At Pier 86 on the Hudson River there's a World War II aircraft carrier permanently moored, with a space shuttle on its deck, a Concorde on the pier and a nuclear-missile submarine alongside. That's the Intrepid Museum, officially the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and it's one of the few New York museums that eight-year-olds and grandparents enjoy equally. This guide explains how much Intrepid tickets cost, the seasonal hours, how long a visit takes, how to reach a pier that's a long way from the subway and what you shouldn't skip. Prices checked on the official website on November 11, 2026.
Before you buy
- Price. General admission is $38 for adults and $28 for children on the museum's ticket page. US veterans get in free.
- Fall and winter hours (October 1 to March 31). Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Spring and summer hours. Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until 6 p.m.
- Last entry. One hour before closing. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Time needed. The museum suggests two to three hours.
What the Intrepid is, and why its history matters
USS Intrepid is an Essex-class aircraft carrier launched in 1943. In the Pacific war it survived several attacks, including a 1944 kamikaze strike that killed 22 crew members. It later served in Vietnam and, in the 1960s, was one of the ships that recovered Mercury and Gemini space capsules at sea. It was headed for the scrapyard; instead it opened as a museum on August 3, 1982.
That mix of war, aviation and space is why the museum feels so varied. It isn't a room of display cases: you walk through a real ship, with steep ladders, narrow passageways and berthing areas where hundreds of sailors slept.
What to see, in the order that works
The museum is large and spread across the pier, the hangar deck, the flight deck and the submarine. A route that avoids lines and backtracking:
- The submarine Growler, first. It's a Cold War diesel submarine that carried Regulus nuclear missiles. You go through single file, and the line can close earlier than the rest of the museum, as the Intrepid itself warns. Leave it for last and you might miss it.
- The Concorde, on the same pier. A British Airways aircraft that flew between New York and London in about three and a half hours. For many visitors it's the only chance to see one up close.
- The hangar deck, inside the ship, with the history exhibits, aircraft and the interactive Exploreum.
- The flight deck, upstairs, with a collection of military aircraft parked as if ready to launch. The view of the Hudson and New Jersey is one of the best on the West Side.
- The Space Shuttle Enterprise pavilion, at the end of the flight deck. It's NASA's first orbiter, used for atmospheric flight tests in the 1970s; it arrived at the museum in 2012 and is displayed under a tent-like pavilion.
With kids, the flight deck and the Enterprise are what they remember most. The bridge and the upper levels involve ship ladders, almost vertical; strollers have to stay below.
Extras that cost more
General admission covers almost everything. The paid extras are more for enthusiasts:
| Extra | General price |
|---|---|
| G-Force simulator | $13 |
| 4D film | $11 |
| Guided public tours | $15 to $18 |
The simulator is what teenagers ask for most, though the museum is just as enjoyable without it. Check the day's closures on the website too: in November 2026 there were dates when the Exploreum opened later or closed early.
Is the Intrepid ever free?
It's one of the most repeated searches. There's no fixed free day for tourists; what there is:
- US veterans and active-duty military get in free, and spouses of active-duty service members get 20 percent off.
- Care partners of visitors with access needs are free.
- From time to time the museum hosts free evenings with special programming; for example, Thursday, November 19, 2026 had one from 5:30 to 9 p.m. They're one-off events announced on its homepage.
Some city attraction passes include the Intrepid. If you're already comparing passes, the museum is one of the attractions that gives the most value, because its ticket is expensive.
How to get to the Intrepid Museum
The museum is at Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, in Hell's Kitchen. The problem is that the subway stops well short of the river. Your options:
- On foot from Times Square. About 20 minutes walking west along 46th or 42nd Street. It's the most common approach, and you pass Hell's Kitchen's restaurant strip on the way.
- Subway plus bus. Get off at 42 St-Port Authority (A, C and E trains) and take the M42 bus west to the river, or the M50 along 49th Street.
- From Hudson Yards. About 15 minutes walking north through the riverside park, a pleasant stroll if you pair it with the Edge observation deck.
Subway and buses are paid by tapping a contactless card or phone; our OMNY guide explains the weekly fare cap. River cruises leave next to the museum, and a few piers north is the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
How it fits into your trip
The Intrepid works well for a morning on Manhattan's West Side. Go in at 10, finish around 1, have lunch on Ninth Avenue and continue to Times Square or the High Line. It's also a good cloudy-day option, since half the visit is under cover. With kids, it pairs nicely with the American Museum of Natural History.
Tips from people who've been
Buy online and arrive on time: tickets are timed and you won't be let in early. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Bring a jacket in winter: the flight deck is open to the elements and the Hudson wind is strong. In summer, the opposite: a hat and water, because there's no shade up top. Wear comfortable, flat shoes; ship ladders are unforgiving to sandals. And if you like aviation, the aircraft on deck have signs with their history that are worth reading.
About food: there's a café on board, at museum prices. To eat better for less, Ninth and Tenth Avenues between 43rd and 55th Streets are packed with Thai, Mexican and fast-casual places five to ten minutes from the pier. Eat before or after: the visit is more enjoyable on a full stomach than cut in half to look for lunch.
Frequently asked questions
How much are tickets to the Intrepid?
General admission is $38 for adults and $28 for children, according to the museum's ticket page in November 2026. The simulator and 4D film cost extra.
How long does a visit to the Intrepid take?
Two to three hours, according to the museum. To see the submarine, the Concorde and the Enterprise without rushing, allow three.
Is the Intrepid Museum free?
Not for tourists, except special free evenings announced on its website. US veterans and active-duty military get in free.
What is there at the Intrepid Museum?
The aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, a British Airways Concorde, the submarine Growler and a collection of military aircraft.
Where is the Intrepid and how do I get there?
At Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue. It's about a 20-minute walk from Times Square, or take the M42 bus.
What are the Intrepid's hours?
October to March, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April to September, until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays.