RiseNY is a fun and unique experience for the whole family. I wouldn't recommend it for children younger than 5, as the first portion focuses on the detailed history of New York City through documentary style exhibits that younger kids may not find engaging. The second part is the highlight, the ride itself is an incredible experience that's exciting and enjoyable for all ages. It really makes the visit worthwhile. If you're visiting on a slower day, I don't think the VIP upgrade is necessary. The main perks are a small tote bag and 25% off merchandise, so the standard admission is more than enough when there aren't long lines. On busy days, however, the VIP option makes much more sense. Overall, this is a fantastic attraction, and it's definitely something my family and I would love to come back and experience again. read more

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Words truly can't explain this attraction... RiseNY is a must do whenever you visit New York. It takes on a life of its own from every cultural perspective NYC's history has to offer. Whether it's the fashion district, the history of the subway system, or some of hip hops most intriguing legends... trust me when I say you won't be disappointed. With that being said, the main attraction and the experience I will never forget... has to be the Soar Over The Skyline ride. "WHOA" this experience left me speechless and wanting to instantly have another go at it !! The views are amazing, the life like weather experience left me smiling and giggling like a child.... Everyone should enjoy this tour at least once in their lifetime !!! Wish I could give it 6-stars !!!! read more

RiseNY - Enjoying NYC !! - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Rise NY is a New York City-themed interactive museum. The highlight of the museum is a flight simulator that enables you to travel through various landmarks in the city. At the museum, you're treated like you're on an elementary school field trip. You can only walk around the museum with a group of people. And you can only see exhibits in a particular order- you can't roam around like almost every other museum on Earth. There were quite a few NYC-themed exhibits. Since I'm a native New Yorker, I wasn't that impressed (someone who has never been to the city before would more than likely enjoy the exhibits). The flight simulator was epic. My only complaint was that it was too short (6 minutes). There's a cubby where you can store your bags before you get on the ride. The ride has a minimum height requirement of 40 inches. There's also a 260 pound weight limit. Furthermore, it's not a good idea to get on the ride on a full stomach. Visiting Rise NY is a great activity for a rainy day or if you have a layover at LaGuardia Airport. With that said, there are so many better activities to do in the city. read more

What a wonderful activity to do while in NYC. We went on a Friday afternoon, and bought our tickets there, not online. It was not super crowded at all, just a steady flow of waves of groups. It's a beautiful way to learn the history of NYC, and see what they have to offer here in terms of sightseeing. The tour took us a little over an hour to do. It ended with a soar ride through all of Manhattan island, who doesn't love a soar virtual ride. Such a fun way to see and learn about this awesome city. Great for kids too. I totally recommend this place!! read more

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This is a tourist-y type of venue. It is conveniently located near Times Square. It is set up as a self guided tour up until the end which is where there is a ride type experience, 'flying over' New York City. The exhibits are nicely done and informative. The ride might make one a little dizzy if they are prone to such feelings. The ticket cost just over $40/eqch and took about 90 minutes. We were able to use a discount coupon otherwise it would've been over $50/each. They don't offer a senior or military discount. read more

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Had a really good time at RiseNY. It was actually way better than I expected. You get to learn a lot about New York's history, but it doesn't feel boring at all..they make everything interactive and easy to enjoy. Everything was put together really well and kept my attention the whole time. You can tell they put real effort into the experience. The ride at the end was definitely my favorite part. Super fun and a perfect way to finish it off. Overall, it's a solid spot to check out if you're in the city and want something different to do. read more

RiseNY - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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When Crazy Bernie and Tammy The Tornado hit the city on the day Taylor Swift gets married and I realize I didn't get invited to her big wedding bash I celebrate like a crazy man. And one of my favorite ways is on RISE NY. Ever since my first ride on "Soarin" at Disney I've been in love with there rides. Don't blink because it's over very quickly but in my opinion it's worth it! Must do if you're near Times Square. Crazy Bernie loves Tammy The Tornado and if you know her please call her up and tell her for me. read more

