New York Transit Museum

Museum · Downtown Brooklyn

New York Transit Museum

Museum · Downtown Brooklyn

4

99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

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New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
New York Transit Museum by null
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Highlights

Step into the New York Transit Museum, a retro blast in a 1936 subway station where vintage trains and interactive exhibits make transit history a fun ride for all ages.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Get directions

nytransitmuseum.org
@nytransitmuseum

$$

Information

Static Map

99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Get directions

+1 718 694 1600
nytransitmuseum.org
@nytransitmuseum

$$

Features

restroom
crowd family friendly
wheelchair accessible restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@cntraveler

"The New York Transit Museum, a small museum near Brooklyn's Borough Hall, is in a former subway station; to enter you have to descend from the sidewalk, just as you would if you were on your daily commute. It's the perfect spot to spend an hour with kids, who will love running in and out of the cars of a vintage subway train, clambering up into the driver’s seat of a city bus, or pushing their way through a turnstile. The place covers more than a century of New York mass transit history, which will even bring native New Yorkers back to a time when the subway was a more beloved part of life in the city than it is today. Stock up on souvenirs for the NYC-obsessed. From vintage transit token necklaces to MetroCard mugs and baseball caps with your favorite train line embroidered on them, there's something for everyone. If you want a souvenir but can't make it out to Brooklyn, they also have a shop location in Grand Central Terminal." - Andrea Whittle, Charlie Hobbs

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@onthegrid

"One of the more incredible things about New York is the long history of public transportation. The New York Transit Museum is a celebration of all things subway, bus, and trolley. Built into a historic 1936 IND subway station in Downtown Brooklyn nearly 40 years ago, it truly is a testament to the rich and sometimes dangerous history of connecting an entire city and the surrounding areas. Of note is the under-underground area that houses subway cars dating back to the turn of the century. You do need to bring your own monocle though." - This Also

On the Grid : New York Transit Museum
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@atlasobscura

"The New York Transit Museum is operated by the folks who know it best: the MTA. Who better to collect and display the history of the New York Transit system? Housed in the abandoned Court Street station, the museum features “Steel, Stone, and Backbone” about the building of the subways. The oldest artifacts in the museum are in the “On the Streets: Trolleys and Streetcars” section, which also describes the evolution of fuel technology in buses. On the lower (platform) level of the Museum are featured subway cars dating back to 1916 and wooden elevated cars dating back to 1903 as well as other miscellaneous equipment used in subway operation. Do you remember old tokens? They were the predominate fare on New York Subways and buses from 1953 until 2003, when the brass coins were replaced by the now-ubiquitous MetroCard. A permanent collection at the New York Transit Museum presents the token-operated turnstiles and the ticket chopping machines dating back to 1904; visitors enter the Museum through the same street entrance their grandparents once did. The Museum has an Annex/Gallery in Grand Central Terminal (to the left of the Station Master’s office) The original Court Street station opened in 1936 as part of an intended connection to Manhattan (approximately where the World Trade Center station on the E line is today), it served HH trains until 1946 when it was closed due to lack of use and lack of funds to build the tunnel to Manhattan. After that was used to film scenes for many movies — the opening scene of the 1974 movie The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 shows a train entering the station (with a false wall on the right side). In 1976, the New York City Transit Authority wanted to contribute to the US Bicentennial celebration and opened the New York City Transit Exhibit in July 1976. The station was only intended to remain until September 1976, but public reaction was so overwhelming it remained open and eventually became the New York Transit Museum. Responsibility of the museum was subsequently transferred to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow for expansion of exhibits to include other MTA facilities, such as Metro-North & Long Island Railroads, and MTA Bridges & Tunnels." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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@atlasobscura

"The New York Transit Museum is operated by the folks who know it best: the MTA. Who better to collect and display the history of the New York Transit system? Housed in the abandoned Court Street station, the museum features “Steel, Stone, and Backbone” about the building of the subways. The oldest artifacts in the museum are in the “On the Streets: Trolleys and Streetcars” section, which also describes the evolution of fuel technology in buses. On the lower (platform) level of the Museum are featured subway cars dating back to 1916 and wooden elevated cars dating back to 1903 as well as other miscellaneous equipment used in subway operation. Do you remember old tokens? They were the predominate fare on New York Subways and buses from 1953 until 2003, when the brass coins were replaced by the now-ubiquitous MetroCard. A permanent collection at the New York Transit Museum presents the token-operated turnstiles and the ticket chopping machines dating back to 1904; visitors enter the Museum through the same street entrance their grandparents once did. The Museum has an Annex/Gallery in Grand Central Terminal (to the left of the Station Master’s office) The original Court Street station opened in 1936 as part of an intended connection to Manhattan (approximately where the World Trade Center station on the E line is today), it served HH trains until 1946 when it was closed due to lack of use and lack of funds to build the tunnel to Manhattan. After that was used to film scenes for many movies — the opening scene of the 1974 movie The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 shows a train entering the station (with a false wall on the right side). In 1976, the New York City Transit Authority wanted to contribute to the US Bicentennial celebration and opened the New York City Transit Exhibit in July 1976. The station was only intended to remain until September 1976, but public reaction was so overwhelming it remained open and eventually became the New York Transit Museum. Responsibility of the museum was subsequently transferred to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow for expansion of exhibits to include other MTA facilities, such as Metro-North & Long Island Railroads, and MTA Bridges & Tunnels." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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Mayra Anglero

