RiseNY Review: Is New York’s Flying Theatre Experience Worth It?

This blog post/article is in collaboration with RiseNY, please note that all opinions, reviews and experiences shared are completely my own. I only ever recommend accommodations and experiences that I genuinely love and believe my readers will benefit from.

What is RiseNY?

RiseNY is an immersive attraction in Times Square that takes you through the history and culture of New York before finishing with a 4D flying experience over the city.

I think it’s easy to look at RiseNY and assume the flying ride is the whole attraction, but there’s actually a lot more to the experience. Your visit starts inside a recreation of New York’s original City Hall subway station, where you watch a short film which takes you from the opening of the subway in 1904 through to modern day New York and looks at how the city has changed over the years.

From there, you make your way through seven interactive museum galleries covering different parts of New York’s history and culture. The galleries focus on finance, the New York skyline, TV and radio, fashion, music, Broadway and film, so you get to see how New York has influenced so many different industries.

There are also loads of pieces of memorabilia and recognisable references throughout. You’ll see everything from Broadway costumes and models of famous New York skyscrapers to the iconic orange couch from Friends. One of my favourites was the Sex and the City display which includes a replica of Carrie Bradshaw’s famous white tutu.

Once you’ve made your way through the galleries, you finish with the part I’d been most excited about… the 4D flying ride. You’re lifted into the air in front of a huge screen and taken across all five boroughs and through the four seasons, passing some of New York’s most recognisable landmarks and events along the way. You’ll fly over places including Grand Central Terminal and Yankee Stadium before seeing fireworks and the Times Square ball drop.

It’s a really good experience because you’re not just looking at New York from above. You learn about how the city developed and some of the people, industries and cultural moments that shaped it before finishing with a completely different view of NYC.

I’d allow around 60–90 minutes for the full RiseNY experience.

Where is RiseNY?

RiseNY is located right in Midtown Manhattan, just steps from Times Square, so it’s very easy to fit into a day of sightseeing without having to travel across the city specifically to visit.

You’ll find it on West 45th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. Times Square–42nd Street, 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal and 42nd Street–Bryant Park subway stations are all nearby, so you’ve got plenty of options for getting there from elsewhere in Manhattan.

I’d probably plan RiseNY as part of a wider Midtown day. You could visit RiseNY before walking over to Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, head to Bryant Park afterwards or book it before seeing a Broadway show in the evening.

Another reason I’d keep RiseNY on your list is that the experience is indoors. New York itineraries usually involve a lot of walking, so this is a good attraction to save for a rainy day or one of those really hot summer afternoons when you want a couple of hours away from the weather.

📍 Location: 160 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

My Experience at RiseNY

This was my first time visiting RiseNY and I didn’t really know what to expect beforehand. I’d seen videos of the flying ride, so I assumed that would make up most of the experience. I hadn’t realised how much you actually learn about New York before you get anywhere near the ride.

The experience starts with the short film about New York’s history and I think this is particularly good if it’s your first trip to the city. You begin inside a recreation of the original City Hall subway station and the film takes you from 1904 through to the New York you see today.

You then move through the seven galleries and this was where I realised there was much more to RiseNY than I’d expected. Rather than being one traditional museum, each area focuses on a different part of the city. You go from learning about Wall Street and New York’s skyline to Broadway, fashion, music, film and television.

I liked that there was a mixture of actual New York history and things that I immediately recognised from pop culture. In the skyline section, for example, you can see models of buildings including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center. The finance section looks at New York’s development as a financial centre and even has a recreation of the New York Stock Exchange.

The TV and film sections were probably my favourites. There’s so much New York nostalgia throughout them and if you’ve grown up watching shows and films based in the city, you’ll recognise quite a lot. Obviously I had to get a photo with the orange couch from Friends, but I also loved the Sex and the City section and seeing the replica of Carrie Bradshaw’s famous white tutu.

Then they save my favourite part until last.

The final 4D flying experience makes you feel like you’re actually flying across New York. You’re lifted into the air and taken across all five boroughs, with the footage moving through the different seasons and showing some of the city’s biggest landmarks and events. There are also effects including wind, mist and scents which make it feel much more immersive than simply watching New York on a big screen.

I actually wish the flying section lasted longer because I enjoyed it that much.

Is RiseNY Worth It?

For me, yes, I think RiseNY is worth visiting, particularly if you’re looking for something different from the usual New York observation decks and museums.

Adult tickets start from $45.50, so it isn’t necessarily a cheap activity, especially if you’re travelling as a family or group. However, you’re getting both the seven museum galleries and the 4D flying experience within the ticket.

I’d also check whether getting a New York Pass makes more sense for your trip because RiseNY is included. If you’re already planning to visit several paid New York attractions, using a sightseeing pass could work out better than paying for everything individually.

I wouldn’t necessarily prioritise RiseNY over the major NYC attractions if it’s your first trip and you only have a couple of days. But if you’ve got four or five days in the city, you’ve visited New York before or you’re looking for something different to add to your itinerary, I’d definitely consider it.

It’s also one I’d save for bad weather because the majority of your visit is indoors.

Who Would Enjoy RiseNY?

