Location: Midtown West
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What to do and see in Midtown West, New York (NY): The Best Specialty Museums
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
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1. New York Public Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,360 reviews
Two marble lions mark the entrance to this Beaux Arts masterpiece, a National Historic Landmark containing more than six million books.
Reviewed By FelicityRJ
When we first popped into the library it was quite hard to look around and get a real sense of what you were looking at. Luckily, we managed to get two spaces on the free hour-long tour at 2pm (there are several a day). The tour guide was excellent and explained each room before we went in and pointed out some of the more hidden architectural details. As a bonus, anyone on the tour gets 10% off in the gift shop (something you'll definitely use). The library also has a small film (c. 20 minutes) that runs every half an hour that tells you all about the library building and some of the treasures of the collection. It was quite frustrating that a lot of the hidden gems of the collection aren't available to view, but the tour guide told us that a new exhibition was opening in 2020 where they'd feature a rotating selection of the collection (much like the British Library). With the tour and the free exhibitions (Salinger and made at the NY Public Library) we easily spent 4 hours here, a definite recommend if you're into books, literature and civic history - they have the original Winnie the Pooh too!
2. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,346 reviews
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a nonprofit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world's fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery. Welcoming over one million visitors annually, the Museum includes the Space Shuttle Pavilion, home to Enterprise, the world's first space shuttle that paved the way for America's successful Space Shuttle Program. On display are more than two dozen authentically restored aircraft, including the Lockheed A-12 Blackbird, the world's fastest military jet and spy plane, and the British Airways Concorde, the fastest commercial aircraft to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean. The Museum also includes the submarine Growler, the only American diesel-powered strategic missile submarine open to the public; the Exploreum Interactive Hall, a fully interactive exhibit space; an 18,000 sq. ft. education center; and Pier 86, a publicly accessible pier that is part of the Hudson River Park Trust. Download our free iPhone app, Mission Intrepid: Explore Enterprise, from the App Store today, and enhance your experience in the Space Shuttle Pavilion! The mission of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is to promote the awareness and understanding of history, science and service through its collections, exhibitions and programming in order to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth.
Reviewed By Pestus - London, United Kingdom
We visited with our two young children and had a great time ! Highlights included : - Friendly and helpful staff - The walk-through of USS Growler (the submarine) - The excellent (and well maintained) displays in the hangers (especially the kids-zone) - The good range of planes on the flight deck - Concorde - The Space Shuttle An aviation enthusiasts’ dream !
3. Gulliver's Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,817 reviews
Leave the Land of Large and experience an interactive world of miniatures from around the globe. Gulliver's Gate is a unique and playful interpretation of the real world in miniature, inspired by the places we live, work, play, and dream about. Gulliver's welcomes people everywhere to experience this world, and even become Model Citizens, permanent miniature residents. You belong in this world. Guests at Gullivers' Gate can use their interactive key to activate features in models through out the exhibit space. Watch professional model-makers and engineers build and expand the exhibit. Step into our COBRA 3-D scanner and get a free 3D scan. If you like it, you can buy a 3D print of yourself to have sent home or placed in the model--making you a Model Citizen. We are wheelchair accessible, have changing tables in both bathrooms and a Mamava nursing suite for parents with nursing children. Our attraction is open until 10:00 PM however the last admission is 8:30 PM.
Reviewed By JolantaTomaszewski
The museum is amazing, it was the best museum in New York and all our seniors were happy to see such exhibitions, I will be recommended to everybody at all ages. Come and see, it is like a wonderland for kind and adults. Thank you for creating such amazing place. Good luck.
4. Spyscape
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
SPYSCAPE is three things in one: (i) world-class museum of spy gadgets and stories; (ii) authentic immersive spy challenges and experiences; (iii) deep dive into your own unique mix of aptitudes, psychology and spy skills.
