Interactive New York City Museums Your Teens Will Love

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‍If you have teens, you know that getting them excited about anything can feel like pulling teeth. If they’re not announcing that they’re ‘so bored, ’ they’re stuck on their phones with little human connection. What if your upcoming vacation to NYC could be different?  What if I told you that NYC is home to a new crop of interactive museums even the most uninspired teen will want to hang out in - with you and the rest of the family!

The coolest museums in NYC don't just have stuff to look at - they have things to do, touch, play with, and (of course) take selfies with. They've got wild tech, mind-blowing art, and hands-on exhibits that will keep the most distracted teens engaged while in NYC.

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At Khonsu, we create custom travel guides designed by locals. As one of Khonsu’s NY Experience Designers, I always include these exciting, interactive museums when collaborating with families to build their dream NYC itineraries. Here are some of my top recommendations for things to do with teens in NYC

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So, here goes…. 16 interactive NYC museums your teen will never forget

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Spyscape

Where: Hell's Kitchen / Midtown

Spyscape is a thrilling fusion of a museum and an espionage training hub, offering aspiring teenage spies the perfect platform to hone their skills. Join your teens as they immerse themselves into the fascinating world of real-life intelligence agents like Alan Turing and Virginia Hall. 

The true excitement comes from challenging tests designed to crack you and your teen -  navigate a laser maze, undergo a lie detector examination, and tackle various other challenges. At the end, a former British Intelligence officer expertly evaluates your performance and provides a grade, leaving you with a newfound understanding of your potential spy prowess and the role that best suits you.

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Local Tip:

Spyscape tickets sell out regularly because of high demand. Prepurchase your tickets so you don’t disappoint your teen. You’ll get a $5 discount and guaranteed entry for being prepared. More of a planner than a fly-by-the-pantser? We designed our free day planner for planners like you who want their days planned before getting to NYC

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SPYGAMES

If your teen may be up for a more physically engaging experience, Spyscape has recently launched its SPYGAME Beta. The museum occasionally hosts public testing events, providing an opportunity to sign up and participate in the beta. You can check their Instagram here for upcoming test dates.

Participation in the beta offers the benefit of heavily discounted tickets and early access to the museum's new immersive high-tech rooms. These rooms, designed by experts from the CIA and Special Ops, are equipped with various features, including puzzles with lasers and buttons, climbing holds, spotlights, throwing targets, and illuminated pressure-sensitive floors- all crafted to challenge mental and physical agility.

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ARTECHOUSE

Where: Chelsea / Meatpacking District

 ARTECHOUSE NYC brings an amazingly interactive experience to teens wanting to explore art while experiencing one of New York City’s best interactive museums. The magic happens from the museum’s location beneath iconic Chelsea Market and sees revolving exhibits and experiences - each better than the last 

The current exhibit, "World of AI·magination," seamlessly combines generative algorithms with human creativity, while utilizing cutting-edge technologies like Stable Diffusion and GAN. Visit and find yourself (and your teen!) plunged into a captivating universe within each pixel.  ARTECHOUSE NYC is truly a testament to the collaboration between human ingenuity and advanced Machine Learning technologies, shaping the future of computer graphics and generative AI.

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Local Tip:

‍I often recommend spending a whole day exploring Chelsea, where this museum is located. Popular attractions like High Line Park, Chelsea Market, and the fun Chelsea Piers call the area home. Consider spending the rest of the day in the area after leaving Artchehouse.

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Museum of Illusions

Where: Chelsea / Meatpacking District

Ultra-interactive and heavy on mind games, the Museum of Illusions offers mesmerizing visual experiences that teens of every interest will find mindboggling. The optical illusions on exhibit change perspective and fool the senses, making it a never-ending puzzle your teen will actually want to unravel. But the fun doesn’t stop there. You and your teen can explore holograms, an anti-gravity room, and a topsy-turvy space. The whole museum really is an optical illusion paradise and a great choice for teens looking for interactive fun in NYC.

If your teen is an Instagram fanatic, they’ll also find much to love. The Museum of Illusions is an amazing place to take photos, so bring your camera!

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Local Tip:  

‍Museum of Illusions is near the equally interactive Artchehouse. You can take your teen to see them both in one morning if you plan with intention. We designed our free day planner to help you do just that! Use it to easily group attractions on a map so you don’t miss anything

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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Where: Hell's Kitchen / Midtown West

The first sign that the Intrepid is unlike any other museum your family will visit in NYC is the fact that it’s an actual ship floating on the Hudson River. The unique museum is the USS Intrepid, a WWII aircraft carrier with a rich history that is now the home of a collection of exciting experiences perfect for curious teens visiting NYC. The Intrepid served in WWII, Vietnam, and the Cold War, and briefly as the FBI's field office post-9/11. It is currently designated a National Historic Landmark.

