Skyscraper!

A spectacular view of the world

Skyscrapers are perhaps the ultimate expression of human engineering. A little more than 100 years ago, a 10-story building was considered an impressive feat. Today, towers under construction in several parts of the world are expected to reach more than half a mile high. At 12,800 square feet, Liberty Science Center’s Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact is the most comprehensive single exhibition ever presented on the topic.

Skyscraper! gives you an unprecedented look at the planning, design, engineering and technology of these amazing structures – and their impact on human culture, the environment and even our weather. Whether you’re bravely walking a steel girder high above the exhibit floor, facing down jet-powered hurricane force winds to test a building design, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on the destruction of the World Trade Center, you’ll leave Skyscraper! with a new appreciation – and completely altered view – of the impressive skyline that surrounds us.

Exhibition Highlights

► Soaring Structures
Explore a cityscape that features large-scale images and information about the world’s most intriguing skyscrapers. Some are up to 30 feet tall!

Wind Tunnel
How do buildings behave in high winds? Find out with the aid of this 20-foot long wind tunnel. Change the wind speed, alter building models and see what happens when hurricanes blow.

► Walk the Steel
Ironworkers need good balance – how’s yours? Step out on a narrow steel beam 18 feet in the air and walk high above the gallery floor. There is no net, but like all construction workers in dangerous settings, you’ll wear a safety harness. Click here for height and weight restrictions and clothing guidelines.

Curtain Wall Test
In a storm, will your glass building survive? Step into this massive chamber to challenge hurricane-force winds and water. You’ll get wet, so watch out!

Young Visitors Guide
For our younger guests, Skyscraper! offers a lot of great experiences, including seeing how an elevator works, turning giant mix-and-match towers to create new designs from building parts, planning a neighborhood, watching how shadows change when larger or smaller building are added, and stacking blocks using electromagnetism with a crane simulator. Learn more about opportunities for young guests.

Skyscraper! is made possible by the generosity of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the National Science Foundation, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers District Council of New York City, District Council of Northern New Jersey, District Council of Philadelphia and Vicinity and IMPACT, the New Jersey Carpenter Contractor Trust, the Construction Industry Advancement Program of New Jersey and Komatsu.