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Kid-Friendly Museums in the New York Area

Kid-Friendly Museums in the New York Area

Call the museum you're interested in before your trip to make sure it's open and following social distancing guidelines.


Our family-friendly museum guide features science exhibits, nature, transportation and technology innovation, and art exhibits; you'll find something for every member of your family. Many museums in the New York area have begun reopening or have released plans to. Always call the museum you're interested in visiting to confirm it's open, and make sure to keep up with coronavirus developments so your family can adapt to this ever-changing situation. Need tips for family fun activities? Subscribe to our daily newsletter, which delivers ideas every morning!

Kid-Friendly Museums in the Bronx

Open

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park

718-885-1461

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Hours: Mansion and carriage house: Saturday-Sunday, 12-3pm; gardens and grounds: daily, 8:30am to dusk.

What you need to know: Capacity will be reduced. No group reservations of 10 or more people.

As the last remaining “great country estate” in the Bronx Pelham Bay Area, this historic stone mansion provides visitors with a unique New York City experience. Visitors can take a tour of the mansion’s period-dressed rooms and view rotating exhibits that give them a flavor of 19th-century life. During the holiday season, the museum hosts various events. More information is listed on the website.

 

The Bronx Museum of the Arts

1040 Grand Concourse (165th Street), Bronx

718-681-6000

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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 1-6pm

Cost: Free

What you need to know: All visitors must reserve a time slot in advance.

As the only contemporary art museum in the Bronx, this flagship cultural institution features 20th- and 21st-century contemporary art from African, Asian, and Latin American artists. Exhibits are catered toward visitors of all ages.

 

Kid-Friendly Museums in Brooklyn

Open

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights

718-735-4400

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Hours: Thursday, 2-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm; select school holidays, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm

Cost: Play session admission and color lab admission is $13

This colorful museum is the world’s first children’s museum, and the first and only “green” museum in NYC. This museum has it all, from interactive learning adventures to hands-on exhibitions, multicultural performances to creative workshops and natural science specimens. Features include Neighborhood Nature, where kids can take on the role of field scientists to observe life forms and document the environment of a freshwater pond, saltwater beach, urban woodland, and community garden; Totally Tots, an early learner exhibit for kids up to age 5 that includes Water Wonders, Art Studio, Building Zone, and Little Theater; and World Brooklyn, where visitors can take a trip through Brooklyn (or at least, a child-sized model of the city), to learn about its diversity through the stories of real people and places.

 

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights

718-638-5000

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Hours: Wednesday-Thursday and Sunday, 11am-6pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-8pm

Cost: General admission: $16; $10 seniors ages 65 and older, visitors with disabilities, and students 20 and older with valid ID; free for members and children ages 19 and younger. General admission plus: $25; $16 seniors ages 65 and older, visitors with disabilities, and students 20 and older with valid ID; $10 children ages 4-12; free for members and children ages 3 and younger

What you need to know: All tickets are timed in 15 minute increments to adhere to social distancing and capacity guidelines.

Housed in a 560,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts building, the Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S. with world-renowned permanent art collections. The museum is located close to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Prospect Park Zoo.

 

Jewish Children’s Museum

792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights

718-467-0600

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Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 10am-5:30pm

Admission: $15 ages 2 and older; $12 seniors; $12 visitors with disabilities; free for one caregiver

What you need to know: There will be limited space, and advanced registration is required. Masks will be required for anyone ages 2 and older. The museum has added to its sanitizing and cleaning regiment of the building as well as exhibits. There will be multiple hand-sanitizing stations around the building, for ease of access and cleanliness. There will be added physical distance markers around the building.

This museum celebrates Jewish culture through contemporary, hands-on exhibits focusing on Jewish holidays, biblical history, the land of Israel, and contemporary Jewish life. It features multimedia exhibits, an art gallery, two state-of-the-art computer labs, a game show studio, a 75-seat audiovisual theater, a miniature-golf course, and a craft workshop.

Closed

New York Transit Museum

Closed until further notice; virtual events are being hosted online.

Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights

718-694-1600

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Hours: Temporarily closed.

Cost: $10; $5 children ages 2-17 and seniors 62 and older; free for children younger than 2; free for senior citizens 62 and older on Wednesdays

At the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to urban public transportation history, galleries showcase the tale of building NYC’s 100-year-old subway system. Housed underground in an authentic 1936 subway station in Downtown Brooklyn, the Transit Museum’s working platform level spans a full city block and is home to a rotating selection of 20 vintage subway and elevated cars dating back to 1907.

Kid-Friendly Museums in Manhattan

Open

9/11 Memorial Museum

180 Greenwich St.

212-312-8800

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Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm; last admission is one hour prior to closing.

Admission: $26; $20 seniors, young adults ages 13-17, and college students; $18 veterans; $15 children ages 7-12; free for members and children younger than 7. Free museum visitation is offered on Mondays beginning at 3:30pm

What you need to know: All visitors to the Memorial will be required to wear masks. Social distancing will be enforced. These measures were developed with guidance from public health experts and exist to ensure the health and safety of all visitors and staff. Capacity will be limited to 25 percent.

 

AKC Museum of the Dog

101 Park Ave., Midtown East

212-696-8360

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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm

Admission: Adults $15; Children 12 and under, $5; Seniors, students, and military (65+) $10; timed ticketing.

