Offbeat places to catch a movie

69.ar.offbeatmovievenues

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  AMNH IMAX Storm Chasers

  Photograph: Denis Finnin69.mu.amnh01_0.jpg1567711
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  Liberty Science Center

  Photograph: Antony Morales69.mu.libertysciencecenter01_0.JPG1567732
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  The new 264-seat theater designed by Leeser Architecture will be equipped for 35mm, 70mm, or 16mm film, as well as high-definition digital projection, including 3-D. The theater curtain is a specially designed textile by Cindy Sirko. (vuwstudio.com / Museum of the Moving Image)

  Courtesy of The Museum of the Moving Image69.mu.movingimagemuseum02_0.jpg1567753
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  Sony Wonder Tech Lab

  Photograph: Courtesy of Sony Wonder Tech Lab69.mu.sonywondertechlab03_0.jpg1567774

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AMNH IMAX Storm Chasers

Photograph: Denis Finnin

American Museum of Natural History
Adventurous kids can explore the universe, courtesy of Hayden Planetarium’s Journey to the Stars. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, the half-hour show exposes viewers to stunning celestial images. Up the thrill factor by visiting the museum’s 66-foot-wide IMAX theater, where Tornado Alley—a high-octane documentary about storm chasers’ quest to film twisters—runs through January 2012. Space Show: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10:30am–4:30pm; Wed 11am–4:30pm; Sat, Sun 10:30am–5pm. IMAX: Daily 10:30am–4:30pm. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5100, amnh.org). See website for ticket prices.

Central Park Zoo
The zoo’s 4-D theater features two family-friendly films. The BBC’s Planet Earth: Ice Worlds opens little ones’ eyes to polar wildlife, while Dora and Diego’s 4-D Adventure takes kids on a trek through the rain forest with Dora and Diego. Every 15 minutes daily 10am–5:30pm. Central Park Zoo, southeast corner of Central Park, enter at Fifth Ave and 64th St (212-439-6500, centralparkzoo.com). $7 plus zoo admission.

The Moxie Spot
Youngsters won’t miss popcorn when they’re munching on chicken fingers and grilled cheese at this Brooklyn diner. Every Friday evening the restaurant shows a short film followed by a feature-length flick (past titles have included Stuart Little and Despicable Me). The movies are free, but families are, of course, encouraged to buy eats. Fri 6:15pm. The Moxie Spot, 81–83 Atlantic Ave at Hicks St, Brooklyn Heights (718-923-9710, themoxiespot.com). Free.

Museum of Modern Art
Once a month MoMA shows free films just for families. Typically you’ll find a mix of live-action and animated shorts organized around a specific theme (September’s is “musical movies”). Afterward little cinephiles can discuss what they watched with a museum educator. Sept 17 at noon. 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-708-9805, moma.org). Free; advance ticketing required.

Museum of the Moving Image
Kid-geared movie matinees await families at the Astoria museum every Saturday and Sunday. Previous showings have introduced children to different genres, including claymation shorts, sports-themed documentaries and black-and-white classics. Plus, in conjunction with the museum’s Jim Henson exhibit, the upcoming schedule is jam-packed with the puppeteer’s films (Muppets Take Manhattan, The Great Muppet Caper). Sat, Sun 1pm. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave at 37th St (718-784-0077, movingimage.us). Free with museum admission.

National Museum of the American Indian
A variety of short films give children a daily taste of Native American culture. In September, viewers can explore a reservation through the eyes of a Navajo canine with Run Red Walk: A Navajo Sheepdog and watch the dance moves of a Native American kid turned b-boy in Nodin/Wind. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green between State and Whitehall Sts (212-514-3700, nmai.si.edu). Free.

New York Aquarium
After checking out real-life penguins, catch the footloose and feathered characters of Happy Feet in a condensed version of the film. As children watch, multisensory effects—blasts of cold air and snow—whisk them off on a virtual arctic adventure. Every 15 minutes Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat, Sun 10am–5:30pm. New York Aquarium, Surf Ave at 8th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-265-3474, nyaquarium.com). $6 plus aquarium admission.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Stop by the midtown mainstay on most Thursdays and Saturdays, when you’ll find crowd-pleasers for the preschool set (think Dora the Explorer, Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street). Following many screenings, little ones have the option of participating in a related craft. Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Ave at 56th St (212-883-8100, sonywondertechlab.com). Free; advance ticketing required.