Visiting New York City’s Intrepid Museum - The Complete Guide
Welcome aboard the USS Intrepid: a military, aerospace, and history museum located on a retired World War II era aircraft carrier, docked in the heart of New York City. The museum spans multiple decks of the carrier, and its collection features a variety of attractions and exhibits, including many US Armed forces aircraft, a Concorde airplane, a cruise missile submarine, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, and several VR, 3D, and 4D rides and shows.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier itself is a national historic landmark with a rich history, having served in multiple wars, survived several attacks, and later served as a NASA recovery vessel. This post is a complete guide to visiting the Intrepid Museum. I’ll go everything you need to know before visiting, including what tickets and add ons to buy, what exhibits you’ll see, what you need to be aware of, and how to make the most of your day at this unique New York City landmark!
Table of Contents
Intrepid Museum Location & Directions
Operating Hours & Ticket Prices
How Long Should I Plan to Spend at the Intrepid Museum?
Intrepid Amenities: Dining & Shopping
What Will You See at the Intrepid Museum? Exhibits Included with General Admission
The USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier Exhibits
Extra Cost Attractions: What are the Add-On Options?
Intrepid Museum Location & Directions
The Intrepid Museum is located on the Hudson River at 46th street, in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. There are several ways to reach the museum.
Subway: You can take the A, C, E, N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, or 7 subway lines to the Times Square - 42nd Street stop. From here, it's about a 20 minute walk to the museum, walking west toward the Hudson River and north about 4 short blocks. Visit the MTA site for more information on NYC subways.
Bus: The M12 and M50 buses will leave you right outside the museum entrance at 12th avenue and 46th street. The M12 service runs between the West Village and Columbus Circle. The M50 is a crosstown bus that connects 1st avenue on the east side to the west 42nd street pier on the west side, running primarily along 49th and 50th streets. The M42 is another crosstown option, running across Manhattan via 42nd street. If taking the M42, you’d exit at 12th ave & 42nd street, then walk 4 blocks north to the museum. Visit the MTA site for more information on NYC buses.
Ferry: The closest ferry stop to the Intrepid Museum is Midtown West (W. 39th street at Pier 79). From Pier 79 it’s about a 10 minute walk north along 12th avenue to Pier 86, where the Intrepid is located. This stop is serviced by 2 ferry companies:
NYC Ferry: Operates ferries connecting the NYC boroughs. The St. George route services the Midtown West / 39th street stop, with service to Battery Park City, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Wall Street. Please visit the NYC ferry site for current ticket and schedule information.
NY Waterway: Operates ferry service connecting Manhattan to New Jersey. Midtown West / 39th street is serviced by several routes. For current ticket and schedule information, please visit the NY Waterway site.
Car: Not recommended. The Intrepid Museum does not have a visitor parking lot and is not affiliated with any independent parking garages. Take public transportation unless driving is absolutely necessary.
Operating Hours & Ticket Prices
The Intrepid Museum has slightly different opening hours, depending on the season.
Fall and Winter Hours: October 1 - March 31
Monday - Sunday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Spring and Summer Hours: April 1 - September 30
Monday - Friday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays |10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
The museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
General Admission ticket prices as of September 2026 are as follows:
Adult: $38
Senior (65+): $36
University Student: $36
Child (5 - 12): $28
Child (Infant - 4): Free
US Veterans and Active US Military: Free (with Military ID)
NYC Residents: 50% off the current admission rates (with valid ID showing NYC address)
Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the museum’s box office.
Ticket Inclusions:
General admission to the Intrepid Museum includes access to the Intrepid aircraft carrier, the Space Shuttle Pavilion (located on the Intrepid’s Flight deck), the Growler submarine (located across from the Intrepid on Pier 86), and all temporary exhibitions. I’ll give you a more detailed overview of everything you’ll see with your general admission ticket in just a bit. There are also several attractions at the Intrepid that are an extra cost, and I’ll review these for you was well, so you can decide what, if anything, you may want to purchase in addition to general admission ticket.
How Long Should I Plan to Spend at the Intrepid Museum?
The museum website recommends 3 hours. If you’re casually visiting and aren’t going to spend a ton of time looking at everything, then that’s probably fine. However, If you really want to take your time and explore, read everything, and experience the exhibits at casual pace, I’d say 4 1/2 hours is a better estimate. There’s a lot to see at the Intrepid, and the museum space is also physically large - there’s a lot of ground to cover as you wander through. If you’re doing any add-on activities (see this section below for the available options) I’d add roughly about 20 - 30 minutes per add-on to the estimate of how much time you'll spend here.
