Museum of the Moving Image

• The Museum of the Moving Image is temporarily closed. The core exhibits reopen in early 2009, and the rest in late 2009.

The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, celebrates the history, technology, and art of movies. It is a great museum with a balance of hands-on activities and information that will interest youngsters and adults. On the weekends enjoy a movie screening (usually classic or foreign) in the Rilkis Theater.

The first floor has a gallery of temporary exhibits, a Museum of the Moving Image Store, a cafe, and the entrance to the Riklis Theater. The upper floors house the permanent exhibits.

Museum of the Moving Image Exhibits:

Become part of the movie-making experience through interactive exhibits:

• Dub your own voice into a classic movie scene, like Dorothy arriving in the Land of Oz.
• Add sound effects to a movie scene. Try to turn The Terminator into a crass comedy.
• Experiment with motion. Make a short film of yourself dancing. At the Museum Store, you can buy a flip-book of your motions ($2.50).

Also enjoy exhibits of movie star wardrobes, photos, music, special effects masks, and memorabilia.

Movies in the Riklis Theater:

Classics and other interesting films are shown each weekend, and some weekdays, in the Rilkis Theater at the Museum of the Moving Image.

• Screenings are free with regular admission to the Museum (see below).
• Rilkis Theater's schedule is updated weekly.

Online Exhibits: The online exhibits are also worth checking out (via broadband Internet). The Pinewood Dialogues are recorded conversations with directors, actors, and others in film, such as Martin Scorsese and Mike Nichols.

Hours and Admission - Museum of the Moving Image:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. (free after 4 p.m.)
• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday: closed

• Schedule for Film Screenings
• Student Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission:

• Adults - $10
• Senior Citizens and College Students - $7.50
• Children (5-18) - $5
• Museum members - Free
• For group and school visits, call 718-784-4520
• Entrance is free on Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Museum of the Moving Image Address and Phone Number:

The Museum of the Moving Museum is located in Astoria, just north of Long Island City. It's a close walk to the subway and many restaurants. Next door to the Museum is the Kaufman Astoria Studios where movies and television shows are filmed.

• 35 Avenue at 36 Street
• Astoria, NY 11106
• (718) 784-0077
• (718) 784-4520 - For wheelchair accessibility information.
• Yahoo's map to the Museum

Food and Drink:

The Museum of the Moving Image's Cafe serves sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and drinks. It is convenient and clean, but bland.

The surrounding neighborhood offers extremely diverse dining options. Within blocks there are Italian and Greek bakeries, and restaurants offering cuisine from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Thailand, Mexico, Greece, Brazil, and the Mideast.

Arham Thai Restaurant (32-05 36 Ave) is a good choice for a casual meal. Entrees are $6-$9 with fried fish dishes starting at $12.

Driving Directions to Museum of the Moving Image:

• Triborough Bridge: Exit at 31 St (first exit in Queens). Go right onto 31 St (under subway). At 35 Ave, turn left and continue to 36 St.
• Grand Central (west): Exit at Hoyt Ave (last exit in Queens). Turn left onto 31 Street (under subway). Turn left onto 35 Ave and continue to 36 Street.
• BQE (west): Exit at Northern Blvd and go left (west) on Northern. Turn right onto 35 Ave (intersection at 45 degree angle) and continue to 36 St.
• Parking: There is metered parking on streets in the area.
• Map

Getting to the Museum of the Moving Image by Public Transportation:

• Subway:
  • Take the N or W subways (weekdays only for the W) to 36 Ave (at 31 St). Walk north to 35 Ave. Turn right and walk east to the Museum entrance at 36 St.
  • Take the R, V, or G subways (weekdays only for the V) (weekends only for the G) to Steinway St (at Broadway). Walk south on Steinway to 35 Ave. Turn right and walk west to the Museum entrance at 36 St.
• Buses:
  • From Manhattan, take the Q101 to 35 Ave. Walk west on 35 Ave to the Museum entrance at 36 St.
  • From Flushing, take the Q66 to Steinway St at 35 Ave. Walk west on 35 Ave to the Museum entrance at 36 St.
• Map