The Best Way to Visit the Intrepid Museum with Kids

Planning a visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in NYC with kids in tow? Here is your guide to the best things to do at this Manhattan landmark with children, plus all the details you need to make your trip fun for the whole family.

On the banks of the Hudson River, stocked with military aircrafts and memorabilia, floats the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Once an active aircraft carrier in WWII, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, the 872-foot-long USS Intrepid was decommissioned in 1974 and converted into a museum in 1982.

What to Do on Your Visit

There’s no better place to start at the Intrepid than the aircraft carrier itself. On its flight deck, immediately encounter two dozen authentically restored aircrafts. On your descent into the ship, you’ll cross the gallery deck and third deck, which take you into the squadron ready room, combat information center, and the berthing areas of the ship that were once home to more than 3,000 enlisted sailors, officers, and Marines.

 Dive down below in Growler, the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. Visit the control room and attack center, as well as the aft torpedo room, where nine enlisted men slept in bunks right beside these massive munitions.

In the Space Shuttle Pavilion, you can get up close to the NASA orbiter prototype, the space shuttle Enterprise. The pavilion also exhibits original artifacts, photos, audio, and films that take visitors back to the first test flights of the space shuttle.

Leave plenty of time to visit the Exploreum, a fully interactive exhibit where kids can climb in an actual Bell 47 helicopter, navigate through an interactive submarine, and steer the wings of an airplane.

Hang onto your seat in the 4D Motion Ride Theater, which combines 3-D graphics with high-def sound and movement for an immersive experience (must be at least 38 inches tall to ride). You can also hop in the GForce Encounter and Transporter FX flight simulators and cruise the skies like a jet or fighter pilot (must be 48 inches tall for the GForce Encounter).

The museum offers various guided tours throughout the year. Check the website for a full schedule and to purchase tickets.

Mark Your Calendar for These Special Events

Kids Week: During school winter break in February, join the museum for a week of hands-on activities, workshops, and shows that offer a closer look at the science and technology of aviation and space exploration. Special guests, planetarium visits, and telescope-making are just a few of the fun activities, all free with general admission.

Hubble@25: In April 2015, the museum will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, in conjunction with the Hubble exhibit in the Space Shuttle Pavillion.

Fleet Week: In late May, the museum hosts special performances and activities for this annual festival celebrating the sea services.

Details

Address: Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

Directions: Approximately a 30-minute drive from Park Slope, or take the A or C train to Port Authority Bus Terminal

Admission: $24; $20 seniors and college students; $19 children ages 7-17; $17 veterans; $12 children ages 3-6; free for active and retired U.S. military and children ages 3 and younger. Access to the Space Shuttle Pavilion is not included in general admission.

Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm. April 1-Oct. 31: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, weekends and holidays 10am-6pm.

For more information: 212-245-0072 or intrepidmuseum.org