What you need to know: Masks are required in the museum and disposable masks will be provided if you forget. Six feet distance between yourself and others is required in the museum. Staff and volunteers will be implementing rigorous cleaning and disinfecting routines to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Contactless ticket purchasing.

AKC Museum of the Dog holds one of the finest collections of canine-related art. Combining fine arts with cutting edge technology and interpretation, the Museum of the Dog provides unique and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

 

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side

212-769-5100

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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm

Admission: General admission including admission to permanent museum halls but does not include special exhibitions: $23 adults; $18 for students with ID; $18 for seniors ages 60 and older; $13 for children ages 3-12; free for members. General admission for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents with ID is pay-what-you-wish.

What you need to know: Admission is by timed entry. Facial coverings are required throughout the visit. Guests must maintain physical distancing and use hand sanitizer throughout their visit.

One of the largest museums in the world, the AMNH houses collections made up of more than 32 million specimens and artifacts. Visited by millions of people around the world each year, this is definitely a bucket-list spot to visit. Make sure to read the best-kept secrets of AMNH before you go!

 

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The Tisch Building, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side

212-721-1223

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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: $15; $12 seniors ages 65 and older and visitors with disabilities; free for children younger than 1

What you need to know: All visitors must purchase timed tickets in advance, have their temperature taken upon arrival, wear masks, and respect social distancing protocols.

CMOM inspires kids to learn about themselves and the world around them through interactive exhibits and programs such as Adventures with Dora and Diego, in which children ages 2-6 join a series of missions to save animals, build a bear’s nest, and get ready for a fiesta; and PlayWorks, in which children up to age 4 feed alphabet letters to a talking dragon, drive a fire truck, and more while exploring language, art, science, and imagination.

 

FDNY Fire Zone

61 W. 48th St., Hell's Kitchen

212-698-4520

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Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm

Admission: Free. Fire-Safety Presentation: $6; $2 seniors; $5 per person for groups of 15 or more.

What you need to know: Masks must be worn at all times in the museum; social distancing should be maintained.

At the Fire Zone you can climb on a realistic fire truck, try on bunker gear, meet a firefighter, and learn how to crawl through a smoke-filled hallway. The Fire Zone gives visitors first-hand experience in what to do in a fire emergency through a variety of hands-on exhibits and multimedia presentations, including a simulated fire scene.

 

Guggenheim Museum

1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side

212-423-3500

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Hours: Thursday-Monday, 11am-6pm

Admission: $25, adults; $18, students and seniors ages 65 and older; free for children 12 and younger. Pay what you wish: Friday-Saturday, 4-6pm (timed tickets required).

What you need to know: Capacity will be limited to 25 percent with access available through ticked-ticket purchase only. One-way guided footpaths will be used with signage to support the measured flow of guests and social distancing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Immerse yourself in the Guggenheim’s world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art. Visitors are encouraged to view unique exhibitions, attend lectures from artists and critics, and attend classes led by museum educators.

 

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Hell's Kitchen

212-245-0072

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Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-5pm; last entry at 4pm.

Admission: $33, adults 13-64; $31, seniors 65+; $24, children 5-12

What you need to know: Audio tours, simulators and 3D films are temporarily unavailable. The submarine Growler is closed until further notice. The exhibition “A View From The Deep: The Submarine Growler and The Cold War” is open and accessible via the pier next to the submarine. Some experiences will be unavailable during initial reopening, but the vast majority of the museum will be available, including most exhibitions and the entire collection of aircraft outside on the flight deck and in the spacious hangar deck, as well as the Space Shuttle Pavilion, which houses the space shuttle Enterprise. Timed ticketing to limit capacity to 25 percent as well as physical distancing, face coverings, frequent cleaning, and hand sanitizer stations will be implemented.

The museum is dedicated to the exhibition and interpretation of history, science and service as related to its home aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid. Visitors of all ages can examine original artifacts, view historic video footage and explore interactive exhibits at this unique institution. The museum features the world’s first space shuttle, in addition to two dozen other authentically restored aircrafts, to show you some of the history of our heroes.

 

Jewish Museum

1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side

212-423-3200

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Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 11am-4pm

Admission: $18, $12 for seniors, free for children 18 and younger, members, and everyone on Saturdays

What you need to know: Timed tickets are necessary to maintain 25 percent capacity and social distance. Face coverings required. Temperature checks required. Visitors with a temperature above 100.4 degrees F will not be admitted. Six feet distance required. Large bags and oversized umbrellas are not permitted. Russ & Daughters at the Jewish Museum will remain temporarily closed.

From excavating ancient replicas in a simulated archaeological dig, to designing mixed-media artworks, the Jewish Museum provides families with a wide range of programs. On Sundays and select weekdays, families can participate in the Museum’s Drop-in Art Workshop, attend music and theater performances, and explore art exhibitions together. They can also visit Archaeology Zone, an interactive exhibition designed for children, as well as engage in holiday programs and specialized art workshops during winter vacation weeks.

