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New York Transit Museum

New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn: Hours, Address, New York Transit Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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New York Transit Museum

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New York Transit Museum
4.5
962
#15 of 238 things to do in Brooklyn
Speciality Museums
Friday
11:00 - 16:00
Saturday
11:00 - 16:00
Sunday
11:00 - 16:00
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About
The New York Transit Museum, one of the city's leading cultural institutions, is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. The Museum explores the development of the greater New York Metropolitan region through the presentations of exhibitions, tours, educational programs, and workshops dealing with the cultural, social, and technological history of public transportation. Since its inception over a quarter century ago, the Museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights, has grown in scope and popularity. As custodian and interpreter of the region's extensive public transportation networks, the Museum strives to share, through its public programs, this rich and vibrant history with local, regional, and international audiences.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown Brooklyn
How to get there
  • Borough Hall • 3 min walk
  • Jay St – MetroTech • 4 min walk
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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7,280 within 5 kms
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Attractions
1,315 within 10 kms
Brooklyn Tabernacle
757
0.2 kmReligious Sites
New York City Subway
1,695
88 mPublic Transportation Systems
Columbus Park
9
0.2 kmParks • Monuments & Statues
Brooklyn Borough Hall
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0.2 kmGovernment Buildings
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0.2 kmGovernment Buildings
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0.2 kmHistoric Sites
Brooklyn Heights
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0.7 kmNeighbourhoods
Montague Street
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0.6 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Popular mentions
4.5
962 reviews
Excellent
567
Very good
326
Average
61
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Melwsilver
9 contributions
Great Museum with Helpful, Attentive Staff
Sep 2021
My 18 year old son had wanted to visit this museum for the longest time. It was easy to book tickets on line and the Covid restrictions that were enforced made us feel as safe as possible. Unfortunately, I injured my back the day before the visit, but Sara, Kate, and Pete were helpful and kind in allowing me to use the assessable entrance and elevator, as I was unable to use the stairs.
The museum is housed in an former subway station and a large number of vintage train cars were lovingly restored and on display on the island platform. We booked tickets for when the museum opened on a Sunday morning, so we were able to see the train cars with little interruption from other visitors. It was a cool but sunny fall day, but still quite warm underground.
The mezzanine level houses historical exhibits, a wonderful collection of subway signs, and some transport and ticket related exhibits your younger children. That being said, it is not a place for toddlers or the under 6’s who are not really old enough to appreciate the history and who got bored very quickly becoming disruptive. Parents seemed oblivious of their behavior which impacted on the other visitors negatively. There is a gift shop but we found the prices cheaper at the on-line store. In total we spent an hour and 15 minutes there and felt it was a good value.
Written 26 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
hrobinson1114
Hopkinsville, KY2,411 contributions
Fun, informative, fantastic.
Sep 2021 • Solo
This is a fun, if informative museum with lots of photo ops. It really (honestly) is riveting to follow the New York City subway system and transit authority from the beginning until today. Displays are informative without being too wordy (though it is a lot to take in).

They have examples of most every type subway car used throughout the years. Great photos! My recommendation would be to come first thing (they open at 11) and skip the upper floor at first. Go straight down to the trains and check them out and take all the photos you want before people start to make their way down there, crowding the cars and messing with your shots (there were lots of kids the day I went). Lots of fun vintage ads, and it really is unbelievable how much the cars have changed! Info posted to tell you about each type of car, but it can get a bit dry and technical.

Then after you have your fill of photography, head back up and check out the other exhibits. The history of the creation of the subway was enlightening and amazing. And it was fun to see the subway tokens, which were phased out for metro cards.

I’m a member, so my ticket was at no cost, but tickets are affordable at 10 dollars. Must be vaccinated, must have proof, must purchase timed tickets, must wear mask.

