the circular design is meant to symbolize a spiritual, zen journey.
After we politely skipped out we took the museum up on their offer and got free headsets, which were actually iPods in a protective case with the Guggenheim’s app. We took the elevator to the seventh floor, started at the top of the ramp, and wound down the six loops.
We were not able to take photographs of the art so instead I have taken direct files from the museums website here, which actually are better then the photos I would have taken . My three favorite pieces in the museum were all from of the Thannhauser Collection on the second floor:
The Palazzo Ducale, seen from San Giorgio Maggiore, by Claude Monet
Landscape with Snow by Vincent van Gogh
Before the Mirror by Édouard Manet
Those three works of art? Those are my types of paintings, as were most of the items in the Thannhauser Collection, but I tried to go into the museum with an open mind. During our exploration there were two other works of art that I appreciated. I would not necessarily want them in my house but they were visually pleasing:
Speeding Motorboat by Benedetta (Benedetta Cappa Marinetti)
Street Light by Giacomo Balla
The exhibit that is going on right now is Italian Futurism and besides the two works above most works of art did not get more than a ten second, once-over. Most of the pieces; paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations I just looked at and shook my head. Then when I got to this plant growing in a wheelbarrow I gave up. This is art? My mom has a hydrangea growing in wheel barrel at their house in Cape Cod and I think it is much prettier than this one.
Overall, I had a great time exploring the museum with Caroline!
To finish off our trip we had some delicious gelato from the famous cart right outside the museum. On the ridiculously hot day it was a much needed treat, plus it served as a reward for all of our hard work looking at art, of course.
The Guggenheim Museum was interesting, I crossed it off my list, but I do not think I need to return any time soon.
Thanks Caroline, what a fun blate!

Clever Girl Reviews says
I was lucky enough to go to the Palace of the Dodge when I was in Venice. It’s pretty intense, so plan for a whole day!
jackie says
looks like a fun museum day! i haven’t been to the guggenheim in the longest time. and i agree a little about the random modern art stuff too ha.
Michele says
The Guggenheim is great and that gelato looks delish!!
xx Michele @ prettysmartme.com
Megan says
I loooove NYC and have been a million times but I have somehow never been to the Guggenheim. I’m looking forward to adding it to my next trip!
laura mitbrodt says
I loved visiting this museum when I was in NYC.
xo
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carolina pinglo says
looks like you had an amazing time!!
that gelato looks so good haha
Charity says
The plant in the wheel barrow is just too much for me to handle! OMG…
Amanda Ellis says
NYC is one of my favorite cities. It looks like you had a blast.
http://www.kissthechic.com
ISABEL - EL SECRETO DE MISTER CLOSET says
Great post!
http://elsecretodemistercloset.com
zoe says
That looks waaaay too much fun. I love art, and although I read here that you aren’t a huge fan, I could spend ages looking at modernist and futurist art! I love Caroline’s blog and am so happy to hear that you two were able to meet up and have a day together. xx
The What’s In Between
Jane says
Love those pictures! It looks you had so much fun!!
xo, Jane
http://www.fitfabfunmom.com
Jemima Stratton says
Ohhhh my gosh… This is like… my idea of a dream day out! Especially finishing it off with ice cream because let’s get real for a second, ice cream is the greatest.
You got some great shots of the building, what amazing architecture. This place is definitely going on my bucket list…. Get me to the states STAT!
KristiB says
looks like so much fun!!! nice blog:)
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Caroline L. says
“Did you think that was snow? I didn’t think that was snow!” Haha, I had so much fun – thanks for hanging out with me!