A temporary ice cream museum dedicated to all things ice cream is treating visitors to edible balloons, a Chocolate Chamber, a “swim” in a pool of faux rainbow sprinkles and, of course, scoops of heavenly ice cream.
The museum is the brainchild of founder Maryellis Bunn, whose team has produced events for the likes of Facebook, Lightbox, and Refinery 29 and worked with a collective of ice cream–obsessed designers and artists to bring their vision to life. The concept: “deconstructed ice-cream sundae.” With dessert in hand, guests can wade through a swimming pool filled with sprinkles, walk around an immersive chocolate room, and even seesaw on a life-size ice cream scooper.
In the next room, helium-filled, edible balloons produce giggles as visitors’ voices are transformed into high-pitched squeaks.
the Museum of Ice Cream, opens today in the Meatpacking District—a sweet reprieve from the heat wave that has overtaken the city this summer. Dedicated to the season’s tastiest treat, the museum joins such prestigious—not to mention stylish—neighbors as the Whitney and the High Line. The pop-up proves to be a confectionary wonderland, where guests can sample a scoop from local frozen favorites like the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Odd Fellows Co., and then walk through a sensory experience that’s sure to fuel Instagram selfies for the rest of the summer.
The museum opened to the public last Friday. Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. After that, it costs $18 per person or $30 for two. The museum closes Aug. 31.
The biggest attraction is a large pool filled with 11,000 pounds of confetti-colored sprinkles. Visitors can immerse themselves in the fake candy. Posted rules say: “make a wish,” ”dip at your own risk” and “Caution: May cause spontaneous happiness.”
In a nod to Willy Wonka, the Chocolate Chamber is entered through a satiny brown curtain to a musical remix of “Pure Imagination.” A chocolate fountain, free chocolates, cocoa-bean shards on the floor and an immersive chocolate video can be viewed from the comfort of a large bean bag.
Elsewhere, visitors can suck on a dehydrated Miracle Berry that can alter the sourness of lemon slices atop an ice cream cone into a sweet delight.
The tour ends in TinderLand, a playground featuring an ice cream scoop seesaw and an ice cream sandwich swing for two. Visitors also can discover “who they are as a flavor” through an app created with Tinder, said Vora.
In addition to specially created ice cream by food scientist Irwin Adam, of Future Food Network, the museum each week will offer custom frozen treats from one of the city’s favorite ice cream shops including Black Tap and Oddfellows.
And if you aren’t completely satiated by the end of the tour, you can savor a different kind of experience across the street at the Whitney Museum of American Art or the nearby High Line. When will Gelato get your own dedicate museum in the US? Hopefully soon!