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Last Updated on February 23, 2021 by Sophie Nadeau
Even if you’re ‘not a museum person,’ it’s hard not to be enthralled by the beautiful installations, vibrant colors, and delectable samples that await you should you opt to visit the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC. Here’s how to visit the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC, as well as information about tickets and tips to know before you go!
Please note that although there have been temporary pop ups in Miami, LA, and San Francisco, the New York City offering is available to visit on a permanent basis and is oh-so-worth-it. There are always new pop-up locations and events happening so be sure to check for local events in your city!
Editor’s note: If you want to visit the Museum of Ice Cream, then it’s well worth booking your tickets in advance of your trip as time slots can be booked out weeks in advance, particularly during the weekend.
This way, you can also use your mobile phone to show your voucher (or print it in advance if you prefer). Included in the price of a ticket is entrance to the museum as well as complimentary samples. Book your Museum ticket in advance here.
Contents
A history of the Museum of Ice Cream
Despite what you might think, the Museum of Ice Cream is not a traditional ‘museum experience’ with stuffy exhibits and dry displays. Instead, it’s a company focused on multi-sensory installations and exhibitions dubbed ‘selfie museums’.
The first Museum of Ice Cream was opened as a pop-up in 2016 in the Meatpacking District of New York City. Initially a self-funded project by founders Maryellis Bunn and Manish Vora, the Museums are meant to be fun and interactive, serving as playgrounds for all ages.
So different from the ‘standard’ museum is the Museum of Ice Cream, that founder Bunn has since said that she has regrets about calling her company a ‘museum’ as the term ‘experiums’ is perhaps better suited to what the Museum of Ice Cream offers.
The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC
The current permanent museum of Ice Cream can be found at 558 Broadway in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood and was opened in the fall of 2019. The NYC location is massive, boasting a space of almost 25,000 square feet, set over three floors.
Installations change on a seasonal basis, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same! In total, there are 13 exhibitions, including the ‘sprinkle swimming pool’. Due to the current health situation, it is no longer possible to swim in the sprinkle pool.
Things to know before visiting the NYC Ice Cream Museum
Before visiting the MOIC, you should (as mentioned earlier) book in advance. The museum has quickly become a victim of its own success, and it can often be hard to get a day time ticket during the weekends and at peak times (i.e. during school holidays). It’s not uncommon for people to walk up during the day, only to find that all of the museum’s tickets have been sold out.
Tickets cost $39 for a standard ticket and $31 for students, provided that proof of a valid student card can be shown. The MOIC is free for children under 2, and offers discounts for frontline workers and military. Book your adult entrance Museum ticket in advance here.
The museum is wheelchair accessible and is open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 11 AM and 8 PM. The Museum of Ice Cream in closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Be sure to arrive approximately ten minutes prior to your timed ticket and bring an umbrella in case of rain (so that you don’t get wet while waiting to enter the cultural space)! The museum is known for its ‘instagrammable spots’ and a particular museum highlight is a three-storey slide!
MOIC is fun for all ages and, while a great activity for kids, can be fun for all the family! Indeed, groups of friends often visit together, not to mention that the MOIC can be a great date idea! Be sure to leave at least an hour set aside for your visit so as to truly be able to enjoy all of the experiences on offer. After all, the majority of the museum is self-guided.
Last but not least, you should note that there is a gift shop for the museum which does not require an entrance ticket. Items for sale include stuffed animal toys, lollipops, other candy, and even some of the MOIC signature flavours to bring home as a souvenir of your visit.
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