A complete guide to Intrepid Museum’s hours & best time to visit

A quick one to two-hour visit lets you explore the Intrepid's highlights. Here’s what you can aim to cover.

• Focus on the Hangar Deck: This expansive space is packed with iconic aircraft like the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Yes, the fighter jet starred in Top Gun. You can even explore the insides of the supersonic commercial plane, Concorde, and the submarine Growler!
  
• Pick your Battleship: Here’s your chance to walk the decks of a real aircraft carrier! Explore the flight deck and hangar deck of the massive aircraft carrier USS Intrepid that served in the second World War’s critical Battle of Leyte Gulf. Learn about its fascinating history and check out the spots where the Kamikaze airplanes crashed on the ships.
  
• Space exploration: To feel like a real astronaut, don't miss the Space Shuttle Pavilion, which features the prototype space shuttle ‘Enterprise’.

There are plenty of exhibits for you to explore as an aerospace enthusiast. Set aside three hours for your visit.

• Try out the flight Simulators: Check out the ‘G-Force Encounter’, which is a real fighter jet simulator where you can pilot an F-18 Hornet or F-4 Phantom II in thrilling air-to-air combat. You can choose to be a pilot or gunner for six minutes.
  
• Check out the ‘Enterprise’: Get a close look at the 172 feet long Space Shuttle ‘Enterprise’, the very first space shuttle ever built! This incredible machine paved the way for future space exploration, and you can see it right here at the Intrepid.
  
• Space history presentations: Catch a captivating documentary or presentation in the ‘Space Shuttle Pavilion’ where you get to explore the challenges and triumphs of early spaceflight missions with expert presentations.

If you’re a history buff, a three to four hour visit is ideal to explore the Intrepid thoroughly. After experiencing the highlights, delve into specific areas that interest you.

• Oral artifacts: Explore the fascinating ‘Heroes of the Intrepid’ exhibit, honoring the crew and their courageous service. This exhibit delves into the crew's personal stories through letters, artifacts, and even recreated living quarters. Imagine facing kamikaze attacks – you'll get chills!
  
• Hands-On exhibits: Throughout the hangar and gallery decks, you'll find interactive displays that bring history to life. Take the helm at a recreated combat information center (CIC) and use period-accurate equipment to track simulated enemy aircraft.
  
• Below Decks Tour: Take a ‘Below Decks’ tour to take a look at the hidden compartments, see cramped crew quarters, and uncover the realities of life at sea during wartime.