Google
I enjoyed my visit to the Transit Museum. I went the first time with my 9-year-old grandson. He loved it. He had fun getting on and off the different train cars. I was taking it all in, but it was all about him. We picked up a few things in the gift shop. Two weeks later l returned by myself to really take in and appreciate all of different time period of each train car. I also signed up for the one hour guided tour with an educator (Una) which was also great.

John Frazar

Google
Great museum in Brooklyn. An easy trip from Manhattan via Subway. The museum was suitable for adults and kids and provided a lot of useful info about the evolution of the Subway system. It was definitely slanted more towards the Subway system than any other type of transit.

Mariska Calabrese

Google
We had an awesome time at the transit museum. It’s in an old defunct station!!! It’s a great place for people of all ages! There is a lot of historical information as well as interactive experiences! You can get onto old/historic cars down on the platform level, but there’s also stuff for kids to play on. There’s even a collection of turnstiles. Super neat!

Natalie D

Google
I absolutely LOVED this museum! It's in a disused subway station in Brooklyn, very easy to access by public transport! The entrance price is very reasonable and you could easily spend a few hours here seeing everything! Going in, it starts with a display on how they built the subways from the engineering aspect through to the people who did the work and the dangers involved. It then moves onto different aspects of the history from the ticket machines to the tokens and even advertising. As it is an old station, there are little hints and signs around too which are really interesting to see as well! Downstairs though is the real star of the show- the subway carriages! You can walk on and off and see the old advertising and chart the history of the cars. There are info boards around giving you extra details (a lot of the cars have a special significance from the first with air-con to the last wooden one used) which being the whole experience and history to life. At the end of the platform, there's also a display on the control room and signalling used which is great to see as well! The gift shop is by the entrance and it's worth taking a look- there were some quirky bits in there for a souvenir that's a bit different!

Karla Rodríguez

Google
This museum was truly impressive. There were lots of families and people of all ages learning about the evolution of the transit system in NY. My recommendation is not to get stuck in the first part of the museum, it’s truly a bottleneck. The aisles keep going and there’s lots of information to take in. The lower level is the best, you get to see old subway cars and elevated cars.

Ruby

Google
A lovely time to spend a few hours! It was really refreshing that this place was underground and thus nice and cool compared to the heat outside. The highlight of the exhibit is mostly the old subway cars, with the (interactive!) exhibition of old turnstiles coming in second, and very little of the remaining space dedicated to the history of the subway. Worth the money and the trip, would definitely recommend this if you are in the area 🙂

Jill Krebsbach

Google
Reasonably priced tickets, 2nd time here, many years in between. I love touring the old trains and I remember their free public tours being great. We arrived mid afternoon and had missed that. It seems there is only 1 public tour a day. Also lots of kids running around.

Bonnie Gleicher

Google
Loved this museum! Have been wanting to go for a long time and went on this cold November day. Love how it’s set in an actual subway station and you get to walk into all the older subway cars with their original ads. Great seeing the photos of all the men who built the subway system with their bare hands and how much they risked their lives. Something we’re so used to now - going underground to transport ourselves - was a revolution. Recommending to everyone. 5 stars!!!!

Glenn C.

Yelp
I'm unsure the reason why it took me so long to get to this museum while I live in the area (for now) but it was nice to visit recently. They have a few sections including some exhibits and what I presume, the stuff in front might change up but the vast majority of the exhibit stays the same. The price is reasonable for a museum being $10 for adults or $5 for kids and as expected for trains, there's a lot of kids here and they're open from Wednesday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm so not too long each day. The staff in front are friendly. It's inside of an old decommissioned subway station so expect the temperatures inside to not be the best; especially downstairs. There's a nice gift shop in front which also has a Grand Central and FiDi location which has better gifts than the usual stuff you find in most places. BTW, there is a handicap accessible access a couple blocks away which you have to press a button to get downstairs or call them. The current exhibit upstairs goes through the construction of the subway and the (bad) worker conditions and has some of the old equipment and photos of folks. It's short but nice with some facts I didn't know. Past this is the main floor going through things such as the history of the subway, some interactable stuff such as the old turnstiles, and some buses in back which is great for the kids. The bottom area is the best part including many old subway cars. Fun to go through and sit in them and take photos and there's a whole lot of them. Expect to spend a while there especially with kids unless the temperature is bad as it'll be quite cold or hot down there as it is not temperature controlled. Expect to take around an hour to an hour and a half; possibly more depending on interest. Closest subways are the 2/3/4/5 (on weekdays,) and R train from Borough Hall (5 minute walk) and close enough as well to the F/A/C at Jay Street Metrotech (would be a ~10 minute walk.) It's cheap and a good museum which makes it different and better than a lot of the other smaller museums in the city.

