Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City

Sensory-Friendly Escapes: Exploring New York City’s Best Spaces for Children with Autism | New York City, often dubbed “the city that never sleeps,” pulses with energy, sound, and color — features that make the city a global hotspot for cultural exploration. For families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who may experience sensory sensitivities, the hustle and bustle of city life might be overwhelming at times. However, the beautiful thing about NYC’s diversity is its abundance of sensory-friendly spaces that encompass calming environments, hands-on learning, and an understanding of the unique needs of children with ASD. Here’s a list of some of these fantastic escapes in the city:

1. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The Intrepid Museum offers Early Morning Openings and Sensory Friendly Evenings for individuals with ASD and their families^[LINK]. These events allow visitors to experience the museum in a comfortable setting before it opens to the public, with adjusted lighting and decreased noise levels. The staff also undergoes training to better support families during these events.

2. Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City | New Victory Theater

The New Victory Theater offers ‘Autism-Friendly’ performances throughout the year^[link]. These performances promise a gentle environment, including modifications to sound and lighting, alongside a designated calming area stocked with sensory tools.

3. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Brooklyn Children’s Museum offers Sensory Room experiences tailored for children with disabilities^[SEE]. The Sensory Room includes a relaxing environment equipped with interactive activities and equipment like bubble tubes, wall puzzles, and weighted vests.

Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City

4. Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City | American Museum of Natural History

The museum offers The Discovery Squad tour, an initiative for families affected by ASD^[AMNH]. The tour is laid out across the museum’s exhibits before the regular opening hours, ensuring a quieter and more personal experience.

5. Central Park

Central Park, with its lush green spaces away from the city’s clamor, offers a sensory-friendly escape within the city. Children can explore nature, feed ducks by the pond, or simply enjoy space to move freely.

6. WonderWorks

During Sensory Days, exhibits at WonderWorks are carefully adapted to provide a soothing experience with reduced stimulation. The music in the facility is turned down, visually overwhelming exhibits are paused, and their usually dizzying inversion tunnel rests for a while. This thoughtful gesture creates a welcoming and pleasurable environment for individuals with special needs, allowing them to freely enjoy the magic of WonderWorks without any sensory overload. During these special events, families and caretakers can accompany their loved ones at a nominal cost of $10 per person, as part of WonderWorks’ commitment to create memorable experiences for all. More information is available at Sensory Days at WonderWorks.

Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City | Let’s delve into additional gems that make the city uniquely accommodating for children with ASD and their families.

7. Staten Island Children’s Museum

The Staten Island Children’s Museum is another wonderful destination, offering “Cool School Holiday” events designed to be low-stimulus and less crowded^{[Staten Island Museum]}. These events provide children with ASD a more enjoyable and less overwhelming museum experience, including sensory-friendly activities that engage without overstimulating.

8. The New York Transit Museum

Transportation enthusiasts can enjoy the “Subway Sleuths” program at the New York Transit Museum. This program is specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum, aiming to foster a love for transit through collaborative play and exploration in a sensory-sensitive environment^{[NY Transit Museum]}.

9. Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City | Queens Museum

The “Art for Autism” program at Queens Museum offers workshops specially designed for children with autism and their families^{[Queens Museum]}. These workshops enable families to explore museum galleries in a supportive environment before engaging in hands-on art-making activities in a quiet, sensory-friendly space.

10. New York Hall of Science

At the New York Hall of Science, “Early Access STEM Mornings” allow children with ASD to explore exhibits before the general public. This provides a quieter environment for sensory-sensitive guests to interact with the science exhibits without the usual crowds and noise^{[NY Hall of Science]}.

Sensory-Friendly Activities in New York City

11. Chuck E. Cheese’s Sensory Sensitive Sundays

Not exactly a museum or a park, but worth mentioning: several Chuck E. Cheese locations in New York City offer Sensory Sensitive Sundays. This event occurs on the first Sunday of every month, providing a reduced light and noise environment for children with special needs^{[Chucky Cheese]}.

12. The Children’s Museum of the Arts

The Children’s Museum of the Arts offers exclusive “Inclusive Saturdays”, providing children with disabilities and their families special access to the museum’s interactive workshops and activities. These sessions are tailored to provide a calm and less crowded environment so children can explore their creativity comfortably^{[link to CMA]}.

