New York: 10 Museums for People Who Don’t Like Museums

1/ Intrepid Museum: A Museum Aboard an Aircraft Carrier

• The Intrepid Museum is unlike any other museum. It occupies a decommissioned aircraft carrier from the U.S. Navy. You board as if setting sail and can explore every corridor of the ship, from the command center to the flight deck, passing through hangars that house multiple exhibitions.
• On the flight deck, you’ll see several fighter jets lined up as if ready for takeoff. The museum also features a British Airways Concorde, open to visitors, and a submarine you can tour as well.
• Tip: Admission to the Intrepid Museum is included in the New York Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.

2/ Madame Tussauds New York: Selfies with the Stars

• Just steps from Times Square, Madame Tussauds New York displays wax figures of the world’s biggest celebrities. Pose for a selfie next to life-size figures of Barack Obama, Madonna, Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, George Clooney and many others. You can even play guitar with Taylor Swift or deliver a speech from the U.S. President’s podium.
• Tip: Admission to Madame Tussauds New York is included in the Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.

3/ Banksy Museum: The Museum of Banksy’s Graffiti

• If you follow street art, you know Banksy. The anonymous British artist built his legend by tagging locations worldwide while keeping his identity secret.
• Banksy has his own museum in New York. The exhibition guides you through the artist’s most famous works. The presentation is particularly well done: you’ll feel like you’re walking the streets of London or New York.
• Book your tickets to the Banksy Museum in New York on CNEWYORK!

4/ RiseNY: An Interactive Museum About New York’s History

• RiseNY sits between a museum and an amusement park attraction. It invites you to discover New York’s history in an interactive way. You’ll board a subway car, then explore the city’s origins. You can even test yourself against the skyscrapers. Every aspect of New York is covered: history, architecture and culture.
• The museum culminates in a breathtaking finale. You’ll take a seat on a robotic arm and soar over New York. Just thinking about it gives me chills!
• Tip: RiseNY is included in the New York Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.

5/ The Museum of Ice Cream in New York

• Feeling hot? Step into the Museum of Ice Cream NYC. Founded in 2016, this museum celebrates ice cream and cones. It’s designed as an interactive journey with different activities and experiences.
• You can play in a pool filled with the tiny sprinkles that decorate ice cream. The museum also offers plenty of photo and selfie opportunities. Perfect for refreshing your social media feed.

6/ Mercer Labs: The Museum of Art and Technology

• Opened in 2024, Mercer Labs is one of New York’s newest museums. This private museum houses 15 spectacular installations that blend art and technology.
• You can wander from room to room and immerse yourself in 15 different worlds. Some installations are interactive, letting you influence what happens. Bring your phone for some wild futuristic photos.
• Tip: Mercer Labs is included in the New York Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.

7/ Color Factory New York: The Museum of Color

• The Color Factory New York celebrates color through 16 interactive exhibition rooms. This isn’t a place to observe passively—you can touch everything. The idea is to have fun and see the world in color.
• Color Factory occupies a building on Spring Street in the trendy SoHo neighborhood. A perfect location, since SoHo’s facades play with color too.

8/ Skyscraper Museum: The Museum of Skyscrapers

• The Skyscraper Museum is located at 39 Battery Place, overlooking Battery Park. Though less known to tourists, it’s well worth a visit. The museum takes you through the fascinating history of skyscrapers.
• The museum also hosts rotating thematic exhibitions exploring how buildings shape cities, using photographs, models and blueprints. After your visit, you’ll see New York’s skyline in a whole new way.

9/ Spyscape Museum: The Museum of Espionage

• Spyscape Museum feels like it stepped out of a movie. This incredible museum is dedicated entirely to espionage. You’ll discover famous spy cases with rare photos and documents. Relive the great moments of the CIA and KGB!
• Then test your skills as a spy. Several challenges let you assess your abilities. The laser room and the surveillance video room are simply impressive.
• Tip: Admission to the Spyscape Museum is included in the Explorer Pass and the New York Pass.

10/ The Museum of Sex: An Adult Museum in New York

• If you’re over 18, read on. Located near the Flatiron Building, the Museum of Sex invites adults to explore sexuality through history. Rotating exhibitions are also featured: currently, the museum explores the hardcore phenomenon and photographs by Bill Berstein.
• A fun detail: the Museum of Sex calls itself MoSEX, a nod to the MoMA – Museum of Modern Art. But the content is very, very different.
• Tip: Admission to the Museum of Sex is included in the Explorer Pass and the New York Pass. You can enter without buying a separate ticket.