Came to NYC for a weekend to see a play. My fiance and I had some time to spare before the play so decided to come here. This is fun place if you want to learn some of the history of New York and see some of the memorabilia associated with it. The final part of the tour is a 4D ride that simulates flying by some of NYC most famous attractions. This ride was alot of fun but is not for everyone. Their website mentions that it is not recommended for people with sensory sensitivity. If you have a fear of heights, you might also need to think about how much you can handle. The website mentions that it is 40 feet in the air but due to how the ride is, you might think it is much higher at times. read more

This is such a fun experience whether you're visiting you for the first time or you just wanna be a tourist in your own city. It's part museum part attraction part ride. The ride at the end was so much fun. It's a 4K experience. You sore over in New York City journal those seasons it's really fun. I had a great time. read more

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I feel compelled to leave this attraction a 5-star review. It is one of the best value experiences that I have had in NYC. It is educational, it is fun, and all exhibits are clearly tied together within the tiny space. My 9 yo loved the experience and she can relayed back to some of the attractions when we were going through the exhibits. The ride at the end was definitely the highlight. Even my husband said that he learnt a couple things. read more

RiseNY calls itself part ride, part museum, which is about as accurate as advertising ever gets. It begins with a short film narrated by Jeff Goldblum, who has the kind of voice that makes you believe he could narrate the mating habits of sewer rats and you would still lean forward to listen. The film is only seven minutes long and tells the story of New York's transportation system and its growth into the madness it is today. Unfortunately, the projector shook the entire time, as if it too was having an anxiety attack about living in New York. My eyes vibrated in sympathy, and I was relieved when it ended. From there you are guided through small exhibits on skyscrapers, music, radio, television and Broadway. Each is just long enough to be interesting, and just short enough not to become homework. Even my ten year old found things to point at and ask questions about, which is the gold standard for any family attraction. You get models of skyscrapers, the first elevator brake, costumes from the Village People, Joey Ramone's leather jacket, famous radio broadcasts echoing out of hidden speakers, the Honeymooners set, the Friends couch, Jimmy Fallon's desk, and costumes from The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and Aladdin. It is a sampler platter of New York culture, served in manageable bites. Then comes the main event, which they insist on dressing up with a story. You are told it is 1958, you are at a Times Square New Year's Eve party, and a thunderstorm is approaching. This elaborate fiction is mostly there to slow down the flow of guests, though it adds little else. The ride itself is what matters, and the ride is excellent. A simulator that lifts you into the air and makes you feel as though you are flying across New York's landmarks. It is very much like Disney's Soarin' at EPCOT, only smaller, which is not a crime. Floating above the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square is exhilarating, and everyone in my family stepped off smiling. There are two kinds of tickets: regular and VIP. VIP lets you skip the line, but when we went at noon there was no line at all. By the time we left at 1:30 the crowds were growing, so perhaps VIP is useful on a busy day, but I cannot say. I bought through Viator at a discount and felt I got my money's worth. Will I go back? Probably not. This feels like a one and done. But if you are in Times Square with an hour or two to kill, or if the weather has turned on you, RiseNY is worth your time. It tells the story of New York in digestible fragments and then lets you soar above it all, which is a nice change from sweating in it at street level. Four stars, because even with the shaking projector and the padded story, my family enjoyed themselves, which in New York is not always guaranteed. read more

RiseNY - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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A trifecta of museum, film, and thrill ride, this is an efficient way to capture the cultural impact of New York for tourists as well as instill a sense of pride for even the most cynical native resident. Starting with a short film about the history of New York narrated by Jeff Goldblum in a makeshift subway car, one is led through a series of exhibits highlighting the city's impact on finance, fashion, pop culture, and broadcasting. One can ring the bell at the stock exchange, sit behind the desk as host of The Tonight Show, and see a variety of memorabilia of famous performances by cultural icons throughout the years from TV, music, and Broadway . The experience culminates with a multi sensory thrill ride lasting around 5 minutes where one feels like they are soaring over the iconic skyline 30ft in the air and an easy photo op where one is perched on a balcony overlooking the street as though one is at the torch of the Statue of Liberty. Touristy but executed flawlessly and good fun for folks of all ages. My five year old's impression " This is one of the best days of my life!" read more

