New York Transit Museum

The museum’s entrance leads two flights down into a historic 1936 subway station. The New York Transit Museum (NYTM) is devoted to the history of public transportation in New York City, showcasing artifacts from the subway, bus, and commuter rail systems. Housed in the unused Court Street station in Downtown Brooklyn (closed in 1946), the museum provides an immersive setting – visitors descend into an actual underground station to explore exhibits on how transit shaped the city. Opened in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial, NYTM remains one of the few museums in the world located inside a decommissioned transit station.

Spanning two levels, the museum celebrates all aspects of NYC’s transit network. Its mezzanine level features rotating and permanent exhibits on transit history – from the construction of the first subway lines to the evolution of fare collection (old turnstiles and tokens) and the transit system’s role in city life. There are displays of vintage bus equipment, traffic signals, signage, and even a collection of retro transit advertisements and subway etiquette posters, offering a time capsule of New York’s transportation culture . The museum also operates a Gallery & Store annex in Grand Central Terminal (Manhattan) with rotating exhibits, and a gift shop at the Bowling Green subway station, extending its reach beyond the main Brooklyn location.

Visiting the New York Transit Museum is not just for “train buffs” – it’s a journey through New York’s urban history that appeals to a broad audience mywanderlustylife.com. For families and tourists, the museum offers a unique, hands-on experience: you can walk through actual vintage subway cars, sit in seats from decades past, and see how daily commuting looked in the 1900s, 1930s, 1970s, and beyond. Kids and adults alike enjoy the interactive exhibits – from operating a bus steering wheel to browsing old fare machines – which make learning about engineering and city planning fun and tangible. It’s an engaging way to discover how public transit shaped NYC’s growth and the lives of its people, all within an authentic subway-station setting.

The museum is often cited as a “hidden gem” of New York City’s cultural scene . Unlike the more famous Manhattan museums, NYTM provides a cozy, up-close encounter with history. You’ll literally step back in time as you step onto the old train cars. History lovers will appreciate the museum’s rich collection of maps, models, and historical photos, while transit enthusiasts will be in heaven surrounded by preserved subway technology (from century-old signal equipment to a fully restored station control booth). The setting itself – with its tiled walls and vintage “To All Trains” signs – lends an atmospheric charm. Overall, NYTM offers a mix of education and nostalgia that resonates with anyone curious about how a great city moves its people.

Historic NYC subway cars on display at the Transit Museum’s platform level (the former Court Street station). Visitors can board these vintage cars and experience different eras of transit. When you arrive, look for the unassuming subway entrance at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street – the museum is underground, accessed by a stairwell just like a typical station nytransitmuseum.org. Inside, the mezzanine (upper level) houses galleries and artifacts. Expect to spend time reading about how the subway was built (the “Steel, Stone & Backbone” exhibit details early 1900s tunneling methods), how transit responded to crises like the 9/11 attacks, and how design and technology evolved (from uniformed token booth clerks to the MetroCard era). Numerous relics – from old turnstiles to bus driver uniforms – are on display, and many exhibits are kid-friendly with buttons to press and interactive elements.

Downstairs on the station platform, an entire fleet of 20 vintage subway and elevated cars spanning 1910 through 1960s models awaits . You can board the old trains: wander through rattan-seated subway cars from the 1910s, step into a 1940s IND train with vintage ads overhead, or grab a seat on a groovy 1960s stainless-steel car. Each car is outfitted with period-correct advertisements and signage, making it feel like a working subway from its era . The cars are set up on the original tracks of the station (yes, there’s even a cautionary third rail running along the platform edge, though safely fenced off). It’s a sensory experience – you might catch a hint of that old-machinery smell and imagine the rattling these cars once made. Beyond the trains, you’ll find an exhibit of antique buses (including a vintage city bus you can board in warmer months, brought to street level during special events) and cutaway models of subway cars and equipment. Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours to see everything at an enjoyable pace. Do note that because the museum is in a subterranean space, there is no cell phone service down there – which adds to the feeling of stepping back in time (just coordinate with your group before you go off exploring).

The New York Transit Museum is open year-round, with general hours Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3:15 pm) nytransitmuseum.org. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (as well as major holidays). Because the museum is mostly indoors, you can visit during any season – it’s a great option for a rainy or cold day. However, note that being in a historic station, only parts of the space are climate-controlled . In the heat of summer, the platform level can be warm and a bit stuffy, while in winter it can be chilly. If visiting in the summer, consider going in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds (and enjoy slightly cooler underground temperatures). 

