• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
museums

Why New Yorkers Are Going Crazy for This New Ice Cream Museum

By
Christina Austin
Christina Austin
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Christina Austin
Christina Austin
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 2, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Dangling light fixtures created by artist Alex Garnett in a room dedicated to ice cream cones during a press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream in New York.
Dangling light fixtures created by artist Alex Garnett in a room dedicated to ice cream cones during a press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream in New York, July 28, 2016. The sold-out spectacle uses art installations mixed with taste experiments to tap into childlike memories of summer days and ice cream cones. (George Etheredge/The New York Times)George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

The opening of the pop-up Museum of Ice Cream in New York clearly has been highly anticipated. The 30,000 tickets available—at $18 a person—sold out in 5 days. For a museum—especially a new, temporary one—that’s quite a feat. So what drove all of the excitement for the museum, which opened July 29?

From walls covered with waffle cones to a pool full of (non-edible) sprinkles, the museum offers ice cream aficionados a little bit of everything. And not to mention, a truly Instagrammable locale. Mary Ellis Bunn, a 24-year-old creative strategist, told The New York Times she and her boyfriend founded the museum as a “passion project,” though the museum also has 30 corporate sponsors, including the chocolate brand Dove.

The museum closes Aug. 31. Can’t make it there in person? Check out these photos.

Museum of IcecreamIce-cream cones covered one wall inside of the Museum of Ice Cream.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

Museum of IcecreamEdible balloons made of sugar were inflated with helium during the press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

Museum of IcecreamA sea-saw built to look like an ice cream scooper.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

Attendees pass through the chocolate room, where projections of liquid chocolate swirl along the wall, during a press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream in New York.Attendees pass through the chocolate room, where projections of liquid chocolate swirl along the wall.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

Attendees play and take photos in a pool of non-edible sprinkles during a press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream in New York.Attendees play and take photos in a pool of non-edible sprinkles.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

PJ Linden's "Sundae Stag" at the Museum of Ice Cream in New York.PJ Linden’s “Sundae Stag” at the Museum of Ice Cream.George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

An attendee scoops vegetable shortening laced with sugar to deposit it into "The World's Largest Ice Cream Sundae" during a press preview of the Museum of Ice Cream in New York.An attendee scoops vegetable shortening laced with sugar to deposit it into “The World’s Largest Ice Cream Sundae.”George Etheredge — The New York Times/Redux

About the Author
By Christina Austin
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.