Intrepid Amenities: Dining & Shopping
As a general rule of thumb, I try to avoid eating at museums - the food is always expensive and typically very forgettable. This holds doubly true for NYC museums - you’re in one of the world’s great food cities, so try to eat elsewhere before or after your visit if you can! That said, if you need some sustenance while you’re exploring, the Intrepid does have a few options.
Aviator Grill: Located on the second floor of the Museum’s Welcome Center, available for dine in and take out. Features burgers, salads, sandwiches and pizza. Open to the general public.
Intrepid Marketplace: Located on the ship’s third deck, available for dine in and take out. Offerings include flatbread pizzas, hot dogs, submarine sandwiches, and freshly baked goods. Intrepid ticket required for entry to Marketplace area.
Pier Side Cafe: Al Fresco dining located on Pier 86. Only open seasonally, and is open to the general public.
If you want to take home a memory of your visit, there are a few places at the museum to purchase souvenirs. The Welcome Center shop is at the museum’s entrance, so you can purchase gifts at the start or end of your day. The Space Shuttle Pavilion store up on the Flight deck has NASA and space themed items for purchase. The Intrepid also has an online store, which is always available in case you missed out on shopping during your visit.
What Will You See at the Intrepid Museum? Exhibits Included with General Admission
Your general admission ticket covers nearly all temporary and permanent exhibits. The only extra cost exhibit is the Concorde airplane, which I do recommend purchasing as an add-on, but I’ll cover that later on when we get to the add-on options. The museum space is spread out across several decks of the aircraft carrier and the pier level it is docked at. I’ll start at the pier and work up to the top, but you can walk around the museum space in any order you’d like - there's no "correct" order to the exhibit flow.
Pier 86 - USS Growler Submarine
The USS Growler submarine is docked at Pier 86, directly across from the Intrepid aircraft carrier. I’ll emphasize here that it's best to check out the Growler early on in your visit, as lines can be long and the museum can close access early if capacity is hit.
The Growler is a decommissioned nuclear submarine that served in the US Navy in the early 1960s, during the height of the Cold War. This submarine patrolled Russian waters, always ready for the command to fire one of its nuclear tipped Regulus missiles.
While the Growler was patrolling the Pacific in the early 60s, both submarine and missile technology rapidly improved. The Growler’s Regulus missiles required the submarine to surface in order to fire, potentially exposing it to enemies. By the mid 60s, newer nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines could launch their weapons while remaining submerged, so the Growler quickly became obsolete. It was decommissioned in May 1964, after only six years in service!
You’ll start the Growler tour by walking through a pier level exhibit space, where you’ll learn all about the submarine, its history, and the Cold War.
You’ll then head down into the submarine for a self-guided tour. There are placards throughout the submarine, and you can expect to spend about 30 minutes down here if you take your time.
You’ll get to see where the missiles were stored, the top secret missile guidance center where the missiles were controlled, the sonar room, the navigation compartment, the engine room, the control and attack center, along with crew living quarters, including sleeping and eating spaces. It’s an amazing experience, and the Growler is actually the only American nuclear submarine open to the public!
(l) the periscope used to see the surface; (c) dials and controls used to used to manage the submarine's speed; (r) bunk beds inside a torpedo storage room
The USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier Exhibits
Aside from the Concorde and the Growler down on Pier 86, the bulk of the museum rests on the aircraft carrier herself. The USS Intrepid is a retired Essex class aircraft carrier, launched in 1943 during World War II.
During the war the ship was attacked multiple times, and she survived five kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike! She later served during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. In the early 1960s, she also served as a NASA recovery ship, picking up astronauts after they splashed down into the ocean at the end of their missions.
The Intrepid was decommissioned in 1974 and escaped scrapping when a nonprofit organization wanted to turn her into a museum ship. The Intrepid was towed to her permanent home at Pier 86 in New York City in June 1982, and she officially opened as a museum in August 1982.
There are four decks open to the public, and a summary of each is below, going from the bottom up to the top.
Third Deck
The Third deck was home to crew sleeping and eating areas. Highlights to see include the massive galley that fed 3,000 men a day, the mess hall for enlisted sailors, and the enlisted berthing area - home away from home for many of the Intrepid’s crew! Here you’ll really get a sense of how these men lived, and the tight spaces they had to share during their service in the US Navy aboard the Intrepid.
