The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is gearing up for a remarkable transformation that’s bound to capture the imagination of families. The museum plans to relocate to a sprawling 80,000-square-foot former church on the West Side of Central Park, where it will be reimagined as a seven-story “magical castle” tailored for children.
Location details reveal that this exciting new venue will be situated at 361 Central Park West, on the historic grounds of the First Church of Christ. According to Time Out, the design for the new facility, set to open its doors in 2028, promises a plethora of attractions, including a performance venue, a teaching kitchen, a café, adaptable event spaces, a rooftop terrace, and much more.
In a recent feature by The New York Times, Laurie M. Tisch, chairwoman of the museum’s founding board, announced her generous $50 million donation to advance this project. Tisch expressed her excitement about a unique program that will enable incarcerated parents from Rikers Island to spend quality time with their children at the museum. With the new location expected to double visitor capacity, it will also offer a broader array of activities designed for children aged 10 and under.
Time Out pointed out that the transformation of an abandoned church into a massive playground for kids is an impressive idea, even for those who don’t have children.
Currently, the Children’s Museum is located at 212 West 83rd Street and operates from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. For further details, you can check out their website at https://cmom.org.
