Are you looking for the most fun museums in NYC? If so, keep reading!
If you’re searching for the most fun museums in NYC – then you’re going to find so much inspiration on this list! Let’s face it… NYC is full of museums, from the traditional museums, to the more modern ones!
Museums (and how much you enjoy them) depends on your interests and what you’re into, and some museums do have a bit of a reputation for being on the ‘boring’ end of the scale.
There are plenty – so get reading!
In fact, I’d argue that NYC has some of the most fun museums in the world! And I’ve included all my favorites on this list of the top 25 fun museums in NYC!
So fear not, this list will give you 25 amazing places to visit during your trip!
So let’s go!
Museum of Ice Cream
First on my list, it’s the Museum of Ice Cream. Who doesn’t love ice cream? WE DO. Especially when visiting the Museum of Ice cream in NYC.
Oh, and if you are going for the food, then you’ll be pleased to know that you’ll be regularly treated to taste-tests and fun games.
This is one of the most fun museums in NYC, but it isn’t around all year and tends to run exclusively as a pop-up exhibit.
So, be sure to check the dates of your itinerary line up correctly before you get your hopes up for this fun museum in NYC!
Color Factory NYC
Color Factory NYC is a totally unique museum all about the sensory experience of color. It’s pretty amazing really, and unlike anything else in the city (which is why it makes my list of the most fun museums in NYC.
This amazingly fun museum in NYC is packed with interactive experiences that will delight you, make you smile and fill you with wonder. It’s a seriously cool day out, you’ll love it!
And most importantly, you’ll have fun! Check out their Instagram for a proper glimpse inside, and you’ll soon realise why this place is so much fun!
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Summit One Vanderbilt
Next on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s Summit One Vanderbilt.
Ok, so technically, this isn’t a ‘museum’, it’s an observation deck. But the vibe here, feels almost like a mix between an observation deck, and abstract art museum.
Which I think qualifies it to feature on this list!
Eitherway, it’s a LOT of fun, and it’s a great place to see the city’s skyline, through a slightly more unique lens. I definitely recommend it, and it’s one of my top activities in NYC, hands down!
The Skyscraper Museum
New York is known for its incredible skyscrapers, so the Skyscraper Museum is an amazing place to visit if you’re looking for awesome museums in NYC.
I mean, the Empire State Building is famous for a reason, people! This museum dedicated to skyscrapers is one of the top choices for this list, as it just leaves you in awe of what humans can create.
This fun museum in NYC goes into everything from designing a skyscraper to the construction side of things.
So, if you’ve ever looked upon that famous picture of the folks on Top of the Rock, then you’re sure to love this quirky museum.
The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
If planes and air travel is your jam, then you will LOVE the Intrepid sea, air and space museum. It’s a crazy cool museum, full of real planes, real stories and incredibly educational and immersive experiences.
The fun museum in NYC is actually aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid (hence the name), which in itself is a National Historic Landmark.
This is one of the fun museums in NYC you won’t want to miss!
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Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Next up on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s Harry Potter: The Exhibition.
Now, if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter movies (or books) then this is a great choice!
As you’d expect (from the name!) this place is jam-packed full of movie memorabilia, props, fun facts, and other great stuff. It’s truly an exhibition designed the Harry Potter fan.
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Conjuring Arts Research Center
Next on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s the Conjuring Arts Research Centre. Do you believe in magic?
Well, whether you believe in actual magic or not, you’re sure to love this fun museum in NYC.
Home to information on magic and sleight of hand, this fun museum in NYC will give away much of what the pros won’t tell you!
With awesome guides who will give you tips and tricks about magic and trickery, this museum guarantees a fun day out for the whole family.
Coney Island Museum
You may have visited Coney Island, but have you checked out its awesome museum? After you’ve grabbed some delicious food and enjoyed the attractions at Coney Island, you should absolutely visit this fun museum in NYC.
Created to celebrate the area and educate guests about the island’s history, it’s well worth visiting if you’re a Coney Island fan.
Housing scaled models, fun house mirrors and other quirky artefacts, we feel it’s not to be missed! You’ll absolutely love this choice for fun museums in NYC!
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Museum of the American Gangster
Next on this list of fun museums in NYC, it’s the Museum of the American Gangster. If you’re fascinated by the lifestyles of American Gangsters, then you need to check out this fun museum in NYC.
Providing never before seen information about New York’s top crime bosses, you’ll find out all you’ve ever wondered about how NYC’s grittier side operated back in the day.
Covering everything from Bugsy Malone to John Dillinger, this place leaves no stone unturned when it comes to organized crime in the city.
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Museum of Sex
This one may be slightly taboo (and should probably be avoided if you have the kids in tow), but it’s one of the top fun museums in NYC.
Not only is this museum incredibly informative and interesting, but it will clue you up on the ins and outs of the physiological side of sex. Pun intended.
With great exhibits and some kinky installations, you’re sure to have a whale of a time if you’re old enough to appreciate this fun museum in NYC.
Maybe not one for the kids (!!) but this is a great choice of fun museums in NYC for adults!
Museum of Street Art
New York’s street art has always been incredible, so it makes perfect sense that one of the most fun museums in NYC is dedicated to it!
The museum of street art in NYC is completely free, so it’s ideal for families hitting the city on a budget.
Covered from tip to toe with murals, you’re sure to leave this fun museum in NYC utterly inspired and ready to paint some street art yourself!
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The AKC Museum of the Dog
If you love dogs, then you should put the AKC Museum of the Dog on your list of fun museums in NYC to visit.
Not only does this museum have some truly adorable dog sculptures and fine art, but it aims to teach humans about the importance of human-dog relationships.
