One of my favorite things to do in New York City is take advantage of all of the museums, attractions, shows, and pop-up experiences. Last year, I wrote a blog post about the best pop-up exhibits in NYC. Since then, a lot of them have closed, but many new ones have popped up. So I wanted to do a fresh roundup of all the best NYC pop-ups I attended in 2021. I’m thinking this will be an annual series, especially since there are always plenty of awesome pop-up experiences to check out in the city.
Although many of them are built so you can take iconic Instagram photos, they usually also have something to teach you or another part of the experience that is fun and unique. Because I’ve been to countless pop-ups since moving to New York, I’m always comparing them and debating if the price, experience, and photos feel “worth it.” And although many of them are overpriced (I mean, this is New York) I almost never regret having a fun afternoon outside of my apartment with my friends.
7 Best NYC Pop-Ups of 2021
Happy Go Lucky
Location: 32 Mercer Street, Second Floor, New York, NY 10013
General Admission: $35
Dates: Now through Jan. 2, 2022
Instagram: @happygolucky_exhibit
This immersive art exhibition is ideal for anyone who loves to take unique photos. The exhibit uses props, inflatables, lighting, projection, sculptures, and more to make tons of unique photo opportunities. Definitely arrive in an outfit you feel great in, because you’ll probably be leaving with hundreds of photos added to your camera roll. Be prepared to wait in line for some of the more popular installations. While others will be a much quicker experience. Overall, I really liked this one. I felt like there was a lot to see. It’s probably ideal for photographers and content creators, but also totally family-friendly. Since I attended, they’ve also added a holiday twist to some of the installations. And you get complimentary cotton candy!
Pixar Putt
Location: Battery Park
General Admission: ~$40
Dates: CLOSED (but currently open in Houston)
Instagram: @pixarputt
A fun and family-friendly experience that’s great for Disney fans. Although it was smaller than I expected, you are able to play a full 18-hole game of mini golf. Each hole’s design is inspired by a different Pixar movie, including Toy Story, Up, Soul, A Bug’s Life, and more. It was honestly really challenging! We ended up not even keeping score because it was so hard lol. But seeing how creative and unique each hole was was pretty cool.
The Floral Escape
Location: Queens County Farm Museum
General Admission: $20
Dates: CLOSED (but currently open in New Jersey and Miami)
Instagram: @thefloralescape
This is one that you go to strictly for the photo ops. If you like to take pictures, then this is a fun way to get some colorful content on your feed. I actually brought a backpack with an easy outfit change and switched up my look (while standing outside lol). This helped me maximize my content and make the most of all of the different installations. I believe there were about 13? The pictures turned out super cute and the ticket price wasn’t too bad, so I consider this one a win!
Van Gough: The Immersive Experience
Location: 300 Vesey St., New York, NY 10282
General Admission: $45
Dates: Now through ??
Instagram: @vangogh.experience
There’s been a bit of confusion in NYC over the fact that there are two Van Gough exhibits running at the same time. My friend Rachel and I decided to check them both out and compare. This was the first one we attended, and honestly we agreed it was the better of the two. The exhibit features a gallery where you can read and learn about the artist’s different styles and periods. Then, you can enjoy two-story projections of his work (which is very similar to the other exhibit below). There is also a virtual reality experience, but it does have an additional cost so we skipped that part. Towards the end, there is a room where you can color your own Van Gough pictures. Overall, I loved all of the different immersive components and I felt like I actually learned more about the artist.
Original Immersive Van Gogh
Location: Pier 36 NYC
General Admission: $39-$70
Dates: Now through Jan. 2, 2022
Instagram: @goghnyc
If you’re looking for your own Emily in Paris experience, this is it. The full exhibit is three rooms of ceiling-to-floor projections. There’s also mirrored sculptures and a raised platform to give you various viewing experiences. It’s pretty magical to see the art move and come to life. There is also a bar at the entrance if you want to sip on a drink while you enjoy the exhibition. When you reach the end, there is a lounge where you can buy more refreshments and a very elaborate gift shop. However, compared to the other Van Gough exhibit above, this one felt very overpriced. It didn’t really teach you much. It was honestly just pretty to look at. Still cool, but just be aware that it really just rooms of the same art projection that you walk around in.
The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
Location: Pekarna NYC, 594 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
General Admission: $42-$55 (family-friendly sessions are also available)
Dates: Now through Dec. 31, 2022
Instagram: @pekarnanyc
This Alice in Wonderland-inspired pop-up is located underneath Pekarna, a new American restaurant in Manhattan. The price includes four different cocktails and cookies. The servers are theatrical performers who play the roles of the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and other fun characters. They have you solve riddles in order to get the ingredients for one of your cocktails. They also play interactive games with the guests and keep you laughing the entire time. Although the space was a bit small and crowded, the overall experience was pretty cool and unique.
Showstoppers!
Location: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036
General Admission: $35
Dates: CLOSED
Instagram: @showstoppersnyc // @costumeindustrycoalition
This pop-up is a costume exhibition created to help raise money and awareness for the Costume Industry Coalition. The CIC is made up of over 50 small independent businesses and artisans in the New York City area that create and supply costumes for the entertainment industry. This special exhibition displayed beautiful costumes from some of the biggest Broadway shows, including Hamilton, Six, The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, and more. The two-floor exhibit had really great staging that showcased the work of these incredible costume designers in a super cool way. We really took our time going through this exhibit and even took a second lap around. This is such an awesome way to Broadway and fashion lovers to see those beloved, extravagant costumes up close.
Although the exhibit is closed, you can still donate to the CIC any time. Many of its members have faced recent hardships due to the Broadway shutdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What were the best NYC pop-ups you experienced?
