Everything You Need to Know: Rise NY Reviews
Stating up front that this was a completely not sponsored visit and a true unbiased Rise NY review! I visited twice with my sons, so have plenty of experience! If you are looking for a unique experience in NYC, then pay a visit to RiseNY located near Times Square.
This interactive museum and ride that takes you through the history of Times Square and the rise of New York City. Once inside you will explore everything from the history of the train system, the rise of Times Square and the New Year’s Eve celebration. Explore pop culture memorabilia, walk through the history of New York City, and take a ride of your life before you exit.
What is Rise NY?
RiseNY is an interactive museum and ride experience all in one. Uncover NYC’s exciting transformation and its significant impact on the world by navigating through seven remarkable galleries – Finance, Skyline, TV/Radio, Fashion, Music, Broadway and Film.
You’ll be immersed in a unique blend of historic artifacts along with famous memorabilia that are both entertaining and educational – all co-curated by iconic cultural institutions! We loved it so much it is a must see on my 2 day New York Itinerary!
How Much Does Rise NY Cost?
Tickets to Rise NY can be purchased online
Adult Tickets: $34
Child Tickets (Age 3-12): $30 **Keep in mind children must be at least 40 inches tall to ride the ride.
Senior (Age 65+, Student/Military with ID): $32
For around $3 more per ticket you can purchase the VIP tickets. These tickets offer you:
- Flexible, anytime entry for date of ticket (please check our ticketing page for final entry times the day of your visit)
- Priority access for immersive theater and ride
- One surprise FREE merch item plus 20% off any other merchandise
Rise NY Hours of Operation
Weekday Hours: 10am-6pm (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday- CLOSED on Tuesdays)
Weekend Hours: 10am-8pm (Friday & Saturday)
Rise NY Location
RiseNY is located right next to Times Square in New York City. 160 West 45th Street, New York, NY (On Broadway).
How to Get to RiseNY
Take the Subway to Station: 42nd Street – Port Authority
Go East on 45th towards 7th Avenue
What to Expect at RiseNY
Upon arriving you will check in at the desk in the small lobby. Once done with that you will wait against the wall for the next group to head upstairs to the exhibit. We purchased tickets for 6:30pm and arrived around 6:20pm.
We waited in that initial line around 10 mins and were heading upstairs at exactly 6:33pm, so not too bad. I would also point out that we apparently picked a night that was an “open house” for teachers, so I think the crowds were much higher than normal.
Once upstairs, you will wait again for around 5 minutes to enter the museum and exhibit. From here you can check your coat at no charge or use the bathroom
Tip: This is the only spot to use the bathroom, as there are no options inside- so take advantage!
The Documentary
Enter through doors and take a seat to watch an immersive film about the history of New York City and Times Square. I really enjoyed this film. Try to sit in the front row to get a full experience.
There are three screens surrounding you, and the floors will vibrate to make it feel like you are in a subway station. I found the film to be both educational and entertaining. The majority of the documentary is on the rise of Times Square and how it came to be the iconic tourist destination that it is.
The Museum
Once you are finished with the film, you will enter into a subway car and walk through to the museum. Here you can wander around freely at your own pace; there is plenty of fascinating material to explore in each room!
You will travel through sections dedicated to Finance, Skyline, TV/Radio, Fashion, Music Broadway and Film with interactive displays and information about every topic. We couldn’t help but admire all of the classic TV sets on display during our visit – it was an incredible experience!
Learn about the history of downtown Manhattan and the finance district. Walk through an exhibit showcasing the rise of how NYC became the epicenter of finance, radio, and businesses.
Explore pop culture and the rise of radio from NYC. Get a chance to sit on the set of some of your favorite shows from television. Explore replicas from the set of “The Honeymooners,” “Friends,” and late night talk shows.
Learn about the fashion trends that have defined NYC’s style throughout the decades. See costumes from your favorite Broadway musicals, and find out how movies are made in New York City. Snack on some fresh made popcorn while watching clips from famous movies or Broadway shows.
The Ride
The last part of the experience is the ride. Once you get here, you will wait in line for a few minutes. In the line there are plaques telling the history of the New Years Eve ball drop in New York City and I found those incredibly interesting to read. For those of you who are Disney fans, this ride is similar to Soarin. It starts off with a New Year’s Eve Celebration and then takes you all over New York City from a birds eye view.
This was by far the best part of the entire experience. The ride is so fun and they really play into your senses. You will see, feel, and smell the incredible sights of NYC while listening to classic New York songs from Taylor Swift, Frank Sinatra, and Alicia Keys. My seven year old son excitedly said as we exited the ride “This BLEW my mind!”
How Long Does Rise NY Take?
RiseNY takes approximately one hour to explore all seven galleries. However, visitors can spend as much or as little time as they want in each gallery to fully experience the exhibition.
If you wanted to take pictures of the fun spots, you had to wait your turn. However, if reading all of the displays was more your style, then there were plenty of opportunities for learning and in-depth exploration on each exhibit. I took my time with these exhibits and found them incredibly intriguing!
Is Rise NY Worth It?
In my opinion, absolutely yes! Although this attraction can come off as a bit of a gimmick or “made for Instagram” like so many things are these days. I found this to be a very well executed attraction.
As well as being a unique and interactive experience, Rise NY also serves to educate and inspire. The range of artifacts, displays and activities provides a comprehensive overview of New York City’s history and cultural impact, giving visitors a better understanding of what makes the city so special.
For anyone interested in learning about New York City, Rise NY is definitely worth the cost. Also, if you’re looking for a fun and educational experience to share with family and friends, this is a great option!I found immersive elements to be entertaining and educational.
You will be given a mix of videos and plaques stationed all throughout the museum diving more into the rich history and impact New York City has had on the world. Of course the ride at the end is the true star of the show, but they really do a great job of incorporating so much more into the entire museum.
Final Thoughts: Rise NY Reviews
An unforgettable journey through NYC’s vibrant past and present! You’ll leave RiseNY with a richer appreciation of the city, new insights into its history and culture, and a deeper understanding of why it’s such an iconic destination. The immersive documentary at the start was both entertaining and education. I learned some new things about New York City through a fun and unique way.
Reviews of RiseNy from a seven year old: It was incredible! It was awesome! It blew my mind! This is absolutely an attraction you won’t want to miss in NYC.
