An Exciting Visit to the Intrepid Museum – Sea, Air and Space Museum

Ever since watching that brilliant film “I am Legend,” I’ve always wanted to take a peek at the USS Intrepid, the aircraft carrier moored at Pier 86 on 46th Street, along the Hudson River on the West Side of Manhattan.

That iconic shot of Will Smith whacking golf balls into the Hudson certainly sparked an interest. After all, it’s not every day you see a full-sized aircraft carrier parked alongside a major metropolitan city.

Luckily, we recently had a 5-day family break in New York over the Easter holidays, so what better time than to visit the USS Intrepid – now part of the equally awe-inspiring Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum?

Intrepid Museum

The whole complex includes not only the USS Intrepid, but also a whole, Honest to God, cruise missile submarine called USS Growler, a Concorde on Pier 8, and a pavilion containing the actual Space Shuttle Enterprise.

So if, like me, you’re interested in all forms of travel, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum has all the major forms of travel covered off – except perhaps trains, although you can wander around the nearby Highline, if that’s your jam.

What Can I See and Do At the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum?

The star of the show is undoubtedly the impressive Essex-class USS Intrepid, a living, breathing example of the Fighting Power of the United States. She was commissioned in 1943 at the height of the Second World War, participating in the Pacific Theatre of Operations before being unceremoniously decommissioned at the end of the war.

However, she was clearly in demand, as she was promptly recommissioned and modernised in the 1950s as an attack carrier, before her final tour of duty as an antisubmarine carrier, where she served in the Vietnam War.

Of course, like all good museums, this isn’t simply a lump of metal – it’s a story about American history, a chance to touch the white heat of American technology, it’s a lesson in American politics and a tribute to the men and women who served, fought, sweated and died inside it’s iron hull.

So, we turned up suitably excited on a bright Thursday morning at Pier 86 (just by W 46th St and 12th Ave) all ready for a good, hard dose of American history. Even though it was early morning, there was a long queue of tourists and history buffs ready to learn about all things Air, Space and Sea.

Luckily, we had booked a timed entry slot (with our City Pass), so at the appointed time and after a brief security check and pat down, we were on Pier 86 staring up at the iron magnificence of USS Intrepid.

What to See On the USS Intrepid

The first thing you note is that the USS Intrepid is big. I mean, everything in America is big, but this really is large, and you’re absolutely overshadowed by the hull.

You suddenly realise that an aircraft carrier is basically a floating city, home to some 2,600 officers and enlisted ranks, and somehow, inside there was also room for 90 odd aircraft during the height of World War Two.

We opted to begin our tour on the Hangar Deck, home to 10,500 square feet of various artefacts, former crew member oral histories, hands-on experiences, videos, photos and loads more.

The star of the show, right as you enter, is a fully restored World War 2 FG-1D Corsair fighter-bomber, one of the few remaining of its kind, sitting proud and looking as fresh as the day it rolled off the production line.

The Hangar deck is full of things to see and do, and was a massive hit with my kids. The Exploreum Hall area is a fully interactive exhibit space thoughtfully designed for families and kids of all ages.

Your youngsters can climb into a Bell 47 helicopter, navigate through an interactive submarine, lie in a sailor’s bunk and pretend to captain a ship of their own! For me personally, the highlight on this deck was the Vietnam War display, seen through the lens of Intrepid’s history, where it served three tours of duty between 1966 and 1969.

Also on this deck was the Submerged Interactive Exhibition, making the history and function of submarines come to life, allowing people to climb into a bunk, become a sonar operator, and learn how submarines move through water.

For a small additional fee ($8), the children really enjoyed the G-Force: Flight Simulator, where they climbed into a two-person cockpit (one pilot, one gunner) to fly their very own supersonic jet with 360 degrees of movement.

Yes, they roll upside down, which I found frankly terrifying, but the kids came out happy and smiling.

Flight Deck

We then moved up to the Flight Deck of USS Intrepid to have a peek at the 20 odd aircraft and helicopters that were parked on deck.

Here we could have a good look at a variety of both foreign and US aircraft, ranging from the impressive Lockheed A-12 (the fastest, highest-flying jet in the Museum’s collection) through to the single-seater MiG-21, the Soviet Union’s first Mach 2 fighter.

From sleek F-14 Tomcats (yes, like in “Top Gun”) to hulking helicopters and unique planes like the A-12 Blackbird spy plane, the variety is impressive.

The views from the flight deck are pretty spectacular too. The Manhattan skyline stretches out before you, and you can watch boats cruising up and down the Hudson.

It’s a great place to take photos, but be prepared for wind—it can get breezy up there even on pleasant days!