Hangar Deck
The Hangar deck is the Intrepid Museum’s main indoor exhibition space. It’s quite massive, covering about 10,000 ft² (929 m²), and is home to a variety of temporary and permanent exhibits.
Near the information desk at the front of the gallery is a 550 pound (249.5 kg), 22 foot (6.7 m) long Lego model of the Intrepid, which is a very fun first stop to check out!
Other highlights of this space include exhibits on the anatomy of the carrier, the details of the crew, the history of the ship, how airplanes are launched off the flight deck, the onboard photo lab and infirmary, and the bomb elevator that moved weapons throughout the ship. There are also several restored military aircraft as gallery centerpieces.
At the back of the Hangar deck is the Exploreum, the “hands on” kids area. I think this space is fun for adults too though! You can lie in a sailor’s bunk, climb into the cockpit of an A-6 Intruder plane, man a pretend bridge, and look into the periscope of a submarine. Even if you don’t come to the Intrepid with kids, as long as you’re young at heart you’ll have fun in this space! It’s really well done.
(l) manning the controls of a helicopter; (c) flying an A-6 Intruder; (r) crawling into a tight bunk space
Gallery Deck
The Gallery deck is a smaller space, accessible through several entry points on the Hangar deck. At the front of the ship you’ll find the anchor chain room, a gun tub, and several sleeping quarters. Midship you’ll find the pilot ready room, the radio room, and the combat information center. Many of these areas are left exactly as they were from the Intrepid's operational years, so you’re really looking into the spaces that the military used during so many important eras of 20th century US history.
Flight Deck
The Flight deck is the top deck of the Intrepid, and is a highlight for many visitors. Up here is where you’ll find many of the museum’s famous planes and helicopters - this space is all about showcasing some of the great achievements in military aviation, and you’ll likely recognize many of these aircraft from movies, tv shows, and history books!
All five branches of the US armed forces have aircraft on display here, along with some international planes as well. All of the Flight deck aircraft are retired and no longer capable of flying, either due to mechanical issues or because they reached their maximum flight hours. Highlights include an F16 Fighting Falcon, the Lockheed A-12, the F-14 Tomcat (the plane from Top Gun!), the A-6 Intruder, and the E-1B Tracer. Information boards are posted at all the aircraft to give you more detail on their stories, and don’t forget to download the Bloomberg Connects app for even more information on all the planes and helicopters up here.
At the center of the Flight deck you’ll find the Intrepid’s “Island”, the tall tower that served as the central command hub for all navigation and flight operations. You can enter the Island and climb up the narrow staircases to see the navigation and flag bridges, the flag plot, the chart house, and several officer cabins.
There are sometimes former Intrepid crew volunteering inside the Island to tell visitors about their experiences. On the day of my visit there were 3 retired crew members who served on the Intrepid back in the 1960s talking to the public as we walked through the bridge area - definitely brought the whole experience to life!
Across from the Island are a couple of spots of interest. Here you’ll find one of the Intrepid’s 3 aircraft elevators - these giant open freight platforms moved the large, heavy aircraft in between decks, and visitors can go for a ride on this elevator several times a day.
Nearby you’ll also find a sign honoring the 10 sailors killed when the Intrepid suffered a Japanese kamikaze strike on one of its gun tubs during WWII in October 1944. The sign stands where the gun tub and attack took place.
At the back of the Flight deck is the Space Shuttle Pavilion, another top spot for visitors. This is home to the Space Shuttle Enterprise along with accompanying exhibits and displays that immerse visitors in the late 1970s era of the space shuttle program.
The Enterprise never actually flew in space - It was a prototype that NASA used to show that the space shuttle design worked. The Enterprise performed several test flights, launched up to the appropriate altitude by a modified Boeing 747.
(l) the shuttle carrier airplane carrying the Enterprise in 1978; (r) the Enterprise in flight in 1977
The successful tests paved the way for the Space Shuttle Columbia to make its first flight up into space in 1981. The Enterprise has been on display at the Intrepid museum since 2012.
Extra Cost Attractions: What are the Add-On Options?
There are quite a few add-on options you may want to include when purchasing your general admission ticket. The full list is below with relevant details. I did the Concorde tour on my visit, so I’ll go into the most detail on that one. Of all the add-ons offered, the Concorde is the one I’d recommend the most. The others are all either guided tour options, rides, or shows. The Concorde is the only additional cost exhibit, and it’s such a rare opportunity to go inside one of these fascinating airplanes.
