Uss Intrepid

USS Intrepid Visiting Hours, Tickets, and New York City Historical Sites Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction: The USS Intrepid’s Historical Significance and Visitor Experience

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, located at Pier 86 on Manhattan’s Hudson River, stands as a living tribute to American naval heritage, aviation milestones, and the spirit of exploration. Housed aboard the legendary aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11), the museum chronicles the carrier’s distinguished service in World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and as a NASA recovery ship. Since its transformation into a museum in 1982, the Intrepid has welcomed millions seeking to explore an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime artifacts.

This guide offers a comprehensive look at the museum’s history, exhibits, visiting hours, ticketing options, accessibility information, and practical tips—ensuring you make the most of your visit to one of New York City’s premier historical sites.

For official information and updates, consult the USS Intrepid Museum, USNI, and Classic New York History.

Historical Overview: USS Intrepid
Museum Location and Getting There
Visiting Hours and Ticket Information
Accessibility and Visitor Amenities
Notable Exhibits and Experiences
Family Programs and Educational Activities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Conclusion
References and Further Reading

U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk aircraft of Attack Squadron 45 landing on aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in 1973

Eight U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawks from Attack Squadron 45 flying over aircraft carrier USS Intrepid

Douglas AD-5W Skyraider of U.S. Navy VAW-12 landing on aircraft carrier USS Intrepid in 1956

Starboard quarter view of the docked anti-submarine warfare support aircraft carrier USS Intrepid CV-11 in Bayonne, New Jersey

Aerial view of USS Intrepid aircraft carrier underway at sea in 1945

Aerial deck view of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid after SCB-27C modernization

Aerial view of USS Intrepid aircraft carrier underway with various military planes on deck in 1959

Aerial view of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in 1966

Aft view of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) during overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 1962-1963, with three Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King helicopters parked aft

Bow of USS Intrepid (CVS-11) with AN/SQS-23 sonar at New York Naval Shipyard in 1965

Crew muster aboard USS Intrepid aircraft carrier during Vietnam War

U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver of Bombing Squadron 18 in flight over Task Group 38.2 during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea on October 24, 1944

Three deck views of USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in 1945, 1955, and 1959 showing different modernization stages

U.S. Navy Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-9 taking off from USS Essex during Operation Hailstone, 1944

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier afire after kamikaze hit near Okinawa, Fletcher-class destroyer passing by

Japanese ships under air attack in Truk Lagoon during Operation Hailstone, 17 February 1944, view from USS Intrepid aircraft

Retired U.S. Navy cruisers USS Newport News, USS Springfield, and USS Northampton in mothball storage at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1978 with USS Intrepid bow in foreground

Overhead view of U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in 1966

Grumman S-2 Tracker landing on USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in 1965

U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King helicopter lowering AN/AQS-13 dipping sonar near USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in 1972

Aerial photograph of San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters' Point showing USS Intrepid, USS Cabot, USS Pennsylvania, and USS Drum on 24 May 1945

Guided missile submarine ex-USS Growler moored alongside the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum during Fleet Week New York

Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 Bear flying over USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in 1971

USS Bremerton and USS Los Angeles heavy cruisers towed from San Francisco Naval Shipyard drydock on February 13, 1948

USS Enterprise CV-6 and USS Intrepid CV-11 aircraft carriers in port in July 1944

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) and USS Intrepid (CVS-11) aircraft carriers in Gulf of Tonkin 1966

USS Furse DDR-882 radar-picket destroyer anchored off Corfu Greece with USS Intrepid CVA-11 aircraft carrier and USS Du Pont DD-941 destroyer in distance

U.S. Navy aircraft carriers USS Independence, USS Saratoga, and USS Intrepid underway in 1961 with crewmen on deck forming a commemorative spellout for 50th birthday of U.S. naval aviation

USS Intrepid CV-11 after being hit by a Japanese plane in suicide dive in the Pacific during World War II

USS Intrepid CV-11 aircraft carrier moored at Hampton Roads Virginia 1943

USS Intrepid CV-11 aircraft carrier anchored in Tokyo Bay late 1945

USS Intrepid (CV-11) aircraft carrier burning after kamikaze attacks, April 1945

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier burning after kamikaze attacks off the Philippines in 1944

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier engaged in flight operations during Battle of Leyte Gulf 1944

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier underway near San Francisco in February 1945 with deck full of planes

USS Intrepid CV-11 aircraft carrier underway with deck full of planes near San Francisco in June 1944

USS Intrepid CV-11 listing after kamikaze attack in Pacific 1945

USS Intrepid (CV-11) aircraft carrier mothballed at San Francisco circa 1950 with USS Iowa (BB-61) battleship in foreground and Cleveland-class light cruisers in background

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier underway off Naval Shipyard Hunters Point in 1944 with deck full of planes

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier operating in the Philippine Sea with Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter in November 1944

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier underway in 1947 with Martin PBM Mariner flying boats, Vought F4U Corsair, North American SNJ Texan on deck

USS Intrepid (CV-11) aircraft carrier underway off Newport News Virginia in 1943

USS Intrepid CVA-11 and USS Independence CVA-62 aircraft carriers moored at Norfolk Virginia circa 1961

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier undergoing SCB-27C modernization at Newport News Shipbuilding in early 1950s

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier undergoing SCB-27C modernization at Newport News Shipbuilding with new island, steam catapults, and aft deck edge elevator installed

USS Intrepid aircraft carrier CVA-11 in dry dock at Norfolk Naval Shipyard 1954

Japanese kamikaze plane preparing to strike aircraft carrier Intrepid with Battleship New Jersey anti-aircraft gun crew watching

Historical Overview: USS Intrepid

Origins and Wartime Service

Commissioned in 1943, the USS Intrepid (CV-11) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier that played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Intrepid participated in major battles, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf, surviving multiple kamikaze attacks and earning the moniker “The Ghost Ship” for her repeated returns to action (NewsNation). She accumulated five battle stars and became a symbol of American resilience (Freetoursbyfoot).