 

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side

212-535-7710

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Hours: Thursday-Monday, 10am-5pm

Admission: For New York state residents and New York state students, the amount you pay for your admission ticket is up to you. General Admission: $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for members, patrons, and children ages 12 and younger

What you need to know: Face coverings are required for all visitors over the age of two; visitors must maintain physical distance and keep at least 6 feet apart; visitors should wash hands and use sanitizer regularly throughout your visit. General admission tickets are available for purchase in advance online and at ticket desks and kiosks at The Met. At this time, group reservations, group visits, and group tours of any size are not available or permitted in the museum.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s programs for kids and families are designed to spark imagination, creativity, and lifelong connections with art. Drop-in programs such as Art Trek and Sunday Studio offer fun through looking, learning, and creating art together. Sign up for classes taught by educators and artists who use the entire museum as an expanded classroom. Get started with #MetKids, a new digital art feature made for, with, and by kids ages 7-12 that includes an interactive map, videos starring kid reporters, and more. Find it all here.

 

Museum of Ice Cream

558 Broadway, Soho

855-258-0719

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Hours: Thursday, 10am-5:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5:30pm

Admission: $39

What you need to know: Spaces will be deep cleaned before opening and at the end of each day using CDC-recommended and EPA-registered cleaning solutions. Throughout the day, team members have been trained to disinfect all touch points after any exposure or contact with guests. Masks are required upon entry and optional for children ages 12 and younger. "Swimming" in the sprinkle pool is no longer allowed.

Featuring 13 multisensory exhibition spaces, this museum is perfect for ice-cream lovers. Fan favorites include the Oh Yeah Room, a dessert feast suspended by floating balloons, the Celestial Subway, the Rainbow Tunnel, and of course the photo-worthy Sprinkle Pool.

 

Museum of Illusions

77 Eighth Ave., Chelsea

212-645-3230

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Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-10pm; Friday-Sunday, 8am-12am

Admission: $22; $20 seniors, military, and students; $18 children ages 4-13

What you need to know: All visitors and staff must wear a face covering to enter the building. Temperature will be taken upon entry. Numbered exhibits will help with the flow of the museum to allow social distancing. The museum has installed MERV-13 filters in its air-conditioning system, along with UV lights, to help eliminate COVID-19. It has added a dozen hand sanitizing stations, limited capacity to 34 people at any given time, and added a senior citizen entrance.

Trick your senses with this museum’s collection of holograms, optical illusions, and showpieces. Learn about vision, perception, the human brain, and science to perceive why your eyes see things that your brain can't understand!

 

Museum of Modern Art

11 W. 53rd St., Midtown

212-708-9400

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Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30am-5:30pm; For members only: Mondays,10:30am-5:30pm

Admission: $25; $18 seniors; $14 students

What you need to know: Capacity is limited, and entry is by timed ticket only. Temperatures will be screened, and masks are required for anyone ages 2 and older. Everyone must maintain social distancing and follow signs that will guide you throughout the museum’s spaces.

Discover modern and contemporary art through programs and resources specially designed for families with kids ages 4-14. Spend time viewing more than 2,000 artworks in over 150,000 square feet of gallery space in the museum’s collection and special exhibition galleries.

 

New York City Fire Museum

278 Spring St., Hudson Square

212-691-1303

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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: $10; $8 students, seniors, firefighters, AAA members, federally disabled; $5 children

What you need to know: Masks and social distancing required.

The New York City Fire Museum displays the evolution of firefighting, from the bucket brigades of Peter Stuyvesant's New Amsterdam through the colorful history of volunteer firefighters to modern firefighting techniques and equipment. The museum also houses a memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who made the supreme sacrifice on 9/11. Fire safety tours are available for groups, and fire safety learning games for kids.

 

New-York Historical Society

170 Central Park West

212-873-3400

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Hours: Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm; seniors only: Friday, 10-11am.

Admission: $22; $17 seniors, educators, and active military; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children ages 4 and younger. Pay as you wish admission: Friday, 6-8pm.

What you need to know: Face coverings are required for employees and all visitors older than age 2 and are available—without charge—to anyone requesting them. Social distancing is required and will be enforced. Cleaning protocols are also in place.

Established as New York’s first museum in 1804, the historical society offers visitors a vast collection of artifacts, art, documents, and more that tell the story of NYC. The New-York Historical Society is home to the DiMenna Children’s History Museum (temporarily closed); the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library (one of the oldest in the nation); and the Center for Women’s History, which tells the untold stories of women who helped shape America.

 

Spyscape

928 8th Ave., Hell's Kitchen

212-549-1941

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Hours: Thursday, 12-8pm; Friday, 2-9pm; Saturday, 11am-9pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm

Admission: $39, $32 children ages 6-14 and students

What you need to know: Interact with SPYSCAPE's award-winning immersive content and experiences on your smartphone, plus a new SPYSCAPE branded stylus. Staff is trained and equipped to deliver a best-in-class level of service and safety including 25 percent capacity, temperature checks, timed-ticketing, one-way visitor flow, distance indicators, hand sanitizer, touch-less purchases, and high-frequency deep cleaning.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Learn what it's like to be a spy for a day. Spyscape takes you into the world of secret intelligence, code-making and breaking, lie detection, surveillance, hacking, special ops, and more.

 

Whitney Museum of American Art

99 Gansevoort St., West Village

212-570-3600

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Hours: Monday, 10:30am-5pm; Thursday-Friday, 10:30am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-6pm

Admission: $25; $18 seniors, students, and visitors with disabilities; free for children younger than 18

What you need to know: Capacity is limited. All visitors and members must book timed tickets in advance. Face coverings are required. There will be signage and ground markings throughout the museum to ensure proper social distancing. There is an updated circulation route in staircases and elevators.

