S.T.E.M. Attractions in New York City

National Museum of Mathematics

 The exhibits, gallery and programs at this museum help visitors to see that patterns and structures are intrinsic to the world around us. The museum itself is filled with interactive exhibits where children and adults can experience the beauty of math first-hand. The museum welcomes guests of all ages, but the content is best suited to visitors in 4th-8th grades.

MoMath Details:

• Address: 11 East 26th Street
• Subway:  6, F, M, N, or R to 23rd Street
• Phone: 212-542-0566
• Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving Day)
• Admission: $18 for adults; $15 for children, students & seniors; toddlers and younger are free
• Website: http://momath.org/

American Museum of Natural History

This iconic New York City museum has wonderful exhibits and special exhibitions about so many different STEM-related topics, you could visit this museum once a month all year long and still not see everything. A few highlights:

• The Rose Center for Earth & Space has fascinating displays covering everything from the size of the cosmos and the history of the universe, to galaxies, stars and planets and even planet Earth.
• The Earth & Planetary Science Halls explore gems, minerals and meteorites.
• The Hall of Biodiversity explores both the diversity of life on earth as well as the many challenges and threats to biodiversity.
• The Discovery Room offers kids ages 5-12 hands on opportunities that connect to many exhibits around the museum, including a chance to dig for fossils and put together a skeleton.

AMNH Details:

• Address: Central Park West at 79th Street
• Subway:  B & C to 81st Street
• Phone: 212-769-5100
• Hours: 10 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)
• Admission: $23/adults; $13 for children (2-12), $18 for students & seniors (IMAX and special exhibitions are additional)
• Visitors Guide: AMNH Visitors Guide

New York Hall of Science

It's no surprise that New York City's science museum on a list of STEM attractions, but the trip to Flushing-Meadows Corona Park where the museum is located is well worth the ride on the 7 train (plus, it's the perfect excuse to enjoy my favorite restaurant in Woodside or one of the delicious Asian spots in Flushing).

The museum features over 400 exhibits that encourage children to experience science in a hands-on way, whether it's learning about how mirrors and prisms work, programming a rover and watching it explore or racing wheelchairs with different wheel set-ups. There are also lots of creative opportunities to participate in take-home projects that meld art and science. They also have a fantastic science playground where kids can both blow off steam and learn at the same time.

NYSci Details:

• Address: 47-01 111th Street, Corona, NY
• Subway:  7 to 111th Street Station
• Phone: 718-699-0005
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday (closed Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)
• Admission: $20/adults; $15 for children (2-12) (IMAX, mini-golf and science playground are additional)
• Visitors Guide: NYSci Visitors Guide

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

Housed aboard the Intrepid aircraft carrier in the Hudson River, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a great place to explore the history and science of aviation and learn about life aboard an aircraft carrier. There are numerous smaller planes on display, as well as a British Airways Concorde that visitors can explore. There is also a Space Shuttle pavilion that houses NASA prototype orbiter Enterprise and the Growler submarine that visitors can explore to learn about life aboard a guided missile submarine.

Intrepid Details:

• Address: Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street
• Subway:  A, C, E, N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7 train to 42nd Street
• Phone: 877-957-SHIP
• Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (open on Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays 'til 6 p.m. from April 1 - October 1) (closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)
• Admission: $33/adults; $31/seniors;  $24 for children (5-12); free admission for veterans and children under 4 (Space Shuttle Pavilon, simulators and Star Trek are additional)
• Visitors Guide: Intrepid Visitors Guide

Skyscraper Museum

Located in Battery Park City, the Skyscraper Museum is dedicated to celebrating the architecture and history of tall buildings. The museum's exhibits explore the design, technology, construction, investment and use of tall buildings. In addition to typical visits to the museum to see the exhibits, there are Family Programs offered on Saturday mornings (pre-registration required) that give children and families the opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity related to the current exhibition.. They even have some great educational resources online that you can use before, after or in lieu of a visit.

Skyscraper Museum Details:

• Address: 39 Battery Place
• Subway:  4 or 5 to Bowling Green; 1 or R to South Ferry-Whitehall Street; 1 or R to Rector Street
• Phone: 212-968-1961
• Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
• Admission: $5 for adults; $2.50 for students & seniors
• Website: http://www.skyscraper.org/​

Center for Architecture

Located in Greenwich Village, the AIA New York Chapter has a public gallery, as well as public programs dedicated to architectural themes including both lectures, building tours and boat tours.

Center for Architecture Details:

• Address: 536 LaGuardia Place
• Subway:  A, B, C, D, E, F, or M trains to West 4th Street;  6, B, D, F, or M to Broadway/Lafayette; N or R to Prince Street
• Phone: 212-683-0023
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday, 11am to 5pm
• Admission: gallery admission is free, but some programs 
• Website: http://cfa.aiany.org/​