Bonnie G.

Yelp
Loved this museum! Have been wanting to go for a long time and went on this cold November day. Love how it's set in an actual subway station and you get to walk into all the older subway cars with their original ads. Great seeing the photos of all the men who built the subway system with their bare hands and how much they risked their lives. Something we're so used to now - going underground to transport ourselves - was a revolution. Recommending to everyone. 5 stars!!!!

Sherry L.

Yelp
Overall a good experience with plenty of space and vehicles for kids to explore and enough information to keep parents entertained as well. My son had a ton of fun pretending to drive buses and sitting in all of the different eras of subway trains. My biggest gripe is that for a museum that targets families with children, this museum is not accessible. There is no elevator to get strollers into or out of the museum which was extremely inconvenient. We had to physically lug our stroller up and down the two flights of stairs into the museum and then back up on our way out, which is not easy with a rambunctious toddler.

Agta B.

Yelp
Fun museum for young kids and for train fans. You go down the subway entrance and end up in the misiem. Lots of activities, tours, crafts, and hands on activities for kids. Loads of information on NYC architecture, trains and such. Low cost. Great for a couple of hours of exploring.

Chun M.

Yelp
Who'd ever have thought to make a museum out of a subway station? It seems a little surreal that this used to be a real station (Court St) and now it's a showcase for the history of mass transit in NYC. It's authentic from the street entrance, down the stairs onto the mezzanine level and all the way down to the platform level with the signature porcelain tiled walls, giant I-beam support columns and subway tracks. There's even an old styled token booth that now serves as the ticket booth. The exhibits start with the early history of construction of the transit system in the 1800's when electric trolley street cars ran at street level and trains ran on tracks elevated above the street. At the turn of the century, the underground subway system first opened and most above ground structures were soon eliminated and later buses would run on the streets in place of the trolley system. The above ground trains still run in the outer boroughs transitioning from the tunnels crossing the East & Harlem Rivers and the history of digging of those tunnels are an interesting read. I really enjoyed learning about the pre-MetroCard history of the subway token and the exhibit of old turnstiles, many of which I still remember in service when I was a kid. There's something about trains that kids really enjoy and they bring out the kid in adults as well. There are mockups of trains and buses that the kids can pretend to drive. When you descend to the lower platform level, that's where the IRL stuff are located. There are real examples of subway cars from the last 120 years and it's real kick to see the ones from 1907 into the 60's & 70's. You'll notice that almost all of them only had overhead fans for the comfort of their passengers during NYC's heat waves and air conditioned subway cars & buses didn't start showing up until the 70's. The vintage subway cars here are working examples and they do take them out into the tunnels on special occasions. There are safety rails installed between cars and tracks, but just be careful of your kids running and there are a lot of kids running around. I just love this piece of NYC history and hope to return and maybe ride on a 1907 subway car for real rumbling down the tunnels like a century ago. Don't forget to visit the gift shop!

Susan L.

Yelp
The Transit Museum is having a Bus Festival on September 8 - from 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park (underneath the Brooklyn Bridge). Admission will be free, although advance registration is appreciated. There will be a selection of vintage buses, an Education Tent with a scavenger hunt activity sheet, a pop-up store selling various transit merchandise, and information about other programs. Also; registration entitles attendees to enter a raffle for a family membership. Note that children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult to attend this event. Here's the link for advance registration: https://51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/Bus-Festival-08Sep2024

Amy W.

Yelp
I love the Transit Museum. I've been twice now (including with family) and feel like I takeaway so much from each visit. Both times were on the weekend, and the museum is really decently busy. If you think you'd enjoy it with less people, maybe go during the weekday. I was a bit worried about it engaging everyone, but my family loved it. The museum itself is actually an old subway station, and you down like any subway to get inside. Tickets are EXTREMELY affordable at $10 per person. An extremely underrated part of this museum are the ads that they show in the old subway cars. It is such a fascinating peak into history and consumerism, even brand evolution! Some of my other favorite parts of the subway include the collection of subway poems, the antique subway cars that you can walk and sit inside (of course), and well as the exhibit on reefing red birds. You could easily spend 2-3 hours here and still want to come back. My one small gripe is that the bathrooms can be pretty gross. The staff are also very knowledgeable on the museum, so take the opportunity to ask any questions! This is a great museum for any history buff, transit enthusiast, and New Yorker :)

Katherine M.

Yelp
Super cute museum with lots of history about the MTA! It was super fun to walk through all the old rolling stocks and learn about all the different companies that used to service NY transit, and it's a really cool concept that the entire museum is in a decommissioned subway station. That said, the air was really stagnant, so I started feeling pretty queasy downstairs about an hour in.

