Paley Center for Media
Paley Center for Media
4
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
Visitors can select from more than 50,000 radio and television program tapes to listen or watch at one of this museum's 96 radio and television consoles.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit - spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
- 5th Ave / 53rd St • 3 min walk
- 47–50 Sts – Rockefeller Center • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
69 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
17
Average
11
Poor
4
Terrible
5
mrstats69
Parker, CO502 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
We booked tickets ahead of time because we wanted to see the West Wing exhibit which was ending soon. It was a very interesting and informative exhibit but a bit on the small size, especially for the $20/person ticket price. We saw everything in about 15 minutes.
Of course, your admission includes some other exhibits and floors at the center, but we really just came for the West Wing exhibit, since it’s one of our all-time favorite shows.
Of course, your admission includes some other exhibits and floors at the center, but we really just came for the West Wing exhibit, since it’s one of our all-time favorite shows.
Written September 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,778 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
This wonderful treasure troves of media history is right next to the old (and missed) 21 Club, near Rockefeller Center. It hosts various special exhibitions, screenings and events.
During my recent visit, a special retrospective on the popular TV show The Masked Singer was on display. It covered all aspects of the show and offered an up close view of the spectacular costumes worn by each participant, up close and personal.
Center walls.
There was also ongoing screenings of Mothers Day themed TV shows in the adjacent, spacious theater. Photos of TV luminaries from all eras are displayed on the center walls.
If media history interests you, be sure to see what's on offer during your visit at this unique museum.
During my recent visit, a special retrospective on the popular TV show The Masked Singer was on display. It covered all aspects of the show and offered an up close view of the spectacular costumes worn by each participant, up close and personal.
Center walls.
There was also ongoing screenings of Mothers Day themed TV shows in the adjacent, spacious theater. Photos of TV luminaries from all eras are displayed on the center walls.
If media history interests you, be sure to see what's on offer during your visit at this unique museum.
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BA
Pittsburgh1,309 contributions
Was not expecting this place to be what it was. Thought there would be some history of broadcasting, but as others have said, they just replay old shows/radio broadcasts (and you can use the library).
It was disappointing, but at the same time we were on our feet walking all day so it was nice to sit down, relax, and watch some old TV shows.
I would suggest it if you are tired and want to relax for a bit, or if you have a couple specific shows you have in mind you'd like to see (don't know how extensive the library was, we just watched two shows they had playing). If you are expecting to go and get some history though, it's not what it's all about.
It was disappointing, but at the same time we were on our feet walking all day so it was nice to sit down, relax, and watch some old TV shows.
I would suggest it if you are tired and want to relax for a bit, or if you have a couple specific shows you have in mind you'd like to see (don't know how extensive the library was, we just watched two shows they had playing). If you are expecting to go and get some history though, it's not what it's all about.
Written March 31, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denisereiss
new york27 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
I joined the Paley Center in NYC because they advertised daily programming of classic TV in their downstairs theater, but they do NOT deliver. I looked forward to seeing selections of classic TV like Playhouse 90, Andy Williams, Martin & Lewis, Flip Wilson, Julie Andrews specials, Paul Lynde specials, more variety shows and classic comedy. But their programming turned out to be the same shows every day--including a dated clip package with Marlo Thomas. When I asked the front desk about the repetitive programs, they apologized about poor presentation and had no idea why it's done that way. I called Erin Frederick, the Director of Events & Membership, but she had no understanding of the issue. It's a shame when the center has so many resources and a lovely theater. Someone would love to put together fun programs even for free. As it stands, the Museum feels dead and useless whenever I visit. Erin Frederick may be too lazy or unequipped to make good programming even with thousands of shows at her fingertips.
Written February 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura V
70 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
We found Paley Center in a list of museums in NYC. As we expected a museum, we were quite dissapointed to find just a room with computers. The database of series and historical fragments was huge, but I think you can find 90% of this on youtube. Unless you're a student doing research on something specific, this is not worth a visit, certainly not when you have to pay for it!
Written February 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Freedom38101
Columbia, SC1 contribution
What a waste -- a few video exhibits and television shows for $10 bucks. I was expecting full scale interactive displays about the history of broadcasting and TV. Nope. Don't bother with this one.
