Discover what families can expect at this immersive Times Square attraction, from interactive NYC galleries to a thrilling 4D flying ride.
If you’re planning a family trip to New York City, there’s one question that comes up quickly: What can we do that the kids will love but the adults will actually enjoy, too?
Enter RiseNY.
Located in the heart of Times Square, RiseNY is an immersive New York City attraction that combines museum-style exhibits, interactive experiences, iconic NYC memorabilia, and a thrilling 4D flying ride over the city.
Instead of simply looking at New York from above, families can explore the stories, people, places, and pop culture that made NYC famous—and then experience the city from an entirely different perspective.
So, is RiseNY good for kids? Here’s what parents should know before visiting.
Is RiseNY Family-Friendly?
Yes. RiseNY is a family-friendly indoor attraction in Times Square designed to entertain visitors across multiple generations. The experience combines New York history and pop culture with interactive exhibits and an immersive flying ride, giving kids and adults different ways to engage with the city.
That makes RiseNY particularly useful for families traveling with a mix of ages.
Kids can discover recognizable sights, interactive moments, and pop culture memorabilia, while parents and grandparents may find themselves connecting with pieces of New York history, music, television, fashion, Broadway, and more.
And everyone gets to experience the flying ride at the end.
What Is RiseNY?
RiseNY is an immersive attraction that takes visitors on a journey through New York City’s history and culture before ending with a 4D flying theater experience.
Your visit begins with an immersive film by acclaimed documentarian Ric Burns, narrated by Jeff Goldblum, before continuing into seven galleries dedicated to some of the industries and cultural movements that helped define New York.
Families can explore galleries focused on:
- Finance
- Skyline and architecture
- Film
- Fashion
- Radio and television
- Music
- Broadway
The experience concludes with RiseNY’s signature attraction: a soaring 4D ride that gives guests the sensation of flying above New York City.
Why Do Families Like RiseNY?
One of the biggest challenges when planning things to do in NYC with kids is finding an activity that works for everyone.
A toddler, a teenager, a parent, and a grandparent probably don’t have identical definitions of “fun.”
RiseNY gives different generations something to connect with.
Adults may recognize artifacts and moments from decades of New York entertainment and history. Younger visitors can discover interactive elements, larger-than-life displays, famous characters, and immersive environments.
Then the entire family comes back together for the flying ride finale.
That makes RiseNY a particularly good option for multigenerational family trips to New York City.
What Is the RiseNY Flying Ride?
The RiseNY flying ride is a 4D experience that simulates soaring over New York City.
Guests are lifted into the air in front of a massive projection screen as motion, wind, scents, and other effects create the sensation of flight.
Rather than seeing NYC from one stationary observation point, the experience takes you soaring across the city, offering a new perspective on famous sights and landmarks throughout the five boroughs.
It’s part sightseeing, part thrill ride, and a memorable way to finish your journey through RiseNY.
Is the RiseNY ride scary for kids?
The RiseNY flying experience is designed as an immersive ride rather than an extreme roller coaster. However, children who are particularly sensitive to heights, motion, darkness, or immersive effects may find portions of the experience more intense.
Families should also check RiseNY’s current ride requirements before visiting, particularly when traveling with younger children.
What Can Kids See at RiseNY?
RiseNY isn't only about the ride.
Before taking flight, families move through immersive galleries exploring some of the things that have made New York City one of the world's cultural capitals.
Depending on current displays, visitors may encounter artifacts and experiences connected to Broadway, television, music, fashion, architecture, and other pieces of NYC history and pop culture.
For kids, it creates an opportunity to discover that New York isn't just a collection of skyscrapers.
It's the place where television shows were made, Broadway characters were born, musical movements developed, fashion trends emerged, and some of America's most recognizable cultural moments took place.
For parents, that means you may be able to sneak a little learning into the vacation without announcing that you're doing it.
How Long Does RiseNY Take?