So amazing. Made me feel proud to be a Nyer. Great nyc history museum. Great ride. Educational and fun. I bring every relative here. read more

RiseNY - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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This unique blend of interactive sets, props, and exhibits really shows NY's "rise" as the cultural and economic center of America. Informative without being too wordy or academic, this experience is definitely worth the price! We found the early descriptions of life in New Amsterdam very intriguing, and would have loved more of that! But the nostalgia of seeing the famous cultural aspects of NY, such as the Tonight show set and the hip hop clothing from the 90's was also great. The virtual reality roller coaster was a memorable finish to this exhibit and makes it great for kids and adults. read more

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This was a cute experience and a very touristy experience. Its basically a small time travel display of the start, growth and present of New York City. It was informative in some areas and great photo opts. The best part was the 4D ride at the end that made it kind of worth it. This is good for people of all ages. read more

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We purchased the Go city pass and this one one of the options. It was pretty cool. Gives a little glimpse into the history of Times Square and the subway and some other NY facts. The main attraction is the simulator ride. I'd compare it to Soarin' over California at Disney's California Adventure. This was a close walk from Times Square too. read more

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Came on a trip with some clients and really enjoyed everything. We spent about a good hour in there, had VIP tickets. The interactive displays were very interesting and full of New York history. The best part was the interactive flying ride. At the end we all got a bag and a poster to take home. Definitely a good place to come with family or for some relaxing fun. read more

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First of all, the staff was great. Having read some of the reviews beforehand, I was a little concerned about the experience, but all the staff were great and personable. Now, as for the rest of it goes, I would say it's very meh. The exhibits only took me about half an hour to go through, and I wasn't exactly racing. They were pretty standard and nothing that was all that interesting. I won't say it's bad by any means, but it wasn't anything special, and it didn't really do anything for me. The 'ride' itself was a little disappointing, too. You're lifted about 2 feet off the ground, air blows on you, you're spun around, and the ride will vibrate and rock back and forth a little bit while pictures play on the wall and mist blows on you during the water scenes. You could and should be able to have your camera out without issue, but I get why they don't allow it. Again, while it was disappointing, I won't go as far as to say it was bad, but it was a letdown. Lastly, the VIP. I did the VIP option, and it definitely wasn't worth it, at least for me. There was no line outside when I got there, so I went right in. For the first part of it, there were about 5-6 people in the regular line, and I was the only one in the VIP line. While I did get let in first, the others got in immediately after me. Same thing for the second part, where we get in the "elevator" to get to the ride. In fact, for the last part of it, I was actually last let in for the ride. Maybe, on a very busy day, the VIP may be worth it, but I can't see it ever being busy enough to justify spending the extra money for it. I basically ended up paying the extra money for a free tote bag and poster. I didn't even bother making use of the 20% off both because I didn't see anything that interested me enough, and because they probably mark it up another 20% to justify the discount offered. So overall, I don't envision a scenario where I'd go back. If you do go, don't do the VIP; it isn't worth it, even if it is busy, things move quickly enough, and there are only a couple of places where you have to wait anyway. The exhibits themselves are meh. I won't go as far as to say don't go or don't do it, but go in with tempered expectations and a discounted rate if you can. read more

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We did RiseNY yesterday. I don't think I knew what to expect entirely but we really enjoyed it. Bought tickets online and everything was smooth. Didn't feel we needed the VIP tickets, as we had a day where we pretty much had everything to ourselves. We were booked for 1:45 and the place felt empty. There were people there, but very rarely were other people in the exhibits with us. You start with a short film about the history of the city, and then work your way throughout some exhibits. You learn about some fashion, finance, TV, radio, celebrities, broadway, music, and then get to the ride portion. While the exhibits were cool and interesting the ride is the highlight. Similar to SOARIN in Disney, this ride takes you all over NYC. Excellent ride. I get motion sickness and was fine. It's not an intense ride. The seats just move a bit and the large screen in front of you changes as you go over NYC and experience the city. There's a small gift shop, and an opportunity to buy a photo. Popcorn included in admission as you can have some popcorn prior to the ride. Overall a cool experience. It didn't take us super long to go through the exhibits. Maybe an hour or so. read more

