The USS Intrepid is the centerpiece of the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86 on New York City’s Hudson River waterfront. General admission covers the aircraft carrier, the Space Shuttle Pavilion and the submarine Growler, making it a substantial visit from Secaucus if you plan around the museum’s hours and entry rules.
- Location: Pier 86, Hudson River, New York City.
- Typical hours: daily in the colder months; weekdays and weekends have different closing times in the warmer months.
- General admission: includes Intrepid, the Space Shuttle Pavilion and Growler; tickets are available online or at the Welcome Center box office.
What can you see aboard USS Intrepid?
The Intrepid Museum combines the aircraft carrier Intrepid with the Space Shuttle Pavilion and the submarine Growler. The carrier is the central draw, while the other two sites give the visit a broader focus on aviation, spaceflight and naval history. The museum also includes temporary exhibitions, though the specific exhibitions can change.
General admission includes access to Intrepid, the Space Shuttle Pavilion and Growler. The British Airways Concorde is a separate case: you can view the aircraft from outside, but access is limited to private guided tours. Those tours cost extra and are not included with general admission.
Accessibility varies by area. Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible, including Intrepid’s hangar deck, flight deck and third deck, as well as the Space Shuttle Pavilion. Growler is not wheelchair accessible.
What do USS Intrepid tickets include?
General admission covers the museum’s main attractions, with prices based on age and eligibility. The listed prices are $38 for adults ages 13–64, $36 for seniors ages 65 and older and college students with valid ID, and $28 for children ages 5–12. Children ages 4 and under enter free.
U.S. veterans and military service members with valid ID receive free admission. New York City residents with valid ID can receive a discounted general-admission price.
You can buy tickets online or at the Welcome Center box office. The museum encourages online purchases for quicker entry. Digital tickets use QR codes that refresh every 30 seconds, so screenshots and printouts of the codes are not accepted. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
The final entry and last ticket sale are one hour before closing. If you’re considering a Concorde tour, note that it is not part of general admission and requires an additional fee.
When is the Intrepid Museum open?
The Intrepid Museum’s opening pattern changes by season: it has consistent daily hours from October through March, while weekend and holiday hours extend later from April through September.
From October 1 through March 31, the museum is open daily, including holidays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last entry is at 4:00 PM.
From April 1 through September 30, it is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In that period, last entry is one hour before closing. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
All visitors under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no bag or coat check, so you need to keep your belongings with you.
Strollers, large bags and luggage are not permitted inside Growler or the Concorde. The museum does not provide visitor parking or validate parking at nearby garages. For current opening details and ticket information, check the official site before you go.
How do you get from Secaucus to the Intrepid Museum?
From Royal Motel, the Intrepid Museum is about an 18-minute drive. The museum does not have a visitor parking lot and does not validate parking at nearby garages, so account for parking separately if you plan to drive.
NJ TRANSIT provides direct rail service to New York Penn Station, with connections at Secaucus Junction for trains arriving from the north. For local station and transfer details, see this guide to getting around Secaucus. The museum’s visitor information does not specify NJ TRANSIT bus service to the museum.
You can also reach the waterfront by NYC Ferry. Its closest stop is Midtown West at West 39th Street and Pier 79; from the landing, the walk to Pier 86 takes about 10–15 minutes north along 12th Avenue. Ferry schedules, fares, routes and accessibility information are available through NYC Ferry.
How much time should you allow for the waterfront?
The museum recommends allowing two to three hours for your visit. That gives you a useful planning window for Intrepid and the included museum areas; leave more time in your day if you also plan to spend time along the Hudson River waterfront.
Pier 76 is another Hudson River Park stop in the area. If you’re planning to include it, use this guide to visiting Pier 76 to plan that part of your outing. Keep the museum’s final-entry cutoff in mind when deciding what to combine.
For lodging details, see Royal Motel. Check the relevant transport operator for current schedules and travel details before setting out.
FAQs
Where is the USS Intrepid?
The aircraft carrier is part of the Intrepid Museum at Pier 86 on the Hudson River in New York City.
Does general admission include Growler?
Yes. General admission includes access to Growler, as well as Intrepid and the Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Can you visit the Concorde with general admission?
No. General admission lets you view the aircraft from outside. Access is available only on private guided tours, which cost extra.
Is Growler wheelchair accessible?
No. Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the submarine Growler is not.