The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is a small museum on Staten Island, New York, with Himalayan art, gardens and fieldstone buildings designed to resemble a Tibetan mountain monastery.
Its collection spans sculpture, paintings, textiles and ritual objects, making it a focused cultural outing about a 16-minute drive from Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Staten Island.
- Location: 338 Lighthouse Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306.
- Typical hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Admission: $10 general; $7 for students and seniors; free for members and people using SNAP and WIC programs.
- Plan for access: The entrance and exhibition area involve stairs, and the museum has no elevator.
About the museum and its collection
The museum combines a collection of Himalayan art with architecture and grounds designed by its founder, Jacques Marchais. Established in 1945, it was founded by Marchais (1887–1948), a collector and expert on Tibetan art.
The museum describes its fieldstone buildings as resembling a Tibetan mountain monastery and as the first Himalayan-style architecture built in the United States. Inside, the collection comprises several thousand works, primarily from Tibet, Mongolia and northern China, with works dating from the fifteenth century.
What to see during a visit
Plan to see the galleries, collection and gardens; general admission includes access to all three. The collection includes sculpture, ritual objects, paintings and textiles, so a visit brings together different forms of artistic and cultural expression.
The main exhibition space is one large room on the lower level, furnished with wooden benches and folding chairs. A unisex restroom is on that level, but there is no water fountain. You may bring water in a transparent, sealed bottle; eating and drinking are not allowed in gallery spaces.
Consider the physical layout before setting out. The street entrance is reached by descending thirteen non-uniform flagstone steps in a narrow staircase with a non-continuous handrail, and further steps lead to the exhibition area.
There is no elevator, and the museum is not currently wheelchair accessible; contact the museum with accessibility questions before visiting. Most spaces are stroller-friendly, but jogging strollers and other oversized models are not. Babies in soft carriers are welcome without restrictions.
Hours, admission and event details
It also closes on major holidays, and galleries begin closing 15 minutes before the posted closing time.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 1 PM–5 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Admission is $10 for general visitors and $7 for students and seniors; members and people using SNAP and WIC programs enter free. One person in each party must register with a name and email address before the visit or at the door. Tickets apply to the entire day of booking, and admission fees are non-refundable.
Classes, guided meditation, retreats, lectures, student workshops, cultural events and other special events take place throughout the year. Hours, admission and event arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get to the museum?
The museum is at 338 Lighthouse Avenue on Staten Island. From the Verrazano Bridge, its driving directions lead along the Staten Island Expressway (278 W) to the Bradley Avenue exit, then along the service road toward Richmondtown to Lighthouse Avenue; turn right uphill to reach the address.
Parking is limited in front of the museum and on adjacent streets. If you drive, do not block neighbors’ driveways.
For public transportation from Manhattan or Brooklyn, take the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park and then the S74 bus to Lighthouse Avenue. The museum estimates the trip from Manhattan at 1½ to 2 hours.
FAQs
Where is the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art?
It is at 338 Lighthouse Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306.
What kinds of art are in the collection?
The collection includes sculpture, ritual objects, paintings and textiles, primarily from Tibet, Mongolia and northern China.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
No. The entrance and exhibition area involve stairs, and there is no elevator. Contact the museum before visiting with accessibility questions.
Does the museum offer events?
Yes. Its year-round programming includes classes, guided meditation, retreats, lectures, student workshops and cultural events.