The Intrepid Museum is one of New York City’s most unusual museums.
It’s a museum ship, with exhibits and planes aboard the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier that saw action during World War II and the Vietnam War.
But that’s not all – you can even visit a submarine and see a spaceship during your visit.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about the Intrepid Museum!
Table of Contents
1. She is the fourth US naval ship to bear the name Intrepid
The others were:
- USS Intrepid (1798): A two-masted ship that was originally built for Napoleon’s Egyptian expedition, the first Intrepid was captured by the Americans and later exploded in Tripoli Harbor in 1804.
- USS Intrepid (1874): The second Intrepid was the first to be armed with self-propelled torpedoes.
- USS Intrepid (1904): The third Intrepid served mainly as a receiving ship. Originally decommissioned in 1914, she was recommissioned in 1915 before being decommissioned again in 1921.
2. She took part in the largest naval battle in history
USS Intrepid took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. It was the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, the largest naval battle in history. Intrepid helped to sink two of Japan’s greatest battleships, Yamato and Musashi.
3. She had a couple of nicknames
The Intrepid earned the moniker “Fighting I” thanks to her many years of service. The Japanese, on the other hand, called her “The Ghost Ship” since she seemingly kept coming back from the dead – the ship survived five kamikaze attacks.
4. She was originally due to be scrapped after decommissioning
USS Intrepid was decommissioned in 1974 and was destined for the scrap year. Luckily, through the efforts of such people as philanthropist Zachary Fisher, the ship was saved, with the idea that it should become a museum instead. The museum opened in 1982.
5. The ship was used as an operations center for the FBI after the September 11 attacks
The bureau’s offices in Lower Manhattan were inoperable in the wake of the September 11 attacks, so they temporarily set up operations at the Intrepid Museum.
6. None of the aircraft abroad the Intrepid can fly
While the flight deck of the Intrepid is filled with planes and helicopters, none of them can actually fly. They have either suffered mechanical damage or exceeded their flight hours.
7. One of the aircraft you can find is the record-breaking Concorde
The Concorde was the first passenger jet to break the speed of sound. A joint venture between the UK and France, only 20 of these distinctive aircraft were ever made and of those, only 14 were put into service.
The plane now on display in the Intrepid Museum set a world speed record for a passenger airline when it flew between London and New York in under 3 hours.
Want to learn more about the Concorde’s place in history? Check out the History of Flight!
8. You can ride on the Intrepid’s port-side elevator
The elevator was used to move aircraft between the hangar deck and the flight deck. Restored in 2008, it now carries tourists up and down, weather permitting.
9. The Space Shuttle Enterprise went on display in 2012
The Enterprise was the first space shuttle orbiter built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program. With no engines or a heat shield, Enterprise was used for atmospheric test flights and landings since it was not capable of spaceflight.
Enterprise was previously exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. After the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, the Enterprise was moved to the Intrepid Museum.
10. You can visit the only US nuclear missile submarine open to the public
During the Cold War, USS Growler patrolled the waters around Russia, acting as a nuclear deterrent. The arms race during that time was so intense, Growler only saw five years of active service before it became obsolete.
How to visit the Intrepid Museum
Location and how to get there
Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
The closest bus stops are the M34 at 34th Street, the M42 at 42nd St., or M-50 at 49th St.
The closest subway stops are 42nd Street, serviced by the A, C, E, N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7 trains, or 34th Street – Hudson Yards on the 7 train.
Opening times
Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm
The museum is open until 6:00pm on weekends from April to September.
Ticket prices
$38 for Adults (13-64)
$36 for Seniors (65+) and College Students (with valid ID)
$28 for Children (5-12); Children 4 and under enter free
For most up-to-date prices, be sure to check out the website.
The Intrepid Museum is one of the attractions included in the New York CityPass and the New York Pass.
Want to discover more fun facts about other New York City buildings? Check out 10 interesting facts about:
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