Most families should plan approximately 60 to 90 minutes for the RiseNY experience.
That makes it relatively easy to fit into a day of sightseeing in Midtown Manhattan.
You can visit RiseNY before seeing a Broadway show, between other Times Square attractions, or as part of a larger family itinerary that includes Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, or Central Park.
Because RiseNY is indoors, it can also be particularly useful when NYC weather refuses to cooperate with your carefully constructed vacation itinerary.
Is RiseNY a Good Rainy-Day Activity for Families?
Yes. RiseNY is an indoor NYC attraction, making it a convenient option for families looking for things to do in New York City when it rains, snows, gets extremely hot, or is simply too cold for hours of outdoor sightseeing.
Instead of spending the afternoon moving between stores trying to stay dry, families can experience New York history, entertainment, culture, and a flying ride all under one roof.
It's also located in Times Square, making it easy to combine with other indoor Midtown activities.
Is RiseNY Good for Teenagers?
RiseNY can be an especially good fit for families visiting NYC with teens because the experience isn't designed exclusively for young children.
The combination of music, fashion, film, television, Broadway, photo opportunities, interactive exhibits, and the flying finale gives teenagers multiple things to explore.
It can also serve as an introduction to NYC before heading out to experience the real-life neighborhoods, theaters, landmarks, and cultural institutions featured throughout the attraction.
Is RiseNY Good for Grandparents and Multigenerational Families?
RiseNY can work well for multigenerational trips because different parts of the experience appeal to different age groups.
Grandparents may recognize artifacts and cultural moments from earlier eras of New York entertainment. Parents may connect with music, television, fashion, and Broadway memories of their own. Kids and teens get to experience those stories through immersive environments—and discover plenty of newer cultural references along the way.
It's a rare vacation activity where someone may say, “I remember that,” immediately before someone else asks, “Wait, what is that?”
That's part of the fun.
Where Is RiseNY?
RiseNY is located at 160 West 45th Street in Times Square, New York City, placing it within walking distance of Broadway theaters and many of Midtown Manhattan's most popular attractions.
Its central location makes it especially convenient for families staying near Times Square or planning a Broadway day in NYC.
What Can Families Do Near RiseNY?
If you're building a full family itinerary, RiseNY's Times Square location puts you close to many popular NYC destinations.
Depending on how much walking your family is willing to negotiate, nearby options include:
Times Square – Explore the famous lights, billboards, shops, and street scenes.
Broadway – Pair RiseNY with a family-friendly Broadway matinee or evening performance.
Bryant Park – Take a break from the crowds with seasonal activities and open space.
New York Public Library – Visit the landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building next to Bryant Park.
Rockefeller Center – Explore shops, restaurants, public art, and seasonal attractions.
This makes it possible to experience RiseNY as part of a larger Midtown family day without spending half of your vacation traveling between neighborhoods.
Tips for Visiting RiseNY With Kids
A little planning can make any family outing easier.
Check current hours and ticket availability before visiting, especially during weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Families with younger children should also review current ride requirements before purchasing tickets.
Give yourself enough time to explore the galleries rather than racing directly toward the ride. Some of the best family conversations can come from discovering something unexpected along the way.
And don't forget to leave some room in the schedule afterward. You're in the middle of Times Square, so there is plenty more NYC waiting outside.
Is RiseNY Worth Visiting With Kids?
If your family wants an indoor NYC experience that combines entertainment, New York history, pop culture, and a ride, RiseNY offers something different from a traditional museum or observation deck.
You won't simply learn about New York.
You'll walk through its stories, discover artifacts from its cultural history, and ultimately soar over the city itself.
For families visiting New York for the first time, RiseNY can also provide helpful context for everything you're about to see outside.
And for families who already know NYC?
You might discover something you never knew was here.
Part Ride. Part Museum. All New York.
Ready to experience NYC together? Plan your family visit to RiseNY in Times Square and Don’t Just See NYC. Feel It.
