Rochester and Eastern interurban trolley car 157 once traveled between Rochester and Geneva and represents the style and comfort of the interurban era.
1 / 10

New York Museum of Transportation

4.6
·139 reviews·West Henrietta, United States

Step into NYC's transit past! Explore vintage subway cars and learn about the city's transportation evolution.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Rochester and Eastern interurban trolley car 157 once traveled between Rochester and Geneva and represents the style and comfort of the interurban era.

New York Museum of Transportation

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step into NYC's transit past! Explore vintage subway cars and learn about the city's transportation evolution.

4.6
(139 reviews)

"A gripping trip through the history of public transit, with real subway cars to explore!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Ride the Trolley!

Don't miss the trolley ride for a narrated journey through transportation history.

👟 Comfy Shoes are Key

You'll be walking and exploring vintage cars, so wear comfortable shoes!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 139 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Vintage Subway Cars

Vintage Subway Cars

Main Exhibition Hall

Step back in time by exploring a collection of meticulously preserved subway cars from different eras of NYC history.

Trolley Rides

Trolley Rides

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum (seasonal)

Experience a nostalgic trolley ride, a unique offering that brings the past to life with narrated historical insights.

Historic Fire Trucks & Vehicles

Historic Fire Trucks & Vehicles

Exhibition Hall

Discover a fascinating array of antique fire trucks, plows, rollers, and even an original Greyhound bus.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Book Tickets in Advance

While not always mandatory, booking your transit museum tickets online can save time, especially during peak seasons or special events. Check for group rates or membership options if you plan multiple visits.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring vintage subway cars. Comfortable footwear is essential for enjoying the full experience of this unique New York City attraction.

Best Times

When
Weekdays, mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Crowd
Low
When
Special event days
Why
Unique activities & festive atmosphere
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Have you toured the New York Transit Museum???
@brooklyn.rents
118.2K likes • 1M views

🎯 Ride the Trolley!

Don't miss the trolley ride for a narrated journey through transportation history. InstagramReddit

👟 Comfy Shoes are Key

You'll be walking and exploring vintage cars, so wear comfortable shoes! TikTok

😍 Here you can step into the subway cars throughout NYC history! In the New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn, which is open to the public. Curator Jodi Shapiro gives us an inside look. #nyclife #historytok
@urbanistariel
76.9K likes • 652.9K views
(Free!) Holiday Train Show in Grand Central 🚊 The New York Transit Museum (@nytransitmuseum)’s Holiday Train Show is celebrating 20 years of operation! Check out model trains & vintage sets traveling through NY landmarks This show is free & open to all November 14 - February 2025 Do you plan to check it out this year? 📍 New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store (Shuttle Passage) in @grandcentra...
nyc_forfree
12.7K likes • 554.3K views

🎟️ Check for Free Days

Look for Culture Pass or special free admission days to save on tickets. Instagram

📸 Capture the History

Plenty of photo ops with vintage trains and exhibits. TikTok

A jump back to the summer of 2009, the New York Museum of Transportation’s ex-Philadelphia & Western Car 161 is southbound to Midway station with a load of passengers to meet the R&GVRRM’s diesel train. #nymt #newyorkmuseumoftransportation #rgvrrm #trolleycar #trolley #rochesterny #crhphotog #tbt
crhphotog
862 likes • 29.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Ride the Trolley!

Don't miss the trolley ride for a narrated journey through transportation history. InstagramReddit

👟 Comfy Shoes are Key

You'll be walking and exploring vintage cars, so wear comfortable shoes! TikTok

🎟️ Check for Free Days

Look for Culture Pass or special free admission days to save on tickets. Instagram

📸 Capture the History

Plenty of photo ops with vintage trains and exhibits. TikTok

🛍️ Museum Store Finds

Browse the museum store for unique transit-themed souvenirs. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.6
(139 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the New York Transit Museum for its educational value and immersive experience, especially for families. The chance to explore vintage subway cars and learn about NYC's transit history is a major highlight. While the Brooklyn location focuses on subway history, the Rochester museum offers charming trolley rides and a broader collection of vehicles. Some visitors note that the Rochester museum has more limited hours and is best accessed by car.

"Bring your kids!!
Great getaway and give them a break from screens. Lots to see specially during the annual car show day."

