Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

           I exited the taxi at the harbor and looked up at the gray ship, apparently recently renovated. The ship was a little smaller than I’d imagined it, but 900 feet long isn’t bad.

I was looking at the Intrepid, an aircraft carrier in service for thirty-one years, before dry-docking on the piers of the Hudson and becoming the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. It was briefly re-commissioned in 2001 as an HQ for the FBI members investigating the 9/11 attacks, but afterwards returned to its former status.

           The museum is a one-of-a-kind experience, leaving the ship and the adjacent submarine Growler just as they were when relieved of duty. Plaques along the way create a miniature tour of their own, and the Exploreum at the rear of the hangar deck is fun for kids.

One of the definite highlights is the Kamikaze show, which plays every hour on the half hour. Five separate screens in the exact spot where the Intrepid was hit with two Japanese Kamikaze planes during WWII portray the film on record of the “Day of Darkness, Day of Light.” As an addition, this film is more than 3D - actual smoke pours up through vents in the floor, the color of fire illuminates the surrounding museum, and sound effects loud enough to be heard in Brooklyn, boom in the background. It’s as if you’re there.
           The museum has also accumulated an impressive collection of aircraft on the upper flight deck, including planes on loan from the Israeli, French, Italian, and French governments, as well as foreign countries with, assumedly, plane decorators who are great with a paint job. Be sure to check out the collection, but don’t forget your sunscreen! The white and gray floor on the “roof” of the Intrepidraises our recent boiling temperatures to at least one hundred degrees.

           All in all, the Sea, Air & Space Museum is not something to miss if you’re near Pier 86 at the Hudson River harbor. You’ll learn a lot and have quite an experience as well.

Note: It would be a better idea to go into the Growler submarine first. It gets very crowded in the afternoon!