Intrepid Museum Highlights Tour
Description: Guided tour of the highlights of the museum’s collections, recommended for ages 10 and up.
Duration & Timing: 1 hour. Offered daily at 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm.
Link for Details & Booking: Museum Highlights Tour
Cost: $18
Intrepid Museum VIP & VVIP Private Tours
Description: Customizable private tours for up to 10 people. Needs to be booked and paid for 2 weeks in advance. Tours can be scheduled before or after public opening hours for an additional cost.
Duration & Timing: 90 minutes for VIP, 2-3 hours for VVIP
Link for Details: Private Tours
Cost: $750 flat rate for VIP Tour, $1250 flat rate for VVIP Tour.
The Concorde
Description: Take a seat inside the Concorde’s first class cabin to learn all about these supersonic planes that could travel across the Atlantic in 3 hours. At the end of the tour you’ll be able to peer into the cockpit. Minimum age is 5 years old.
Duration & Timing: 20 minutes. Tours begin at 11 am daily and run every 30 minutes.
Link for Details: Concorde Tour
Location: Pier 86
Cost: $15
If you’re a millennial or older, you’ll likely remember the Concorde, as from 1976 through 2003 it was the fastest commercial airliner in service, traveling at twice the speed of sound! This specific plane is a British Airways Concorde Alpha Delta, on loan from BA, and is one of only 14 Concordes ever in service. You’ll climb the stairs and take a seat in the first class cabin as the guide tells you all about this incredible feat of aeronautical engineering. You’ll find the cabin is quite tight, with small windows, small seats, and narrow aisles. This was a plane built for speed, not for personal space or extreme luxury travel. And speed did not come cheap - a typical Concorde fare in 2026 dollars would cost about $20,000!
Concorde planes had a crew of 9, and seats for about 100 passengers in the standard configuration. It could fly at speeds of up to 1,350 mph (2,150 kph) at an altitude of 60,000 ft (18,181 m). Keep in mind that the cruising altitude range for a typical commercial passenger jet today is only between 30,000 to 42,00 feet (9,754 - 12802 m)! The Concorde flew so high up that passengers could actually see the earth’s curvature - that must have been such an amazing thing to witness with your own eyes!
The Concorde measured about 204 ft (62.2 m) in length and actually stretched - by design - between 6 to 10 inches (15.2 - 25.4 cm) during flight due to heating of the airframe from the supersonic speeds. Concordes were covered in a specially designed white paint that was able to withstand the stretching and dissipate the generated heat. This aircraft, tail number G-BOAD, is the one that holds the record for the fastest trans-Atlantic crossing: JFK in New York to Heathrow in London in 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds, completed in February 1996. This same flight today on a standard commercial jet would take well over double that!
At the end of the talk, the guide allowed us one by one to walk up to the cockpit, which was really interesting to see. I always wanted to fly on the Concorde as a kid, and was super disappointed when it was discontinued before I got to travel abroad (not that I could have ever afforded it anyway!). It retired in 2003 due to extremely high maintenance costs, falling demand, and safety concerns following the July 2000 crash of Air France 4590, a Concorde jet traveling from Paris to New York. Getting to go inside one of these planes, sit in first class, AND go into the cockpit, was such a thrill.
G-Force Flight Simulator
Description: Feel the force and power of flying in a supersonic aircraft! Two people per ride, and you choose either pilot or gunner responsibilities. You’ll climb, dive, and roll the simulator in 360-degree barrel rolls to get a feel for flying one of these incredible planes. Riders must be 48” tall to participate.
Duration: Approximately 6 minutes
Link for Details: G-Force Flight Simulator
Location: Hangar Deck Exploreum
Cost: $13
Transporter FX Screaming Eagles Flight Simulator (Seasonal)
Description: Embark on a virtual motion adventure aboard the Transporter FX fighter jet, where you’ll join a training mission with the Screaming Eagles. Riders must be 38” tall to participate.
Duration: Approximately 6 minutes
Link for Details: Transporter FX Screaming Eagles
Location: Pier 86 by Tower 3
Cost: $13
Apollo 11 & Beyond Virtual Reality Experience
Description: An immersive VR experience where you’ll climb aboard a Saturn V rocket and take off to witness mankind’s first steps on the moon. Riders must be 42” tall to participate.
