New-York Historical Society

DiMenna Children’s History Museum

70 Central Park West at 77th Street
New York, NY 

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Wed–Thu 11 am–5 pm
Fri 11 am–8 pm (pay-what-you-wish 6-8 pm)
Sat–Sun 11 am–5 pm

$22/adults, $13/students, $6/ages 5-13

This fascinating museum features an entire floor of interactive exhibits especially for kids. Weekly and special occasion family programs range from weekly storytimes to historical chocolate tastings, with frequent visits from living historians portraying Americans of the past.

Learn about the layered, diverse history of NYC at this fascinating museum.

🚂 In the interactive Children’s History Museum on the bottom floor, explore 350 years of New York and American history through character-based pavilions, interactive exhibits, digital games and a charming library. Try cross-stitch, see historic baseball gear, ride an Orphan Train, play a newsies video game and much more.

🚒 Look for kid-friendly objects throughout the galleries – a Noah’s Ark toy and historical fire fighting equipment, dragonflies in gorgeous Tiffany Lamps, and more discoveries. In-gallery interactives include the incredible design-your-own Tiffany lamp in the gorgeous fourth floor galleries.

🚂 See historic toy trains, figurines, and miniature models and go inside a cityspace in seasonal exhibit Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection.

🇺🇸 Sit behind the presidential desk in a detailed re-creation of the White House Oval Office Meet the Presidents. Hear audio recordings of presidential musing.  Trace the evolution of the presidency through artwork and objects like the actual Bible used during George Washington’s inauguration.

🎥 Immersive multi-media films New York Story and We Rise screen alternating on the hour from 12 to 3 pm.

📷 Pose with bronze Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass statues outside the West 77th Street and Central Park West entrances.

🍽 New sit-down restaurant Clara, open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, features contemporary takes on classic New York dishes. The menu draws from the abundant offerings of New York’s burgeoning class of farmers, cheese makers, ranchers, and fishermen. Cafe 77 in the gift shop is open for coffee, breakfast, and grab-and-go lunch. Pick up burgers & shakes at Shake Shack down the block.

🌳 Across the street from Central Park, with lovely Diana Ross Playground a few blocks north and destination Heckscher Playground a short walk southeast.

🛍 Shop for history-themed books, toys, trains, puzzles and more at the cute gift shop.

🎟 Family memberships start at $160 (tax-deductible) and include the Thanksgiving Eve Macy’s Balloon Inflation viewing party, the best way to see this iconic, usually crowded experience.