Museum of the Moving Image, New York

When it comes to pure, unadulterated enjoyment, no other museum in town can compete with this gem. Breaking ground in 1988 by daring to explore the synergies between TV, film, and video games (a revolutionary concept at the time), the Museum of the Moving Image is far from being a mere archive of past shows. Instead, it delves into the artistry, craftsmanship, and technological marvels that underpin these forms of entertainment, offering immersive and imaginatively interactive exhibits, commissioned artworks, captivating video sequences, and a treasure trove of artifacts. The sheer exhilaration it provides is unmatched. Citysearch has crowned it as the premier family outing destination in the city, while Time Out magazine deemed it the ultimate spot to visit when you're feeling "baked"-covering all bases and then some.

Begin your visit by immersing yourself in the museum's core exhibit, "Behind the Screen." This captivating journey unveils the technical wizardry behind moving images, from unraveling the tricks that deceive the eye into perceiving motion through rapidly repeating images to unraveling the intricacies of sound design and film editing. Here, you can lend your own voice to timeless classics like "My Fair Lady," create original computer animations, transform the musical score of iconic film scenes, and more. Throughout the day, working editors, animators, and educators showcase how these techniques are employed in actual productions.

Other sections explore the realm of design, shedding light on how makeup, costumes, sets, and publicity stills contribute to crafting the director's desired image or studio vision. Don't miss the exhibit dedicated to playable video games and the captivating blockbuster special exhibits that periodically grace the museum, covering everything from popular TV shows like "Mad Men" and "The Walking Dead" to the fascinating realm of internet cat videos and the artistry (and dangers) of deep fake videos.

On the first floor, the museum's grand movie theater screens showcase films from around the world, often followed by engaging discussions with renowned artists, including the likes of Glenn Close, Tim Burton, David Cronenberg, or Jennifer Connelly. And be sure to take a ride in the elevator at some point during your visit, as it showcases custom-made GIFs crafted by some of today's most talented GIF-makers (yes, that's a bona fide career path now!).

Situated in a neighborhood that once thrived as the birthplace of many early American films, this 98,000-square-foot museum was built on the grounds of Kaufman Astoria Studios. The overall experience serves as an illuminating testament to the incredible strides the art form has taken in such a short span of time and the boundless power of human imagination.

Thu: 2–6pm; Fri: 2–8pm; Sat: 12–6pm; Sun: 12–6pm