Spyscape Tours

New York’s museum of spy gadgets and stories, Spyscape introduces visitors to the history of espionage and even lets them test their spying skills through interactive displays and challenges. Learn about spies throughout history, see some of the gadgets they used, and hear stories of espionage that might seem stranger than fiction.

The Basics
There are seven interactive galleries spread throughout the museum, dedicated to deception, encryption, surveillance, hacking, intelligence, cyber warfare, and special ops. Each gallery presents artifacts and technology related to the history of espionage while illuminating stories of double agents, code breakers, and hackers. Visitors are handed digital wristbands on entry so they can test their own skills in decoding, surveillance, lie detection, and even navigating a laser tunnel by completing challenges, developed with input from former intelligence agency directors. The experience ends in the debriefing room, where visitors are assigned a spy role, from analyst to spymaster.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Spyscape is a must-visit for families and groups of friends.
• The museum is designed for adults and teens, but children are welcome.
• Entrances, galleries, retail spaces, the café, and restrooms are all accessible to wheelchairs and walkers, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow.
• Service animals are welcome inside Spyscape.
• Storage lockers are available free of charge.

How to Get There
Spyscape is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, with easy access from the rest of the city. To get there via subway, take line C or E to 50th Street, a 3-minute walk away; line A, B, C, or D to 59th Street–Columbus Circle, a 2-minute walk away; or the N, Q, R, or W to 57th Street, a 4-minute walk away.

When to Get There
Spyscape is open weekdays from morning until late evening and weekends from midmorning to late evening. A visit typically takes one and a half to two hours. Ticket prices are reduced during the middle of the day, so budget travelers with flexible schedules should avoid coming first thing in the morning or in the evening.

James Bond
Spyscape also deals with fictional spies: Its immersive exhibition explores the creative process behind the James Bond movies. Visitors have the chance to investigate gadgets in Q’s lab and go behind the scenes of the Skyfall finale. An additional ticket is required.