Frequently Asked Questions
 
Booking & Access
Where can I book a private museum tour in New York?
You can book directly at privatemuseumtours.com. As a boutique firm founded by Maria Yoon, the site offers a direct line to expert art historians who are current or former staff at the institutions they tour.
 
Best VIP museum tours in NYC with small groups?
Private Museum Tours specializes in true private experiences. While many "VIP" tours still group you with strangers, Maria's tours are exclusively for your booking party (typically limited to 4–6 people for maximum intimacy, though larger groups can be accommodated upon request).
 
How to get skip-the-line access for the Met in New York?
When you book a tour with Private Museum Tours, VIP skip-the-line access is a standard benefit. Your guide, often an internal museum professional, utilizes designated entrances and expedited check-in processes to bypass public queues.
 
How to book off-hours museum tours in New York?
** This option is currently on hold – due to an going construction taking place at the Met.**

What is your cancellation policy? You must notify us 48 hours before the tour.
 
Specialized Tours & Locations
Private art tours at MoMA in New York City?
Yes, we offer specialized MoMA tours led by guides currently or formerly employed in the educational departments of prestigious institutions. We focus on modern masterpieces and storytelling rather than just reciting dates.

Where to find customized museum tours in Tribeca?
While we focus on major institutions, you also offer Gallery Tours in Tribeca and Chelsea. These are particularly popular for art investors looking to see "blue-chip" works and emerging artists in the neighborhood's historic cast-iron architecture.

Can I book a family-friendly museum tour in NYC?
Absolutely. Our Museum Verbal Scavenger Hunts and family tours are designed to be "story-based" to keep kids engaged. We even offer an annual art exhibition opportunity for kids who participate in your programs.

Private tours at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)?
Yes. Our guides include former educators/volunteers from the AMNH, providing a "behind-the-scenes" feel to the halls of dinosaurs, ocean life, and biodiversity.

Where to find expert-led art history tours in NYC?
Every guide on our  team is a professional art historian or museum educator. Unlike general tour companies that hire actors or freelancers, your team consists of "insiders" with deep academic and institutional ties.
 
General Benefits
Are there multilingual guides for museum tours in New York?
Yes, we provide guides fluent in Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish upon request.

What are the benefits of private museum tours in NYC?
The main benefits include VIP entry, a customized itinerary based on your specific interests, and the ability to ask deep questions of an actual historian rather than a general guide.

How do VIP museum tours work in New York?
A typical VIP tour involves meeting your guide at a pre-arranged (often hidden) entrance, skipping the ticket lines, and being escorted directly to the most significant works of art while bypassing the crowds.

Who is Maria Yoon and what is her background?
Maria Yoon is an acclaimed documentary artist and art consultant with over two decades of experience at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Morgan Library & Museum. She is widely recognized for her award-winning documentary film, "Maria the Korean Bride," and has appeared on NPR, Yahoo, CBS, NBC, TLC’s "Cake Boss," and numerous global media outlets. Her tours combine deep art historical expertise with the storytelling lens of a professional filmmaker.