Admission Fees: The museum is very affordable. As of 2025, tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 2–17) and seniors (65+) nytransitmuseum.org. Children under 2 are free. Your ticket grants general admission to all exhibits; once inside, you’re free to roam both levels. The Transit Museum strongly encourages buying tickets in advance online for a specific entry time. This is because they limit the number of visitors per time slot (to prevent crowding in the tight spaces). Tickets can be reserved up to 3 weeks ahead on the museum’s official website. Walk-in tickets are sold on-site in limited numbers each day, but entry is not guaranteed if time slots sell out . If you do buy last-minute at the door, it’s first-come, first-served.

Ticket Tips: When you reserve online, you’ll choose a timed entry (with a 30-minute window to arrive once that time starts) . Be on time, as the museum will not re-admit you if you leave – it’s single-entry only. Once inside, you can stay until closing if you like. Members of the New York Transit Museum enjoy free admission (an option worth considering if you have a large family or plan repeat visits). Also, MTA employees receive free entry, and certain affiliate programs (Cool Culture, ASTC Passport, Time Travelers, etc.) are accepted for free/reduced admission – check the museum’s site for details. Notably, the museum’s Grand Central Gallery Annex in Manhattan is free to enter , but that satellite site is smaller and more like an exhibit space/gift shop. For the full experience, you’ll be paying the Brooklyn museum’s admission – which is modest compared to many NYC attractions. Tickets are non-refundable, but if you can’t make your slot due to illness or conflict, the museum may help you reschedule for another date (contact them in advance). Group visits (10 or more people) must be pre-arranged through the museum’s group programs, as unscheduled groups are not admitted .

The Transit Museum makes efforts to accommodate all visitors. Because the primary entrance is via stairs, wheelchair users and others who need it can use an alternate entrance with an elevator/lift, located at the corner of Schermerhorn and Court Streets nytransitmuseum.org. Upon arrival there, you press a call button and a staff member will assist with the lift. Note that the lift is small and has a 450-pound weight limit nytransitmuseum.org, so certain motorized wheelchairs may not fit. Once inside, the museum’s two levels are connected by elevator (staff-operated lift) as well, but navigating between levels can take an extra 10–20 minutes due to the lift’s slow operation. Most exhibits are accessible, though some historic train cars are not wheelchair-accessible (the doorways on very old subway cars are narrow or have steps). To compensate, the museum provides virtual tours of all train interiors via Google Maps on tablets, so visitors with mobility devices can still experience them digitally . 

Plan for a comfortable visit. 

• Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be on your feet walking through train cars and exhibits, and you’ll need to navigate stairs (or use the lift) to reach the platform level. The environment is partly underground and not fully climate-controlled, so dress in layers appropriate to the season.  In winter, a light jacket may be needed even indoors, since the platform can be cool.
• In summer, it can get warm and humid on the platform; bringing a small portable fan or water bottle is a good idea to beat the heat mywanderlustylife.com. (There’s no food or drink for sale inside, and currently no eating is allowed in the museum nytransitmuseum.org, but you can step out for a break if needed – just note you can’t re-enter without a new ticket.) 
• Travel light, as large bags are not permitted (and there’s no bag check or locker available) . A backpack or small tote is fine to carry essentials and any souvenirs you might buy from the gift shop. 
• Photography is allowed, so definitely bring a camera or have your phone charged – you’ll want to snap photos of the vintage trains and exhibits. (Flash photography isn’t necessary given the reflective surfaces, and tripods are not allowed nytransitmuseum.org.) 
• If you have young kids, a lightweight stroller is okay, but as noted, you’ll have to carry it down and up stairs if it’s not one that can easily be lifted. Lastly, bring your curiosity! 

You’ll find endless photo opportunities inside this museum. Personal photography is welcome as long as it’s for non-commercial use – feel free to capture the vintage subway cars, buses, station signs, and even selfie shots at the old station entrance. However, the museum prohibits professional photoshoots and equipment like tripods, lighting rigs, or selfie sticks nytransitmuseum.org. So, plan to take handheld shots. The lighting is somewhat dim (it’s an underground station, after all), so for best results, use a high ISO setting or a fast lens on your camera to avoid blur, rather than using flash (which can cause glare off windows and is discouraged). Many visitors enjoy photographing the interiors of the subway cars – try focusing on details like the art deco light fixtures of the 1930s R1 car or the advertisements for 5¢ rides. The train cars can get crowded on weekends, so if photography is a priority, consider visiting on a weekday or earlier in the day for clearer shots. A neat idea is to shoot down the length of the platform, capturing the lineup of multiple historic cars in one frame (showing the progression of designs over time). Also, the entrance staircase with the “New York Transit Museum” sign is an iconic photo spot – it’s the same entrance where countless visitors have descended into this time capsule of transit history. Be mindful of other guests when taking photos (especially in the narrow train aisles), and take your time – the museum’s staff and fellow visitors are generally understanding that each car is a classic backdrop. By following the rules and using a little creativity, you’ll come away with some one-of-a-kind shots that capture the spirit of NYC’s transit past.