Daniela L.

Yelp
By now, I've been to most of the major museums in New York City. But until recently, that list did not include the New York Transit Museum. I'm not sure why it took me so long to check out, but as I was leaving, my only regret was that I hadn't visited earlier. One of the coolest things about this museum is that it's underground, housed in what was formerly a subway station from 1936. As you walk through the exhibits, especially those detailing the arduous process of creating the tunnels, part of you feels as though you are there with the workers. It's a history lesson that leaves a lasting impression - every time I take the subway now, I notice something that reminds me of what I learned here. The highlight, of course, is the collection of preserved subway cars from different eras. I've seen these a couple of times during the holiday nostalgia rides, when vintage train cars are temporarily added to the regular subway service. Walking through them in the museum is a different experience, however; there are significantly fewer people, offering a chance to observe the nuances in city transit over the years and the evolution to the present day. Everyone should visit the New York Transit Museum at least once. I learned a ton during my visit, while also gaining another perspective on what it means to be a New Yorker.

Desiree D.

Yelp
Sometimes being a tourist in your own backyard pays off. In this case, making the trek to BK to check out this museum was well worth the $10 ticket and travel time. Its a true hidden gem. So much so, that you enter on the corner via an older subway stop. give yourself a solid 90 mins to truly explore. dont forget to head downstairs to check out about 20 older train cars that range from 1904 to modern times. this was my favorite part because you can see the transition in subway cars and learn about them. the museum is kid and adult friendly, very clean (surprise surprise for a subway stop), a bit interactive, and organized.

Jasmine A.

Yelp
If you only have time to visit one museum in New York, go to the New York Transit Museum. As the name suggests, it's a museum all about the history of transit in New York. There are numerous exhibits, including photos and the history of the construction of the NY subway, displays of the various turnstiles used in subway stations, and actual subway cars and trams which you can enter. One of the exhibits we saw was of various transit etiquette signs and artwork from around the world, including etiquette signs from Vancouver during an ad campaign from about 10 years ago. Talk about a blast from the past! The New York Transit Museum is an interesting museum that will appeal to all ages, and at $10 a ticket for adults, it is very affordable. They also have an awesome gift shop! Note that it is located in an old subway station, so there is no cell phone service, which is mentioned on their website. [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; NY Summer 2022; Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills]

Sussanna G.

Yelp
Gem for toddlers who love transit vehicles. My little one zipped past all the history, but when we got a second look, it is really amazing to see how far we have come. My 2 year old had the best time checking out the different train cars from different eras and taking turns driving the buses, We will absolutely come back when he's older. It should take you a little under 2 hours if you really take your time and read every sign/ get in every train car/ bus.

Hayley B.

Yelp
My favorite museum in the city! Only 10 dollars, so it's a bargain. I love spending time down on the tracks in the historic cars. I love how they are open for you to hang out in and you never feel rushed. Would highly recommend!

Ric T.

Yelp
It's a must go if you're in Brooklyn. I spent at least a few hours absorbing the information presented here. Subways of yore all seen here in this tranformed rail station which has morphed into a real life museum. The guides are very knowledgeable and helpful, especially Derek. Tickets are easy to procure online. You must make an appointment.

Melissa N.

Yelp
One of my favorite museums in New York City. The New York Transit Museum is devoted to the history and significance of public transportation in NYC. It's fun and affordable. It's only $10 for adults. Great for adults and kids alike! I know I was running around with the little ones while exploring vintage trains. I would suggest arriving as soon as they open because it can get quite crowded. BTW, the Transit Museum hosts a vintage bus festival in June. Yay! I will definitely be back for this event. The biggest attraction is the exhibit of train cars. I like how the original advertisements were still on the cars. Five stars for such a great museum!

Hunter S.

Yelp
Just took the members only tour of Old City Hall station, which has been closed to the public since 1945. This spot serves as a turn around spot for the 6 train now, but NYTM does tours at least twice per year (mine was the first tour since COVID). You must be a member (my membership for myself and my husband is 100 dollars and is tax deductible). They send out emails with notices and sale dates and you must act quickly, as they usually sell out within a day or less. I think my ticket was 50 dollars. It's a beautiful example of arrested decay and a partial restoration of the ornate architecture of the early 20th century. Also wonderful Guastavino tiles. Yes, some urban explorer groups encourage you to stay on the 6 train to get a free gander, )which isn't as easy as it seems and can lead to problems), but this is the only way you'll get a worthwhile look.

Lena M.