If your teen is a space or NASA enthusiast, they will love the Space Shuttle Pavilion, where the main experience is a virtual microgravity in the International Space Station Virtual Reality exhibit. If that isn’t enough, the whole family can try three thrilling flight simulators - one with 4D motion. The fun continues inside the vessel, where the Exploreum on the main hangar deck offers interactive exhibits, allowing teens to engage with a Bell 47 helicopter and a submarine. 

On the Flight Deck, you'll find restored jet fighters and helicopters from various branches, including the Coast Guard. We highly recommend this museum as one of the best things to do with your teen in NYC

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Local Tip:

‍The Intrepid is next to the relaxing Hudson River Park. After your museum visit, take your to the park for amazing skyline views across the river and a wide range of exciting, educational activities

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New York Transit Museum

Where: Brooklyn

There are many historical archives in New York City. But the Transit Museum stands out as a must-visit for engineering enthusiasts. Instead of offering a broad perspective on the city's history, it delves deep into a crucial element of city life – the public transit system. Housed in a former subway station since 1976, this museum is a treasure trove of transportation history.

Teens can explore an impressive collection of vintage train cars spanning the 20th century, as well as contemporary works from the MTA's Arts for Transit program. Not to be missed is Sadie, the fluffy gray cat who plays an essential role in keeping the space free of rodents. You'll often find her in a cozy, old-timey subway car on the lower-level platform.

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Mo Math

Where: Flatiron

Have a math-loving teen in your family? Visit the Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) and watch them light up as math jumps off the textbook pages and merges with real life. Located in Manhattan's Flatiron District, this interactive museum makes numbers fun through colorful exhibits that allow visitors to ride square-wheeled tricycles, create 3D sculptures with light, and navigate through a maze of mathematical patterns.

Kids and adults alike can design their own fractals, race against algorithms, or create digital art with mathematical principles. The two-floor space transforms abstract concepts into physical experiences that appeal to both math enthusiasts and those who normally avoid numbers. Visit with the peace of mind that your teen’s brain is being stimulated while they play!

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Local Tip:

‍Have kids of varying interests - including one who loves math? Plan an itinerary that engages each child’s interests for a memorable family vacation. If you’re finding that difficult, consider collaborating with one of our local experts - or use our DIY free day planner

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INTER_

Where: SoHo

INTER_ is a recent addition to New York City’s vibrant immersive gallery scene but it’s making waves because of its unique focus. The multi-sensory museum aims to guide visitors toward a profound state of introspection by exploring themes related to personal identity, nature, water, fluidity, space, and air. 

The immersive exhibition masterfully integrates a sound bath, captivating light installations, and elements of meditation, all intertwined with interactive digital art. Stepping into INTER_ feels less like a traditional gallery visit and more akin to a serene meditation retreat - perfect for teenagers overwhelmed with schoolwork.

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Local Tip: 

‍Be sure your teen has a well-charged phone or camera if you visit. Each interactive room in this museum is out-of-this-world gorgeous so your teen will want photos for their Instagram account

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SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Where: Midtown East

Summit One Vanderbilt promises an exhilarating adventure, delivering an unparalleled viewpoint of the Big Apple from the 91st floor of the towering 1,401-foot skyscraper. 

Your journey commences with a walk through a mesmerizing mirrored corridor, leading you to an elevator that whisks you up to the observation deck. There, you'll find the incredible mirrored infinity room known as "Air," where the sky and cityscape are reflected, creating the illusion of strolling through the heavens. 

The experience is ever-changing, shifting with the weather and the time of day, ensuring that visitors never get tired of NYC’s incredible skyline.

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Local Tip:

‍Visit this or any of NYC’s other observatories at night when the city has lit for the night. The views will take your breath away

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Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience

Where: American Museum Of Natural History (AMNH)

One step inside this well-designed experience and you’ll feel like you’re on the set of the TV series Planet Earth. Wander through lush rainforest canopies, encounter detailed fungal networks, observe digital signals at work, and come face-to-face with a colossal humpback whale. If your teen loves science or nature, this interactive exhibit within the excellent American Museum of Natural History is a must while in NYC

To visit, head to the  Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History.

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Local Tip:

‍Put aside a whole morning to explore the rest of this popular museum. In my experience planning unforgettable itineraries for families, kids particularly love the ticklish butterfly experience and the impressive dinosaur fossils, so try to explore those areas.