With a special focus on living artists, the Whitney is home to some of the most innovative 20th-century and contemporary artwork. The museum’s hallmark exhibition, The Whitney Biennial, is the longest running survey of American art.

 

Closed

Center for Architecture

Temporarily closed; virtual events are being held online.

536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village

212-683-0023

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What you need to know: Once the center reopens, it expects to place limits on event sizes, in compliance with evolving social distancing and other mitigation strategies.

The Center for Architecture promotes understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 schools, families, and the general public. Learn more about the buildings and streetscapes that make up our city by visiting our free galleries with changing exhibitions on current topics in architecture, or by attending one of our hands-on design workshops.

 

Children’s Museum of the Arts

Temporarily closed

103 Charlton St., Soho

212-274-0986

A hands-on arts museum that engages young artists with a clay bar, fine art studio, WEE space (for ages 5 and younger), and a media lab and sound booth.

 

DiMenna Children’s History Museum at New-York Historical Society

Temporarily closed, but the New-York Historical Society’s other exhibits are open.

170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way, Upper West Side

212-873-3400

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Hours: Temporarily closed.

Admission: Visit the website for more information.

Located on the lower level of the New-York Historical Society, this is the first-ever museum that brings American history to life through the eyes of children. Targeted toward children ages 8-13, the museum features life stories of a diverse selection of youngsters who lived in NYC from the late 17th to the 20th centuries. The outdoor exhibition, Hope Wanted: New York City Under Quarantine, is now on view in the rear courtyard through Nov. 29



 

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden

Temporarily closed.

421 E. 61st St.

212-838-6878

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Travel back in time to an early 19th-century country resort where New Yorkers came for a day of fun and relaxation. Family-friendly tours highlight activities that were popular in the 1800s.

 

Museum of Mathematics

Temporarily closed; be sure to check out MoMath’s full menu of online events and student sessions at events.momath.org!

11 E. 26th St.

212-542-0566

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At MoMath, discover the side of math you’ve never seen before with exhibits and activities like Seeing Math, an exhibit that shows math in a whole new light, and Square-Wheeled Trike, a surprisingly smooth ride on square wheels.

 

South Street Seaport Museum

Temporarily closed.

12 Fulton St.

212-748-8753

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Learn all about New York Harbor and its science and history with South Street Seaport Museum. Visit the South Street Seaport Museum with your family for Tall Ships Tours and gallery exhibitions. Periodic family programs offer hands-on workshops for school-aged children on everything from boat design to plankton studies, and fun educational sails on the Schooner Pioneer. MiniMates program for toddlers and preschoolers and their care-givers offers fun and relaxed learning in a creative environment with music, movement, art, science, and free play.

 

Tenement Museum

Tours are closed until further notice, but virtual experiences are still available.

103 Orchard St., Lower East Side

877-795-3786

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Kid-Friendly Museums in Queens

Open

MoMA PS1

22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City

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Hours: Sunday-Monday and Thursday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday, 12-8pm

Admission: $10 adults; $5 seniors and students; free for children ages 16 and younger and members

What you need to know: Timed ticket only; you can book in advance online. Capacity is limited.

MoMA PS1 presents today’s most experimental, thought- provoking art. Founded in 1971, it is the first nonprofit arts center in the US devoted solely to contemporary art.

 

Queens County Farm Museum

73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park

718-347-3276

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Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm; farmstand open May 12-Nov. 7, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-3pm

Admission: Free except during special events

What you need to know: Maintain 6 feet of social distance between household groups; and wear face coverings when six-foot social distancing is not possible, unless a face covering is not medically tolerated. Historic adriance farmhouse tours are closed due to COVID-19. Visitors and employees must stay home if they are sick. Members and general admission visitors are required to pre-purchase admission tickets through the farm’s online ticketing system. Tickets will no longer be sold at the door on event days. More visitor information found here.

This 47-acre museum includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse, livestock, farm vehicles, planting fields, an orchard and an herb garden. As one of the longest continually farmed sites in New York, the museum provides children with opportunities to learn about biodiversity, nutrition, health and wellness, climate change, and preserving local history. Hay rides are also available weather permitting.

 

Queens Museum

New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing

718-592-9700

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Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 12-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm

Admission: FREE

What you need to know: All visitors must reserve a timed entry ticket prior to visiting the Queens Museum. After booking your timed tickets, arrive within 30 minutes of your ticket start time. You will be asked to present your ticket–digital or hard copy to a Welcome Team Member upon arriving at the museum. Masks are required for entry for all visitors ages 2+ and all visitors will be asked to scan for a temperature check. Please see the museum website for everything that you need to know before visiting. Book your free tickets in advance here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The museum is dedicated to providing New Yorkers with a high-quality visual arts experience, and features six galleries. It offers regular artist workshops and educational programming. Don’t miss the Panorama of the City of New York, a model of the city built to the scale of 1:1200.

 

Opening Soon

Museum of the Moving Image

Scheduled to reopen April 30.

36-01 35th Ave., Astoria

718-777-6888

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Hours: Beginning April 30: Friday, 2-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-6pm

Admission: $15; $11 seniors ages 65 and older and students with valid ID; $9 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3 and members

What you need to know: The museum has installed barriers where appropriate, and upgraded all HVAC air filters. Capacity will be limited to 25 percent, and face masks and social distancing will be required. Advanced, timed-entry tickets will be on sale soon and are required.

