The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a military and maritime museum, located in New York.
It is dedicated to the history of the US Naval Aircraft carrier called USS Intrepid, which was in active service from 1943 to 1974.
At the Intrepid Museum, besides the Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid, you will also see the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the Submarine Growler, and British Airways Concorde.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know before you visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
1. How to reach
2. Opening hours
3. Best time to visit
4. Tour duration
5. Free entry
6. Intrepid Museum tickets
7. Guided tour
8. Audio Guide
9. What to see?
10. Intrepid for kids
11. Simulators
Where is Intrepid Museum
Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid is berthed on the Hudson River as the center piece of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
It is at Pier 86, West 46th Street, New York City, 10036.
How to reach Intrepid Museum
Public transport is the best way to get to the Intrepid Museum.
By NYC Metro Bus
Since the Museum is located in West Manhattan, all cross-town buses going towards the West can be used to reach the attraction.
We recommend buses M34, M42 and the M50.
In fact, M50 can drop you off right in front of Intrepid Museum.
By NYC Metro Subway
Choose from any of the following trains – A, C, E, N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, and 7 – depending on where you are boarding from.
First, you must reach the 42nd Street-Port Authority and then travel on foot to Twelfth Avenue, where the Museum is located.
This will be a 15-minutes walk.
If walking isn’t an option, you can take the M42 West Bus to Hudson River.
Intrepid Museum parking
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex has no parking facilities.
That’s why if you prefer a car to get to the Intrepid Museum, it is best to take a taxi.
However, if you are on a self-driving holiday, you can make use of the three non-affiliated parking agencies for the Museum. More info here
Intrepid Museum hours
Intrepid museum stays open throughout the week.
In winter, i.e. from November 1 to March 31, the Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm in the evening.
In the summer and spring season, i.e. from April 1 to October 31, the Intrepid Museum extends the closing time to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
On the rest of the days, the closing time remains 5 pm.
All through the year, the last entry is one hour before closing time.
When is Intrepid Museum closed?
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is closed on two days in a year – Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Occasionally, specific areas of the Museum close down maintenance, construction, or new exhibit development.
Buy one discount Pass and save up to 40% on ticket costs during your New York holiday. Buy New York Explorer Pass
Best time to visit Intrepid Museum
It is best to reach the Intrepid Museum at 10 am – as soon as it opens.
There are two advantages of visiting as soon the Museum opens:
1. Since a significant part of the Museum is outdoors, it becomes too hot to explore in the latter part of the day. Especially in the summer months, when it gets hot and humid.
2. Since there is so much to see, going early to the Museum gives you enough time to explore everything.
However, reaching Intrepid Museum early also has its drawbacks.
Since everybody wants to start their Intrepid tour early, the queues at the ticketing counter and the security checks are long.
Tip: When you buy Intrepid Museum tickets online you can skip the long queues at the ticketing counter.
How long does Intrepid Museum take?
If your question is, “how long does Intrepid Museum take?” well, the answer is “it depends on you.”
If you are not travelling with kids and just want to look around and take photographs you can even finish the Museum in 2 hours.
If you want to explore the Aircraft Carrier, the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the Submarine Growler, and the Concorde at the Intrepid Museum properly, you will need at least four hours.
If you spend a lot of time waiting in the queues, this duration may get extended. To avoid wasting time, buy Intrepid tickets in advance.
Tourists are known to extend their tour of the Intrepid Museum by visiting the food court, which offers a wide assortment of choices.
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, as there will be a lot of walking.
Intrepid Museum free admission
Kids under the age of 5 get into the Intrepid Museum for free.
Similarly, US military folks – both active and veterans – can enter the Museum for free.
However, valid identification must be produced at the entrance.
The identification can be active duty ID, retiree or reservist military ID card, civilian retiree card, discharge papers, state-issued veteran designation on driver’s license or identification card or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Identification Card (VIC).
Spouses of active military men and women also get a 20% discount on admission to the Museum.
Intrepid Museum tickets
This priority entrance tickets for the Intrepid Museum is the best way to explore military and maritime history.
With these tickets, you can access the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Space Shuttle Pavilion, the submarine USS Growler and one or two simulators (if selected during booking).
Immediately after purchase, these tickets are emailed to you.
There is no need to take printout.
On the day of your visit, just show the ticket in your email at the Museum entrance and walk in.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (13 to 64 years): USD 25
Child ticket (5 to 12 years): USD 18
Senior ticket (65+ years): USD 23
Kids four years and below get in for free.
*On the ticket booking page, you can add simulator rides to your package.
Intrepid Museum guided tour
Besides access to the Museum, this ticket also gets you a one hour guided tour of Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in English.