New York City’s breadth of sensory-friendly offerings doesn’t stop there. From peaceful parks to engaging workshops, the city boasts even more havens for families seeking environments that cater to the needs of children with ASD. Here are additional venues and programs designed with sensory sensitivity in mind:

13. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

MoMA offers “Art inSight” and “Create Ability” programs, specifically designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities and various disabilities^{[link to MoMa]}. These programs provide more than just a quieter visit to the museum; they are immersive experiences that allow attendees to engage with art in ways that are mindful of their sensory needs.

14. SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery

The SeaGlass Carousel is a unique and visually stunning ride that offers a sensory-friendly experience amidst the hustle and bustle of Manhattan^[link]. With its gentle movements and captivating underwater lighting effects, it’s designed to be enjoyable without overwhelming the senses — a magical experience for children and adults alike.

15. Wave Hill Public Gardens

Wave Hill Public Gardens offer a tranquil escape with stunning views over the Hudson River^{[check it out]}. Their sensory-friendly workshops and garden tours provide a calm environment for children to connect with nature. The lush, welcoming environment of the gardens will enable kids to explore without the sensory overload often experienced in urban settings.

16. Cinema for All

Several movie theaters in New York City have adopted sensory-friendly film screenings, where the lights are turned up slightly, and the sound is turned down. This initiative caters not just to children with ASD but also to anyone who finds regular screenings a bit too overwhelming. AMC Theatres, for example, have teamed up with the Autism Society to offer “Sensory Friendly Films”^[cinema].

17. LEGO® Store Sensory Friendly Shopping Hours

Select LEGO® stores in New York City offer special shopping hours that are sensory-friendly, designed to provide a more comfortable environment for children with autism and their families. During these hours, the stores may reduce lighting, turn down music and minimize other sensory stimuli⁵.

18. Sensory-Friendly Music Concerts

Various organizations and venues, such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, occasionally present sensory-friendly concerts. These concerts feature performances in a supportive environment, allowing for movement, break intervals, and the use of sensory aids^⁶.

Planning Ahead

When planning visits to sensory-friendly locations in New York City, it’s a good practice to check each venue’s website or contact them directly for the most current information and event specifics. Doing so ensures that the experience aligns with your child’s needs, making each adventure enjoyable and memorable for the entire family.

New York City’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility shines through its range of sensory-friendly offerings. These spaces, programs, and initiatives not only make the city more navigable for children with ASD but also highlight the importance of creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Exploring with Care

While these sensory-friendly activities and venues provide inviting options for children with ASD to explore and enjoy, it’s always good practice to call ahead or check the venue’s website for the most current information regarding sensory-friendly events and accessibility accommodations. This ensures a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

New York City’s growing list of sensory-friendly places epitomizes how cities can evolve to become more inclusive, embracing the diverse needs of all their residents and visitors — truly making it a city that all can call home.

Links:

Staten Island Children’s Museum

MoMA Accessibility

SeaGlass Carousel
Wave Hill
AMC Sensory Friendly Films

LEGO® Store – Contact your local store directly for event details. ↩
Check individual venue websites like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for upcoming sensory-friendly events. ↩

Resources on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in New York State:

Autism Speaks: An esteemed organization that provides various resources for those affected by autism. They offer a diverse range of support, including research, advocacy, and resources for families and individuals living with autism^[link].
The New York State Department of Health: They have a comprehensive section dedicated to ASD, providing information about diagnosis, treatment, and state-provided services. This department also provides guidance for Early Intervention Services particular to state residents^[link].
Project Spectrum: This resource offers a variety of helpful information on autism resources and support specifically within New York State. This includes educational options, recreational opportunities, and local support groups^[3%5E].

IACC – HHS.gov: This resource hub by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides many resources, organized by state, for individuals affected by autism and their families^[4%5E].
NEXT for AUTISM: A nationwide organization that works with various organizations to promote access to effective services for individuals with autism. They have supported programming in more than 36 states, including New York^[link].
NYU Langone Health’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Service: This New York-based health center offers specialized services for individuals with autism, including treatment, resources, and supports^[link].

It’s important to remember that every individual with autism has unique needs. It’s advisable to research and explore the resources available to you, ensuring the services align with your specific requirements.