Yelp
Came here with my favorite transit nerd (my boyfriend). This was the one thing he really wanted to do while we were in NYC. Located in Brooklyn, its entrance is absolutely adorable. The museum is located underground in an authentic 1936 subway station. Any question you have about New York transit can be answered here. It's filled with endless information and has a lot of interactive components. Tickets were $10 per adult. Walking through and looking at the old train cars was the best part of this museum for me. The old advertisements and maps inside them were an extra surprise. The New Yorker that came with us told me that some of the train cars were used for the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel which was even more fun. Old train cars are not the only thing you'll find here. You can walk through old turnstiles, see old metro coins/cards, read about how the first metros were made, and more. The gift shop also has a million things to satisfy the transit nerd in your life. I'd highly recommend visiting if you enjoy public transportation. You can spend a good 1-2 hours here.

Kimberly N.

Yelp
Located in an old subway station in Brooklyn (so not as crazy busy as Manhattan-based museums), the New York Transit Museum was a great place to spend a rainy afternoon! Plus, admission is only $10 per adult! Optimally, I think having 1.5 - 2 hours would be a good amount of time to spend here. Since we only had an hour before it closed, we went straight downstairs to see arguably the best part: the vintage train cars. Not only was it fun to walk through the old train cars, we loved seeing the ads from those times lining the walls. Upstairs, there is interesting historical information and photos showing elevated trains, how subways were constructed, how much the fares have been over time , how fares were paid, etc. The people working there were kind and helpful, too!

Hellen H.

Yelp
....2024'....Great Place for learning NYC Transit History, Especially for the Kids...!!!!.....2024'

Helene S.

Yelp
What is the perfect way to showcase the New York Transit system? Use a decommissioned metro stop. As part of the bicentennial celebration, The New York City Transit Exhibit opened on July 4, 1976. What was supposed to be a temporary display was so popular that it became a permanent museum. Today the museum is a wonderful way to explore the subway, bus and rails that are the heartbeat of NYC. So interesting to learn the hazards of building the metro rail lines and how little the workers were paid. Go through a turnstile that is a century old. It was a nickel to ride. Catch or "drive" a bus. Do a scavenger hunt to learn fun facts. Walk down the stairs to the old Court Street Subway Station. The live platforms are filled with preserved railcars that still can run. Fun to be able to hop from car to car. BRT Brooklyn Union Elevated Car (1907). BMT Q Car (1908). IRT R-12 Car (1948). Coney Island 100th Anniversary Car BMT Centennial (1927). IND R-7A (1938, rebuilt 1947). Loved seeing the changes over the past 100 years. The ads in the railcars are also so interesting. Campbell's Tomato Soup. Chesterfield's and baseball players. Ultra-Blue Lady Clairol. War ads for Wrigley Gum. Pioneer Bakers. Pertussin cough relief. Borden's evaporated milk. The New York World's Fair. Companies that exist today and others that have gone bankrupt. Buy a required timed ticket online. Enter through the old Court Street Subway entrance and take a ride back in time. They honor Time Traveler's Museum and ASTC reciprocity passes. Tickets are $10 per adult and seniors and students are $5. Masks encouraged, but not required.

B T.

Yelp
Definitely good to visit once. Some of the curation felt less than other museums, think we would have enjoyed an audio tour. The lower level platform of old train cars were nice to see, and would've enjoyed it being somehow clearer the progression through the years, although it's entirely possible this info was available. Somewhat more 'storytelling' to guide through the years, overall, would have been great. There was this upstairs with the payment and entry method history. Wished there was more Queens-centric history, it was primarily Manhattan and Brooklyn, with a small amount of The Bronx and very minimal Queens.

Geri C.

Yelp
We took our 2 year-old grandson to this underground museum on a Sunday morning. He's at an age when kids are especially fascinated by trains, subways, and buses. Being able to sit in the make-believe bus driver's seat and maneuver the big steering wheel really made his day! It's a very educational two-hour tour for adults as well. We gained a valuable lesson on the history of New York's mass transit system from the hardship constructing the tunnels over a hundred twenty years ago to the role public transportation played in the city's development. Vintage photos, along with easy to understand signage, took us back through time, highlighting the progress made. Admission: $5for seniors and child 2-17, $10 for adult; what a deal!

Cristina R.

Yelp
Visiting the NY Transit Museum was one of the highlights of our recent trip to NYC! We went on a HOT (over 90-degree) day, so we were a bit nervous since the museum doesn't have air conditioning, but being underground out of the sun with fans made it bearable (not cool - but comfortable enough). Allow yourself at least 3 hours to see the musem - we had a 2 PM reservation, and when they kicked us out upon closing at 4 PM, we hadn't even gotten to all of the exhibits. The museum is surprisingly dense since there's a lot to read and explore. My favorite exhibits were the turnstyles, tokens, and of course the train cars lining the platform. It's AWESOME to get to go into train cars from different eras - sit in the seats and view examples of the ads that would have been on display. Some period TV shows and movies have used these same cars! Book your ticket online, wear your mask, and get transported back through transporation history at the NY Transit Museum!

Will H.

