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Museums

Intrepid Museum

4.7 · 45,305 reviews
Technically dense and industrial with an expansive, breezy outdoor flight deck.
Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Interesting facts
1

The USS Intrepid was hit by five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo during World War II.

2

The ship earned the nickname 'The Fighting I' during its active service years.

3

The onboard Concorde, G-BOAD, flew from London to New York in under three hours in 1996.

4

The Growler is the only guided missile submarine open to the public in the United States.

5

The museum's flight deck serves as a popular location for amateur astronomy events due to its open view of the sky.

6

The Enterprise shuttle was never used for space flight but conducted critical atmospheric glide tests in the 1970s.

7

The ship was used in the production of the 2007 film 'I Am Legend'.

8

The Intrepid recovered astronauts from the Gemini III and Mercury-Atlas 7 space missions.

9

The museum maintains an extensive collection of oral histories from former crew members.

10

The ship's anchors remain attached to the bow and were originally designed to hold a vessel displacing over 40,000 tons.

Overview

The Intrepid Museum is a maritime and aerospace history institution located on the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, permanently docked at Pier 86 on the Hudson River. The museum features the Space Shuttle Pavilion, which houses the Enterprise, the prototype NASA orbiter. Visitors can explore the flight deck, which displays over 20 authentically restored aircraft from various eras of military aviation. The facility includes the Growler, a decommissioned Cold War-era strategic missile submarine, accessible for guided tours. The museum focuses on the history of the ship, which served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and as a recovery vessel for NASA space missions. Its collection includes the British Airways Concorde G-BOAD, the record-holding aircraft for the fastest transatlantic flight. The interior hangar deck exhibits interactive displays about shipboard life and naval technology. The site serves as a National Historic Landmark, designated for its significant contributions to naval history and space exploration.

Photo spot

The aft flight deck looking toward the Manhattan skyline provides the most iconic perspective of the ship and city.

Insider tips

Visit the submarine Growler early in the day, as the line for interior tours often grows significantly by afternoon.

Wear comfortable, flat shoes with good grip to navigate the ship's steep ladders and metal grating.

Check the museum's events calendar for scheduled flight deck demonstrations or guest speaker series.

What to avoid

Trying to see everything in less than two hours; the multi-deck layout requires significant walking time.

Good to know

Open year-round, but outdoor exhibits like the flight deck may have limited access during severe weather or high winds.

Etiquette

Avoid wearing skirts or dresses due to windy conditions on the flight deck and steep, narrow ladders on the submarine.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
3-4 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings in the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn to avoid heavy crowds and extreme deck temperatures.
Address
Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
40.765, -74.001
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsUSS Intrepid, Space Shuttle Enterprise, Growler submarine, British Airways Concorde

Frequently asked

Plan for about 3-4 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings in the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn to avoid heavy crowds and extreme deck temperatures..

The aft flight deck looking toward the Manhattan skyline provides the most iconic perspective of the ship and city.

Close by you'll find Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Top of The Rock.