Ride a square-wheeled trike at the National Museum of Mathematics
Hands-on math museum in Chelsea, new home in 2026. Chelsea, Manhattan.
The short answer
The National Museum of Mathematics, MoMath to its friends, is a hands-on museum where the exhibits are things you push, pedal, spin and stand inside, and it reopened in February 2026 in a much bigger home at 635 Sixth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea. The new building is about 34,000 square feet, nearly double the old one on 26th Street, and Time Out reported that it has a separate toddler area. It's open 10am to 5pm every day of the year except Thanksgiving.
What it is like
The museum is best known for its square-wheeled tricycle, which rolls smoothly over a specially curved track, and watching a seven-year-old work out why it doesn't bump is worth the ticket on its own (watching the parent try to explain it is worth a second ticket). It suits children who think they don't like math, which is the whole point.
It isn't cheap: advance tickets are $33 for adults and $22 for ages 2 to 17, and under-2s go free. The money-saver is Free Play, when general admission is free from 3pm to 7pm; MoMath says it runs about twice a month, so check the events calendar and book early. The museum also closes early (2:30pm) on some Wednesdays, including Wednesday, December 2, so check the visit page before you set off.
Best time to go
A Free Play afternoon if you can get one; otherwise a weekday at 10am.
Tips before you go
- Look for Free Play afternoons on the events calendar: free entry from 3pm to 7pm.
- Children under 16 must be with an adult.
- Avoid early-closing Wednesdays; the museum shuts at 2:30pm on some of them.
- Rainy-day bonus: it's all indoors, and the 14 St F/M station a few blocks south is accessible.
Where it is
635 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
What's on here
From The New York Almanac, the next 60 days.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 15:00
MoMath Free Play Afternoon
National Museum of Mathematics, Flatiron, Manhattan · Free
Free extended hours at the math museum from 3pm to 7pm, a good after-school option. Organizer ↗
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 15:00
Math in Bloom: Fibonacci Stepping Stone Creation
Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing, Queens
A hands-on workshop that uses the Fibonacci sequence to design a stepping stone. Garden admission applies (children 4 to 12 pay $2, ages 3 and under free). Organizer ↗
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 16:00
Math Encounters: Can You Beat the Lottery?
National Museum of Mathematics, Flatiron, Manhattan · Free
A free in-person evening of math demonstrations and hands-on activities at MoMath. Check the museum site for the registration details. Organizer ↗
Friday, November 6, 2026, 18:30
Family Fridays: The Chiral Cube
National Museum of Mathematics, Flatiron, Manhattan · Free
A free family evening of origami puzzling at MoMath. Register online in advance. Organizer ↗
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 13:00
MAPS: MoMath Annual Puzzle-hunt Series
National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), Flatiron, Manhattan
A neighborhood puzzle hunt that starts near MoMath. Check the museum page for registration and pricing. Organizer ↗
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 12:00
Math in Bloom: Fibonacci Community Volunteer Day
Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing, Queens
The finale of the 2026 Math in Bloom program, with volunteer work around the garden's Fibonacci spiral. Organizer ↗
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 16:00
Math Encounters: Making Escher Move
National Museum of Mathematics, Flatiron, Manhattan · Free
A free in-person evening of math demonstrations and hands-on activities at MoMath. Check the museum site for the registration details. Organizer ↗
Friday, December 11, 2026, 18:30
Family Fridays at MoMath
National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), Flatiron, Manhattan · Free
A free evening of math activities for families at MoMath. Details for this date were still marked coming soon. Organizer ↗
Nearby on the Brood List
Walk the High Line and finish at Chelsea Market
Chelsea · 0.7 mile away · Free
Go up the Empire State Building (with the Family Ticket Bundle)
Midtown · 0.7 mile away
Climb the hills of Little Island on the Hudson
West Village, Hudson River Park · 0.8 mile away · Free
Skate for free at the Bryant Park Winter Village
Midtown · 1.1 miles away · Free
Questions people ask
How much does MoMath cost?
Advance tickets are $33 for adults and $22 for ages 2 to 17, students and seniors; children under 2 are free. General admission is free during Free Play afternoons from 3pm to 7pm.
Where is the Museum of Mathematics now?
MoMath moved in 2026 to 635 Sixth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan. It is open 10am to 5pm daily except Thanksgiving.
Is MoMath good for young kids?
Yes. The exhibits are hands-on, Time Out reported a separate toddler area in the new building, and children under 2 get in free. Children under 16 must be with an adult.
Which subway stop is nearest?
F/M to 23 St or 1 to 18 St (not accessible); F/M to 14 St and L to 6 Av are accessible, about 5 blocks south; check the MTA's elevator status before relying on one.
Can you take a stroller?
Call ahead (212-542-0566) to check stroller rules.
How long do you need?
2 to 3 hours.
Sources
The whole list
All 44 on a map
Open the map →For the fridge
The printable list
Print it →Manhattan
More in Manhattan
Guides and events →Get the weekend email
Free, one short email a week. Thursday, 7am: the weather call, one proper day out and the family events worth leaving the apartment for this weekend, checked with the organizer. Read the latest one first.
- Thursday, 7am: the weather call for the weekend, made for you.
- One proper day out: with the subway stop, the stroller verdict and where the restrooms are.
- The family events worth it: each one checked with the organizer and linked, famous and lesser known side by side.
No spam, no ads. Unsubscribe from any email with one click. Privacy