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Came with my daughter's 5th grade class. I can honestly say I took more from the experience than the kids. NYC is so rich with history. It sets the tone for much of the tri state area and the world. My favorite sections were TV and radio. While I have a background in dance and enjoyed the Broadway section, much of the history in that section, I already know. Seeing the evolution of TV and radio was really cool. Being able to hear speeches and understanding that this was a primary method of gaining information was mind blowing even now in this era. I highly recommend coming in a small group. This ia also a great location to take kids because they can gain the historical background. The ride was really cool. To see all of NYC in that way was great for myself and the kids. I look forward to going back so I can enjoy more of the sections that I didn't get to spend as much time in. read more

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Want something to do in NYC that the entire family will enjoy, come here. You will be pleasantly surprised by the history and the interactive experiences planned ahead. The virtual train ride, the TV sets, the Broadway shows and my favorite was the flying through the city tour. An exciting date or a family trip, everyone would enjoy coming here. read more

RiseNY - A little bit of history on a Saturday! - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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**This review comes months late, but I went January 2024 for reference** I had been wanting to come here for quite some time cause every time I went around Times Square, RISE NY kept staring me in the face. So I decided as a treat for myself for my birthday I would finally go in. I took work off and decided to go on a solo adventure in the middle of the week. Firstly, and unsurprisingly, it was pretty empty, which I LOVED. Midweek in the early afternoon was the perfect time to go. As I walked through the experience it was immersive, very cool and neatly put together, and educational about NY's history. It made me a proud native New Yorker watching the videos and interacting with each experience. Finally, after going through all the exhibits, you get to ride RISENY. If you've been to Disney's Epcot or Disneyland, it's the exact same model as the Soarin' ride. I expected it to be a bit lame and corny but I was pleasantly surprised. It was overall a really fun time and I'd come back to go with friends who've never been. Tips: --Look for promo codes online! --Free coat check at the beginning --Come with a friend if you want cool photos with you in it, but otherwise solo dolo is fun --The ride is super tame if rides make you nervous. I was sitting next to a 6 year old :) read more

RiseNY - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Great way to introduce how a city was grown, started with a short movie and then a take your time tour of all things NY! Really an interesting view on how NYC came to be what it is today. Before the end is a popcorn section where you can watch another short. After which, you ride a semi rollercoaster. I don't like heights but it was a great experience! Would recommend and return. read more

This is a solid 4 stars. Good little museum about NY and finish with a motion theater that resembles Soarin' in Disney Epcot. If you want to save a little money on tickets, check on Agoda. I was able to save about 25%. FYI, I spent time to really check out everything but still finished the whole thing in about 50 minutes. read more

RiseNY - Entrance - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

The initial museum area is nice, with a good mix of artifacts from a check signed by Alexander Hamilton to an ode to TV and music that came out of NYC (Notorious BIG's tracksuit!), but the shining star is the ride at the end. The gentleman next to me from Amsterdam was wiping tears from his eyes he was so moved. It was really lovely, and the staff were all so friendly and helpful. Highly recommend! read more

AMAZING! We had the best time! I highly recommend this place. I wish I could afford to go every weekend! The ride was totally incredible! 5 stars! read more

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As a born and raised New Yorker, i loved this place. Came with my husband and son and we loved how interactive and immersive the experience was. So much history, very pretty and great to take photos. we truly enjoyed each and every room and loved how they told the story and history of our great city. My only cons are staff could be a bit nicer/friendly and the bathrooms a bit cleaner. But the experience itself was great no complains and would def return read more