Yelp
We met with my sister and nephew here and all had a great time. As others have said: the museum is a decommissioned subway stop and it's FULL of trains from different eras from 1908 until today. The trains are all open for you to alight and explore just like it's 1908. For me, this is just as much a marketing museum as a transportation one. They've outfitted each car with period-correct advertising: local specialties like Levy's rye bread (now made by an international conglomerate), the "Festival of Gas" pavilion at the NY World's Fair, and Williamsburg savings bank (bank is long defunct, but their building still stands tall as downtown Brooklyn's architectural brightest gem in light of the soulless "luxury housing" boxes omnipresent from Robbinsville to Poughkeepsie). Speaking of housing: can you imagine the outcry from some today if they posted a "happy birthday public housing" flyer throughout the nations largest public transit system? I suspect a certain cable news network would have a field day! Other favorites include: Viceroy cigarettes with their exclusive filter that's "better for your health," 4 roses whisky (my great order great-great grandmother was a consumer), and "Etti-cat." They ought to bring that one back. Anyway I digress, on to other things. Expect what one would at any underground train platform regarding the climate control (there is none) and cell service (ditto). I sort of like that: good place to disconnect and enjoy what's here. Unlike operating train stations; there is a restroom here and it's awesome! Clean and has running water with soap. Masks required as were vaccine cards. The gift shop limits capacity so you may have to wait to get in there, felt like 2020. Lots of subway/MTA related tchotchkes in gift shop if that interests you. Cool to look at, but $30 t-shirts are too rich for my blood. Staff do roam around if you have a question. If you're coming from Penn station, take the A train to the Jay St./ Metrotech stop and it's a quick walk. The museum is tucked away on the corner of busy Boerum place and Schermerhorn st. - NOT the corner of Boerum & Livingston as google may take you. There are also a couple of parking garages nearby if you're driving to this transit museum (oh the irony). Upstairs has some walk through history exhibits about how the tunnels were bored and the evolution of the system, as well as some films playing and some signage from other transit systems around the country and world. Just head downstairs if you want to skip this. The old days of the NYC subway didn't have the unified and corruption-free (lol) MTA system of today. The legacy of the privately held IRT (Interborough rapid transit system), BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation), and IND (independent subway system) lives on as much of today's system is their old routes and their signage still exists. Hell, the IRT still technically operates too. Entry to get in is timed and they're strict on it; we tried getting in 30 minutes early to no avail. You could spend 20 minutes here or a couple of hours, it'll depend on your level of interest. For me, it was a cool to stand in a train car that my great grandfather might have ridden on; and get a glimpse into the anti-Robert Moses infrastructure of the city that we take for granted today, flaws and all. Highly recommended if you're into museums and want a break from paintings, dinosaur bones or modern art. Or if you have a kid with you. Kids love this place, and I hope it inspires younger generations to build things like we used to!

Amber M.

Yelp
Amazing museum. It does such a good job having a mix of information, interactive exhibits (actual historical subway cars!), and mixed media. I would actually start downstairs first where it has the history of the subway, and then going upstairs where there was more information about the sociological component. You can spend a solid 2+ hours here. There can be a lot of kids so choose your day and time wisely if you are sensitive to the shrill shrieks of excitable children.

Curt C.

Yelp
All Aboard!!! Ding! Ding! Ding! This place is off the rails! It's so much fun- this is a legit museum. I've never experienced something with so many subway cars! You see, the museum is an old subway station that they closed down, but is still on the NYC MTA system tracks. You go down stairs, just like you would at any other subway station across New York, and there's a ticket window, just like there used to be back in the day. (If you ask me, the NY Transit Museum is missing out on an opportunity to issue subway tokens for admission.) The first floor is a bunch of photos of how subways were built, and the amount of hard work that went into some of the lines. When you're cruising up and down Manhattan on the A Train, it's easy to take for granted just how much labor went into the tunnels! My favorite part is when you go down to the old subway platform, where they have (nearly) every type of train that MTA has ever used. Incuded on the beautifully restored trains are the old restored ads, which is super cool. You can go along and sit in the seats, press your face on the glass, look into the conductor's booth, it's all so SO cool!!! My only complaint about the museum is that they only really focused on the past history of the transit system in NYC. They didn't have much mention on the current system- they didn't have one of the latest cars, there was no info on how many miles of track there are, or how many cars or stations in service now. They could really do some bragging on the current system, instead of just talking about the past.

Patale M.

Yelp
It's a fantastic look at old New York. The place is MUCH larger than expected and fascinating. Take all your friends there. Many New Yorkers don't know about this.

Kimberly W.

Yelp
They are currently just open on weekends, and even though that meant slushing my way through partially snow covered sidewalks and streets, it was SO worth it. Obviously, the coolest part of was the old subway cars that you could walk through. They even have them covered in period appropriate advertisements and subway maps. There's also some information about the building of the subway, including some artifacts from the era. I kinda skimmed this part since I was in a hurry to see the old subway cars. I did like the random signs from various subway lines from different countries. Particularly the two anti-manspreading ones. Obviously, if you couldn't care less about public transportation, this won't appeal at all. But if you or your kid like trains or subways, I think you will love this place.

