What is the New York Transit Museum known for?

It is the largest museum in North America dedicated to mass transit, preserving and sharing the history of New York's subway, bus, and commuter rail systems.

Where is the museum located?

The main museum is located at 99 Schermerhorn St. in Brooklyn, housed in a decommissioned 1936 subway station. There is also a smaller satellite Museum Annex located in the Shuttle Passage on the Upper Level of Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

What are the hours for the Grand Central Gallery Annex?

The Gallery Annex is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

What can I see and do at the museum?

Visitors can explore historical artifacts of the NYC Subway, bus, and commuter rail systems through exhibitions, tours, and educational programs. Unique transportation-related merchandise is also available for purchase at both the Brooklyn headquarters and the gallery annex.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

New York Transit Museum in New York City

New York Transit Museum

Housed in a decommissioned 1936 subway station, this is the largest mass transit museum in North America, showcasing the evolution of New York City's iconic subway, bus, and commuter rail systems.

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What to know

The New York Transit Museum is a unique cultural institution dedicated to preserving the stories of mass transportation in the New York metropolitan region. Founded in 1976 as part of America's Bicentennial, the museum began as a temporary exhibition proposed by NYC Transit employees. What was intended to last only a few months evolved into the largest museum in North America devoted to urban public transportation history. The main museum is located in a historic 1936 IND subway station on Court Street in Brooklyn Heights. This decommissioned subterranean space provides an authentic backdrop for the display of historical artifacts from the NYC Subway, bus, and commuter rail systems. Visitors can explore the technological, social, and cultural development of the city through these immersive exhibits. As a self-supporting division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the museum extends its reach beyond Brooklyn. A smaller satellite Museum Annex is located in the Shuttle Passage on the Upper Level of Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. This annex features changing exhibitions and educational programming to further interpret the region's transit history. Beyond the static displays, the museum connects the public to the city's movement through educational programs, workshops, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Those seeking memorabilia can find unique transportation-related merchandise at both the Brooklyn headquarters and the Grand Central Gallery Annex.

Visitor tips

Visit the Grand Central Gallery Annex between 10AM and 7:30PM on weekdays for a quicker experience.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the main museum is located within a subterranean subway station.
Check out the museum store at the Brooklyn headquarters for unique transportation-themed merchandise.

Nearby context

Located at 99 Schermerhorn St. in Downtown Brooklyn, the museum is nestled within the historic Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, placing it near various local landmarks and the borough's civic center.