Reviewed By TravelGnomes - Sydney, Australia
After two weeks of culturally enriching our boys (aged 9 and 11) in NYC and DC, they declared that this was the best museum of them all! (But we didn’t visit The Spy Museum in DC so it’s out of the race) It’s very interactive - you get a personalised ID tag to scan at various stations - then you answer questions and perform tasks to assess your various “spy skills”. There are various sections focussed on different events and famous/notorious “spies”. Then you get a spy profile at the end based on your results. The boys loved the agility task the best - you can go multiple times if you don’t mind waiting. Even the gift shop has interesting things for purchase. We used our Sightseeing Pass so it was good value for us. Otherwise the admission fee is on the pricey side. It’s more a thinking attraction than a traditional museum, but it’s definitely one that our boys will remember the best!
5. Paley Center for Media
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 65 reviews
Visitors can select from more than 50,000 radio and television program tapes to listen or watch at one of this museum's 96 radio and television consoles.
Reviewed By 336aliss - Morristown, United States
We went to the Paley Center in September 2019, on the last day of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel exhibit and had a great time. The exhibits were interactive where you can sit in the diner booth and it looked like you were in the actual scene. I was able to sit in a chair with the hair dryer that comes down over you. They also had an exhibit with the phone board with the wires and headset. The dresses were beautifully displayed. In the theatre were the episodes playing. There is too much too list. If there is another exhibit on display, I will make sure to go again, In the cold winter, this is a great in door activity.
6. Madame Tussauds New York
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,014 reviews
Madame Tussauds New York in the heart of Times Square is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from living your best life with your favorite stars. Voted as one of New York’s most unique attractions, Madame Tussauds invites you to experience famous moments with the world’s most iconic musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders and more. With over 85,000 square feet of interactive entertainment, including our Mission: Undead, NYE in NYC, Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience, the world famous attraction is bigger and better than ever. Don’t forget to come play your part at this summer’s all-new experience Madame Tussauds New York Presents Broadway! The immersive experience that catapults you into the magic of Broadway like never before in an interactive journey behind the scenes of iconic Broadway Shows! Come check out Madame Tussauds New York, the ultimate New York experience!
Reviewed By Destinhousewife - Destin, United States
This is a must do while in NYC. The most fun figures were President Donald Trump with the red button, Helen Keller, Ghandi, Brad Pitt, etc. You can really make your pictures fun, and touch them and be in the photos. This was included on the Sightseeing Pass. So glad it was or I may not have gone.
7. Museum of Arts and Design
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 442 reviews
The Museum of Arts and Design focuses on pioneering, multidisciplinary artists, designers, and movements, with exhibitions and education programs offering new ways of thinking, experiencing, and telling stories about art, craft, and design.
Reviewed By christopherbO9687MP - Acton, United States
The Museum of Arts & Design provides an excellent overview of contemporary decorative arts; with live music played in the galleries on some Saturdays. I caught the current special exhibits, which highlighted Brian Clarke (who makes contemporary stained glass & other designs) and Beth Lipman (who works in glass). After visiting so many cathedrals and marveling at the stained glass windows, it was interesting to see current artists working in stained glass. I caught the Saturday music concert by Mathew Lipman, who played solo viola selections among the galleries discussed above. Reminded my of attending similar music concerts in various cathedrals. I recommend catching of the future Saturday music concerts at this Museum.
8. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,339 reviews
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square invites guests of all ages to experience the unbelievable mysteries of our world. Home to rare artifacts and thrilling interactive exhibits, this one-of-a-kind attraction in New York City is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the unusual, the unexpected, and the unbelievable. Now open, Ripley's Relic, a new family-friendly interactive escape adventure that will transform visitors into explorers. Solve a series of puzzles and decipher strange symbols to unlock the secrets of Ripley's Relic. With the all-new Smash Dash, buttons will light up and buzz around you, and you only have seconds to turn them off. The more buttons you hit within the time limit, the more points you earn.
Reviewed By DavidsonLinda0602
Stopped there on my trip NYC. Before going there my church warned me that it was some sort of devils museum? I went there and realized that it wasn’t, and that I should probably go to a new church, LOL. Really cool place and had many interesting things to see and do. I came back home and showed my old church the photos, some said that they might even visit too! Others called me a satanist, can’t always win I guess. Laugh out loud! Would go again. Lots of love from Linda!
9. Fdny Firezone
10. CSI: The Experience
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 13 reviews
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