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Mercer Labs

Where: The Financial District

One of the newest interactive hotspots for teens in NYC is Mercer Labs in the Museum of Art and Technology.  From its location close to the 9-11 Memorial and the Oculus, the highly interactive space keeps awing families who visit. Fifteen experimental exhibitions showcasing interactive encounters, unique listening experiences, and immersive installations are just the beginning. 

Explore captivating light shows, a 4D listening/meditation room, and a playful slide into a ball pit. With its stimulating experiences, Mercer is truly the latest in creativity and innovation for teens looking for a cool museum in NYC.

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Local Tip:

With attractions like the 9-11 Memorial, One World Observatory, and Wall Street, the area around this interactive museum is filled with treasures your teen will want to discover. Use our free planner to map them into an experience your teen will never forget

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The Friends Exhibition

Where: The Flatiron District

For young fans visiting NYC, The Friends Exhibition offers a fantastic way to pay homage to the classic sitcom. Explore set recreations, including Joey and Chandler’s apartment, the Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, Monica’s living room and even the iconic orange couch. While the sets are just recreations, fans can also see original props and costumes all around the exhibit. And don't forget to indulge in the fully functional Central Perk Cafe, where you and your teen can enjoy a variety of beverages and, of course, cheesecake.

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MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM

Where: SoHo

If you’re teen is a foodie, take them to this beloved NYC attraction for interactivity of the culinary kind! All visitors to the Musuem of Ice Cream get to indulge in an irresistible spread of unlimited ice cream, featuring global flavors as well as a wide variety of textures and toppings. Dairy-free options are available, ensuring that lactose intolerant and vegan teens are equally welcome. 

For those with an artistic flair, the museum offers a stunning experience with pastel aesthetics, including an all-pink subway car and ice cream-themed artwork. And for added fun, there are various physical activities, such as swings, a bouncy room, carnival games, and more to keep everyone entertained.

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Local Tip:

‍With color, taste, and interactivity, the Museum of Ice Cream is good for kids of all ages. If your family has mixed-aged kids, it’s a must-visit on your upcoming NYC trip.

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Color Factory

Where: SoHo

Color Factory is an excellent destination for a visit with a creative teenager. This multi-sensory experience, inspired by the city's colors, features 16 participatory installations, including ombré floating balloons, a walkable infographic to discover your "secret color," a palette of colorful treats with a custom ice cream scoop, a unique activity on color and human connection, a luminous dance floor, and Color Factory’s signature ballroom (in a baby blue color for NYC). Each visit includes complimentary sweet treats, digital photos, and surprise NYC-specific keepsakes.

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‍Local Tip:

‍Color Factory is 3 minutes from the famous cronuts everyone raves about on social media. I highly recommend visiting the bakery (Dominique Ansel Bakery) after your museum visit for cronuts and the required Instagram photos.

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Sloomoo Institute

Where: SoHo

This interactive NYC museum is slime-themed and specifically designed to get teens off their phones and actively engaged. Particularly enjoyable for younger kids and tweens - though fun for all all ages -  the immersive experience combines science and magic to create a multisensory experience. Kids can engage in hands-on play with giant vats of slime and kinetic sand, experience CGI videos, explore a kaleidoscopic glow-in-the-dark exhibit, and visit a 150-foot DIY bar where they can design their own slime with 4,320,000 unique combinations.

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Local Tip:

After your visit, walk 5 minutes to the famous Black Tap for burgers and cotton candy shakes. Then spend the afternoon at the mouthwatering Museum of Ice Cream. You could have a day like this mapped out in 5 minutes. Unlock our free day planner to see how. 

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Beat The Bomb

Where: DUMBO

Get your teen’s heart racing with anticipation at Beat the Bomb. The Brooklyn-based interactive museum pits your family against others in a high-tech gaming experience where teams race against the clock to defuse a paint bomb! The museum combines escape room puzzles with video game-style missions across five game rooms where teams of 4-6 players suit up in protective jumpsuits and face increasingly difficult challenges.

Your teen will have to access their skills of coordination, communication, and quick thinking. They’ll also decode patterns, navigate laser mazes, and solve motion-tracking puzzles—all while the tension builds toward the final showdown with the paint bomb.

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Local Tip:

‍Beat The Bomb is walking distance to the Instagram-famous selfie spot under the Brooklyn Bridge, the popular NYC skyline viewing points, and famous eateries like Jacques Torres Chocolates of Netflix fame. Use our free day planner to map them out so you can easily hit them all and keep your Instagram account ahead of the game.

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