Ryan Visitor Center - Floyd Bennett Field — Attraction in New York

The William Fitts Ryan visitor center was once the main, and only, terminal building for Floyd Bennett Field Airport, the first municipal airport for New York City opening in 1931. From here passengers would disembark from their planes through tunnels that ran under the tarmac. The top level served as the control tower.

While the facility is generally open to the public, one day each year during Open House NYC visitors can tour the control tower. The tunnels have been opened on this day in the past but recent tests for lead and asbestos have closed them.

The building is now named in honor of the politician who championed adding it to the the national parks service. Inside on the lower levels one will find a museum dedicated to the history of the airport.

During the depression the WPA painted murals that decorated this terminal depicting the history of aviation. However the city of New York later had the murals burned since the were in the style...

Was renovated some years ago. It's nice to know it's history. A lot of big names in the heyday of early aviation. You can also pick up your fishing license here and Off Road Vehicle permit as well...

Please note that this place does not update their opening hours. They are listed as 4:00 p.m. currently but they close at 12:00 p.m. every Saturday. Would have been good to know before we drove...