Transit Museum

I won't, I can't stop finding things to post about my most recent trip to New York, and you can't make me — at least not until I run out of pictures to share (this may never happen). So, I present to you the third installment in my romantic-comedy-sounding mini-series, Springtime in New York: The Transit Museum Edition.

Like any good tourist, I've already visited the major "must-see" museums (MOMA, the Met, Museum of Sex, you know, the classics) so I have the pleasure of being able to focus my museum choices a bit more. Since my first visit to the city I've been enamored with the public transit system — rats, trash and unbearable summer heat be damned, the fact that I can pay $2.50 and get anywhere I want to go amazes me every time. Better yet, when we get wherever "there" happens to be, I don't even have to think about parallel parking: this must be what heaven is like.

So it seemed only fitting to add the Transit Museum to my list of must-do activities. After a foiled attempt last summer (pro-tip: they're closed on July fourth weekend), I found a friend who didn't mind spending his gorgeous Saturday afternoon exploring an underground museum geared toward 8-year-old boys.

We rounded a corner, looking for the entrance and both noticed simultaneously that it was located in an actual subway station (i.e. you walk down, underground into the museum just like you would the subway) — a pretty obvious, but awesome detail that neither of us had been expecting.

After paying the "station agent" for a ticket, we wandered around the first level for a while before realizing that all of the actual trains were another level down — if you're over the age of 8, I recommend skipping the "how electricity works" exhibits and starting with the trains.

The museum's collection of out-of-commission subway cars from the early 1900s - 1960s was impressive, informative and just downright cool to see — we took so many photos that I can't possibly remember which year each car is from, but I know I liked the 50s cars the best.

It was awesome seeing how the interiors had changed — I had no idea there were so many different versions of the proverbial 'straps'. The oldest cars had seats that were super low to the ground and large, sharp-bladed fans attached to the ceilings. I don't think 1917 was a good year to be a tall subway patron.

The reproduction, period-correct advertisements lining each car were a nice touch and we tried out every single seating solution. I also loved seeing the colors, styles and signage change through the years — what I wouldn't give to have ridden a brand new express train to the 1969 World's Fair.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Transit Museum and afterwards take a walk around Brooklyn Heights if you've never been. It's only my favorite place in the entire world. What are some other niche museums that I should check out the next time I'm in the city?