The Best of New York · See and do · Museums
The best interactive museums in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 10 places.
Let’s be honest – not everyone is drawn to traditional museums with ancient artifacts and pricey paintings, and that’s perfectly fine. Fortunately there’s an exciting array of interactive museums in New York City that cater to those who prefer immersive experiences over mazes of galleries. Here’s a roundup of my favorite spots!
Best interactive museums in New York, 2026
- Madame Tussauds New YorkMuseum · MidtownI visited with a group of friends and we ended up liking it more than expected (and laughing the whole way through).
- Museum of BroadwayMuseum · MidtownThe Museum of Broadway is an unexpected gem right in the heart of Times Square.
- Museum of Ice CreamMuseum · SoHoI went with low expectations and left having a great time.
- Museum of IllusionsMuseum · Greenwich VillageI visited with a friend and we laughed the entire time.
- ARTECHOUSEMuseum · ChelseaI wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found it surprisingly meditative.
- Catacombs by CandlelightLandmark · SoHoIf you’re looking for a unique immersive experience in New York City the Catacombs by Candlelight tour should be at the top of your list.
- Color FactoryMuseum · SoHo
- Hall des LumièresMuseum · TribecaHall des Lumières feels like a quiet surprise tucked into the busy Financial District.
- The Friends ExperienceMuseum · Midtown
- The Sloomoo InstituteMuseum · SoHoThe Sloomoo Institute is one of the most unexpectedly joyful places I’ve been in the city.
On the map
Where they are.
5 neighborhoods, SoHo and Midtown most of all.
Madame Tussauds New York
Museum · Midtown · 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
I visited with a group of friends and we ended up liking it more than expected (and laughing the whole way through).
Museum of Broadway
Museum · Midtown · 145 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
The Museum of Broadway is an unexpected gem right in the heart of Times Square.
Museum of Ice Cream
Museum · SoHo · 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
I went with low expectations and left having a great time.
Museum of Illusions
Museum · Greenwich Village · 77 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014
I visited with a friend and we laughed the entire time.
ARTECHOUSE
Museum · Chelsea · 439 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found it surprisingly meditative.
Catacombs by Candlelight
Landmark · SoHo · 266 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
If you’re looking for a unique immersive experience in New York City the Catacombs by Candlelight tour should be at the top of your list.
Hall des Lumières
Museum · Tribeca · 49 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007
Hall des Lumières feels like a quiet surprise tucked into the busy Financial District.
The Sloomoo Institute
Museum · SoHo · 475 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
The Sloomoo Institute is one of the most unexpectedly joyful places I’ve been in the city.
Best interactive museums in New York, 2026
The seal
If you're on this list, this is yours.
I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.
Put it on your site, in the window, on the menu. Keep it linked when it's on the web and keep the words on it. That's the whole ask.
How it looks
On a light site
On a dark site
The files
SVG, lightSVG, darkPNG, lightPNG, dark
SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.
Is one of these yours? Tell me and I confirm it's you and send the files.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: The Coolest Interactive Museums in New York City.