This was such a fun museum from start to finish, an old subway station converted into a museum for the public. Parking is a bit tricky in the area, we were very lucky to find street parking a block over. We spent 2 hours in the museum and feel like we still didn't finish. This museum talks about the history of NY transit, all the way back to the 1800s. From old turnstiles to seats on the bus, and vintage subway cars that you can sit in on the lower floor, there are a lot of exhibits that you can touch and sit in. It's nice to see the changes chronologically presented and what specific changes took place. There are models of old subway cars, and trams and different kinds of subway cards that we officially have stopped using. Great place to spend 2-3 hours here wandering around. read more

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We came to the Transit Museum after reading the very positive reviews. I had high hopes for the museum and I was still very impressed with how much history and the superb presentation of the NY City subway system. The museum is located in the decommissioned Court Street station at the Corner of Schermerhorn St. and Boerum Place. To enter to go down the steps into the station and purchase a ticket at the old ticket booth. The fee is totally reasonable. The displays take the visitor from the origins of the subway and how it was created. There are amazing pictures of city streets with deep trenches creating the underground tunnels used by the trains. There are excellent descriptions of how the workers relocated gas and water lines allowing these services to continue uninterrupted while construction continued. There are many artifacts from the construction period including the tools that they used, ID's of the workmen, and so much more. Frankly, there is so much to take in, it requires more than one visit to really absorb all that is on offer. There are old turnstiles that you can go through. It's amazing to think that people didn't hop them way back when. There is an incredible display and description of the tokens that were used including the cost increases. There is also a presentation of slugs that were used to get through the turnstiles without paying. And how they messed up the turnstiles. Then of course a great exhibit of the electronic paying system including a display of the Metrocards through the years. There are amazing old signs from the subway that bring you back to how it felt to navigate stations. One thing that I would have really appreiciated and I did not see, was a discussion of the three subways systems-IRT, IND, and BMT that were finally merged. On the lower level on two different tracks are multiple old subway cars. The display has the cars from the when the subway began and all of the iterations until today. The cars include when each car was used, the kind of material used to make the seats and the advances each represented. There is also information about how the system is 'overseen' and the painfully slow technical improvements to make the subway more efficient while remaining safe. The museum has something for everyone who has taken a ride on the subway. It is a truly worthwhile visit for people who want to learn more about the texture of what makes New York the city that it is. read more

Stopped by yesterday 3/19. This is my third time at this museum, but the first time for my husband and son. I came on a field trip when i was in 6th grade and again around 21 in college for a project at school. Now as a mother and wife, and sister to a MTA employee, this experience means more. My son was able to not only learn the history of the transition system, but see it first hand. My son loved that fact that this museum is underground and inside an actual train station. I loved the fact that they have upgraded and added WiFi! I remember coming in my 20s and it was very hot and no WiFi. I'm glad i didn't wait until summer to come, it was very comfortable in there temperature wise during this time of year. I Loved that they also have a very nice and modern gift shop. Bathrooms here were very clean too. My son was amazed and how much things changed from when we were his age to now. From tokens, to metro cards, to omny. He loved being able to sit inside actual buses and trains. And seeing the trains that were around not only we were kids, but when his grandparents were kids. I still can't believe they had that red 2/5 line train we grew up on. Phenomenal experience here and i would def come back with my family, even my husband enjoyed it. read more

