You’ll soon be able to adventure to Gulliver’s Gate—NYC’s newest Times Square attraction and the United States’ largest (and certainly most impressive) display of miniatures! While you might think that the word “miniature” in this case may imply “small” in terms of exhibit space, let your mind be blown this very minute: The $40 million 50,000-square-foot project will contain roughly 300 models, 1,000 trains and 12,000 wagons, over 10,000 individual cars and trucks (many of which will be moving) at opening, plus a total of 50 airplanes by full completion (and a total of 475 feet of track, too!). Gulliver’s Gate is right in the heart of the Theater District, and it’s anything but pint-sized.
Even before beginning your adventure, you’ll get a sense of the magic at play: Whether you buy an e-ticket or a ticket at the door, you’ll trade that ticket in for a key (it looks like a skeleton key!) with which to “unlock” your adventure (this specific feature begins May 9, though Gulliver’s Gate has its soft opening on April 4, 2017). See below for images of the attraction in progress!
Photograph: Courtesy Gulliver's Gate
Once inside, visitors experience scenes from all over the world (largely in HO scale, 1:87), including our very own Times Square with real miniature LED billboards (and other NYC landmarks), Italy, Russia, Egypt and other beautiful, history-rich areas in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. You’ll also see some creations that are entirely from the minds of the creators, including a room dedicated to the world’s “ideal airport” (without those pesky restrictions, of course). Each regional display is created roughly in that region in real life, so models constructed by experts from all over the world are being shipped right here to NYC! You’ll find plenty of humor across the displays, too (a zombie house and some mummies on the attack in Egypt, for instance), plus everything is in motion—there are plenty of planes, trains and cars to be seen…even boats sailing and Nessie’s head popping out of the water while teeny bystanders snap pictures. You’ll even be able to visit a Gazebo-sized 3-D printing space for "model citizens" where families can walk into a scanner and have version of themselves printed and placed in the exhibit (for a TBD fee). How sweet is that?
Photograph: Courtesy Allie Early
Gulliver’s Gate also seems focused on showing visitors not only that things work, but how they work: There’s a room folks can peer into to see light and sound controls, trains tracking, air traffic control and other cool inner-workings. Towards the end of the experience, children might partake in an activity where they can work together to make a rainbow out of blocks.
Finally, let's talk accessibility. For kids, Gulliver’s Gate will offer viewing areas with steps so everyone can get the best view of the models. Strollers will be allowed, the experience is wheelchair-friendly, and moms will have access to a private nursing station by Mamava should they choose to use it. The attraction also offers a classroom/party space for private events and forthcoming after-school programming (projected for 2018). Additionally, Gulliver’s Gate plans to introduce special sensory-friendly times for those children who want to experience the display but may need some elements toned down for comfort.
Photograph: Courtesy Gulliver's Gate
Happy adventuring! For more info on sweet stuff to do in NYC, visit our list of family attractions and our top 101 things to do with kids in NYC.
Gulliver’s Gate’s soft opening is April 4, 2017. The experience is located at 216 W. 44th St and tickets are on sale now/can be purchased at gulliversgate.com.