Matteo R.

Yelp
Ah, the MTA. Every Newyorker loves to hate the MTA. And yet, can you imagine a NYC without the subway? This museum is located inside a real subway station, the Court Street station, which opened in 1936, and was then abandoned just 10 years later, in 1946. This is a wonderful, little museum, which works great for a low-key, very NYC date, or if you have young kids. What I like the most of this museum is the real subway cars you can visit, located at the lower level, by the now defunct platform of this subway station, and on two fully powered and operational subway tracks. It's like entering a subway time machine, where you can visit old cars that still have the original ads on display. It's a window on not only what subway cars looked in 1904 when the subway first opened, but also on life and culture in NYC seen through the eyes of subway commuters. Most of these railcars can still be operated, and are truly beautiful. The vintage bus fleet of retired buses is also great, although due to COVID[1] you cannot access the driver's seat. The museum shop is also great if you are a fan of subway artifacts and gadgets; a greta place for presents for out-of-town friends and family. ------------------ [1] BTW, proof of vaccination is required, and they also check your ID.

Alexis B.

Yelp
On a recent trip to NYC, I wanted to visit some museums that I hadn't been to before, and I decided to check out the New York Transit Museum. It was an interesting museum; I learned a lot about the creation of the subway system and how it has changed over the years. The museum had amazing photographs taken during the digging of the tunnels for the system, which were fascinating, as well as other exhibits and historical information. I love that the museum is in an old station. One of the highlights is definitely going down the stairs and getting to walk onto old subway cars. It's definitely a kid friendly museum - there were lots of kids enjoying exploring the trains. Definitely worth a visit if you - like me - take the subway system for granted and want to learn more about its history!

Kara M.

Yelp
This museum is located in an old subway station and documents the history of the NYC public transit system, complete with photographs, equipment, and vintage train cars. Learning about the planning and construction of the systems was fascinating. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The museum is relatively small and I made it through in about 1.5 hours, but sometimes this can be more satisfying than visiting one of the mammoth museums that you can't possibly see in its entirety in one visit. Plus, at $10 for adult admission, the price is very reasonable.

Hannah K.

Yelp
Museum is larger than I expected! Very interesting and only costs $10 for an adult ticket. I spent nearly 2 hours here; very interesting and educational! I didn't interact with the staff much but I overheard another guest talking with a worker and he seemed very friendly and knowledgeable. I also loved looking at the ads in the vintage subway cars.

Melinda W.

Yelp
ONE OF MY FAVORITE MUSEUMS IN NYC! (Tip) Make sure to reserve a time slot/time to visit on the website to best ensure that you can go at the requested time. If not, when you arrive on site, you can scan a QR code that links you to the page to pay for tickets. (Tip for people bringing Children) There's a fun scavenger hunt for children! There's also a station where you can get stamps and maybe a transit inspired tattoo! (Warning) You can't take video footage especially whilst down below with the train cars. I love this museum for the opportunity to learn about history and ways in which the transit system has transformed. My favorite part are all the old train cars from different decades that feature subway ads and even the subway seats of that era. A blast from the past!

Matt D.

Yelp
Unique experience to travel back in time through NUC history. Good photo-ops in old train cars & overall informative. Me and a friend spent ~45 minutes here

Daniel R.

Yelp
It was great. Fun, educational, and quick. Perfect for the New Yorker who has never been or any tourists .. great pics

Laurie J.

Yelp
Top 3 museum in nyc hands down. They have it off, interactive, historical visuals, hands-on experience. It is an amazing experience as a New Yorker to get the full rundown on the subway system-next song hey sister, most part of every New Yorkers life 2 to 3 times a day, and the museum is a real tribute to the thousands of New Yorkers that built this next song train system so many of them immigrants from all over the world and a testament to the importance of first generation Americans in this city. I was completely floored by this museum and I can't wait to come back.

Ling C.

Yelp
This year, my goal is go to museums I had never been to. Transit Museum is the first stop. When you walk in, the ticket booth is like the one you see in the old movies. I showed my NYPL cultural pass and my admission was free. I love seeing how the inside subways looked in the past. The advertisements are very retro looking. I especially love learning how we went from using tokens to metro cards. I highly recommend coming here to learn about subways. .

Bill Z.