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Lovely visit to the New York Transit Museum (Downtown Brooklyn) on a Saturday morning in the winter. $10 Adults/$5 Children/Seniors. Although street parking can be tough, it is manageable , especially on weekends in the Cobble Hill and Manhattan Bridge areas. Entrance via the "subway" steps on Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. Once down there, you can buy tickets at the ticketbooth although they recommend ticket purchase in advance online. You then navigate through the museum which includes lots of interesting and fun facts about New York Subway System...its origin, design, construction, and updates and maintenance over the last 120+ years. There are lots of interesting exhibits such as the evolution of the subway payment methods and turnstiles. A lovely exhibit pays tribute to the Metrocard and how it reolutionized the payment process. There are different machines on display as well as all of the "Special Edition" Metrocards throughout the years. Downstairs, on the tracks, there various train cars dating back 100+ years. You can see how each update fit the purpose of their time...given technological limitations of course. It was interesting reading a bit about each one. Finally, there is the Gift Shop with all kinds of interesting gift options...maps, magnets, toys, shirts, posters and other collectibles. Overall, I had a great time at the New York Transit Museum. Despite being a native New Yorker who has used its public transportation system since the 90's...it was very interesting learning all about it. I gained a new appreciation not of the system itself...but the employees who work hard to keep the system up and running. It was busy but not overcrowded....likely more crowds when the temperature warms up. I took about two (2) hours and was able to read most of the exhibits...I would allow around three (3) hours if you want to read everything. If you are ONLY interested in seeing the displays without reading...you can likely get through it in an hour. All staff throughout the museum were very friendly and helpful. read more

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This museum covers all facets of public transit: fares, signage on trains, models of train cars, construction of the system, and more. Kids have a fantastic time with the hands-on exhibits. I was lucky enough to go right after the metrocard had retired to see that special exhibit. I wish this museum was open for more hours! The main exhibit at the very start of the museum is narrow and windy, causing hold ups especially if there is a stroller. If there is a crowd there, I'd recommend going downstairs to the open old train cars until the line subsides. The entry price is very good value. If you arrive by public transit near the museum, you'll probably have a 5min walk to an AC line or a bus stop. Because the museum is the old Court Street station, you'll descend stairs to reach the entrance. At the entrance is also a nice gift shop. read more

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Cooler than I thought it would be because it's a repurposed subway station which is much better than a regular museum. It even had that warmth and tight spaces we all know and love from a subway station. But once you get passed the initial and thorough history of the subway creation, it opens up more as a space. There was a lot of interesting displays and information to learn. It's worth it for a few hours to learn about how the subway started and how it's developed. The best part was the lower level with the actual historic train cars you can go inside and see how the evolution of cars developed. Only downsides: an employee didn't let us use an outlet no one was near which seemed unnecessary. The gift shop was pretty good, but it didn't have seasonal items out (which they said were in storage but couldn't get them). Otherwise, for the price, it's a pretty unique albeit crowded museum that's interesting for adults and kids. read more

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Very cool and nostalgic museum. This museum is located in a decommissioned subway station (Court Street). You can see all the vintage turnstiles, old forms of payment and see all the trains. You get the whole experience, you can walk from train to train, sit inside, see the ads and stay as long as you want. It felt like traveling through time. Very interesting, fun and informative museum. Highly recommended for kids and adults. read more

Inside the Grand Central Terminal Station, one of the security guards pointed me to the right way. The museum is located inside the gift shop, and is a cute miniature of NYC honoring the subway and train system. During the holidays, there is a Holiday Train Show. It's free to visit, and a family-friendly activity to do. read more

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The Transit Museum is having another great-sounding online program (via Zoom) - on January 8, from 6-7 p.m. - and it's free. The title is "Transit Tourism" - and the author of a new book called "Transit Tourism: The Iconic Art and Design of 22 Subway Systems Around the World" will be showing many highlights from his travels throughout the world. Here's the link to register: https://51281.blackbaudhosting.com/51281/Transit-Tourism read more

Nice museum. It's hot though, so I guess it's very true to the NY subway experience lol. It's kinda cool, youre basically in a subway station looking at the history of the subway and artifacts. The main draw is the lower level, where they have the subway cars throughout the years and you can go inside. Those were cool and they even had ads from the timeframe. It requires a lot of walking and steps, so just fyi. It's a fun time. I had more fun there than I thought. I liked being able to see the old subway cars the best. read more

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This museum has been on my bucket list for years. I was in the area and decided to check it out since I was in the area. The entrance looks like a regular train station. The fee to get in a reasonably priced. I was shocked how large the museum was and how many exhibits were displayed. The beginning of the museum was a comprehensive history of how public transportation started with pictures and small summaries of events. There were large groups of immigrants who played a big role in the development of our train system. The stairs leading to he historical trains resembled a train station with a regular platform. Downstairs had a variety of trains on display from over the years. There is alot to see and read in this museum. There were several cool spots to take pics. There were some interactive activities for the kids. This is definitely a spot to check out. read more

