Skyscrapers are one of the ultimate expressions of human engineering. A little more than 100 years ago, a 10-story building was impressive. Today, some towers reach more than half a mile high!

Explore the planning, design, engineering and technology of these amazing structures and their effect on human culture, the environment and even local weather patterns.

Whether you’re bravely walking a steel girder high above the exhibition floor, facing down jet-powered hurricane force winds to test a building design, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on stories about the World Trade Center, you’ll leave Skyscraper! with a new appreciation and understanding of the skyline that surrounds us and the people that made it happen.

Exhibition Highlights

Ironworkers need good balance – how’s yours? Step out on a narrow steel beam and Walk the Steel 18 feet above the gallery floor. See height and weight restrictions below.

Test how buildings behave in high winds at a 20-foot long Wind Tunnel. Change the wind speed, alter building models and see what happens when hurricanes blow.

Curtain walls, the outer skin that wraps around a skyscraper’s framework, undergo rigorous tests against the elements before they’re installed. Take part in an immerse demonstration about how real curtain walls are tested while experiencing 100 mph hurricane force winds and rain at the Curtain Wall exhibit.

Young Learners

In Skyscraper!, young visitors can don a hard hat and safety vest as they discover how an elevator works, create their own skyscraper design, build a neighborhood with colorful blocks, load wood chips with a real mini-excavator, and stack blocks using an electromagnetic mini-crane.

Curtain Wall Test: A Hurricane in a Box

See how buildings are tested for weather resistance as you don a poncho and sit in hurricane force 50 mph winds and rain. First-come, first-served. Please check with Liberty Science Center staff for directions on how to sign up.

Walk the Steel

Walking on a narrow steel beam above the gallery floor of Skyscraper! is an exhilarating experience. There is no net, so just like real construction workers, you’ll need to wear a safety harness and meet our height and weight restrictions. No sandals, high heeled shoes or skirts are permitted.

Minimum height: 4 feet

Maximum height: 6 feet 8 inches

Maximum weight: 300 pounds

For your safety, we cannot make exceptions.

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For Educators - Discovery Challenge!

Design a Skyscraper - Grades 3-5

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 that a half-mile high. In this Discovery Challenge based on Skyscraper! Design & Achievement, students will learn about the characteristics of skyscrapers and design their very own.

Our Sponsors

Skyscrapers! Design & Achievement 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.