Yelp
You know what would make this place even more cool (I mean, besides some a/c in the front half of the museum, as stated elsewhere)? Some audio tracks would be great. I'd especially love to hear "Stand clear of the closing doors, please." Who hasn't heard that? I've heard it as far away as Denver. BTW, if it's not listed anywhere in the museum, that infamous snippet was recorded by Charlie Pellett, who was described by "New Yorker" magazine as having the most recognizable voice in New York. But I digress. This museum is great on many levels (okay, actually there's only two, not counting going down another flight of stairs to enter). The admission fee is very reasonable, and if, like me, you're as old as the subways (well, not really, but some mornings it FEELS that way), it's an even better deal for seniors at $5, and free on Wednesdays. There's lots history here, and lots of maps (maps are cool). If you've got kids who aren't interested in history and maps, there's plenty of things to ring and spin and ride and to stand/sit in to have their pictures taken. And then there's all those subway cars downstairs. It's hard to believe just how recently some of them were still in use (and still are on lines like the Z, evidently). One thing I noticed is just how much more plush and comfortable seats used to be, but I suppose if I had to decide between a plush seat and an air-conditioned car, I'd have to pick the air-conditioned car, so thank science for that. There's no cafeteria here, but there's a large section in the back with big tables where you can have your own food and drink. This museum deserves more than some token attention (see what I did there???).

Alisha C.

Yelp
When I saw on Instagram that the New York transit museum was re-opening and I told my seven year old son he jumped for joy. He loves trains so much he could literally tell you what train to take to go to where he amazes me all the time. This place is awesome and I personally love the old time trains and I wish they would bring it back so I could actually experience riding on one LOL it was so cool. They even have a shop with everything trains so of course I got my son another miniature train to add to his collection. We will definitely return again, this is a must for those who haven't been and you will gain a little more knowledge about trains while your there.

Eileen S.

Yelp
This was a fun museum to visit. I would highly recommend the free guided tour that is available every Saturday and Sunday at 12pm and 3pm. We learnt so much about the New York subway system and how it has evolved over time. It seems like a great place for kids to have their birthday party there too. I think they have a program for that, but I can't find it on their website. The museum is underground, so don't miss it like we did!

Mr H.

Yelp
With the wealth of information about the New York Transit and its history, the hospitality, and the friendliness of the staff as well as the good energy of the museum, my son wanted to return there one day after we visited there for the first time. Edith at the entrance of the museum immediately recognized us upon our arrival from the day before. Jason stopped by the bench we were sitting inside of the museum and thoughtfully showed my son some of the stickers that he could choose from. The gift shop was well-organized and inviting. The layout of the museum was well-thought-out for these children for easy access to different displays. The staff inside the museum are always eager to assist, making us feel truly welcome and look forward to future visits!! Recommended for the locals for not being pretentious or too commercial.

Ed U.

Yelp
Now THIS is the way to present a transportation museum. Making use of a long-decommissioned subway station like Downtown Brooklyn's Court Street was a masterstroke because where better can you appreciate the history of NYC's subway system than in the lifeblood of where it exists? In fact, I'm sure I'm not the only one who got confused by the museum entrance which looks like every other station entrance. Once downstairs, it follows a chronological timeline starting with how the first subway was built in the early part of 20th century.. Showcasing the evolving transit maps and the way fares were collected, the museum eventually expands its scope to include NYC's streetcars and buses on the main floor. The highlight is one more flight downstairs on the actual platform where you can walk onto a vintage fleet of subway cars that stretch the entire history of the system. You can sit on the seats that range from wooden benches to plush cushions and look at the often amusing subway ads reflective of each period. Admission is only $10, and there's a great gift shop to boot. Mind the gap. RELATED - Looking for other sights to see in New York? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/2yBy4dj

Edward W.

Yelp
This is a must visit musuem! Talks about the history of the New York subway and it's long and arduous journey into the modern day. Even if you're not all that interested in transit, this museum will make you a fan. They have a downstairs area that's definitely the highlight and I'd recommend saving it for last. For only $10, it was a great way to spend 1-2 hours.

L J.

Yelp
Great experience here. It is much bigger than I thought it would be. Make sure to make a reservation before coming here.

Kaitlynn B.

Yelp
This is one of our favorite museums and feel like it's forgotten about - it is so cool for adults and kids alike!

Rob N.

Yelp
We enjoyed our visit. Some of the museum was hot, but other parts are air conditioned and you can return to the hot parts after cooling off.

Judy C.

Yelp
Good transit museum, but horrible location if you're planning to drive there and it's not very kid/baby friendly. I had a stroller and had to carry the stroller up and down the stairs. Also you can't drive" the mta bus or sit in the drivers seat. In the Brooklyn Childrens museum, you can. The museum is more nostalgic than fun. The gift shop is great though. It had a lot of toy trains and books for my son to pick out. I went on a Sunday with the hopes of finding street parking, but most of the side streets are for police vehicles, board members, or some kind of city official and the free parking on Sunday doesn't apply to many of the streets there. I don't think I'd go there again unless If I take the train.

Jim J.

Yelp
Very cool museum! Was nice to see all the old train cars. Make sure to book your ticket in advance because they do sell out sometimes.

Andrea W.

Yelp
I came here in a weekend afternoon around 1:15, got my ticket earlier that day online for free since it was Bank of America's free weekends. There's a lot of reading to do which was tiring after five minutes, so I basically spent most of my time looking at the old trains. I was in and out of this museum in about 20 minutes, not a lot of interactive activities, just a ton of reading.