You don’t have to travel to Universal Studios or Disney’s Epcot to experience an epic theme park-style soaring ride. New York City’s first-ever flight simulation ride, RiseNY, is a state-of-the-art flying theater offering a view of the Big Apple unlike any other and it officially opens on March 2.
RiseNY is a first-of-its-kind attraction combining museum exhibit galleries with a ride where guests experience the feeling of flight as they soar above New York City. Once onboard, guests will be lifted 30 feet into the air and hang suspended as they glide over NYC’s skyline and iconic landmarks while inside a 180-degree, 40-foot projection dome featuring 8K aerial footage that creates the sensation of flight. Full motion seats dip, turn and soar, while wind, mist and scents make the experience even more realistic. Riders will listen to Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York” and Frank Sinatra’s “(Theme From) New York” as they see the city’s most famous sites.
“I was inspired after riding ‘Soarin’ Over California’ in Disneyland with my son, and always thought, wouldn’t it be amazing to fly over and around NYC?” said James Sanna, President and CEO of Running Subway, the New York-based entertainment production company that created and produced RiseNY. “And now, over a decade later, we’ve been able to tap into the latest technology and advancements to create an experience unique to the city I love.”
The experience begins with a film by award-winning documentarians Ric Burns and James Sanders which is narrated by actor Jeff Goldblum. The film showcases NYC’s history, specifically Times Square. It chronicles the creation of the city’s first subway station at City Hall circa 1904, which transforms into a fully immersive theater with visual and special effects.
Once the film ends, a subway car virtually transports guests to the galleries. The exhibit has seven galleries focused on finance, skyline, TV/radio, fashion, music, Broadway and film in New York City. Each has historic artifacts, celeb memorabilia and educational displays. Highlights include Madonna’s custom Keith Haring jacket, Springsteen’s original guitar that he used to write “Born to Run,” and a statue of Alexander Hamilton commissioned by his son.
The experience ends with the theme park-style soaring ride. “RiseNY is a unique and exhilarating attraction at the heart of New York City,” said Ric Burns. “It’s an incredible love letter to the world’s greatest city and encapsulates the beating heart, and hub, and dazzling point of convergence that is New York. We’ve been thrilled to have a small part in this adventure, which promises to put a smile on the face of everyone who sails through.”
RiseNY (160 West 45th Street) will be open every day except Tuesdays. Hours are from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Last tickets are sold 60 minutes prior to closing.
Tickets for RiseNY start at $24 and can be purchased on the RiseNY website or at the RiseNY box office. Special prices are also available for children (under 12 years of age), seniors (65+), students (with student ID) and veterans and acting members of the military. Special savings for groups of 10 or more are available with advanced reservations. For more information, visit riseny.co or follow on social media at
instagram.com/risenyofficial, facebook.com/risenyofficial or twitter.com/risenyofficial.