Although you won’t come across any real-life pups here, you will find them in every other form. So, be sure to bring your camera along and indulge your inner animal-lover on your next trip to NYC.
The Museum of Broadway
The Museum of Broadway is such a wonderful choice for fun museums in NYC, especially if you love Broadway shows, or you’re looking for more information about Broadway and the amazing shows that have been performed throughout history!
Broadway is a New York City institution, and it’s part of the city’s soul! You can’t have NYC without Broadway shows!
This fun museum in NYC is all about celebrating Broadway and educating people about just how much work and production goes into the amazing shows throughout the city.
The Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is my next suggestion for fun museums in NYC. If you’re looking for something family friendly, and super fun – this is it!
The Museum of Illusions is an immersive museum, where you’ll get to discover lots of fun outlooks and perspectives.
I’ve found that this is a great choice for a rainy day – because it’ll inject a bit of fun and color into the day!
Madame Tussauds
How could we not include Madame Tussauds?
Madame Tussauds is probably one of the most famous fun museums in NYC, and it’s a classic pick for families or people visiting with kids and teenagers.
Madame Tussauds is super family-friendly, and it’s one of those museums that your kids will absolutely adore visiting.
But what is inside? Well, basically Madame Tussauds is a museum of waxworks! Full of lifelike figures of famous celebrities and characters.
Top tip? I recommend visiting earlier on in the day, when the crowds and queues are a little smaller!
Small is Beautiful: Miniature art exhibition
Next up on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s the ‘Small is Beautiful: Miniature art exhibition‘.
If you want to discover some genuinely unique and quirky art work, this place is a must-see. It’s so different to anything else I’ve seen before!
In this amazing little art museum, you’ll find teeny works of art that are so tiny you’ll need a magnifying glass to appreciate them fully!
It’s such a weird and wonderful experience, and definitely a great day out for adults and kids.
The New York Transit Museum
One of the quirkiest and most fun museums in NYC is the New York Transit Museum.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, this fascinating museum aims to educate visitors about the history of NYC’s transportation system.
Covering everything from the oldest subway carts to other famous modes of transport, this fun museum in NYC is a wonderful glimpse into the past that shows just how far we’ve come as a species.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
As well as being fun and unique, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art is also a celebration of individuality and self-expression.
The collections displayed at this museum aim to show the world that LGBTQ culture is beautiful, and encourages queer folk to fully embrace their sexuality through incredible art.
Not only is this a fun museum in NYC to visit for anyone, but it represents an important part of New York’s culture that deserves its place in the spotlight.
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The Friends Experience
How can we write a list of fun museums in NYC, and not include The Friends Experience?
Friends (the TV show) is such an integral part of NYC culture, and a big reason many people are so obsessed with the city!
If that’s you, you should absolutely check out The Friends Experience, because it’s so much fun.
You’ll get to learn lots of fun facts about the TV show, as well as touring the film sets, and those famous apartments and coffee shops you’ve come to love so much!
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Sloomoo Institute
Next on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s something a little different and quirky!
The Sloomoo Institute is for lovers of SLIME!
SlooMoo is a place for immersive and sensory experiences – great for kids that love slime, and kids who especially enjoy sensory museums and exhibits.
The Sloomooverse is full of never-ending, hand-crafted slime… and the Sloomoo institute is a place to make your own using yummy scents, vivid colors, and soothing ASMR delights.
Mmuseumm
Next up on my list of fun museums in NYC, it’s the wonderful (and slightly weird) Mmuseumm.
This cute and crazy little museum in NYC has to be seen to be believed!
It’s a fascinating and unique cultural museum that captivates and surprises visitors with it’s randomness and weirdness.
Located in a small storefront on Cortlandt Alley in Manhattan, this micro-museum challenges traditional museum norms by presenting exhibits within a space that is no larger than an elevator.
It’s full of random items, each that tell a story, and it’s really worth seeing.
Museum of Food and Drink
We all love to eat and drink the night away, right? Well, if you have a passion for food and all things drink, then add this spot to your list of fun museums in NYC to check out.
Food is a key part of NYC’s cultural footprint, and the MoFAD aims to teach visitors all about the city’s cooking, eating, and drinking.
If you visit at the right time of year, you’ll even be treated to a tasting or two! We advise checking out their website for more details on these, as dates can vary.
Morbid Anatomy Museum
If you find bodies icky, then you might want to give this one a miss.
However, if you’re fascinated by the human body, then the Morbid Anatomy Museum is a fantastic thing to have on your itinerary.
Showcasing bizarre things such as a human-har scrapbook, an exploded skeleton, and much more, it’s unsurprising that this is one of the most fun museums in NYC for those who love morbid reality.
This one may not be a great choice for kids, but adults should absolutely book in!
Elevator Historical Society Museum
You may not think much about elevators when you’re using them day to day, but they have a fascinating history.
For that reason, we believe that Elevator Historical Society Museum fits the bill!
This museum offers visitors a chance to understand elevator controls, how elevators were created, and much more!
Whether you’re a fan of mechanics or not, this is surely one of the ones to add to your list.
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American Museum of Natural History
The next idea, is a classic choice… the iconic American Museum of Natural History.
Look, we know this isn’t the most unique museum on our list of fun museums in NYC, nor is it the most quirky. But it is a lot of fun!
One thing the American Museum of Natural History does well, is create immersive and fun learning opportunities inside for visitors. Which we love!
It’s also an iconic part of the city, so it’s a lot of fun visiting and seeing all the parts of the museum you recognize from movies and TV shows!
Hopefully this list of fun museums in NYC has been helpful and given you plenty of ideas!
Let us know which of these you’ll be visiting!