The only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the art, history, technique, and technology of the moving image in all its forms. Permanent exhibit: The Jim Henson Exhibition features a rare look into the creative mind and life of Jim Henson with 300 objects and 47 puppets on display, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and more.

New York Hall of Science

Temporarily closed; slated to reopen July 2021

47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

718-699-0005

Get your hands on more than 450 science-themed exhibits that engage learners of all inclinations and ages.

Kid-Friendly Museums on Staten Island

Open

Historic Richmond Town

441 Clarke Ave.

718-351-1611

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Hours: Small-group tours: Friday-Sunday, 11am-3pm

Admission: Access to grounds is free; guided tours are $50 for up to 6 people

What you need to know: Buildings are currently closed, but visitors are welcome to explore the grounds during regular hours. Tavern Terrace Beer Garden is open with social distancing and mask-wearing. Wear a face covering Maintain a six-foot distance from others at all times; Avoid congregating in groups.

This living-history village allows visitors to recreate and interact with colonial history through guided tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Follow a visit to the site’s museum, which hosts a rotating display of exhibits that highlight the historical importance of the area, with a guided tour of its 45 original buildings, including the oldest-known schoolhouse in America, where you might meet a few costumed demonstrators engaging in old-fashioned trades and day-to-day duties.

 

Staten Island Children’s Museum

Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace

718-273-2060

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Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm

Admission: $8; free for children younger than 1 and members
What you need to know: The museum is open for two timed sessions each weekend day, which are separated by a short break for thorough cleaning. Capacity is limited to ensure social distancing, and it’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance. All guests ages 2 and older are required to wear a face mask.

Interactive exhibitions and creative workshops here are launchpads for discovery, designed to nurture children’s natural curiosity and creativity. Permanent exhibits include: Bugs and Other Insects: Crawl through a human-size ant hill, try on an exoskeleton, watch butterflies being born and bees working on their hive, and jam with the Insect Orchestra. Block Harbor: Explore a fantasy port of call on a pirate ship, peep through a telescope, ring the bell, navigate the wheel, cook in the galley—or just make believe. Great Explorations: Kids learn about extreme environments as they explore a rainforest canopy and cave, drive a dogsled through the tundra, build an igloo, cross a river, walk on snowshoes, and drive a submersible.

 

Kid-Friendly Museums in Nassau County

Open

African American Museum

110 N. Franklin St., Hempstead

tel: 516-572-0730

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Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, by reservation only

Admission: $5 ages 5 and older; $10 for guided tour and video

What you need to know: Masks are required and temperatures will be taken upon arrival.

Art and culture collide at the African American Museum, where the mission is to educate and promote understanding and appreciation of African American culture, art, and tradition through education, exhibitions, and workshops for the public.

 

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Across from Mitchel Athletic Complex, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City

516-572-4111

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Hours: Thursday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: $16; $14 children ages 2-12 and seniors ages 62 and older; free for military personnel, volunteer firemen, and non-ambulatory visitors.

What you need to know: All museum visitors older than 2 must wear a face mask while in the museum. Disposable face masks will be made available for anyone who does not have them. Six feet of social distance is the standard, and staff is empowered to close exhibits if maintaining 6 feet of distance between people appears to not be possible.

The museum features more 75 air and space crafts from hot air balloons to an actual Lunar Module, Long Island's only giant screen theater that houses the Jet Blue Sky Theater Planetarium and the National Geographic Dome Theater and Nunley's Carousel. The Planetarium, Dome Theater, Nunley’s Carousel, and Junior Jet Club are currently closed until further notice as per NYS mandate.

 

Garvies Point Museum

50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove

516-571-8010

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Hours: Museum: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Preserve: daily, 7am-7:30pm; no dogs allowed.

Admission: $4; $2 children ages 5-12

What you need to know: Guests are required to wear masks when in the foyer, gift shop, and museum. Three to four family groups are allowed in the museum at a time. One family group is allowed in foyer, gift shop, and exhibit alcove at a time.

The museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of local Native American archaeology. Educational and Scout programs, including archaeology, geology, and environmental themes, are offered during and after school hours. Special events held on select Saturdays.

 

Long Island Children’s Museum

11 Davis Ave. Garden City

516-224-5800

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Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-3pm; members only: 10am-11am

Admission: $14; $13 ages 65 and older; free for infants younger than 1

What you need to know: Health and safety protocols and operational modifications are in place to enable visitors to return to play and learn. These include safe physical distancing and PPE protocols, reduced admission and exhibit capacity, timed entry, and contactless interactions. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

The museum strives to fuel young childrens’ creativity with several unique exhibits and activities, including ClimbIt@LICM, a two-story climbing structure for ages 4 and older, and Changes & Challenges, in which kids can experience how people with differing abilities adapt to daily challenges. Feasts for Beasts is also a fan favorite, allowing children to discover the amazing ways animals find and eat their food and participate in themed activities.

 

Nassau County Museum of Art: The Art Space for Children

1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

516-484-9338

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Hours: Mansion: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am-4:45pm; last entry in the 3:30-4pm ticket time. The mansion will be closed April 26-May 7 and Nov. 8-19. The arboretum, trails, and sculpture garden are open daily, 9am to dusk.

Admission: $15; $10 seniors; $5 students with ID and children ages 4-12; free for children younger than 4 and members

What you need to know: Masks required upon entering. There is timed ticket entry, requiring visitors to purchase tickets online before arriving.

