Are you planning a trip to New York City and thinking of visiting the MOIC? Are you wondering if the Museum of Ice Cream NYC worth it, I’m here to tell you it is definitely not worth the price of admission. Let me explain why.
Related Reading: Spending Thanksgiving in NYC
How Much Does a Museum of Ice Cream NYC Ticket Cost?
On a December trip to New York, the number one request from my teenager daughter was a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream. We must of been weak because we ended up forking over nearly $150 for a one-hour museum experience. From November 19 – January 10, the museum transforms into its seasonal PINKMAS which features winter and holiday themed spaces (think pink Christmas trees scattered throughout and a faint waft of peppermint in the air). The ticket cost during PINKMAS is $46.50 per person.
Outside of PINKMAS, tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream can range from $44-$56 based on daytime or nighttime entry.
COVID Protocols at MOIC
Let’s first talk about the COVID protocols at the museum. When we visited in December 2021, the city was experiencing a spike in cases and restrictions were strictly enforced – with a few exceptions.
- Upon entry, all eligible visitors must show proof of vaccination with ID. See more about vaccination mandates here.
- Masks are to be worn at all times. The only exceptions are when eating ice cream or taking a photograph.
The mask requirement is weird because there are several times you are given ice cream or popsicles that are consumed all while you’re wondering through the exhibits. And photos? The museum was built on Instagram photos. Not a ton of mask wearing happening, friends.
Who Would Love the Museum of Ice Cream?
The Museum of Ice Cream is full of fantastic fun for kids but it’s a real sweet spot for the tween and teenage crowd. Especially if those kids have access to social media.
As for the parents, holding the jackets and hats, shopping bags and trash, it’s not all that great. We basically trailed our daughter while she took selfies.
The Exhibits are Weird at MOIC
There are ten or so exhibits to shuffle through during your visit at the museum. Some rooms were interesting, like the interstellar subway. It does give the illusion like you’re on a train and for a minute I wondered when it would stop so we could exit. Then I realized that I could leave at anytime because it wasn’t actually moving.
The room with the hanging pink and yellow bananas was unusual and simply a spot for photos. Everyone stood there and just watched others take pictures. And, the bananas were super phallic.
The rainbow hallway was a neat photo opp as well – are you seeing a theme here? The problem with the rainbow hallway is that it leads to the slide and the line was all the way backed up through the rainbow hallway so there was no photo taking without 100 other people.
The sprinkle pool is the pièce de résistance. You’re not allowed to wear shoes into the pool and you can wade around in the plastic sprinkles as long as you wish. The sprinkles were very similar to a plastic ball pit but a pool of them were super dense and not easily swimmable.
The whole thing takes about an hour depending how long you dilly-dally in each room
Is There Ice Cream at the Museum of Ice Cream?
Yes, all ticket holders get free ice cream throughout the experience. You can also buy pints of ice cream at the end of the tour.
Underwhelmed by the Ice Cream Museum
We couldn’t wait to get out of the Museum of Ice Cream. There were just too many people, it felt sort of dirty, the lines backed up and didn’t flow well from room to room, and it was hot and stuffy. My teenage daughter liked the photo spots but overall was underwhelmed by the experience.
If it’s ice cream you want, check out Gayot’s list of Best Ice Cream Shops in the city.
More Fun Travel Stops!
- Apple Picking in Southern California
- Newport Harbor Scavenger Hunt
- Hiking Multnomah Falls
- World of Coke, Atlanta Georgia
We’re Your New Best Friends
Hi, we’re Megan and Wendy your midlife besties! Join us on Patreon every Monday where we’re talking everyday life, pop culture, and more!
You can also find us on “Girls Gone Hallmark” on Tuesdays and Thursdays where we review new and fan-favorite Hallmark movies and ask the question: Did you see that?