Space Shuttle Enterprise

But all of them pale into comparison to what’s at the end of the flight deck – none other than the Space Shuttle Enterprise contained in its own undercover display.

The first orbiter of the Space Shuttle system, Enterprise, paved the way for the wider Space Shuttle programme, allowing mankind to explore even further before ending in 2011. Now resting atop the USS Intrepid, the Enterprise is a stunning feat of engineering.

The display allows you to walk directly underneath or take a walk up an elevated platform for a dramatic view along the length of the craft. It’s certainly impressive from any angle.

Alongside, there are displays of space history and landmarks which tell the story of our journey into space.

The Island and Below Deck

Suitably full of space facts, we then headed to the “Island”, the tower at the edge of the flight deck where the flight operations on the ship were observed and controlled, which included a good nose around the bridge of the USS Intrepid.

The Boy was fascinated to learn about how the crew navigated the seas, and how the radar consoles and communications equipment were used, as well as taking a good look around the spacious captain’s quarters. Rank certainly has its privileges!

This was brought home rapidly by the fact that we then went down to the Third Deck for some snacks from the onboard Intrepid Marketplace (I had the hot dog, very good!) and to see what daily life was like for the sailors and officers on board.

Here, there was a chance to see the enlisted mens berths, crammed in, in rows of three and the galley, where every day, the chefs on board prepared a staggering 7,500 meals.

I’m glad this is included in the USS Intrepid museum, because you do tend to focus on the “pointy” aspects of a warfighting ship – the guns, the planes and so forth – and forget that behind each pilot, gunner or Captain there were a whole host of roles supporting them so they could deliver combat power and they too, played their part in the victories.

The USS Growler: Cold War Time Capsule

Adjacent to the Intrepid sits the USS Growler, a submarine with a unique place in history. It was one of America’s first missile submarines, designed during the Cold War to deter nuclear attack by carrying Regulus nuclear missiles.

Fair warning: access to the submarine requires climbing down and up steep ladders and navigating extremely narrow passages. It’s not ideal for anyone with mobility issues or claustrophobia. But if you can manage it, the Growler offers a fascinating glimpse into the tense nuclear standoff of the Cold War era.

The contrast between submarine and aircraft carrier life is stark. If you thought the Intrepid’s quarters were cramped, the Growler will make them seem positively luxurious! Seeing how 95 men lived and worked in this metal tube for months at a time is both fascinating and humbling.

There’s so much to see and do at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, it’s hard to fit it all in here on a single blog. As well as the USS Intrepid herself, there’s also a full-scale Concorde aircraft, as well as the wider Hudson River Park to visit.

Sadly, we didn’t have time to see it all (it was a pretty packed 5 days in NYC!), but the USS Intrepid is definitely worth a tour, especially inside if the weather is inclement.

It’s a slice of, not just military history, but also American history, reflecting the politics, culture and people who served. It’s informative, educational and a worthy tribute to the American people.

How Much Does the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Cost?

Adults (13-64) are $38, Seniors (65+) and College Students (with valid ID) are $36, and Children (5-12) are $28. Children (4 and under) are free, as are U.S. Veterans & Military Service Members (with valid ID).

When Can I Visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum?

In the spring and summer (between the 1st of April and the 30th of September), the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is open between 10 am and 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm) between Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays entry is between 10 am and 6 pm (last entry at 5pm).

In the autumn (Fall!) and winter (1st October to 31 March), the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is open between 10 am and 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm) every day.

The Museum is firmly closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day!

#1 TICKETS

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INTREPID MUSEUM
✔️ Museum admission with priority access
✔️ Access to Space Shuttle Pavilion
✔️ Free cancellation

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Beyond Tourism: Why the Intrepid Matters

What makes the Intrepid Museum special isn’t just the impressive hardware or interactive exhibits; it’s how it connects visitors to the human stories behind these machines.

Throughout your visit, you’ll encounter the personal accounts of sailors, pilots, astronauts, and others who dedicated themselves to exploration and service.

In our increasingly digital world, there’s something powerful about standing in authentic spaces where history happened, touching the actual controls that guided vessels through danger, and gaining perspective on the ingenuity and courage that pushed the boundaries of sea, air, and space.

Whether you’re a history buff, science enthusiast, photography lover, or just looking for a uniquely New York experience, the Intrepid delivers an unforgettable adventure.

From the rumble of jet engines in historic footage to the sweeping views of the Hudson, from the claustrophobic quarters of the Growler to the soaring achievement of the Space Shuttle, the Intrepid Museum captures the full spectrum of human ambition and innovation.

So add it to your NYC itinerary, it’s one museum experience that definitely won’t leave you bored!