View the permanent collection of more than 500 art objects from American and European art of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Sculpture Park features more than 30 large-scale works by artists such as Botero, Serra, Valdes, and many others, sited throughout the museum’s 145-acre Gold Coast property.

 

Tackapausha Museum

2225 Washington Ave., Seaford

516-571-7443

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Hours: Museum: Thursday-Sunday, 11am-4pm. Preserve: daily, sunrise to sunset.

Admission: $5; $3 seniors and children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5

What you need to know: The museum is only allowing 10 visitors at a time for up to 45-minute visits. The 1pm reservation includes a guided tour with a staff member. Many hands-on exhibits (the puppet theater, crawl thru log, toys) have been removed for safety reasons. The reptile room downstairs is still closed. Masks are required at all times.

The museum offers a variety of environmental education programs for all ages that involve all aspects of Long Island’s natural history. Visitors can see live animal exhibits and monthly scheduled presentations that include birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. Birthday party packages are available at off-site locations, as well as nature walks, campfire circles, bird-watching programs, and community service projects.

 

Closed

Science Museum of Long Island

Temporarily closed, but it’s currently hosting a variety of outdoor events for families.

1526 N. Plandome Road, Plandome

516-627-9400

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A science activity center located on the Leeds Pond Preserve, this museum offers hands-on science workshops for children. All programs and workshops are by registration only; see the website for a full schedule.

 

Kid-Friendly Museums in Suffolk County

Open

Children’s Maritime Museum at Port Jefferson

101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson

631-331-3277

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Hours: Wednesday, 10am-2pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-5 pm

Admission: $5; free for members and children younger than 1

What you need to know: Must book your visit in advance 2 days in advance. Reservations are required for private group sessions. Print your event registration to bring to your visit, and submit a completed COVID-19 screening within 24 hours of visiting. Face masks are required for all guests over age 2. Physical distancing measures are in place.

Housed in the historic Chandlery Building on Port Jefferson Harbor, this museum is a lighthouse learning center featuring interactive exhibits for kids in primary grades and adults. Learn about Long Island’s natural ecosystem and maritime heritage through permanent installations like Virtual Submarine—a computer program that allows visitors to virtually navigate the Port Jefferson harbor (both above and below water) while learning more about the natural attributes and history of the area.

 

Children’s Museum of the East End

376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton

631-537-8250

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Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm

Admission: $19 ages 1 and older; free for members and EBT holders

What you need to know: Advance online tickets or phone reservations are required. Museum staff and any visitors age 2 and over will be required to wear masks that cover their mouths and noses. CMEE staff will take the temperature of all visitors prior to entering the Museum

Kids ages 2-10 can learn through play at the museum’s permanent exhibits and activities, which include a Crawler Garden with bugs, fruits, and vegetables, a Musical Forest, and a drop-in art studio. You can also sail the high seas, discover how a windmill works, try on costumes, and let off some pent-up energy in an indoor play space meant to nurture cognitive and physical development.

 

The Heckscher Museum of Art

2 Prime Ave., Huntington

631-351-3250

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Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 12-5pm

Admission: Free

What you need to know: Admission is by advance reservation only, and visits are limited to 1 hour. The following are temporarily unavailable: “Create Your Own” Kids Activity Station, Digital Action Painting Touchscreens, Family Activity Guides, Merchandise (books, postcards, etc.), Drinking fountain, Coat room. All visitors and Museum staff are required to wear a mask or cloth face covering. Visitors and Museum staff will observe 6-foot social distancing at all times. Visitors will comply with temperature taking prior to entering the Museum building.

With constantly changing exhibitions, The Heckscher Museum of Art provides educational experiences and public programming for all ages. The primary collection features more than 2,300 works, spanning from the 16th to 21st centuries.

 

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

631-854-5579

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Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm

Admission: $10; $9 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 2-12; free for military, children younger than 2, and members

What you need to know: The Mansion living quarters and the Reichert Planetarium remain closed at this time. Tickets are available online and at the gate. Please wear a mask when unable to maintain 6-feet distancing from others or when indoors.

Featuring a mansion, marine and natural history museum, planetarium, and park, this unique Long Island staple is perfect for the whole family. Guests can view the Hall of Fishes marine museum, the Habitat and Stroll Wing animal dioramas, and the natural-history and cultural-artifact galleries on the first floor of the Memorial Wing. Plus, for the spring, the grounds is home to an 18-hole mini-golf course.

 

The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor

631-367-3418

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Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 12-4 pm; Summer hours: daily, 10am-5pm

Admission: Adults, $6; Seniors and children ages 4-18, $5; Children ages 3 and under, members and active military with ID are free.

What you need to know: Masks are required and tickets must be purchased in advance. Everyone must maintain and follow social distancing guidelines, including a new one-way path through the museum. The museum installed plexiglass barriers at the front desk and gift shop, has hand sanitizer available and turned off the water fountain.

Explore the relationship between Long Islanders and the sea through the museum’s 6,000 objects and artifacts. Cold Spring’s current exhibits display the whaling history of the area.

Highlights of the collection include New York State’s only fully-equipped 19th-century whaleboat with original gear. See scrimshaw and whalebone art and ship models, explore artifacts and tools used by whalers, stand next to a sperm whale jaw, see a diorama of Cold Spring Harbor in 1850, and touch whale bones. See the website for a schedule of family workshops, and for a variety of virtually-hosted trivia nights!