New York City is served by three major airports. 

New York City is a major rail hub on the U.S. Northeast Corridor. Amtrak operates frequent service into NYC’s Penn Station (Manhattan) from many cities. For example, it’s about 3 hours from Washington, D.C. and 3.5–4 hours from Boston by Amtrak’s Acela or Northeast Regional trainsvisitnyc.com. If you’re coming from other parts of New York State or the region, Metro-North Railroad and New Jersey Transit commuter trains, as well as Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), also bring passengers into the city. The key point is: once you arrive at a major NYC rail terminal (Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal), getting to the Transit Museum is straightforward via the subway. From Penn Station, you can take the downtown 2 or 3 subway (red line) directly to Borough Hall in Brooklynmywanderlustylife.com – the museum is about a 5-minute walk from that station. From Grand Central, take the 4 or 5 express subway (green line) to Borough Hall. If you prefer not to use the subway with luggage, taxis are readily available at the train stations (a cab from Midtown Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn is about 20–30 minutes in normal traffic). Another scenario: travelers on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional route can also choose to disembark at Newark Penn Station or Metropark, NJ, then switch to NJ Transit into Manhattan and onward, but staying on the train to NYC is usually easiest. Overall, coming by train drops you in the heart of New York – and from there Brooklyn is just one subway ride away. (Tip: if you’re on Metro-North into Grand Central, note that the museum’s Grand Central Gallery Annex is right in that terminal – worth a quick free peek before you head to Brooklyn.)

Driving to the museum is possible, though be prepared for urban traffic and scarce parking. Downtown Brooklyn is accessible from Manhattan by crossing either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Bridge, which both deposit you not far from the museum. From the Brooklyn Bridge exit, it’s only a few blocks to Boerum Place. If coming from New Jersey or other points south/west, you’d likely take I-78 or the New Jersey Turnpike to the Holland Tunnel or Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and then the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278). From points east or north (Long Island/Queens), I-495 or I-278 will get you into downtown Brooklyn. Once in the area, local streets can be confusing – a GPS or map app is handy. Allow extra time for traffic, especially on weekdays. Keep an eye out for changing traffic patterns, as Downtown Brooklyn has some one-way streets. 

As noted, parking in the immediate vicinity of the museum is challenging. The museum does not offer any dedicated parking lot. Metered street parking is available on some streets, but spaces are rarely open. Be extremely mindful of street signs – many curbs are loading zones or have restricted hours. The safest bet is to head for a parking garage. Within a 2-3 block radius, you’ll find a few options: a public garage at Borough Hall (entrance on Adams Street), a garage on Livingston Street near Smith St, and others around the MetroTech office complex. Rates vary, but generally count on $10–$20 for the first hour or two. On weekends, sometimes flat rates are offered. There is a garage directly across from the museum’s entrance (under a residential building on Boerum Place), but availability might be limited. Accessible parking: If you have a NYC disability parking permit, street parking might be possible in certain spots – but again, it’s tough. Another consideration: if you’re willing to walk 10–15 minutes, you might find slightly easier street parking in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood west of the museum (though it’s largely residential and permit-parked) or near the waterfront. In summary, if driving, plan to budget extra time to find parking or pay for a garage. The convenience of having your car may be offset by the cost and time of parking, so weigh that when deciding to drive versus taking transit.

Once you’re in New York City, the subway is the best way to reach the Transit Museum. The museum is located near several major subway stations in Downtown Brooklyn. The closest stop is Court Street (served by the R train) – this station practically exits onto the same block as the museum. One block further, Borough Hall station (serving the 2, 3, 4, 5 trains) is a 2-minute walk mywanderlustylife.com. And just a couple blocks in the other direction is Jay St–MetroTech station (A, C, F trains). Between those, you have easy subway access from almost anywhere: for example, from Times Square you’d take the 2 or 3; from the World Trade Center area take the R; from JFK Airport take the A; from Midtown East take the 4 or 5. If you’re already in Brooklyn, numerous lines converge here as well.