Transit Museum

The New York Transit Museum is located in an unused subway station and is the largest museum of its kind in the United States

1960s MTA Bus in the New York Transit Museum
1960s MTA Bus in the New York Transit Museum cc licensed photo by plattypus_of_new_york

Appropriately located in the decommissioned Court Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights, the New York Transit Museum run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority is home to a collection of antique rail cars, vintage buses, subway memorabilia and exhibits examining all aspects of public transportation.

Originally opened as a temporary exhibit in 1976, the Metropolitan Transit Authority kept the museum open after the conclusion of the bicentennial celebrations in response to public demand. Over the years, the Transit Museum has grown in popularity and scope, becoming the largest museum in the United States devoted to public transportation.

Unlike traditional museums, the Transit Museum has a child friendly, hands-on policy. Kids of all ages will enjoy "driving" the buses and trains and the interactive educational exhibits. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the museum offers children's programs free with admission and hosts a drop-in group for children aged 2-5 called "Transit Tots" every Friday morning. Parents visiting with young children should note that the staircase leading down to the mezzanine level is not stroller friendly.

The Transit Museum offers various tours and talks for adults with audio tour podcasts available on iTunes. Several times a year, "Nostalgia Train" excursions are offered to various destinations aboard their vintage rail cars. Occasionally, the Transit Museum offers public tours of the beautiful Brooklyn City Hall station and other decommissioned stations. A full calendar of events and registration details are available on the Transit Museum website.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes, there is a small entry fee. Visit the official website to purchase tickets.

Transit Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

Phone: (718) 694-1600

Official Website: Transit Museum

Transit Museum Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating A lovely time to spend a few hours! It was really refreshing that this place was underground and thus nice and cool compared to the heat outside. The highlight of the exhibit is mostly the old subway cars, with the (interactive!) exhibition of old turnstiles coming in second, and very little of the remaining space dedicated to the history of the subway. Worth the money and the trip, would definitely recommend this if you are in the area 🙂
Ruby - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating The NY Transit Museum is a very cool experience if you’re interested in the history of the NY subway system. On the bottom floor they have an exhibit with all the old subway cars from when they started up to the present day. They also have a bus transit section. The staff is friendly and super helpful. I saw a couple of them leading tours and the others were very engaging with guests. The entrance is super cool too! The gift shop has some cool items as well.
Julian Valbuena - in the last week

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5 Star Rating This museum is super cool and is great for all ages. I walked up to the location, thinking the museum was inside a building. But, to my amazement, it is actually downstairs in the train station. The museum has two levels, where the lower level has all the vintage train cars that were in operation up until the 2000s. It is great to see old photos and memorabilia from when the subway system was first built. The place looks well maintained and kept up to date with the changes in recent years. The fee for admission is reasonable at $10, and there was no wait to get in, even though the museum was conducting several tours for class trips. As soon as you walk in on the left side, they have a great gift shop that can be quite expensive. They also have several bathrooms and a water fountain on the first level. I definitely recommend checking this place out as it really brings back such great memories for an older person such as myself, and kids will really enjoy some of the interactive features.
Lisa S - 5 months ago

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5 Star Rating The NYC Transit Museum is a must-visit for any New Yorker or visitor interested in the city's rich history. I'm impressed that this underground gem offers a fascinating look into the evolution of the subway system, from its early days to the modern-day marvels we rely on today. If you're looking for a unique and educational experience, the NYC Transit Museum is definitely worth a visit. (Please don't let go of the metro card).
Mariana Garcia - in the last week

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5 Star Rating Interesting and informative museum! Entrance is downstairs and looks like a subway stop. Great historical photos and a lot of information on the history and construction of the NYC subways. Really liked the access to the old train cars. Brought back a lot of memories of growing up and riding the trains. Fun visit!
Caroline C - a month ago

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Directions

Subway Line Nearest Station Walking Time
2, 3, 4 or 5Borough Hall5 minutes
A, C, F or RJay Street (MetroTech)5 minutes

How to get to Transit Museum by Subway

Take the 2, 3, 4 or 5 train to Borough Hall, head southeast along the tree lined pathway past the east side of the courthouse, turn left on Joralemon Street then cross the road going right (south) on Boerum Place to Schermerhorn Street or the A, C, F or R train to Jay Street (MetroTech), head south on Jay Street, continue onto Smith Street, turn right onto Schermerhorn Street, continue to Boerum Place.

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