New York City Sights

Guidebooks

Mobile App

New York City Guide App Download Fodor's City Guide App for FREE!

The Paley Center for Media

Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  

The Paley Center for Media Review

With three galleries of photographs and artifacts that document the history of broadcasting, a computerized catalog of more than 150,000 television and radio programs, and public seminars, lectures, and programs, the Paley Center for Media examines the past and constantly-evolving present state of media. The past is the main draw here. If you want to see a performance of "Turkey Lurkey Time" from the 1969 Tony Awards, for example, type the name of the song, show, or performer into a computer terminal, then proceed to one of the semiprivate screening areas to watch your selection. People nearby might be watching classic comedies from the '50s, miniseries from the '70s, or news broadcasts from the '90s. Possibly the most entertaining part of these TV shows from yesteryear is the fact that the original commercials are still embedded in many of the programs; if ads are your thing you can also skip the programming altogether and watch compilations of classic commercials.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 25 W. 52nd St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West, New York, NY, 10019 | Map It
  • Phone: 212/621-6800
  • Cost: $10
  • Hours: Wed., Fri., Sat., and Sun. noon--6, Thurs. noon--8
  • Website: www.paleycenter.org
  • Subway: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.; B, D, F, V to 47th--50th Sts./Rockefeller Center.
  • Location: Midtown West
Write a review

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  
  • Experience  
    Ease  
    Value  
    Don't Miss  

    A place to see classic TV shows, not a traditional museum

    This isn't a traditional museum, as there's almost nothing in the way of exhibits. But if you want to see old, hard to locate TV items you can't find on DVD, chances are excellent they're here. You go to their library, search up items you want to see on a computer database, that select what you want to see. The programs are then cued up to watch at a terminal. Fine for what it is, if a little overpriced -- if you go, plan to stay a while to get your money's worth.

    by bachslunch, 4/26/09

Add your own review

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

· Browse New York City sights

By Location

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas

Travel Deals in New York City

View all travel deals
* Some taxes, fees additional

· Forums Trip Reports

View more trip reports

·

  • JFK to Upper West Side by subway

    Someone please remind me how, if I start on the JFK airtrain to Jamaica Station, I think I took the E subway from there to connect somehow to a 1,2,3 uptown to 98th and Broadway...thanks Read more

View more travel discussions

· News & Features

View more blog stories