Step into a world where the hum of vintage bus engines and the shine of polished chrome transport you to a bygone era, filling you with a warm, nostalgic longing for NYC’s transit history. The NYC Bus Festival, hosted by the New York Transit Museum, is a celebration of the city’s iconic buses, happening on September 14, 2025, at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 from 10 AM to 5 PM. This visitors guide will walk you through what it is, how it started, and how tourists and locals can enjoy this free, family-friendly event in Brooklyn!
The NYC Bus Festival is a one-day event where you can board historic buses from the 1940s to 1980s, learn about NYC’s transit past, and enjoy food and activities. It’s a chance to feel the city’s heartbeat through its buses, which carried generations of New Yorkers. Ready to hop on board?
What Is the NYC Bus Festival?
The NYC Bus Festival, organized by the New York Transit Museum, showcases a fleet of restored buses that once rolled through Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond. You’ll climb aboard classics like the 1950s GM buses with green cushioned seats or the 1980s RTS models, each sparking a nostalgic connection to NYC’s past. The event includes guided tours, photo ops, and kid-friendly activities like bus-themed crafts.
Held at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1, 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, it’s free and open to all ages. Arrive by 10 AM via the A train to High Street for the full experience. Don’t miss the vintage bus horns—such a fun sound!
How It Started
The NYC Bus Festival began in 1993 as a small exhibit by the New York Transit Museum to celebrate the city’s transit legacy. It grew into a major annual event, drawing thousands to honor the buses that shaped NYC’s streets from the early 20th century. You’ll love how it connects you to the stories of drivers and riders from decades past.
The museum, founded in 1976 in a decommissioned subway station, uses the festival to share its mission of preserving transit history. Locals can volunteer to guide tours, while tourists learn about NYC’s growth. Isn’t it cool how buses tell the city’s story?
What Happens at the Festival
At the NYC Bus Festival, you’ll wander through rows of vintage buses parked along Pier 1, each with signs detailing their history, like the 1960s Fishbowl bus with its curved windows. You can sit in the driver’s seat, ring the bell, and snap photos, feeling the nostalgic thrill of a time when these buses ruled the streets. Food trucks serve classics like bagels and hot dogs, while live bands play retro tunes.
The event runs from 10 AM to 5 PM, with kid zones offering face painting and model bus crafts. Arrive early via the 2 train to Clark Street to beat crowds. Don’t miss the free museum pop-up with old transit maps!
How Tourists Can Enjoy It
As a tourist, you’ll find the NYC Bus Festival a unique way to connect with NYC’s transit heritage, surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. You can board buses like the 1948 Flxible Clipper, touch the vintage leather seats, and hear stories from museum guides about the city’s commuting past. The festival’s free entry and food stalls with pretzels and empanadas make it budget-friendly and fun for all ages.
Take the F train to York Street and arrive by 10 AM to enjoy the opening ceremony. Pair your visit with a walk across the nearby Brooklyn Bridge. Got kids? They’ll love the bus-themed coloring stations!
How Locals Can Enjoy It
Locals, you’ll feel a proud connection to NYC at the Bus Festival, reminiscing about rides on buses like the 1970s GM New Look while sharing stories with neighbors. You can volunteer as a guide, chat with museum staff about restoration, or enjoy live jazz that evokes the city’s vintage vibe. The festival’s community feel, with kids running around and vendors selling local treats like knishes, makes it a perfect day out.
Head over via the 3 train to Borough Hall around 11 AM for a relaxed visit. Check the Transit Museum’s website for volunteer sign-ups. Bring a hat for sunny September weather!
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Charm
Brooklyn Bridge Park, at 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, hosts the festival with its sprawling lawns and waterfront views, creating a nostalgic setting that feels like a step back in time. You’ll love the open space for picnics, food trucks offering tacos and ice cream, and the chance to see the Statue of Liberty from afar. The park’s playgrounds and carousel keep kids entertained while adults enjoy bus tours.
Arrive via the A train to High Street around noon for peak festival energy. Don’t miss the vintage bus parade at 2 PM. Pets are welcome on leashes, adding to the fun!
New York Transit Museum
Visit the New York Transit Museum at 99 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM, to complement your festival experience with its vintage subway cars and bus exhibits. You’ll feel the nostalgic pull of NYC’s transit history through displays of old fare boxes and driver uniforms, perfect for all ages. The gift shop offers retro bus models and maps, great for souvenirs.
Take the 2 train to Borough Hall and go around 1 PM for a quieter visit. Pair it with a coffee from Brooklyn Roasting Company nearby. The museum is family-friendly, but pets stay outside.
Food and Drinks at the Festival
Savor the festival’s food scene with trucks like King David Tacos serving breakfast tacos or Van Leeuwen Ice Cream offering creamy scoops, evoking nostalgic street fair vibes. You’ll love the variety, from hot pretzels to Dominican empanadas, with picnic tables for relaxing by the waterfront. Vendors often include local Brooklyn favorites, adding authenticity.
Arrive by 12 PM via the F train to York Street to beat food lines. Bring cash for some trucks and a blanket for picnicking. Kid-friendly options like hot dogs are plentiful!
Vintage Bus Tours and Exhibits
The festival’s highlight is climbing aboard vintage buses, like the 1956 GM Transit Bus, where you can sit in retro seats and hear guides share stories of NYC’s commuting days. You’ll love the free mini-tours around Pier 1, with buses honking and engines rumbling, creating a nostalgic time capsule. Exhibits include old tickets and driver logs, fascinating for history buffs.
Join tours around 11 AM via the 3 train to Borough Hall for shorter waits. Don’t miss the photo booth with bus backdrops. Family-friendly, but pets stay off buses.
Broadway Show: MJ the Musical
After the festival, catch MJ the Musical at the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, Manhattan, with shows at 7 PM or 8 PM in September 2025. This 2.5-hour show celebrates Michael Jackson’s legacy with dazzling choreography, evoking nostalgic memories of 1980s NYC. It’s family-friendly for ages 8 and up, with vibrant sets that pop.
Book tickets via tickets.visitnyc.com and take the 1 train to 50th Street. Don’t miss the iconic dance sequences. Grab a smoothie from Juice Generation nearby before the show.
Stay at The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
Rest at The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, 123 Nassau Street, Manhattan, with vintage-inspired rooms and a stunning atrium, perfect for your festival trip. The elegant decor, with leather armchairs and old-world charm, evokes nostalgic NYC glamour, while the restaurant serves French-inspired dishes like croque monsieur. Book online and take the 2 train to Fulton Street for easy festival access.
Don’t miss the rooftop bar’s city views or the lobby’s transit-themed art. Family-friendly with cribs, pets not allowed. Enjoy a pastry from Le Pain Quotidien nearby.
Your Unforgettable NYC Bus Festival Experience
The NYC Bus Festival on September 14, 2025, at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a nostalgic celebration of NYC’s transit history, perfect for tourists and locals. This travel guide highlights vintage buses, food, and Broadway shows today like MJ the Musical, plus top sightseeing in Brooklyn for a memorable day. Visit VisitNYC.com to plan more fall activities and make lasting memories!
