Intrepid Museum Admission: Aircraft Carrier, Space Shuttle and Submarine

The museum is the ship. USS Intrepid, a World War II aircraft carrier, is tied up at Pier 86 on the Hudson River at West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, and this ticket gets you on board along with everything moored beside it. That means three separate things to see. The carrier itself, with aircraft parked on the flight deck and exhibits below, including some of the fastest jets ever flown. The Space Shuttle Pavilion, where the shuttle Enterprise is on display. And the Growler, a guided missile submarine you can climb through, provided you are at least 40 inches tall. Temporary exhibitions are included in the same admission. The history is a big part of the visit. Intrepid was launched in 1943, fought in the Pacific, and survived five kamikaze attacks and a torpedo strike. It went on to serve in the Cold War and in Vietnam, and in the 1960s it was a NASA recovery ship, picking up astronauts after splashdown. It was decommissioned in 1974. Two short films tell the story: 'The Story of Intrepid' runs about 8 minutes, and 'Kamikaze: Day of Darkness, Day of Light' about 15. The exhibits lean on the accounts of the sailors who served on board, which is what keeps it from being a hall of hardware. Plan on around 90 minutes, longer if you have children who want to climb into everything. Guided tours, audio guides, the simulators and the 3D films are not included and cost extra. A few practical points. Children aged 4 and under go free, and children must be with an adult. Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the submarine, the Captain's Bridge, the Combat Information Center and the Anchor Chain Room are not. There are steep ladders and narrow passages on the ship, so a moderate level of fitness helps. Up to 14 travelers per booking, and mobile or paper tickets are both accepted.