THE 10 BEST New York Science Museums (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Science Museums in New York

THE 10 BEST New York Science Museums

Science Museums in New York

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29 places sorted by traveller favourites.
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Roberta S
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States30 contributions
    My friend and I visited Roberson in December. We saw Christmas trees decorated by many numerous sponsors. It was amazing. We also saw examples of how Christmas is celebrated around the world as well as a Hanukkah example. There was a one hour concert of high school students playing Christmas songs on strings which was wonderful. We toured the historical home decorated for Christmas. The museum and science center (planetarium) change exhibits which are interesting and informative.
    Written 12 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LiterateWanderer
    United States98 contributions
    Whether you are a die-hard Star Trek fan or simply someone who watched the show as a child and enjoyed it, you will find this museum a fascinating place to visit.  It was rebuilt from blueprints of the original series (I believe they said they were in the process of rebuilding sets from other Star Trek series, too....). 

    The guide was extremely knowledgeable and the tour was quite detailed--explanations of how the set worked during filming, explanations of how the museum went about reconstructing everything (including finding frames of each item in the original show so that they could ensure what they displayed was correct), stories of William Shatner visiting the museum, etc.  Photos were encouraged but filming was not allowed (for copyright reasons, I believe).  The guide was also quite personable--we were able to chat about the show, ask questions, etc.  The tour culminates on the bridge after you've seen so much that you've almost forgotten you haven't seen that, and our response was simply "oh wow!"  That area of the ship is so central to the show, that stepping onto it was just amazing.

    Photo ops we had (in addition to just photos of the set itself):  Pictures of ourselves standing on the transporter pad (and if you don't yet know what the floor light beam circles were made of, I'm not telling.  You'll have to go see for yourself).  Pictures of ourselves sitting in the Captain's chair on the bridge. 

    Timing:  Expect the tour to be about an hour.  There is also a small gift shop, and there are a few exhibits outside the tour that you can browse at your leisure before or after (unless you are the last tour of the day).  We were there during an off-season and had the last tour of the day, and we were the only ones on the tour, which was especially nice. 

    We enjoyed our visit immensely. I found myself thinking of all the people in my life who I wish I could take there because I know they'd enjoy it immensely as well. I'd go back in a heartbeat, and I can't wait for them to finish the other sets to go tour those as well.  In addition, the tour made me want to go back and re-watch the entire original Star Trek series, now that I know what to look for.
    Written 8 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emily K
    1 contribution
    I love Gulliver's Gate!!! I have been to it many times and still want to go back. I cannot wait for it to reopen. So happy to see it it reopening. A miracle! I will be going many more times and my family knows how much I love it and they are joining me for the grand reopening. Thank you, Gulliver's Gate.
    Written 10 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • aphasian
    New York City, NY27 contributions
    Rocket mini golf has some really fun and unique holes to play, it's a must-visit. The classic exhibits are always genius, and the more recent permanent exhibits (like Connected Worlds) are still satisfying, but the temporary show we saw (Happiness) was not great. Not having the huge Maker Space open yet also brings the energy level down.

    I was motivated to leave a review because I had to help my youngest use the toilet a couple of times, and I gotta say, given the amount of people that go through there, the custodial staff does an INCREDIBLE job, these bathrooms are some of the cleanest you will ever use. Bravo!
    Written 2 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maltipoo16
    New York893 contributions
    I study neuroscience and thought that the brain section of the museum was very interesting and very informative. Also really enjoyed the GE exhibit. Was upset that we did not get to go into the planetarium, but otherwise, was a good visit.
    Written 9 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rick M
    Oneonta, NY725 contributions
    We hadn't been to the AJ Read Science Discovery Center since it moved - what a fantastic improvement! There's all sorts of hands on activities for a spectrum of ages and abilities!
    Written 3 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TateCamillus
    Camillus29 contributions
    Enjoyed our visit to this nature center near Robert Moses State Park. It is actually called Nicandri Nature Center. We had our dog with us so we couldn't view the exhibits inside but they looked really interesting. We did one of the trails and will do more the next time. We sat and watched the bird feeders for a while and enjoyed that. Talked with a nature center staff for a while who was very knowledgeable. The grounds are peaceful and beautiful. It looks like they have a lot of fun activities for kids. Will return and explore more.
    Written 24 August 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ramona Pase M
    4 contributions
    Loved the museum and the people running it. Was well worth it!!! On same property as the Harris Hill Soaring so take a ride on a glider. Lots of interesting and detailed plains with good documentation and history.
    Written 27 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ransom007
    Anaheim, CA1,206 contributions
    There is free street parking in the area if you can find a space. The museum is small and has no signage other than "1208" on the door. There is no charge for admission. Sam, the founder of the museum, is extremely informative; but the museum is very small and your stay will probably be less than one hour.
    Written 12 October 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GalagirlBoston
    Boston20 contributions
    A total delight! Fascinating, well-explained exhibits for visitors of all ages, and a great outdoor playspace with fun and educational features. We appreciated the outdoor picnic tables and indoor "community room" where we could bring in our own food. Also loved the small animal exhibits (fish and reptiles).
    Written 29 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bill K
    Spencerport, NY1,420 contributions
    Went to see the Golden Mummies exhibit at Science Museum and had a good time. They are doing timed entries so go online to buy tickets ahead of time. The museum has some beautiful artifacts and a number of unique mummies unlike any I have seen before.

    My girlfriend and I had fun in the heart exhibit doing various quizes and challenges. The dinosaur/extinction gallery, the wild animals and the gallery filled with instruments and other cultural artifacts on the second floor were also open to browse.

    Overall, it was a nice exhibit and while the whole place is not open, it does make for a good couples hours of enjoyment.
    Written 18 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Angela K
    1 contribution
    What an awesome spot to visit! We were given a tour by Walt Lechowski- he is an amazingly knowledgeable and interesting man!
    Written 18 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lkadlec
    Kingston, PA18 contributions
    My mom and I were visiting the Finger Lakes area, and after a morning (and lunch) in Corning we decided to stop at the Museum of the Earth on our way back to our Ithaca hotel. It's a small museum that seems to be geared more toward education and school-age visitors, but we enjoyed it. Nice collection of fossils, some cool skeletons, and they currently have a really good section on insects. The exhibits are well laid out. There seemed to be a good number of activities for kids, including several different scavenger hunts.
    Written 6 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • nystraveler295
    Peekskill, NY4 contributions
    My grandchildren had a great time at this museum in Poughkeepsie. We spent about 3 hrs trying the various exhibits. Outside we had a great picnic lunch overlooking the Hudson River.
    Written 13 May 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laura H
    Binghamton, NY96 contributions
    It had a fascinating and large display of Indians and Africans history, in this country. A huge moving earth display, dinosaurs. I found it interesting all the dinosaur bones discovered near Rochester. 3 floors, with lots to look at and many displays to try. It was fun and educational.
    Written 30 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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