Hassan Gillani

"YouTube video of N.Y. Museum of Transportation.
One of my favorite, enjoyable, educational tours was my trip to the New York Museum of Transportation. They had a wide variety of vehicles dating back a century, "The Trolley". And you can go for a ride on it. While on the ride, an employee of the museum narrated some history, it was interesting.
Some of the other vehicles there were old fire trucks, (including the hook and ladder) plows trucks, old black top roller, an original Greyhound bus, and more.
I would strongly suggest if you are looking for an afternoon to get out and see something different go there. Kids enjoy it also. They see the way things were back in the days."

Nicholas Swann

"It most revolves around trains, but they have a few interesting cars and emergency vehicles. They did have part of the Midtown monorail which is cool. The staff were very polite."

Matthew Fuino

What People Like

Vintage subway cars
Trolley rides
Educational exhibits

What People Dislike

Limited hours (Rochester)
Car-dependent (Rochester)

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The main New York Transit Museum is located in a decommissioned subway station at 99 Schermerhorn St in Downtown Brooklyn. It's easily accessible via multiple subway lines, including the A, C, G, F, B, D, N, Q, R, and 2, 3 trains. TikTok+1 For the New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester, it's located in Rush, NY, and is best accessed by car. Reddit

Parking in Downtown Brooklyn can be challenging and expensive. It's highly recommended to use public transportation to reach the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn. TikTok

The New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester is primarily accessible by car. Public transportation options are limited in that area. Reddit

Yes, besides the main Brooklyn location, there's the New York Museum of Transportation in Rush, NY, which focuses on trolleys and vintage vehicles. Instagram+1

The two museums are quite far apart (Brooklyn vs. Rochester). Travel between them would require significant driving or a combination of flights and car rentals. They are distinct destinations.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices vary. General admission for the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn is typically around $10 for adults and $5 for children. Check their official website for the most current pricing and any special event ticket costs. Instagram

Yes, you can visit the New York Transit Museum for free with a Culture Pass if you are a New York Public Library cardholder. Instagram Additionally, some special events, like the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central, are free. Instagram

While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially for weekends or special events, to avoid potential queues. TikTok

Opening hours can vary by season and location. The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn is typically open Tuesday through Sunday. The New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester has more limited hours, often on weekends during warmer months. Always check their official websites for the most up-to-date information. Instagram

Yes, the New York Transit Museum offers membership options which can provide benefits like free admission and discounts. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can explore vintage subway cars, learn about the history of NYC's public transportation, see old advertisements, and view exhibits on transit infrastructure. TikTokInstagram+1

Absolutely! Kids love exploring the old subway cars and learning about trains. Special events like Halloween or holiday train shows are particularly engaging for families. Reddit

While you can't ride the subway cars within the Brooklyn museum itself, the New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester offers actual trolley rides. Instagram

The R110B is a rare subway car prototype that was a significant development in NYC transit technology. You can often see it at the New York Transit Museum. TikTok

The museum offers various tours and special programs, especially for groups. Check their schedule for specific transit museum tours. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn does not have an on-site cafe. However, there are many dining options available in the surrounding Downtown Brooklyn area. TikTok

Generally, it's best to consume food and drinks outside the exhibit areas. Check the museum's specific policies regarding outside food and beverages. TikTok

The New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester may offer refreshments during special events, like cider and donuts during their Halloween events. Reddit

Downtown Brooklyn offers a wide variety of cuisines, from fast-casual eateries to sit-down restaurants, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. TikTok

It's often more convenient to eat before or after your visit, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the exhibits without time constraints. TikTok

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography for personal use is generally allowed inside the New York Transit Museum. However, flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect exhibits. TikTok

The vintage subway cars, the old station platforms, and any special exhibits like the Holiday Train Show offer fantastic photo opportunities. TikTokInstagram

Yes, you can typically take photos during the trolley ride at the New York Museum of Transportation in Rochester, but be mindful of other passengers and the moving vehicle. Instagram

Drone photography is generally not permitted inside museums or enclosed public spaces due to safety and privacy regulations.

Mornings on weekdays tend to have softer lighting and fewer people, which can be ideal for photography. Special events might offer unique lighting opportunities. TikTok

You may also like

1 of 2