I was visiting NYC during the holidays to see the Rockettes Christmas spectacular (it WAS!!!) and had some time to kill before the next train back home. I found RiseNY to be one of the best rated tourist attractions I could get a last minute ticket to, so I did! Well, this experience did not disappoint!! The experience was awesome, detailing the history of NY, mainly focusing on Manhattan, to date. Cool exhibits such as a hip hop display, a wall mutual of The Notorious B I G (RIP), turntables and an exciting virtual reality tour of NY were the highlights!!! A must see when visiting the Big Apple!! read more

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This is a unique NYC history museum and 3d or 4d experience. The focus is on Times Square. Staff is helpful and friendly. The experience starts slow and gets better towards the end. Definitely worth the money. No need for VIP tickets. read more

RiseNY - We loved Rise NY. - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

We had a few hours to kill so I gave my son the choice or this, spyscape (his sister was a big fan at his age) or the rock. He chose this we walked on over and purchased tickets. It wasn't very busy on a hot day during 4th of July and weekend, but perhaps worth purchasing tickets in advance at another time. It took us about an hour to walk thru the museum. It was all things NY and interesting. The highlight was the ride at the end where we did a ride over the city (similar to soarin in Epcot, but all things ny). My son, who doesn't typically like rides, thought it was really fun. It was a great way to kill an hour, learn about NY and escape the heat for a bit. read more

I recently visited RiseNY after winning a radio contest for four VIP tickets, and had a pretty good experience. RiseNY is a 3 part experience, showing the history of NY and pop culture in the city. When checking in to the experience, the staff was very nice and got us our badges very quickly. The experience starts out with a short film, narrated by Jeff Goldblum. This was not the most exciting part, though I do appreciate how it feels like the seats are vibrating during certain parts to simulate the movement. The lights in here also compliment the film well. Once you are done, you go through the museum exhibit. Some parts of this are less engaging than others, though it is still a decent experience. My favorite part of this little gallery was definitely the film section. This section has a little popcorn stand where you can take a small bag of popcorn while you sit down and watch clips from iconic NY films. By far the best part of the whole experience is the ride. This part is a simulation to make it feel like you are soaring over NYC. I appreciate some of the details included, like the simulated wind, rain, and snow. It was definitely well created. I do feel as though some elements to this section are corny, but perhaps they are more entertaining for younger guests. Once you are all done, you can go through their gift shop. VIPs receive a free merchandise item, with a few options including magnets and t-shirts. Everyone in my party grabbed a t-shirt on the way out. As a VIP, we also had a couple other incentives, like being able to skip the line for both the film and the ride. The full experience probably took around an hour and 30 minutes. Overall, RiseNY was definitely a fun experience and I am so grateful they provided us with VIP tickets for the day. read more

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Great visit to a great NYC attraction. My husband, some family friends and I came here for a fun activity. There is so much history, interaction, and knowledge about NYC, radio, tv, fashion, music, finance, etc. The simulated ride was pretty amazing!! Ahmazing!! The staff was kind and helpful, the place was roomy, clean premises and bathrooms. I highly recommend this establishment as a must visit while in NYC !! read more

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Easy to recommend as an activity on a rainy day and the museum type atmosphere and wonderful ride was actually fun. But I wanted more to the signature ride component .... Maybe another 5-7 minutes. I felt after the walking up and down stairs, it would have been nice to have it last a bit longer. The one short presentation prior to boarding the ride was longer than it needed it to be. Less minutes would have been best. read more

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RiseNY is one of those rare experiences that perfectly captures the magic, energy, and heart of New York City. From the moment you walk in, you're immersed in the city's incredible story -- from its early days to its cultural impact on music, fashion, film, finance, and of course, Broadway. Each gallery is beautifully designed and full of fascinating artifacts and multimedia moments that make you fall in love with NYC all over again. The highlight, though, is the soaring finale -- an exhilarating ride that lifts you high above the city's skyline. It's breathtaking, emotional, and pure joy. Whether you're a lifelong New Yorker or visiting for the first time, RiseNY makes you proud to be part of this city's story. It's smart, inspiring, and unlike anything else in Times Square -- a true celebration of New York's spirit! read more

Great experience, great customer service, and the show was amazing. I will go back again.