Link for Details: Apollo 11 & Beyond VR
Location: Space Shuttle Pavilion
Cost: $13
Stories of Intrepid: 4D Experience
Description: A 4D film featuring a first-hand look at three pilot’s bravery during their Intrepid missions. Riders must be 40” tall to participate.
Duration: 8 minutes
Link for Details: Stories of Intrepid 4D
Location: Hangar Deck Exploreum
Cost: $11
Cosmic Coaster: 4D Experience
Description: A wild 4D roller coaster ride passing through canyons, ravines, and then out into the cosmos at thrilling speeds.
Duration: 4 minutes, 16 seconds
Link for Details: Cosmic Coaster 4D
Location: Hangar Deck Exploreum
Cost: $11
3D Film: Aircraft Carrier - Guardian of the Seas
Description: Large format, 3D immersive film where you’ll learn about the role modern aircraft carriers play in keeping our seas safe.
Duration: 33 minutes
Link for Details: Aircraft Carrier - Guardian of the Seas 3D
Location: Theatre, front of Hangar Deck
Cost: $11
3D Film: Journey to Space
Description: Narrated by Patrick Stewart, this film is all about the role of NASA’s space shuttle program in the era of space exploration.
Duration: 33 minutes
Link for Details: Journey to Space 3D
Location: Theater, front of Hangar Deck
Cost: $11
Visiting the Intrepid Museum: Tips and Advice
Download the Bloomberg Connects app before you visit - it’s free! If you forget, QR codes for it will be posted throughout the Intrepid. The app has an interactive guide for the museum that will add context to everything you’re looking at.
Buy tickets in advance if you want to participate in one of the extra cost activities. On busy days these can sell out, and you don’t want to miss out on anything.
For the flight simulators, VR experience, and 4D rides: Capacity is limited, and wait times can be long on busy weekends. These attractions can close early if the lines reach capacity, so don’t leave these activities for the end of the day.
The Growler submarine is also best done early on in the day for the same reason. If you head there first thing, you’ll also avoid wasting part of your day standing on potentially long lines.
The Growler submarine and the Intrepid Island on the Flight deck both have tight spaces and steep ladders. Keep this in mind if you are claustrophobic or are prone to vertigo.
Submarines aren't for everyone. Don't worry, this isn't a ladder you'll have to climb (you'll just pass by it), but there are some tight spaces inside both the Growler and the Island. There are no restrooms on the Flight deck, and you’ll likely spend a lot of time up there. Make sure you go before you head up. Restrooms are located throughout the rest of the Intrepid complex.
There are no bag or coat check facilities. All of your belongings must stay with you at all times, so keep that in mind when bringing any luggage, large bags, or strollers.
Don’t pay full price if you don’t have to!
If you’re a NYC local (resident of the 5 boroughs), you get 50% off full price general admission.
If you’re a tourist and will be visiting multiple NYC attractions, look into the CityPASS® ticket. You can save up to 42% on admission when visiting 5 attractions within a 9 day period.
If you’re current or former US Military, your admission is free! Don't forget your military ID card.
Lastly, Bank of America cardholders can get free general admission to the Intrepid on the first full weekend of every month. Just bring your bank card and photo ID! Visit the Bank of America Free Museums on Us program for more information and the full list of museums you can visit.
Dress for the elements, as the Growler submarine line and a lot of the Flight deck exhibits are outside. There’s no shade up on the Flight deck and the area is very open, so it will be quite hot and sunny during the summer and cold and potentially windy during the winter.
The Pier 86 level is open to the public! This means without a ticket (you will still have to go through security though) you can walk through the gift shop, out onto Pier 86, walk around the exterior of the Concorde, and walk through the Growler exhibit area. The submarine itself will require the Intrepid ticket, but the exhibition space beforehand is open to the public.
Final Thoughts
The Intrepid is such a unique experience to have in New York, and even if you only have a marginal interest military or aviation history, walking through a WWII aircraft carrier and nuclear submarine is such an interesting and rare opportunity. I loved crawling through the submarine hatches and seeing the views from the Island’s bridge.
Strolling underneath a space shuttle was wild, climbing into pretend planes and helicopters in the Exploreum was a hoot, and boarding a Concorde jet - the one that actually set the trans Atlantic speed record - was unforgettable.
I learned so much in just a few short hours at the Intrepid, and I think every New York visitor and local should keep this place in mind. It was really eye opening, particularly for non-military like me, not only to see and experience all these engineering marvels in person, but to gain a deeper appreciation for how our armed forces lived, worked, and fought for America during the mid 20th century.
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