Climb aboard vintage subway cars at the New York Transit Museum

What it is like

This is the lesser-known pick with the highest hit rate I can think of. Plenty of visitors queue for the big attractions without realizing there is a museum about the thing they ride every day. It was founded in 1976, so it has been quietly doing this for a long time.

Now the unglamorous bits, which the museum states plainly. Most of it has no climate control (the back galleries and education center currently have no A/C), there is no food or eating, there is no cell service inside (wifi at the admission booth only), and stroller parking is limited and at the back. A big stroller is a nuisance here, so bring a carrier if you have one.

At $10 for ages 2 to 17 and $15 for adults, a family of four lands around $50, which is fair for something this specific. It is also an easy pairing with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, since you are already in Brooklyn.

Best time to go

Wednesday to Friday mornings; weekends fill up with train-obsessed families.

Tips before you go

• Reserve timed tickets in advance; the museum says a limited number are sold on site.
• Kids 15 and under need adult supervision.
• No snacks inside, so eat before you go.
• Dress for warmth or heat depending on the season, since there is no climate control in most galleries.