The Ultimate Guide to the New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum is one of the few attractions where you can truly take a deep dive into the city’s history. You walk down the steps of what appears to be a modern subway station, but you’re actually stepping back in time.
The museum is a "living" archive housed inside the decommissioned 1936 Court Street station in Brooklyn. With admission at just $10 and an investment of about two hours, you’ll leave feeling like a "lifelong New Yorker."
The entrance to the Transit Museum looks like a regular subway station.
A Station Frozen in Time: The History of Court Street
Unlike most museums, the New York Transit Museum is an artifact itself. Opened on April 9, 1936, the Court Street station was originally intended to be a bustling hub. However, because it sat so close to other major transit centers, it never saw the projected crowds.
By 1946, the station was decommissioned. It spent decades as a training ground and a gritty backdrop for Hollywood films before reopening in 1976 as a temporary exhibit for the U.S. Bicentennial. It was so popular that it never closed, eventually becoming North America’s largest museum dedicated to public transportation.
Pro-Tip: Since the museum is below street level in an authentic station, it is not climate-controlled. Be prepared for chilly drafts in the winter or a bit of NYC humidity in the summer!
The interior of the Transit Museum. Downstairs are. the subway cars.
Level 1: The Mezzanine
Before you hit the tracks, the upper mezzanine level displays fascinating artifacts regarding the Herculean effort required to build the city.
The Engineering of an Empire
The Steel, Stone & Backbone exhibit is a visceral look at the "cut-and-cover" era (1900–1925). You’ll see the actual tools used by sandhogs-the legendary laborers who blasted through Manhattan with little more than dynamite and grit.
The Evolution of the Fare
In the Ticket to Ride gallery, you can physically walk through a century of turnstiles. It’s a lot of fun to see how they developed from wood to high-tech steel. With the MetroCard officially retired as of 2025, the display feels especially newsworthy:
1904: Paper tickets & wood-framed choppers.
1953: The birth of the iconic brass token.
1994: The MetroCard era (look for the FAREwell, MetroCard installation).
2026: The modern OMNY contactless standard.
For a 2018 David Bowie exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum 5 MetroCards were issued.
The Bus Exhibit
In the back of the Mezzanine is a large gallery on the evolution of buses. It’s great for kids, but even as an adult, I found a great seat on a replica bus and watched a very interesting documentary video on the system's growth.
Level 2: The Platform (The Vintage Fleet)
The heart of the museum lies on the lower level, where two full city blocks of track house a rotating fleet of twenty vintage railcars. Yes, you can actually go inside them—and that’s the best part.
The wicker seats inside a vintage subway car.
From Wicker Seats to Stainless Steel
The BU Gate Cars (1903): These composite wood-and-steel cars feature open-air platforms, rattan (wicker) seats, and exposed incandescent light bulbs.
The Arnines (1930s): The classic City-Car aesthetic with those iconic polished metal poles and olive-green paint.
The Redbirds & Brightliners: The colorful backbone of the post-war era and the first mass-produced stainless steel cars from the 1960s.
Pro Traveler Tip: If you visit during the Holiday Nostalgia Rides in December, the museum actually runs these vintage cars on active MTA tracks. For the price of a standard $2.90 swipe, you can ride a 1930s train! You’ll often see riders dressed in period-appropriate 1940s clothing to match the vibe.
A Brooklyn Union subway car from 1907
The Money Train
Keep an eye out for the Money Train, a pair of reinforced, secretive railcars used for over a century to collect cash from station booths under the cover of night. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the "secret service" of the MTA.
Lights, Camera, Action: A Hollywood Favorite
Because the station looks so authentic, it’s a go-to for filmmakers. You might recognize the platforms from:
Films: The Joker, Bridge of Spies, The French Connection, and In the Heights.
Music: Chappell Roan’s "The Subway" performance and Olivia Rodrigo’s recent commercials.
Planning Your Visit
Admission: Adults $10.00 / Children & Seniors $5.00.
Reservations: Strongly encouraged! Tickets are released 3 weeks in advance. During our visit, they were sold out by mid-afternoon. If you have a reservation, staff will scan it; otherwise, you’ll buy tickets at the original vintage ticket window.
Restrooms: Keeping with the theme, these are the actual subway station bathrooms. They aren't "fancy," but they are authentic and relatively clean.
Gift Shop: While small, the shop is a haven for unique gifts. If you want a NYC souvenir this is a great spot.
A Perfect Day in Downtown Brooklyn
Sunset against the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO section on Brooklyn.
The museum is perfectly located between Brooklyn Heights and Boerum Hill. Here is how to build your day:
Morning: Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and explore DUMBO.
Midday: Spend 2 hours at the Transit Museum.
Afternoon: Stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for world-class skyline views.
Evening: Dinner on Smith Street.
Pro-Tip: We’d highly recommend a walk along Brooklyn Bridge Park. The city has invested heavily here recently and it shows! You can read more in our guide: Best Spots to Photograph the NYC Skyline.
The Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Where to Eat Nearby:
Hanco's: Incredible Vietnamese Banh Mi and bubble tea.
Gage & Tollner: A meticulously restored historic oyster and steakhouse for a "splurge" dinner.
DeKalb Market Hall: A massive food hall featuring a Katz’s Deli outpost.
If you are using the subway during your NYC visit : How to Ride the NYC Subway: Tips for Visitors.