Pier 36 NYC — Attraction in New York

Today I visited here for the temporary Balloon Museum exhibit known as Let's Fly. I was a bit skeptical at first but talked in by family and I have to say, it was fun! Highlights definitely included the giant black ball pool and the VR experience! It was amazing how the ball pool was put together! It was very crowded but the space is large enough that you could spread out and not feel like everyone was on top of you. As you move through each exhibit there is a multimedia experience which tickles the senses and feels very whimsical! It definitely brings out your inner child. There is a room where you can experience smoke bubbles...who even knew that was a thing?? Theres a room where you can be part of an unfolding piece of community art. Theres an infinity tunnel, balloons that you can interact with who feel alive, and even a room where you can have a handful of great photo ops. The only part of the exhibit that didnt excite me was the maze...this seemed uninspiring when combined with everything else the museum had to offer.

More signage is needed to explain the process at the food concession upstairs. Most people waited on the food line before being told that you had to order first via another line!

It took us 2 hours to move through the total exhibit and we took our time with lots of photo ops. I can say with confidence that everyone wanted more time in the black ball pool! Overall,this was a great experience, fun for families, kids, date nights, and adults harnessing an inner childish wonder...

Entrance to Pier 36 is from Montgomery St. We walked from the subway, easy 10 minute walk and safe. We saw parking at Pier 36 and it was $38 for two hours and $23 each additional hour. All guides were very friendly, nice, and helpful. There are three rooms inside for the show. First two are the same smaller size room, we explored these two rooms, sat down in each room to enjoy the show, very nice. Once the show restarted again, we entered the third larger room. You have a short time until the show repeats itself. I feel we had the best view in the third room. MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE SECOND LEVEL INSIDE THE THIRD ROOM, FACE THE LARGER END OF THE ROOM AND MOVE NEXT TO THE PRIVATE VIEWING AREA ON THE LEFT. You are standing the entire time BUT it's the best and worth it. What makes this area better than anything else is the floor (you are looking down on) is also part of the show. When you are elevated, you get such a great visual and see so much more than sitting on the bottom main floor....Look at my photos. In and out 1 hour and 20 minutes. That includes gift shop time. Once you exit the building, turn right (staff member will say turn left....ignore) and walk to Pier 35. There is a nice area to sit and enjoy the sights of Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and the Marine traffic on...

It is an impressive exhibit, yet it falls short of being truly immersive. I quite enjoyed it, but quite a few things could have been better for the steep ticket price you pay. I visited off-peak during a week, yet there were too many people walking in and out in front of you, obstructing the view despite the timed ticketing. The show and the speed of the projection itself felt somewhat rushed to the point I'd press a 0.5 speed button at times, if there was one, with the total duration of about 30 minutes. Somehow they justify selling VIP and "premium" tickets, when all it gives you is not having to walk an (empty) queue snake at the check-in and a patterned cushion that you have to return in the end of the show, if you have a premium ticket. I heard people commenting on the meh quality of the projection, which was fine with me. But I personally thought the sound could have been better quality, rather than having a cheap stock car speaker vibe to it. The gift shop had some cute merchandise, but extremely overpriced. In summary, all these little things have made the show not immersive in the sense of forgetting that you are sitting in a crowded dark warehouse instead of in the painting. That said, their ads pictured a much rosier experience than what it...