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Why New York City is the Perfect Destination for Science Lovers

New York City is home to more than 170 museums, each offering a unique glimpse into art, history, and—of course—science. The city is a hub of interactive and educational activities for kids and these hands-on science museums let little ones interact with the world around them. These museums and exhibits provide teachable moments in a way that's engaging and entertaining for kids. After all, being able to get up close and personal with some massive dinosaur bones is so much more memorable than simply reading a book or watching a video.

RELATED: Best Children's Musems for Kids in NYC

The American Museum of Natural History allows plenty of interactive, hands-on science fun for kids in NYC. Photo by Drew Kristofik

Top Science Museums in New York City for Kids

1. American Museum of Natural History – Upper West Side

Of course, you've likely been to the American Museum of Natural History before, but don't forget that there's a lot more to this museum than dinosaur bones and the whale room. For starters, the museum's newest wing, the Gilder Center, is a haven for kids who love creepy crawlers and beautiful butterflies. Shows in the Hayden Planetarium immerse kids ages 6 and up in the most current science of space, and the IMAX theater takes everyone on entertaining and enthralling scientific voyages. Traveling exhibitions, including the current The Secret World of Elephants exhibit, mean there's always something new to explore.

Best for kids interested in: History, nature, culture, and paleontology
Age range: Ages 5 and older

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• The AMNH now offers online ticketing, including the pay-what-you-wish general admission tickets available to NY state residents. So, book online and head straight for the entrance. Note that access to special exhibits requires full-priced tickets.
• It's practically impossible to see everything that the four-story museum has to offer, so we recommend focusing your visit on one topic or area.

Where to eat: The museum has a cafeteria on the ground level. There are plenty of family-friendly food spots near the American Museum of Natural History from fast-casual spots, like Shake Shack, to sit-down family staples like Carmine's and Fred's. You can stop in for a cup of fancy afternoon tea at Alice's Tea Cup, too.

2. New York Hall of Science – Flushing, Queens

A science and technology center with more than 450 hands-on activities, the New York Hall of Science is a must-visit. We love the hands-on Connected Worlds exhibit, where kids build a virtual eco-system using teamwork and STEM knowledge to produce—and sustain—plants, animals, and more. In the seasonal, outdoor Rocket Park Mini Golf, get a lesson in jet propulsion—and other rocket science concepts—along with your quest for par. For an additional fee, visitors can also check out the incredible Science Playground, an out-of-this-world interactive zone that's also the largest science playground in the United States.

Best for kids interested in: Science, math, technology, and design
Age range: Ages 2-15

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• This museum is large, and kids will want to stay and play, so plan to spend a whole day here.
• The space is accessible and features wide ramps and hallways, so you can comfortably walk around with a stroller. Lockers are available for rent if you'd rather stash your belongings while you're here.
• Visit on Fridays between 2-5pm for FREE admission.
• For an additional fun experience, don't miss out on the nearby Queens Zoo, which has some of the friendliest goats we've ever met!

Where to Eat: Outside food is not permitted, but a Butter Beans Cafe is located inside the museum and choices include plenty of kid favorites (like chicken tenders and pizza) and some healthier options (like salads and fruits). During the spring and summer, you can plan your trip to coincide with the Queens Night Market, which brings more than 100 independent vendors selling diverse eats for affordable prices every Saturday from 4pm until midnight.

RELATED: Free Times at NYC Museums

Allow your eyes to be tricked at the Museum of Illusions in Chelsea.

3. Museum of Illusions – Chelsea

While this museum offers plenty of fun, quirky photo-ops, there's also real science involved. Each display is accompanied by a placard explaining the science that makes the optical illusion work. It's a sneaky lesson in understanding how the mind and senses operate together. To make the most of this relatively small exhibit space, read the explanations together.

Best for kids interested in: Physics, psychology, perception, and neuroscience
Age range: Ages 6 and older

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• The museum is fairly small and will take only a couple of hours to explore, so it's an outing best paired with other activities.
• Dress up for the experience, as there are tons of photo-ops!

Where to eat: The museum doesn't sell food or drink, which are also not allowed inside. The surrounding area has several great spots to grab a bite, like McKenna's Pub. There are also tons of cute cafes and several delightful bakeries. Don't miss out on the incredible airy Merveilleux treats from Aux Merveilleux de Fred! The culinary delights of the Chelsea Market are just an avenue away, too.

4. Museum of Mathematics – Flatiron

True to its name, this gem is heavy on numbers but offers plenty of hands-on activities to help kids learn to love math and appreciate its application in our everyday lives. We loved its original location and are anxiously anticipating its expanded space opening later this year. For now, it's relocated to a temporary location on Fifth Avenue and offers tons of hands-on exhibits including the Enigma Cafe, an entire room filled with mind-bending puzzles to solve. Exhibits are designed to be engaging and interactive, as well as multidisciplinary for an experience that lets visitors move and create their way to a better understanding of mathematical concepts.

Best for kids interested in: Math, brain puzzles, and other STEM concepts
Age range: Ages 1-100, according to the website

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• There's a surprising number of photo-ops, so come prepared to take pics of the tykes!
• Pair your visit with a stroll through Madison Square Park, located directly across the street from the museum. Several of NYC's interactive shops are also located within walking distance, like the Harry Potter shop and the Lego Store.

