Image Van Rentals and the Museum of the Moving Image

A must-see destination for any Manhattan Van Rentals move-buff is the Museum of the Movie Image in Astoria, Queens. Don't be fooled - this is not your ordinary museum! The Museum is located on the site of the largest, busiest, and most significant motion picture and television production facility between London and Hollywood, the Astoria Studio.

What make the Museum of the Moving Image stand out form the rest? First, unlike traditional gallery museums, this museum celebrates the history technology and the art of movies. It does this by collecting, preserving, and providing access to moving-image related artifacts; screening significant films and other moving-image works; presenting exhibitions of artifacts, artworks, and interactive experiences; and offering educational and interpretive programs to students, teachers, and the general public.

It is a great museum with a balance of hands-on activities and information that is sure to entertain anyone traveling along with you in your Manhattan car rental.

Lots to Discover!

Like with any museum, the Museum of the Moving Image offers a wide variety of exhibits and tours. Just some of the exhibitions that are in store for you during your Manhattan car rental trip include:

Behind the Screen: This is the Museum's core exhibition. This illuminates the many processes involved in producing, marketing, and exhibiting the moving image, with more than a thousand film and television artifacts, computer-based interactive experiences, commissioned installations, audio-visual materials, and demonstrations of professional equipment and techniques.

Digital Play: Reloaded: For action lovers this exhibition is for you! It is organized around the theme of action in its different uses and interpretations. Eighteen digital animations and "software toys" from independent makers are playable at a set of workstations. Music-, dance-, and movement-oriented video games originating in Japan constitute a shift from traditional game scenarios. Classic arcade games from the 1980s are paired with current home-based games to contrast their approaches to such action-related topics as driving and waging battle on land and in space. Though the graphics have changed significantly, patterns of play remain similar.

Star Trek: 40 Years of Fandom: This exhibition explores the cultural phenomenon that has spawned six television series, ten motion pictures, and the undying love of a legion of devoted fans. Nearly 500 items of licensed merchandise such as action figures, toys, games, and comic books will be on display, as well as fan-generated magazines and films that circulate at conventions and online.

This museum also lets you become part of the movie-making experience through interactive exhibits. For instance you can Dub your own voice into a classic movie scene, like Dorothy arriving in the Land of Oz; or add sound effects to a movie scene; and even experiment with motion by making a short film of yourself dancing. This offers a great opportunity to commemorate your Manhattan car rental experience.

Getting to the Museum

Getting to the museum in your Manhattan car rental is made easy. Just follow the following directions and you will be enjoying the Museum of the Moving Image in no time!

Take Triborough Bridge and exit at 31 St (first exit in Queens). Go right onto 31 St (under subway). At 35 Ave, turn left and continue to 36 St.

From Grand Central (west) exit at Hoyt Ave (last exit in Queens). Turn left onto 31 Street (under subway). Turn left onto 35 Ave and continue to 36 Street.

If you are coming form BQE (west) you will want to exit at Northern Blvd and go left (west) on Northern. Turn right onto 35 Ave (intersection at 45 degree angle) and continue to 36 St.

You will find metered parking for your Manhattan car rental on streets in the area.