The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC is officially sold out until September 4th.
But I was lucky to pick up a ticket, because I’ve had my eye on this museum for awhile now (full disclosure: I’m an ice cream addict). And was it absolutely amazing? Yes.
If you missed out, here’s my version of a guided tour to this Instagrammable ice cream fantasy land:
Entrance
Photo courtesy of newyork.cbslocal.com
Opening day was unticketed; which means, in other words, it was madness. Luckily, I had tickets, and didn’t go on opening day. So this line above didn’t exist.
Located on 100 Gansevoort St in the Meatpacking District, the Museum is across from the Whitney and next to the High Line entrance. Ideal. We got there 20 minutes early expecting a line, but there wasn’t any, and the girl at the entrance scanned our QR coded tickets and let us in almost immediately.
Off to a good start.
The first room
Photo by Sophia Chiang
A pretty dope neon side invites you inside the Museum, and what’s first?
Of course, ice cream. So you pick up your sample ice cream — they call it a “palette cleanser,” but since when did Good Humor king size ice cream cones count as palette cleansers, may I ask? Anyways, tho, no complaints. Even my mom, who typically dislikes all things cold, ate the entire thing. It helped it was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside and we had just walked several miles, though.
Helium balloon room
Photo courtesy of @museumoficecream on Instagram
So this was one of the major attractions of the Museum (aside from the sprinkle pool, which of course I’ll get to l8r). I loved it, 11 year old sister was so crazy about it she got 2, and mom hated it, #lame.
But anyways, it’s a helium filled balloon made of sugar so it’s cool to suck out the helium and hear your voice go Alvin & the Chipmunks. However, the balloon isn’t really edible; it’s just really sticky.
Photo by Sophia Chiang
On the other hand there’s super cool art in the room and it’s really cool to look at while everyone else is busy Instagramming and Boomerang-ing (srsly, what else is there to do?).
Sundae room
Photo by Sophia Chiang
Next they invite you to help them create the world’s largest ice cream sundae. They will also pepper you with cool facts like “did you know the Chinese were the first to create ice cream?” Well, according to Wikipedia, it was the Ancient Greeks, but #whatevs.
The world’s largest sundae is somehow inedible because it doesn’t melt. According to them, it’s an enzyme that’s added to the ice cream to keep it from melting (but it’s still edible, apparently?!?). Somehow, that didn’t really stack up to me. According to alternative sources, it’s vegetable lard laced with sugar. Ew.
Chocolate room
Photo courtesy of @museumoficecream on Instagram
I think they tried to go Willy Wonka here, and it kinda fell short. I really wanted to love it. And if you know me well, you’d know that I love chocolate. So. Much. I can’t even make a Tesco run without picking up peanut M&M’s to-go (and God help me if they’re on sale).
It was vaguely nauseating, with walls dripping reminiscent of a “chocolate fountain.” And where is the actual chocolate fountain?? There were some free Dove samples to try, but overall, I wasn’t incredibly impressed with this room.
Sprinkle pool
Photo courtesy of @museumoficecream on Instagram
Hell yes.
Some people hated it, but honestly, what did you expect? An Olympic sized pool?? Being a swimmer, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to swim in a pool made of something other than water. I once had a dream of swimming in mashed potatoes. Ultimate goals.
But anyways, this is probably the closest to reality to that dream I could get, so I was pretty content. Also, it’s way deeper than you think it’s going to be. And once you get out, you can get some Dylan’s Candy Bar treats. I kinda wish I could hang out in there all day, tho. It’s pretty relaxing. And mom? She loved it too.
Second ice cream tasting
Photo courtesy of @museumoficecream on Instagram
They have a really cool art installation that makes it look like a hand is coming out of nowhere and feeding you more ice cream. I love the concept.
They served Black Tap Milkshakes this time around, and it was really dang good. I’ve never had Black Tap before so I was happy to try. The consensus? Sister & I loved it, Mom thought it was too sweet and passed.
Tinder playground
Photo courtesy of @museumoficecream on Instagram
Ok, I don’t get it.
What does a dating app have to do with ice cream? Personally, I actually associate ice cream with single-ness. What do I do after a bad breakup? Curl up with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Sad, will be single forever, I’ll buy a million cats moods? Eat a ton of Haagen-Daz.
Idk, but at least the see-saw was cool. But personally, I would’ve repurposed it for something else (perhaps, another edible interaction).
Overall consensus
Photo by Sophia Chiang
The Museum is fosho worth the $18 (or $30 for a double ticket) face value. You get a good amount of freebies, fun attractions, and photo worthy moments. But I certainly wouldn’t pay what people are asking for on resale.
I wish it were less crowded so you could enjoy the attractions slightly more, but obviously it’s a sold out attraction so it’s going to be a bit full. But the attractions certainly live up to the hype, and it’s a pretty unique museum to visit. Even mom, a professed non-ice cream fan, enjoyed it (and took so many photos she ran out of space on her phone). Overall, we all enjoyed it and it’s an excellent way to spend an hour. Viva ice cream!!