THE INTREPID SEA, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

Did you know there is an aircraft carrier docked in Manhattan? The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located on an actual aircraft carrier. Visitors can explore the ship, learn about life on board, as well as discover a multitude of aircraft and sea vessels and engage in immersive exhibits that can make you feel as though you’re in outer space. How did this miraculous museum come to be? Let’s learn about the past, present, and future Intrepid and how you can pay a visit.

COURAGEOUS HISTORY

While the namesake USS Intrepid dates back to 1904, the USS Intrepid in our story was commissioned in August 1943. As the date may suggest, she was built for World War II. She joined other aircraft carriers in Pearl Harbour on January 10, 1945 to battle against the Japanese Imperial Navy. 

Intrepid bravely fought many battles. Perhaps the most terrifying for the crew occurred during a campaign in the Philippines. In November, 1945, two Japanese Kamikaze planes crashed into the USS Intrepid. The crew lept into action. They saw portions of the ship were on fire! The firefighters on board rapidly took to their posts and managed to put out the fire in less than two hours. Many other ships might have sunk under such an attack, but the brave and able crew of Intrepid managed to keep fighting throughout it all. Sadly, the impact of the Kamikaze crash did kill 69 servicemen on board. After this horrific day, Intrepid was detached for repairs and was back out fighting less than two months later!

USS Intrepid continued to fight throughout World War II. It was later repurposed and converted into an attack carrier, and would again be reclassified as an anti-submarine warfare carrier. She would have three deployments in Vietnam, before being used by NATO. Intrepid conducted submarine detection operations near the Arctic Circle and throughout Europe. There’s hardly a patch of ocean on this planet that hasn’t known Intrepid’s presence. 

In 1976, Intrepid was decommissioned. The initial plans for Intrepid’s future were the scrap yard. But Intrepid had a guardian angel in Michael D. Piccola. Piccola was president of a nonprofit called Odysseys in Flight and fought to establish Intrepid as a museum ship. In 1982, that dream came true. 

TRANSFORMATION

Intrepid opened as a museum ship in 1982. In 1986, Intrepid was officially declared a National Historic Landmark. You can find Intrepid docked at Pier 86 on the west side of Manhattan. 

After 24 years of being docked at Pier 86, it was decided Intrepid needed a bit of a facelift. Plans were made to tow Intrepid to Bayonne, NJ for the renovations. However, when the time came to move the mighty ship, it was discovered that 24 years worth of Hudson River mud and silt had locked Intrepid in place. It took three weeks and $3 million to free Intrepid and get her to the great state of New Jersey for the repairs. The total cost for the renovations clocked in at $55 million. Another $65 million was spent sprucing up Pier 86, where Intrepid docks. She reopened to the public on November 8, 2008. 

It was April 27, 2012 that brought one of the most exciting additions to Intrepid – a space shuttle! 

The Space Shuttle Enterprise (yes, it owes its name to Starship Enterprise), flew into New York City in grand fashion. It “flew” (carried of course by an operational airplane) for 45 minutes around Manhattan and New York City landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. The shuttle finally made its way onto Intrepid on June 6, 2012. Today it is housed in the Space Shuttle Pavilion on board the aircraft carrier and you need a special ticket for entry. 

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Today, Intrepid is one of the most spectacular museums in NYC. Its interactive nature makes it one of the best things to do in NYC for visitors of all ages. 

Onboard, visitors can explore 28 impeccably restored aircraft. Included in this fleet are a Lockheed A-12 (the fastest military jet) and a British Airways Concorde (the fastest way to commute across the Atlantic). Guests also love visiting a nuclear submarine docked along the side of Intrepid. This submarine is called Growler, and it’s currently the only diesel-powered strategic missile submarine open to the public. Once inside, guests learn about life onboard, including what it was like to eat, sleep, and even take a shower as a Growler crew member. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be one of Disney Cruise Line’s top luxury competitors.  

Intrepid also offers tours and educational experiences. They can assist with STEM programs for school groups, and offer many “family days.” There are even “slumber party” dates. Book ahead! They sell out fast!

Keep an eye out for special events aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Each year during Fleet Week, Intrepid hosts a bevy of events where guests can learn about what it’s like to serve your country, whether it’s fighting as a Marine, playing flute with the Navy Band, or being a service animal. 

Of course, there are lots of fabulous photo opportunities at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. If you take a photo of yourself onboard, make sure to share it with the world. Visit timessquarebillboard.com to learn about how you can surprise your loved ones with a photo on a giant billboard in Times Square for just $150. The photo will repeat at least 22 times throughout a 24 hour period, allowing you to see it both illuminated during the day and twinkling at night. 

We have the unbeatable price of $500 per day for your Billboard:

Option 1: Your 60 second video/photo will be shown, 60 seconds per hour 22 times a day.

Option 2: Your 30 second video/photo will be shown, twice an hour, 44 times a day.

Option 3: Your 15 second video/photo will be shown 4 times per hour 88 times per day.

Please let us know which option you would like to choose. Remember that we have a response time of 72 hours.