 

Opening Soon

Hallockville Museum Farm

6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead

631-298-5292

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Hours: May 26-Oct 27: self-guided tours: Sunday-Friday, 12-4pm (grounds only); guided tours: Saturday, 11am-3pm open

Admission: Self-guided tours: free. Guided tours: $10; $5 for seniors and children 5-12; free for children younger than 5

What you need to know: Masks are required. Social distancing guidelines are being implemented.

The grounds feature 19 historic houses, barns, and outbuildings, including the mid-18th-century Hallock Homestead (entry into selected Hallockville buildings is by guided escort only). Visitors can experience farming on Long Island during that time period and meet Hallockville’s friendly cows, sheep, and chickens.

Kid-Friendly Museums in Westchester County

Open

Greenburgh Nature Center

99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale

914-723-3470

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Hours: Grounds: daily, dawn to dusk

Admission: Free

What you need to know: The Manor House (including Live Animal Museum) remains closed to the public. The grounds, including the playground, outdoor animal exhibits and trails are open. All pre-arranged groups of 10 or more people must call in advance to request use of the outdoor spaces.

Featuring nature trails, a pond, gardens, an indoor exhibit that includes a live animal museum with more than 100 specimens, and a greenhouse with plants from all over the world, this 33-acre preserve is perfect for any animal lover. The center also includes a large exhibit room with seasonal natural history exhibits.

 

Hudson River Museum & Planetarium

511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers

914-963-4550

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Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 12-5pm. Closed April 22.

Admission: $8 adults; $4 ages 3-18; $5 seniors, veterans and students with ID; free for children under 3.

What you need to know: Advanced registration is required for timed-entry tickets and all visitors are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Visitors can choose from one of three available time slots: 12-1:30pm, 1:30-3pm, or 3-4:30pm. Glenview, the Planetarium and Hudson Riverama are closed until further notice.

The Hudson River Museum offers engaging experiences and exhibitions of American art ranging from 19th-century Hudson River School paintings to contemporary art installations. The state-of-the-art planetarium is the only public one in Westchester and teaches you all about the Hudson River in Hudson Riverama—a hands-on, environmental teaching gallery that explores the history and ecosystem of the river.

 

Katonah Museum of Art

134 Jay St. (Route 22), Katonah

914-232-9555

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Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 12-5pm

Admission: $10; $5 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger and members

What you need to know: All visitors are required to purchase timed-entry tickets and make reservations in advance. All visitors, including children older than 2, are required to wear a face mask. Visitors must register for use of the Learning Center when they register for general entry tickets. There is a limit of 2 families (eight people) per time slot.

With a focus on art and humanities, this museum offers lectures, films, workshops, and concerts for a general audience. The museum’s Children’s Learning Center serves as an interactive space where children can explore, interpret, and create art.

 

Trailside Nature Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Routes 35 and 121, Cross River

914-864-7322

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Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm; closed occasionally on Fridays. Trails: daily, dawn to dusk

Admission: Free; there is a parking fee

What you need to know: Face masks and social distancing are required.

Exhibits spotlight the area’s natural features and the reservation’s history, including specimens of birds, mammals, plants, insects, and minerals. Family programs and activities include guided hikes, a wildflower garden, Native American crafts, plant and tree identification, maple sugaring, and storytelling. The museum is located on the 4,400-acre Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

 

Opening Soon

Museum at the John Jay Homestead

400 Jay St., Katonah

914-232-5651

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Hours: Grounds: daily, sunrise to sunset. Starting in May, Carriage Barn Education and Visitor Center: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm

Admission: Free
What you need to know: John Jay’s Bedford House and Discovery Centers closed for the season, but are scheduled to reopen in May. Guests will be required to social distance and wear face masks.

The historic site now encompasses 62 acres, including formal gardens, woodland walks, rolling meadows, and a cluster of 19th-century farm buildings. An 1820s schoolhouse and an 1830s barn are open for touring. Historic house tours are available on a regular schedule year-round. Visitor Center and Discovery Center are open seasonally; see website for details.

Moments in Time: Photographs from the Jay Family Collection: This exhibit features the Jay-Iselin family, who lived at the homestead from the 1850s to the 1950s.

 

Hudson Valley MOCA

Plans to reopen in June by appointment only.

1701 Main St., Peekskill

914-788-0100

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HVCCA is committed to the enrichment of Peekskill, a multicultural community that has recreated itself as a major arts destination. The center operates a 12,000-square-foot exhibition space and is the primary sponsor of the Peekskill Project, an annual, citywide exhibition of site-specific artwork. Tours are available upon request.

 

Closed

Hudson Valley Historic Sites

Currently closed.

639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills

914-631-8200

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What you need to know: Face masks are required for employees and visitors over 2. All visitors must agree to follow their COVID Courtesy Codes. Advance-timed tickets are required for all visitors.

Hudson Valley Historic Sites operate a group of architecturally beautiful historic sites including Philipsburg Manor, Van Cortlandt Manor, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, and Kykuit. Visit hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites for a list of events at each venue.

 

Neuberger Museum of Art

Currently closed.

735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase

914-251-6100

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The Neuberger Museum of Art celebrates the return of some of its most precious treasures after being on a national tour across the country for over a year..

Westchester Children’s Museum

Temporarily closed, but it’s hosting weekend family workshops for limited groups; see website for details.