Staff very nice too.
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joe K
Washington710 contributions
Rad place to learn about public transit
Aug 2021
The New York Transit Museum is a great place to learn more about public transit with many interpretive displays, cutaways of a bus, lessons about transit history, and sit inside historic transit vehicles. I came on the public re-opening, appreciated the timed entry for social distancing and had a rad visit. Even got to meet a fellow transit fan while sitting in the historic vehicles. Definitely want to return and bring friends, as well as shop in their store.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JohnB7987
Seattle, WA153 contributions
Subway History All in One Place
Nov 2019
This museum contains all the history of the New York City Subway System. If you like subway history, then this is a great place to visit.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FergusonBillyTate
Cheshire, UK194 contributions
A unique find.
Feb 2020
Once all then main sites of New York have been visited, its time to appreciate the more historical points of New York. This being a major one.

It's created around an disused old Metro Station, and falls on 2 levels.

The top level shows many pictures of how the metro was built, with the lower level housing old trams from the 30s till 2010. Very interesting. You're able to wonder between the trams, and browse all the historical facts.

Highly reccommend.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Howard B
Oceanside, CA96 contributions
A blast for transportation history fans!
Jun 2019
From when I was a boy until I moved to California in my 20s, I took the subway all the time. I saw many changes in the cars, stations, speed and noise. In the '50s grampa had me duck under wooden turnstiles, and we went up to the platform. My grandparents lived in the Bronx, and the outer boroughs had mostly "els". We got on a rickety brown train with single slide doors and wicker seats went underground, under the river into Manhattan. I always felt a sense of excitement being there. The trains evolved, becoming quicker and more modern. Every 10 years was a big change. The stations retained their beautiful tiles and many have been restored to their original condition from 1905. There was a period when the subways were no walk in the park, from the late 60s to 1990, when the trains and stations were filthy and covered in graffti, even the windows, defaced, some violently or offensively. The rush hour, between 7:30-9am and 4:30 to 7, was and is "sardine city" and you get pushed and shoved. I worked in Manhattan and lived in Queens. We were called "bridge and tunnel people" by Manhattan snobs. I wouldn't want to repeat the ride. The trains are much more comfortable and quiet now, and stations and cars are cleaned up. It is safer, even at night, in all but a few areas. Avoid those and you'll be fine. For anyone who has affection for the subways or just historical interest in the evolution of the world's greatest transit system, I highly recommend. A unique museum in the world!
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CR1325
Hollywood, FL740 contributions
HISTORICAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION
Feb 2020
While staying in Manhattan we decided to check out the Transit Museum in Brooklyn.

It was a very interesting tour of subway cars through the decades and the history of the subway system.

If your into trains you will defintely appreciate it. Well worth the time to visit.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sophistihippie
Brooklyn, NY46 contributions
Understated Underground Gem of Transport Memorabilia of NYC
Mar 2019
This a wonderful space located in Brooklyn Heights in the old Court Street station terminal. It is full of old cars from turn of the 19th c. through the 20th c. and into the 21st. Special exhibitions of memory have been the comics and transit show and the vintage train ride and swing dance party. Check it out if you love public transit (or at least can appreciate how NYC evolved with their transit system).
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD10,672 contributions
Really Cool Museum!
Feb 2020
What an incredibly interesting museum we visited today. The museum is in the Court Street subway station in downtown Brooklyn that is no longer in service. We learned how they built the subway right up to today and everything in between. The museum opened on July 4, 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration. The museum is the largest museum in the United States devoted solely to public transportation history.

They have many historic artifacts as well as memorabilia. They have a wonderful collection of vintage subway cars; some dating back to 1907. You can see the many turnstiles, fare collection boxes, trolleys and buses that have been in use in New York. We were so pleased to see families with small children as well as groups of school children learning about the history of the transit system. There are several levels to the museum.

We were especially impressed with Christina, who helped me carefully navigate the chair lift to the street. She was a delight and paid close attention to my wellbeing. The museum should be so proud to have such a fine employee representing them.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sherri W
Burleson, Texas, United States105 contributions
Do not miss it!!
Jan 2020
Amazing place! This is the only museum we visited in NYC, and I'm so glad we did. To learn the history of the subway was amazing. We did the free tour at 12:00, and really enjoyed it. I highly recommend doing that. I'll never think about the subway the same again.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about New York Transit Museum
New York Transit Museum is open:
  • Tue - Fri 10:00 - 16:00
  • Sat - Sun 11:00 - 17:00
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking New York Transit Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 New York Transit Museum tours on Tripadvisor
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