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A Testament To The American Spirit

A Macaroni Mom's Review of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

By Jennifer Bermejo July 31, 2014
I could not be more excited to spread the word about our newest favorite museum in New York City – the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. As completely expected, the Intrepid Museum is extremely impressive, and one of our most highly recommended items to be added to any NYC bucket list.

For years, I had been wanting to visit the USS Intrepid. My family and I have passed it many times while driving along the West Side Highway. Each time we drive by it, we slowly revel in its splendor. This summer, we made it a point to visit as soon as we had family in town. 

My family has visited NYC enough times to have seen all the regular hot spots, so I was excited for the opportunity to check off the Intrepid Museum from our bucket list. My father, a United States Air Force veteran, and older brother were the perfect guests to take on this adventure. My 1 year old and 4 year old sons were not the perfect guests, but they were perfect little troopers. Plus, we are all avid lovers of all things historical, mechanical and fast – it must be genetic.

In preparing for the visit, I arranged for FREE passes through the Westwood Library. (Tip: always remember to check out your own local library for other FREE museum passes. Click HERE for Macaroni Kid's guide!)

Upon arrival, I secured my boys in their stroller, and had my father and brother in tow. When the elevator doors opened to the flight deck, we were all in one giant awe. It is one thing to see the planes from the ground, but it is quite another to see them up close aboard the Carrier. 

It is hard not to stand on the USS Intrepid's flight deck and be taken back by the resounding history of the American spirit. The USS Intrepid served during three wars (WWII, Cold War and Vietnam War) and was a NASA recovery vessel during the space exploration peak of the 1960’s. Its active history resonates throughout each exhibit from the well-known Blue Angel on the Flight Deck, the Enterprise in the Space Shuttle Pavilion, to the Concorde at Pier 86. My children might not be old enough to quite understand all that this carrier has been through, but they were certainly impressed with seeing it first hand. The carrier’s dignified history and impressive collection also left a mark with my father and brother. 

We stayed aboard the Intrepid for nearly two hours covering all of the Flight Deck, the Space Shuttle Pavilion (which is an additional cost to enter) and the Hangar Deck. The Space Shuttle Pavillion was a group favorite purely because no one ever really expects to see a Space Shuttle so close-up in their lifetime. The Enterprise was a NASA prototype orbiter: it never actually went into space. It was the basis for space exploration as we know it today, so it stands very well on its own and worth the extra price of admission.

While the history is impressive to most, the children's exhibits on the Hangar Deck can be short lived for very (tired) little ones. It was clear that the older the child, the more impressed and interactive the hands-on exhibits could be. 


If you are like me, stop driving by the USS Intrepid and make plans to see it. Don’t wait for family to visit or for your children to fully understand the importance of every exhibit. Even though my boys are young, they were still mesmerized, and they were definitely not alone. I love giving them opportunities to see and explore places that seem larger than life to them, and it doesn't hurt to give yourself that opportunity too.

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Bermejo. All Rights Reserved.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer is the mother of two amazing little boys and loves to know what is going on around them so they can get involved. Originally from the Midwest, Jennifer moved East 8 years ago to pursue a career in New York City's fast-paced apparel industry. After her first son was born, Jennifer and her husband decided it was time to get out of NYC and get some real space to raise a family. They found their niche right in Bergen County. Since stepping foot here, they haven't turned back! Jennifer claims to have the heart of a Midwesterner but the sprit of an East-coaster which, so far, hasn't failed her yet. She always look forward to what is to come. 


OTHER ARTICLES BY JENNIFER
Finding Joy in Joisey
Train and Mine Adventures with Delaware River Railroad Excursions

"I Never Wanted to Drive a Mini-Van," Series Part 1Part 2 and Part 3.
Spring Has Sprung at Papillon Bambino in Westwood
Mama Knows Best at Eat Your Spinach Children's Boutique in Ridgewood
Bergen County Model Railroad Club Open House in Hillsdale
A Night to Remember