 

Rye Playland Bathhouses (on the Long Island Sound)

914-421-5050

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The vibrant learning space caters to children up to age 12, and provides opportunities for hands-on exploration. Exhibits focus on pretend play, physics, science, art, music, and places to climb, build, and examine.

 

The Yorktown Museum

Currently closed

1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights

914-962-2970

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Five permanent exhibits including: Woodlands Room: Step back into the time of Westchester’s first inhabitants, the Mohegan Indians, in this total environmental experience of the lifestyle and culture of these early settlers. Listen to the sounds of the forest and river as the settlement, portrayed through murals and a replica of a longhouse, becomes more visible.

The Bob McKeand Room: Railroading: A re-creation of the Yorktown Depot area circa 1950 features an HO scale model layout, a delight for railroad enthusiasts, be they historians or model train buffs.

Kid-Friendly Museums in Rockland County

Open

Edward Hopper House Art Center

82 N. Broadway, Nyack

845-358-0774

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Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm

Admission: $8; $6 seniors; $3 students; free for children ages 16 and younger and members

What you need to know: Visitors must wear a mask while in the museum, in the garden, and on any museum property. Timed tickets are required for the museum. Occupancy in the museum is limited to eight people per time slot.

Visitors can tour the birthplace and celebrate the legacy of artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967) at this unique art center. It boasts an archive of Edward Hopper documents and memorabilia and hosts rotating art exhibits. Guided tours are offered on weekends or by appointment. Visit the website for a calendar of upcoming events and children’s workshops.

 

The Historical Society of Rockland County

20 Zukor Road, New City

845-634-9629

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Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4pm

Admission: $5; free for children younger than 7

What you need to know: Tickets must be pre-purchased. The ca. 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House remains closed. Social distancing and other public health protection measures are in place.

The museum gives visitors insight into the rich history of Rockland County with unique exhibits and archived materials. It features several exhibits, including the Suffrage Centennial exhibitions that address questions about how the fight for women’s suffrage changed fashion and how women’s fashion and lives changed in response to suffrage.

 

Closed

Town of Ramapo Challenger Center

Temporarily closed.

225 Route 59, Airmont

845-357-3416

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Be an astronaut for a day at the Challenger Center! The center offers an interactive learning experience in science, technology, engineering, and math through performing tasks of real scientists, engineers, researchers, and astronauts. One of 4 Challenger Centers in the NY metro area, it’s the only center that offers space missions and planetarium shows to the public.

 

Kid-Friendly Museums in Bergen County

Aviation Hall of Fame

400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro

201-288-6344

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Hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 10:30am-12pm, 12:30-2pm, 2:30-4pm

Admission: $10; $8 seniors and children 3-12

What you need to know: Each session will be limited to fifteen people; reservations are required and can be made here.

Kids get a deep dive into the aerospace industry—spaceflight, engineering, research, piloting—including the rocket engine that propelled the X-15 to incredible speed and height. Also on display is the first American hovercraft invented by Charles Fletcher, as well as aircrafts, helicopters and airplane models. Don’t miss the custom-built “Fundamentals of Flight” interactive aerodynamics exhibit.

 

The Mahwah Museum

201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah

201-512-0099

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Hours: Saturdays, 1-4pm

Admission: $5; free for members and children younger than 18

What you need to know: Will be operating at 25-percent capacity, temperature checks at door, masks and social distancing required. Admission to the Donald Cooper Model Railroad is included with museum admission.

This small museum covers the history of Mahwah in Bergen County. Kids will love the scaled train model, as well as the railroad memorabilia, including a restored 1929 Erie cupola caboose and photos of the early days of railroading. The “Les Paul in Mahwah Exhibit” tells the story of the famous guitar maker Les Paul who lived in Mahwah for sixty years, and features some of his inventions including a prototype for the hard body guitar and many guitars signed by stars. Visitors can also learn about the suffrage movement at the Women’s Fight for the Right to Vote exhibit.

 

The Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum

705 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell

201-261-0012

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Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday 2-5pm

Admission: Free

Animal lovers will love this wildlife art museum, housed in a converted historic carriage house. It’s one of only five museums in the United States to exclusively display wildlife art, and its collection, which began with philanthropist and collector Hiram Blauvelt’s private wildlife art and big game collections, now includes rotating exhibits. The A Life in the Wild exhibit, featuring photography from Thomas Mangelsen, will give visitors an especially unique perspective of wildlife. The Society of Animal Artists 56th Annual “Art and the Animal” show included artists from around the world

 

Closed

Carlstadt Historical Fire-House Museum

Currently closed.

Division Ave. & Sixth St., Carlstadt

201-933-1070

The Carlstadt Historical Society has organized a remarkable collection of archival photographs, written documents, news articles, clothing, and other items that bring Bergen County’s colorful history to life. You can find everything from 1930s-era school pennants to early 20th century fife and drum corp. uniforms to a vintage breathalyzer used by the police department.

 

African Art Museum

Currently closed.

23 Bliss Ave., Tenafly, NJ

201-894-8611

Established in 1980, and maintained by the Society of African Missions, this museum is one of the only museums in the United States dedicated solely to the arts of Africa. Its permanent collections, exhibited on a rotating basis, give visitors a taste of sub-Saharan culture, including sculpture, painting, costumes, textiles, decorative arts, religion, and folklore.

 

 

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