New York City has some of richest cultural attractions in the world, scattered throughout dozens of arts venues. No trip is complete to the Big Apple without planning to visit some of the city's amazing museums.

So the first thing to do after you book one of the city's best hotels is to make your list to visit some of the city's best museums.

Image via Flickr by Alaskan Dude

American Museum of Natural History

Viewing man-made wonders shouldn't be the only thing on your list of things to do in New York City. Check out the American Museum of Natural History to learn about disasters, evolution, and all the things that make nature compelling.

The museum is home to an ever-evolving list of exhibitions, including the "Butterfly Conservatory," "Space Show: Dark Universe," and "Nature's Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters."

General admission is $25 for adults and $14.50 for children. Call ahead to check discounted rates for seniors and students.

Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art boasts an impressive collection of contemporary art. The facility has a range of exhibitions spanning architecture and design, drawings, film, media and performance art, paintings, and sculpture.

The museum also features an array of educational events, lectures, courses, and internships for individuals and families.

Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, and free for children 16 and under.

Museum of Mathematics

Math gurus unite at the Museum of Mathematics, which is reportedly the only museum dedicated to math in North America. If you were ever a mathlete, you'll feel right at home among the 40 exhibits of theories, formulas, and principles found throughout the facility.

Of course, there are hands-on activities for the kids, too. General admission is $15 for adults and $9 for children and senior citizens.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is dedicated to original artifacts, historic video footage, and interactive exhibits related to the aircraft carrier Intrepid and the Space Shuttle Enterprise. The aircraft carrier has been named a National Historic Landmark, and the museum was founded in 1982. The museum has more than 1 million visitors a year.

General admission is $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, ranges from $12 to $19 for kids ages 3 to 17, and free for children under 3.

New York Transit Museum

How fascinating is the history of the city's transportation system? Fascinating enough to have an entire museum dedicated to it, housed in an old subway system, no less. The New York Transit Museum will give you all the information you need about how tunnels are dug are routes are mapped as well as an in-depth look at the city's trolleys and buses.

General admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.