We came here with our Little, acting as tourists in NY for the night. We visited one of their last shows and my first suggestion would be to try to visit earlier so you don't feel rushed through the museum. Their last ride is at 550P and you definitely don't want to miss that or feel rushed going through the rest of the museum. When we first walked in, we were helped by a nice gentleman at the ticket counter. We bought I tickets online previously so admission was easy. We were directed to the second floor and because we had VIP status, we were ushered into the beginning of the event first. We saw a video that is narrated by Jeff Goldblum (swoon), highlighting many of the historical moments in New York. While they covered a myriad of events that occurred in NY, they failed to touch on some of the lesser known, perhaps embarrassing things that occurred, such as Seneca Village and the history surrounding that. It's a significant part of NY's history that may y people aren't even aware of so I saw it as a missed opportunity to shine some light on events forgotten. After the short video, we were free to roam about the museum. There were plenty of historical facts posted everywhere and our kiddie was very interested in learning about all of it. They display many artifacts from wall street, to sets from television shows. We learned about the NYC skyscrapers and the history of their inception. We learned about radio and how it came to be. We saw a video about the theater and Broadway. We even took an 'elevator' and saw some infamous NYC rats hanging around and causing mischief. The best part of the event was the ride. I did not know what to expect but it was definitely thrilling! Our kiddo was both scared and amazed and even the adults sitting next to us were screaming in delight. The effects they use to make this thing happen is out of this world. After the ride, we were directed to the gift shop and were allowed to receive a free item. We picked a commemorative pin, a poster and a magnet. This was a nice family outing but I do wish we arrived earlier so we could have had read more

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Even if you're a jaded New Yorker, RiseNY is a must see attraction. (Yes, it's located in midtown) My wife was looking for something fun to do after her haircut. How about a free walk on the High Line? Um, the Wind?? Yes dear as I find something fun in NYC. I found it! RiseNY, an interactive experience that's similar to Disney Soarin'?! I'm in! There are a few types of tickets, for a large family a standard ticket is fine. For the two of us? VIP passes skoots you to the front of the line! (sorry, large family) First, we were escorted into a small theater. The movie? NYC New Years Eve in the fifties! They explain the subway system and how it was an engineering marvel. Next, you're in a museum exploring the decades of New York City and the media. From late night TV shows to music and our culture. New York just rocks! Finally, the main attraction. VIP? Front of the line. The row of chairs are lifted up as you're seeing New York at it's finest. Alecia Keys singing as well as Frank singing about New York made my heart swell with pride. After all said and done, it was quick but totally worth seeing. "Now you're in New York (uh, yeah) These streets will make you feel brand new..." read more

RiseNY - Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Enjoyed learning about New York's past. Interesting information and costumes. The ride at the end was great!

This is somewhat of a tourist thing to see especially since it's in the heart of Times Square. But the component of it being a museum of New York facts and memorabilia makes it enjoyable. The bonus of course, is the "soaring" ride at the end of the exhibit that shows you an aerial view of New York. My family and I ventured here out of curiosity and just for the "Rise" ride honestly. Great for all ages, the ride and the museum. Cool surprises abound - certain exhibits showcased NY themed shows, movies and music. So as to not spoil it too much, I'll leave it at that. My photos will tell the rest. Note: the ticket times you purchase is your entry time to the whole museum and not for the ride itself. And it's all one price so take your time to see and read things, as there's lots of cool facts about the city. I particularly liked the exhibits where if you scan the QR code, it gives you more information on what you're seeing. The recording is also displayed in print so if you didn't hear the recording, you can still read it. Worth a visit especially if you just love NYC! read more

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It was a fun experience and I thought the exhibits were very creatively organized. I learned about the history of nyc through the worlds of fashion, tv shows, radio, entertainment, etc which was very interesting. We also learned about the history of the ball drop, Times Square, nyc subway system, and at the very end, there is a 4D simulation ride that takes you on a Birds Eye view around nyc. It was very enjoyable and I was able to get a group student discounted ticket through my college. The staff was extremely kind and it was an enjoyable experience overall. read more

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