Postwar Service and Preservation

After WWII, Intrepid was modernized for jet operations and served in the Cold War, NATO exercises, and as a recovery ship for NASA’s Mercury and Gemini missions (Loving New York). The carrier was decommissioned in 1974, but public efforts led by Zachary Fisher preserved her as a museum, opening to the public in 1982 and earning National Historic Landmark status in 1986 (Wikipedia; Metro Airport News).

Museum Location and Getting There

The museum is located at Pier 86, West 46th Street & 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036, in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood along the Hudson River. The site offers stunning views of Manhattan and provides easy access to several nearby attractions.

Getting There:

Subway: A, C, E lines to 42nd St–Port Authority; 15-minute walk.
Bus: M42 and M50 stop nearby.
Taxi/Rideshare: Drop-off at Pier 86 entrance.
Parking: Several paid garages in the vicinity (Wikipedia).

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

Museum Hours

Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Last entry: One hour before closing
Closed: Thanksgiving and Christmas (Intrepid Museum Visitor Information)

Hours may vary during special events or holidays; always confirm on the official website.

Ticket Pricing

Adults: $33
Seniors (65+), U.S. veterans, active military: $31
Youth (5–12): $24
Children under 5: Free
Discounts: NYC residents, students, and groups receive special rates. Combination passes (e.g., New York Pass, Go City Explorer) offer integrated access to additional attractions (newyork.co.uk).

Purchase online in advance to secure timed entry and avoid lines, especially during weekends or peak travel seasons.

Accessibility and Visitor Amenities

Wheelchair Accessibility: Ramps and elevators access most areas, but certain historic sections (such as the USS Growler submarine) have limited access due to original design (Intrepid Museum Visitor Info).
Service Animals: Permitted throughout the museum.
Restrooms: Accessible facilities are available on all major decks.
Complimentary Wheelchairs: Available at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food and Drink: Café on the hangar deck with snacks, sandwiches, and drinks. Bringing outside food is allowed only in designated areas.
Gift Shop: Features aviation- and space-themed merchandise, books, and apparel.

Notable Exhibits and Experiences

USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier

Explore the flight deck, hangar deck, bridge, and crew quarters. The new 10,000-square-foot exhibit features rare artifacts, oral histories, and the FG-1D Corsair fighter-bomber (timeout.com).

Flight Deck Aircraft Collection

See more than 28 restored aircraft, including:

Lockheed A-12 Blackbird (Mach 3 spy plane)
Grumman F-14 Tomcat
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
Bell AH-1 Cobra

(The Empty Nest Explorers; Intrepid Museum Exhibitions)

Space Shuttle Pavilion

Home to the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise, with immersive multimedia about the shuttle program and the evolution of spaceflight (classicnewyorkhistory.com).

British Airways Concorde

Tour one of the world’s fastest commercial airliners, which could cross the Atlantic in under three hours. Interior tours require an additional ticket (newyork.co.uk).

USS Growler Submarine

The only American guided missile submarine open to the public. Explore the missile control center, crew quarters, and engine room (Intrepid Museum Exhibitions).

Simulators and 4D Experiences

Flight Simulators: Pilot a virtual aircraft (additional fee).
4D Films: “Stories of Intrepid” brings history to life.
G-Force Encounter: Experience flight maneuvers in a moving simulator.

Family Programs and Educational Activities

STEM Workshops: Hands-on activities for children and school groups.
Fleet Week & Special Events: Celebrate with demonstrations, outdoor movie nights, and commemorative ceremonies (classicnewyorkhistory.com).
Audio Guides: Available in multiple languages.
Virtual Tours & Maps: Access resources online to enhance your visit (intrepidmuseum.org).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the museum’s opening hours?
A: Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; weekends and holidays 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; last entry one hour before closing.

Q: How do I buy tickets?
A: Purchase online via the official website or at the entrance; advance booking is recommended.

Q: Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes, most public areas are accessible, but some historic sections like the USS Growler submarine are limited.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, expert-led tours are offered for an additional fee.

Q: Can I take photos inside the museum?
A: Photography is allowed for personal use. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are restricted.

Q: Are there food options onsite?
A: Yes, a café is open during museum hours. Outside food is allowed only in designated dining areas.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

Arrive Early: Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Time Needed: Allocate at least 2–3 hours; a half-day is ideal.
Weather: The flight deck and pier are outdoors—dress accordingly.
COVID-19 Protocols: Follow the latest city and museum health guidelines (Official Museum Website).
Download the Audiala App: For interactive tours, real-time updates, and exclusive content.

Conclusion

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum offers a rich, immersive journey through American military, aviation, and space history. From the decks of the storied USS Intrepid to the awe-inspiring Space Shuttle Enterprise and the legendary Concorde, each exhibit brings history to life. With its accessible location, engaging programming, and commitment to education, the museum is a must-see for families, history buffs, and visitors exploring New York City.

For the latest visiting hours, ticketing, and event information, always check the Intrepid Museum’s official website. Download the Audiala app to enhance your experience and explore more of New York’s historical treasures.