Where to eat: The Enigma Cafe is a cafe by name only, as there is no food or drink in the museum. However, you can't go wrong with Eataly, located just a five-minute walk from the museum. Other popular spots include Shake Shack and Hill Country Barbecue Market.

5. Intrepid Museum – Hell's Kitchen

A decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier, the Intrepid is a floating museum docked on the Hudson River at Pier 86 dedicated to not only military history but also STEM topics and space exploration. Beyond its role in armed conflicts dating from WWII to Vietnam, Intrepid also served as a NASA recovery vehicle during the space race and is home to the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Rich programming, including the annual midwinter break tradition of Kids Week, focuses heavily on STEM topics.

Best for kids interested in: Military history and space exploration
Age range: Ages 5 and older

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Wear comfy shoes. The steel floor of this floating giant is unforgiving!
• There are elevators, but many exhibits require navigating narrow hallways or steep staircases. Best to save this visit for kids who can handle the walking necessary.

Where to eat: There is a cafeteria on-site, and you're a few long avenues from the nearest restaurants. Beyond that, pack snacks or plan to purchase astronaut ice cream or MREs on your way out to fuel the long walk back to the subway!

RELATED: Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

The Liberty Science Center's suspended infinity climber isn't just cool to look at; it's an epic spot to climb and explore. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

6. Liberty Science Center – Jersey City, New Jersey

OK, we know this science museum isn't technically in NYC, but it's close enough and cool enough that it's worth making the day trip to Jersey City! The Liberty Science Center is a world-class institution and easily accessible via the Path to New Jersey, plus a transfer to the light rail. The science institution has served the local community and beyond for more than a quarter century. It boasts the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and its Infinity Climber is a must-visit. Old favorites include the eco-focused exhibit, Our Hudson Home, plus an interactive skyscraper exhibit. Traveling exhibitions make frequent stops here, so there's always something new to explore. Though it's well worth the day trip, it's impossible to see it all in one visit!

Best for kids interested in: All things science, including STEM topics, space exploration, physics, biology, and more

Age range: Ages 2 and older

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Several hours are needed to thoroughly explore this museum, so plan for a full-day excursion.
• The surrounding Liberty State Park is great for a walk along the boardwalk or a picnic in the warmer months. The park offers great views of the Statue of Liberty!

Where to eat; The in-house Cosmic Cafe food hall offers many kid-friendly picks like homemade pizza, chicken tenders, and hot and cold sandwiches. The cafe lets you place an order online so you can continue exploring while your food is prepped. Quick snack pickups are also available at the Galaxy Grab and Go. A stroll down Communipaw Avenue nearby offers additional Caribbean and Asian food options.

Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Science Museums near NYC

7. Pier 57 Discovery Tank – Chelsea

Located in Hudson River Park, the Discovery Tank offers visitors a chance to learn more about the marine life in the city. It's not a full museum, but rather an exhibit tucked into Pier 57 that's completely FREE for visitors to explore. The gallery holds year-round programs, games, guided tours, interactive exhibits, and lots more engaging experiences for young scientists.

8. The 81st Street Studio – Upper East Side

Most people are familiar with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but not as many know of The Met's 81st Street Studio. The 3,500-square-foot space opened in September 2023 as a space for kids ages 3 through 11 to learn science through free play. The 81st Street Studio teaches kids about the science of materials, light, music, art, and more through permanent and temporary exhibits as well as regularly scheduled events and programming. Best of all, the 81st Street Studio is completely free for kids and their caregivers, no museum admission is required.

9. The Bone Museum – East Williamsburg

The Bone Museum is exactly what it sounds like: a display of real human bones. The museum showcases human anatomy through our very building blocks, with more than 150 skulls and what the website proudly proclaims to be the "largest collection of human spines on public display in the United States." The exhibit offers visitors young and old a unique glimpse into the human body of all shapes and sizes. There is no age minimum at this unique museum, as it aims to make the conversation surrounding the human body less taboo, but parents know their children best.

10. Science Barge – Yonkers, New York

The Science Barge gives children hands-on opportunities to learn how technology can help lessen our impact on the earth and help us live more sustainably. Operating completely off the grid, the Science Barge is a sustainable urban farm powered by wind, sun, and biofuel; it's irrigated by rainwater and purified river water. While weekdays are devoted to school and camp groups, walk-in visitors are welcome on the weekends from mid-April through October.

Take Your Kids on a Science Adventure in New York City

If you're looking for something to do with the little ones that's both enriching and entertaining, consider planning a trip to one of these science museums in NYC. The city has plenty to offer for scientists in the making, and a museum trip can be a fun experience for the whole family.

Choosing which of the NYC science museums to visit is as easy as homing in on your child's interests. Is your kid obsessed with dinosaurs? Are they curious about the nature and wildlife around them? Home in on those interests for an unforgettable experience that nurtures their natural inclinations.

Plan Your Next Family Science Adventure Today!

Science museums aren't just for kids, so visit one of these children's museums in NYC for a fun day trip for the whole family. Don't forget to check out each museum's website before you head out for all the latest info on current exhibits, hours, and ticketing. Many museums allow visitors to purchase tickets online in advance to skip the lines, so a bit of research can save you a lot of time at the door.

Read about more of our favorite spots to take science classes and enjoy drop-in maker fun, plus our favorite STEM camps in New York.

Originally published in 2009. Jody Mercier contributed additional reporting.