Over spring break, I went to a journalism conference in New York City for the publication I work on, and while I was there, between laying out our magazine and attending keynotes, I venture into the city with my friends. One of the places we went to had been on my NYC bucket list for years: the sex museum. Located in
According to their website, the Museum of Sex’s mission statement is “to preserve and present the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality. The Museum produces exhibitions, publications and programs that bring the best of current scholarship to the widest possible audiences and is committed to encouraging public enlightenment, discourse and engagement.”
My friend and I ventured through the doors into a modest gift shop where we then bought our tickets, including a $10 sparkly cocktail called a Rim Job that we would receive at the end of our trip. At first, we thought we’d be able to walk through the exhibits with it, but it’s a good thing we didn’t have that option, for a few reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, spilling it would be terrible. Secondly, we got to bounce on boobs, ride a vibrating bull, and see historical sex toys. Alongside this, we also got to experience an abstract orgasm via immersive video experience, and look at contemporary feminist art.
So, not only did the Museum of Sex have all these super awesome historical and contemporary items and information, but there was also this area called Super Funland, where we got to experience adult carnival, essentially. We got to play games, including jacking off some dicks in a bathroom stall for a small plush keychain. We also got to get married at the Autowed, where we were given rings and a certificate, alongside a texted photo of my friend and me about to kiss (speaking of—there was a photo booth inside the gift shop, where we actually did have an accidental smooch for a picture).
Once we decided we were done playing our games, we climbed up to the slide, which spit us out back near the gift shop, where we could receive our cocktails, filled with sparkles, and play more games, including posing on a stripper pole and getting our fortune read by Rupaul. It was as if every corner we took, there was something more to do. We easily spent a few hours in there. I was nervous about this museum at first, since I didn’t know what to expect, although I did expect a lot for over $30. I can gladly say I enjoyed my experience and it was 100% worth it.
Some of my favorite things in the gift shop were the sexual enhancers, weather smoked or swallowed, the furry art, and the plush toys with strap ons? Very interesting, quirky belongings in this store. And, if you must know, I did end up finally purchasing the rose while I was there.
If this museum has been on your list for a while, I highly recommend it; not only for fun but for historical, cultural, and contextual perspective, as well as sex education. And, duh, you can get a sparkly cocktail!
Read more about the Museum of Sex here.