RiseNY – Save $15!

If your family is braving the crowds of Times Square this Chol Hamoed, finding an attraction that genuinely entertains teenagers, young kids, and parents at the same time is a tall order. You want something memorable, but you also want a break from walking. Tucked away on 45th Street is RiseNY, a unique, multi-tiered experience that perfectly bridges the gap between an educational museum and a premium theme park ride.

Many tourists walk right past the marquee, assuming it’s just another standard historical exhibit. In reality, RiseNY is a three-part love letter to New York City that culminates in a massive, Disney-caliber 4D flying theater. It is an incredible way to “see” the entire city without exhausting your kids’ legs.

Here is a closer look at exactly what you can expect when you step inside.

Your journey begins underground—or at least, a fantastic simulation of it. After grabbing your tickets, you are ushered into a meticulously recreated replica of New York’s original 1904 City Hall subway station. Here, you watch an award-winning short film by renowned documentarian Ric Burns, narrated by Jeff Goldblum.

The film covers the rapid, explosive growth of New York City and the global impact of Times Square. Just as the film reaches its climax, the theater doors open, and you step into a simulated vintage subway car that visually “transports” you to the next phase of the attraction. It’s a clever, highly immersive way to transition from the bustling street outside into the magic of the museum.

Before you get to the ride, you walk through a sprawling, highly visual museum space divided into seven distinct galleries. Each room is dedicated to an industry that put New York on the global map, and rather than just reading plaques, you get to see iconic pieces of pop culture up close.

Here is a breakdown of what you will find in each room:

• Finance (Co-curated with the Museum of American Finance): This gallery traces Wall Street’s evolution from the 1600s to today. You will walk past a recreation of the New York Stock Exchange and see an actual check signed by founding father Alexander Hamilton.
• Skyline (Co-curated with The Skyscraper Museum): Learn how Manhattan built upward. This room features incredibly detailed, large-scale architectural models of iconic buildings like the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center.
• TV & Radio (Co-curated with The Paley Center for Media): Explore how NYC shaped the broadcasting world. You can learn about the Tesla Coil’s impact on communication and step into interactive photo ops featuring classic sets from shows like Sesame Street, The Honeymooners, and Sex and the City.
• Fashion (Co-curated with the Museum at FIT): This room covers everything from 1880s ballgowns to 90s Supreme skatewear. You can see Halston’s 70s disco designs, modern Gucci styles, and actual dresses worn by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. There is even a hand-painted jacket made specifically for Madonna by graffiti legend Keith Haring.
• Music: A celebration of a century of groundbreaking sound, from Tin Pan Alley to the birth of hip-hop. The artifacts here are incredible—including the actual guitar Bruce Springsteen used to write Born to Run, Biggie Smalls’ famous red tracksuit, and memorabilia from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Cardi B.
• Broadway: Step behind the curtain to see authentic, iconic wardrobe pieces worn in massive stage hits like Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King.
• Film: Walk through a giant camera-reel installation while watching clips from over 50 famous movies shot on the streets of New York, like Ghostbusters and The Devil Wears Prada. You can also check out early cinematic innovations like Thomas Edison’s original kinetoscope.

This setup allows everyone in the family to move at their own pace, snapping photos and interacting with the exhibits for about 30 to 45 minutes before joining the queue for the grand finale.

The main event—and the reason most people buy a ticket—is the ride. If you or your kids have ever ridden Soarin’ at Walt Disney World, you will immediately recognize the setup.

You are strapped into a row of theater seats, and once everyone is secure, the entire seating bank dramatically lifts 30 feet into the air. With your feet dangling, you are pushed forward into a massive, 40-foot immersive projection dome. For the next several minutes, you “fly” over the five boroughs.

The ride uses incredible 8K aerial footage combined with 4D sensory effects. As you swoop down over the Statue of Liberty, you feel the mist from the harbor. As you glide over Central Park in the autumn, you smell the scent of pine. The simulated flight takes you diving around the spire of the Empire State Building, banking over the Brooklyn Bridge, and dropping right into the neon glow of Times Square at night. The motion is smooth and sweeping, making you genuinely feel like you are gliding through the sky.

If you are adding RiseNY to your Chol Hamoed itinerary, here are the practical details to keep in mind:

• The Height Requirement: This is the most crucial detail for families with toddlers. Because the final attraction is a suspended ride, passengers must be at least 40 inches tall to fly.
• The Motion Sickness Factor: The ride system relies on visual immersion rather than aggressive roller-coaster movements. It is generally very smooth, but if you have a family member who is severely prone to motion sickness or is afraid of heights, they do not have to ride. They can simply walk through the museum portion and wait in a designated exit area while the rest of the family flies.
• Strollers and Bags: You cannot bring large backpacks, shopping bags, or strollers onto the ride itself. The staff provides a designated stroller parking area and free, secure lockers to stash your belongings right before you enter the theater.
• Time Commitment: Expect the entire experience—from the initial film to walking out the exit doors—to take about 60 to 90 minutes.
• The Perfect Rainy Day Backup: Because the entire experience is indoors, RiseNY is a fantastic itinerary saver. If the weather turns bad and your plans to walk the High Line or take a boat cruise get washed out, you can still get your sweeping skyline views from the comfort of a dry, climate-controlled theater.

You are going to want to buy your tickets on a third-party app. If you buy directly on the official RiseNY website or walk up to the box office, a standard adult ticket starts at around $47. Once they add on taxes and processing fees, you are paying nearly $50 a person. Instead, check third-party sellers like Fever and Groupon before you go. Fever frequently lists standard tickets starting closer to $35, and Groupon regularly runs flash sales or promo codes that can knock the price down even further. Always take two minutes to cross-check both apps before locking in your purchase!