This guided tour of the Military Museum is recommended if you have kids older than 10+ years.
The tours start at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, and 3.30 pm.
Once you reach the Museum, you will get the timeslot for your guided tour.
The time slot is for the tour. You can visit the Museum whenever you want.
Ticket price
Adult ticket (13 to 64 years): USD 48
Child ticket (5 to 12 years): USD 36
Senior ticket (65+ years): USD 36
Military ticket (with valid ID): 36 USD
Kids four years and below get in for free.
Intrepid Museum audio guide
Intrepid Museum offers an audio guide which is suitable for both kids and adults.
In fact, even the hearing impaired can use the Intrepid Museum’s audio guide.
The guide recommends places where you must stop and explore in depth, thus making it a memorable tour.
Tours are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese.
The audio guide can be bought at the venue.
Cost: $10 per person
What to see in the Intrepid Museum?
There is so much to see at Intrepid Museum that you will need the whole day to experience it all.
Here are some highlights, recommend by tourists who have visited this new York attraction before.
1. Hangar Deck
This is how the visitors start their tour of this Museum.
The Hanger Deck has two sides to it – on the left-hand side you see Intrepid’s technology. And on the starboard side, you get an idea of how the sailors of the ship lived.
At the Hangar deck, you also get to see an eight-minute movie on the history of the Intrepid.
2. Flight Deck
You get to admire the two dozen plus authentically restored aircrafts in an impressive display.
These aircrafts represent all the branches of US Military – Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Coast Guard.
3. Combat Information Center
The Combat Information Center is in the Gallery Deck, and houses the radar, sonar and intelligence the Naval men used.
This part of the Intrepid Museum tour is filled with exhibits from the ship’s service in World War II.
Don’t miss out on the pneumatic tubes, which were used to send messages from one point to another on the ship.
Kids brought up in the digital age will find it fascinating.
4. Space Shuttle Pavilion
At the Space Shuttle Pavilion, you get to see ‘Enterprise.’
Enterprise is the prototype orbiter, which would go on to be the foundation of America’s space shuttle program.
The orbiter is massive, and you get to see it from both below and above.
Even though the Enterprise was retired in 1976, it could make it to the Intrepid Museum only in 2012.
During your visit to the Space Shuttle Pavilion, you will get to know why.
5. USS Growler
The USS Growler is a guided missile submarine and is on display for the public – the only such tourist attraction in the whole of USA.
This part of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in NYC helps you understand and appreciate how sailors lived underwater for months at a time.
Sometimes there is a queue to get into the submarine.
6. The Concorde
The British Airways Concorde, which is on display is a must see at Intrepid.
This the supersonic jet carried travellers across the Atlantic at record speeds.
Interesting, isn’t it? Book your tickets now!
Intrepid Museum with kids
The Intrepid museum is a great place to visit with your kids.
Somehow boys are known to get excited amongst the submarine, the Concorde, fighter planes, helicopters, aircraft carrier and spaceship.
Do keep some time aside for the ‘Exploreum,’ which features a Bell 47 helicopter for a hands-on experience.
Once the star helicopter is explored, your child can try out the other air and sea crafts in the section.
Only a limited number of tourists get on the famed Concorde Alpha Delta G-BOAD every day. Do check it out early and sign up for the tour.
If your kid is old enough to handle it, don’t miss out on the simulators.
Simulators at Intrepid Museum
The Museum has three simulators, which visitors of all age groups can enjoy.
All these simulators come for a price – $10 per ride per visitor.
1. Stories of the Intrepid
In this simulator, you become one of the pilots on the aircraft carrier Intrepid.
This 8-minute film uses 4D technology, computer graphics and historical footage to simulate the environment for you.
All you have to do is, put on the 3D glasses issued to you and become the pilot. Watch Video
Minimum height required: 1 meter (40 inches)
Location: Hangar 3
2. GForce Encounter
In this Intrepid Museum simulator, you become the pilot of a supersonic jet plane.
Since it is a two-person cockpit, you can find a co-pilot to join in the fun.
The 360 degrees of movement which is possible with this simulator, makes it all the more interesting. Watch Video
Minimum height required:
1.07 meters (42 inches) if with an adult
1.22 meters (48 inches) if without an adult
Location: Exploreum
3. Transporter FX
This simulator gives you the experience of flying a Navy fighter jet.
Once you step into the Transporter FX, you are assigned on a six-minute training mission with the Screaming Eagles.
It is just the right virtual motion adventure for youngsters. Watch Video
Minimum height required: 97 cms (38 inches)
Location: Pier 86 by Tower 3
To buy Intrepid Museum tickets and book simulator rides, click here.
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