I think RiseNY works particularly well for first-time visitors who want to learn more about New York, but I’d also recommend it if you’ve visited NYC before and have already done a lot of the main attractions.

If you’re interested in New York pop culture, TV, film, fashion, music or Broadway, you’ll probably enjoy the museum galleries the most. As someone who loves Sex and the City, seeing some of those references was one of my favourite parts before getting to the ride.

I’d also recommend RiseNY for families with older children and teenagers, especially if you want an attraction that’s more interactive than a traditional museum.

And if you’re planning a girls trip to New York, I think it’s a fun activity to add to a Midtown day. You could easily combine it with Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue and dinner or drinks afterwards without spending loads of time travelling between different parts of Manhattan.

How Much Does RiseNY Cost?

RiseNY tickets are pretty straightforward, with standard admission costing $42 for children aged 3–12 and $45.50 for adults. Your standard ticket includes access to the seven museum galleries as well as the 4D flying ride at the end.

If you want a little more flexibility, RiseNY also offers VIP Admission for $63. This includes anytime arrival, so you don’t have to stick to a specific entry time on the date you’ve booked, as well as priority access so you can skip the lines with express entry.

You’ll also receive some complimentary VIP extras including a RiseNY souvenir bag and VIP lanyard, your choice of a commemorative NYC-themed poster and 20% off additional purchases in the gift shop.

One thing that’s definitely worth knowing before buying your ticket separately is that RiseNY is also included with the New York Pass. If you’re planning to visit quite a few paid attractions during your trip, I’d compare the cost of buying individual tickets with getting a New York Pass first as you could end up saving money.

My Tips Before Visiting

I’d allow at least 60–90 minutes for RiseNY. You can move through the galleries at your own pace, so you might spend longer if you’re someone who likes stopping to read everything and look properly at the exhibits.

I’d also avoid rushing through the museum just to get to the flying ride. I know the ride is probably the reason a lot of people book RiseNY in the first place, but I found the galleries much more interesting than I expected and they’re a big part of what you’re paying for.

If you’re visiting during a particularly busy time in New York, I’d book your ticket in advance rather than relying on buying one when you arrive. RiseNY uses timed entry for standard tickets, while the VIP ticket gives you more flexibility with your arrival time.

I’d also check the New York Pass before buying a standalone ticket. RiseNY is included, so if you’ve already got several paid attractions on your itinerary, work out whether a sightseeing pass would save you money overall.

Finally, wear something you’re comfortable going on the flying ride in and remember there is a 40-inch/1-metre minimum height requirement for the ride. If someone in your group doesn’t want to do the flying experience, RiseNY does allow guests to skip it.

FAQs About RiseNY

How long does RiseNY take?

I’d allow around 60–90 minutes for RiseNY. The experience starts with a short film about New York’s history, followed by the seven interactive galleries and finishes with the 4D flying ride.

You can explore the galleries at your own pace, so your visit could take a little longer if you want to stop and look at everything properly. I wouldn’t plan something with a really tight start time immediately afterwards.

Is RiseNY suitable for children?

Yes, RiseNY is a family-friendly attraction and children can explore the museum galleries as well as experience the flying ride.

The main thing parents need to know is that there is a minimum height requirement of 40 inches, or approximately one metre, for the 4D ride. If you’re travelling with younger children, I’d check their height before booking if the flying experience is one of the main reasons you want to visit.

Standard child tickets are available for children aged 3–12 and cost $42.

Can you take photos inside?

Yes, you can take photos as you make your way through the RiseNY galleries. There are actually quite a few good photo opportunities throughout the experience, particularly if you’re interested in the TV, fashion and pop culture exhibits.

I obviously couldn’t resist getting a photo with the orange Friends couch and there are plenty of other recognisable exhibits as you make your way through.

There’s also a life sized replica of the Statue of Liberty’s torch balcony where you can have a professional souvenir photo taken as an optional extra.

Do you need to book in advance?

You can buy RiseNY tickets at the box office, including tickets for the same day, but I’d still book in advance if you know when you want to visit.

Standard tickets use timed admission, so booking ahead means you can choose a time that works around the rest of your New York itinerary rather than turning up and finding your preferred slot isn’t available.

If you don’t want to commit to a particular arrival time, RiseNY also offers a VIP Admission ticket for $63, which includes flexible arrival on your chosen date as well as priority access.

Is RiseNY included in attraction passes?

Yes, RiseNY is included with the New York Pass, which is worth knowing before you buy an individual ticket.

If you’re planning to visit several paid attractions while you’re in New York, I’d price up everything you want to do separately and compare that total with the cost of the pass. Depending on your itinerary, it could work out cheaper than buying a RiseNY ticket on its own.

I hope this RiseNY review helps with your New York City planning and don’t forget to check out the rest of my blogs out below.

Check out my other New York guides here:

• New York City Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
• 31 Best Things To Do in New York City
• 4 Days in New York City Itinerary
• 4 Days in New York Christmas Itinerary
• The BEST Hotels in New York City With a View
• How to Get From JFK Airport to Manhattan by Subway (Under $20)
• New York Monthly Guides