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This mta run museum is a immersive experience in the history of transportation in nyc. What I noticed is people seemed to be smaller in the past. My wife and I traveled through time decade to decade exploring thus underground experience. Lots of information on this tour. read more

New York Transit Museum - Museums Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This surprised me, actually. You enter through what looks like an ordinary subway station entrance, which sets the tone perfectly for what's inside. Admission was very reasonable, and I was genuinely surprised by how big the museum is. It's packed with exhibits, starting with an in-depth look at the early days of New York's public transportation. The photos, stories, and timelines give a real sense of how the system grew, especially with the contributions of immigrant communities who helped build and shape it. Heading downstairs feels like stepping into an actual station platform from decades past. There's a whole collection of historic train cars, each from a different era, and you can walk through many of them. It's one of those places where you think you'll skim a few things but end up reading every sign because it's all so fascinating. There's a lot to explore, great photo spots, detailed exhibits, and even some hands-on activities for kids. Whether you're a transit nerd, a history fan, or just looking for something unique to do in the city, this museum is absolutely worth a visit. It's grown my appreciation for how amazing NYC really is. read more

Good place to come on a rainy day. Upon entering there is a gift shop and the left. You start from the beginning where you get a history of the trains. You will see old turnstiles. Bus and train you can get on for photos. An actual live old train station below with mutiple old trains you can get on. Very nice. Kids can get on a station bus and be on the driver seat. Can easily go through this in one hour. read more

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What a fun place to check out the NYC passenger train cars throughout the years. The museum is big but not huge and is packed with a ton of great information about everything related to NYC transit - the history, the workers, the pioneers. My favorite are the train cars you can explore in the lower level of this still "active" train line. It's like stepping back in time and it's awesome to see the changes that have been made. I highly recommend a visit to the New York Transit Museum, it's a fun time for adults and kids! read more

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!!!! read more

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The New York Transit Museum is a fun visit. It's a great run through history of both subways and busses that have kept New York moving. I really enjoyed the old subway cars spanning the last 100 years. You can walk through each one and get a feel for what it was like in the past. It's good for 1+ hours. Great for a rainy day! read more

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One of the coolest museums I've ever been to. Was way bigger than expected but we were able to see all of it in an hour but definitely wish we could have spent some more time here. Very informative and educational. The basement room with all the trains was super cool. Bathroom was gross. read more

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A very good deal for only $10. Situated in an former subway tunnel that is currently inactive but totally functional. There is a whole level on the history of subway/bus/and carriage transit in the city of New York, then a whole other level beneath that full of subway cars of yesteryear. This is actually the best part: there are probably two dozen subway cars going back to pre-WWII. Very cool indeed. read more

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! read more

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It's amazing! It has all the history of the New York City transit bus and subway, has a lots of real subway cars, the old ones and the new ones. The only things bad is it's a little bit hot in the museum. read more

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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. read more

New York Transit Museum - Museums Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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. read more

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] read more

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 :) read more

New York Transit Museum - Museums Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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! read more

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We went to check out the Transit Museum in Brooklyn and it was ok. They aren't equipped to handle people with disabilities and strollers. This was rather sad. Because you are underground, there isn't much cellular service. We had to pull up a voucher for our admission and that was annoying. The actual museum was decent. I am interested in the history or the subway and how the subways were constructed but was not overly engaged with the information or the artifacts. The coolest thing was the older train cars that you could check out. That was fun. Altogether I wasn't too impressed. read more

We had a great time at the NY Transit Museum and were surprised at how massive this place was. We easily spent 2 hours here and could have spent more if we did more reading of the exhibits. We loved all the old decommissioned trains with vintage advertisements. The craft room with "make your own metrocard" and video game to be a subway driver was also a hit with the kids. There is a smaller area of subway inspired art and plenty of historical exhibits regarding the creation of the NY subway system which was really interesting. A fantastic museum that is part of the ASTC reciprocal network. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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! read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

New York Transit Museum - Outside the entrance - Museums Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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. read more

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