Are you looking for something unique that’s both family-friendly and educational? Try your hand at Spyscape and see if you and your family have what it takes to enter the wonderful world of espionage. I visited recently to see if I have any potential as an intelligence agent. Here’s what I discovered.
Spyscape tickets can be purchased as part of your New York Pass, a savvy choice that gets you into over 100 attractions in and around the city. On my visit, I utilized a gifted New York Pass for quick and easy access with the Go City app and my QR code. It’s a smart way to make the most of your time in New York.
Explore the Hidden World of Espionage
Upon entry, guests receive a wristband with a QR code to help identify them as new recruits. From here, guests underte a series of unique (and fun) tests via kiosks and live-action simulators. Some activities are purely thought-provoking, while others may require a little more movement (on my visit, I had low mobility but still managed to get around easily and enjoy all of the tests).
Some tests require mathematical thought, reason and critical thinking, and other educationally based thought processes. Or if you’re feeling lazy like me, you can always guess but know that wrong answers may count against you. Other tests rely on the more exciting aspects of intelligence like coding, lying (and, conversely, lie detecting), agility, and more. While I managed to detect lies in each test, the system asked if I was a robot when it couldn’t detect my lies. It was a moment of triumph, a sign of my intelligence. Do I have a future as an AI???
Between the various interactive portions of the exhibit, you’ll find more of the standard museum exhibits and items. Props and costumes from multiple spy films, informational placards about the history of espionage, etc. It’s a fun way to remember some of the best spy films that evolved over the years into what we see today. The exhibit also delves into the real-life aspects of espionage and the risks many agents took during wars throughout history.
If you’re a lover of more modern spy and heist films, this next room is for you. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at moving gracefully through a laser field? Now’s your chance. This room tests your agility to its fullest and is one of the most fun and entertaining parts of the experience. Push buttons throughout the room while avoiding the lasers—those take seconds off your time, and your score is partly based on your time. Ensure your email address at entry was correct—you’ll receive an email recap with surveillance footage of your test. It’s a fantastic keepsake!
In the last room, you will want to scan your QR code one last time to see how your skills added up and what type of agent you match up to! I got an intelligence agent explaining the selection based on my skills. Hmmmm, new career change? Spyscape is an exhibit you’ll want to visit again and again!