Written April 12, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelus73
NY908 contributions
I usually go to this museum at least once per year. They have a library of old television shows and you can choose from their list of shows and watch them for up to 2 hours. Some choices are the Honeymooners, I Dream of Jeannie, I Love Lucy, The Odd Couple, and many others.
There will always be a list of daily things to see which can be episodes of various shows, commercials or comedians over the years, or progress of women in television over the years. There are often special events such as showing the Ed Sullivan episode where the Beatles were introduced to the US.
This museum has so much to offer and it is my favorite.
There will always be a list of daily things to see which can be episodes of various shows, commercials or comedians over the years, or progress of women in television over the years. There are often special events such as showing the Ed Sullivan episode where the Beatles were introduced to the US.
This museum has so much to offer and it is my favorite.
Written May 29, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueFee
Sterling, VA12,497 contributions
Yes, as the previous reviewers mentioned, this museum is basically an archive of old radio and TV shows. So go there knowing that. We thought it was well worth the $10 admission price. After buying our tickets, we were directed to an area by the elevator so that we could wait for the next tour to start. I highly recommend taking the tour as it is very helpful. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained how the museum worked. Each day there are screenings of old TV shows. You are given a sheet listing the name of the show, the location where it is being shown, and the time it starts. However, our guide told us that 99% of the museum visitors decide to watch shows of their own choosing. With your ticket, you are given a library time. You go to the library and use a computer to research old shows. As the guide explained, the shows they have in the archives are shows that either the networks donated to the museum (the museum copies the tape and returns the original) or ones donated by local network affiliates. As a non-member, you are allowed to watch 2 hours of programming. Our guide told us about a TV performance of "The Petrified Forest" starring Humphrey Bogart. Lauren Bacall found a tape of it in her home and donated it to the museum. We decided to watch that. For our second show, we found a show with a local (from Boston) TV performer that we grew up watching.
By all means, give this museum a try. Not only was it great to be able to watch old TV shows that I never thought I'd see again but it is very relaxing to sit for a while after all that walking we all tend to do when visiting NYC.
By all means, give this museum a try. Not only was it great to be able to watch old TV shows that I never thought I'd see again but it is very relaxing to sit for a while after all that walking we all tend to do when visiting NYC.
Written October 15, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhiannon T
Portsmouth, UK80 contributions
I was disappointed with this museum and I'm a media graduate! The museum has no artefacts or displays - it is simply an archive of television and radio shows. We watched the Ed Sullivan show of the first ever Beatles appearance of American TV in a theatre and then looked in the library which allows you to choose a programme to watch in a private booth. It would be ideal if you are a media student and need to research specific programmes in history but that it is all it is really - an archive - I can see what they’re trying to achieve (preserving TV history) but it's not entertaining enough for a family day out.
Written July 20, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fronda J
58 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Visit the free Paley Center
if you want to see the Beatles Ed Sullivan performance, fall of the Berlin Wall, Groucho Marx in The Mikado, Martha Graham dancing Appalachian Spring, or the first Honeymooners episode. More than YouTube, you'll find on demand radio and tv from 1944 to today, both curated and free style. This free museum just off 5th Avenue also has special exhibits and a gaming room - great place to take a break and let the kids play VR or video games. Donate if you want to keep this broadcast archive alive and well.
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if you want to see the Beatles Ed Sullivan performance, fall of the Berlin Wall, Groucho Marx in The Mikado, Martha Graham dancing Appalachian Spring, or the first Honeymooners episode. More than YouTube, you'll find on demand radio and tv from 1944 to today, both curated and free style. This free museum just off 5th Avenue also has special exhibits and a gaming room - great place to take a break and let the kids play VR or video games. Donate if you want to keep this broadcast archive alive and well.
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Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buenas tardes. En ese lugar se puede jugar videojuegos en Xbox u otro tipo de plataforma? Gracias
Written August 24, 2019
Hi we are planning on to visit New York City in the couple of weeks kids to see this museum They are teenagers I remember back in the 90s when it was Tv broadcast museum. My question is What are what kind of old shows do you have? Do you have any shows from back in the 80s? Thanks.
Written March 3, 2019
Im a big fan of Saturday night live and have found its hard to find any seasons to watch other then the first five or the last 12 or so (on hulu)...would they have access to something like most episodes of a show like Saturday night live? Thanks.
Written December 29, 2018
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