New York City

America’s largest city, along with the surrounding metro area, is a major hub for geek culture in general and steampunk in particular. The city is a magnet for writers, artists, and musicians. It’s well known for cultural treasures such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History, but the region is also home to other places that are under the radar, such as the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe on Long Island.

Years ago, steampunk fans in the area created a Steampunk Map of New York City, a handy guide to pubs, tea houses, thrift stores, and other favorite hangouts. That map was a direct inspiration for the City Guides on this website.

Given the vast array of attractions in the region, we had to split it up. The listings below include locations in New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley. For other attractions in the NYC metro area, see the sections on Connecticut and New Jersey.

Stories

Tesla Center Launches $3 Million Campaign to Repair Fire Damage

Staff Report | Nov 30, 2023

The Tesla Science Center said it needs the money for “emergency remediation efforts” following the Nov. 21 fire at the building that housed Nikola Tesla’s last remaining laboratory. The group is raising the funds on Indiegogo.

Fire Causes Extensive Damage at Tesla Science Center in New York

Staff Report | Nov 22, 2023

The fire could delay efforts to construct a museum and science center dedicated to Nikola Tesla. The site on Long Island housed the iconic Wardenclyffe Tower, where Tesla hoped to demonstrate wireless power transmission.

New Jersey Art School to Host Steampunk Show in June and July

Staff Report | Jun 8, 2022

Amalgamations... A Steampunk Collective features works by 14 artists in a variety of media. It runs from June 11 through July 9 at duCret School of Art in Plainfield, with an opening reception set for Saturday evening.

This Weekend: Time Traveler’s Faire, MegaCon, Raising Steam, and More

Staff Report | May 17, 2022

May has been a busy month for steampunk fans on both sides of the Atlantic and it’s about to get busier still with multiple events this weekend, including the inaugural Time Traveler’s Convention Spring Faire in Quincy, Illinois.

Victor and the Bully Lead Music Lineup at C.O.G.S. Expo in New Jersey

Staff Report | May 10, 2022

Other guests include Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter plus Montague Jacques Fromage, Eve Riot, SteamFunk Studios, Leanna Renee Hieber, and a host of steampunk makers. It takes place May 13-15 at the APA Hotel Woodbridge.

Sherlock Holmes Meets Dickens Characters in ‘A Sherlock Carol’

Staff Report | Nov 25, 2021

In this off-Broadway play, Ebenezer Scrooge has died under mysterious circumstances, and an adult Tiny Tim enlists Sherlock Holmes to investigate. It runs through Jan. 2 at the New World Stages theater complex in New York City.

Steampunk Meets S.T.E.A.M. Education at PA STEAMFest in Pennsylvania

Staff Report | Aug 16, 2021

Steampunk favorites The Eternal Frontier will be the headline act at the festival. It will include steampunk-related activities, but the name also alludes to the event’s focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and makers.

Self-Taught Steampunk

Long Island-based mixed-media artist Francine Perri makes steampunk collages and jewelry

Staff Report | Mar 16, 2021

Francine Perri is proof that you don’t have to go to art school to create gallery-worthy artwork. A self-taught mixed media artist in Long Island, New York, she’s seen her creations featured in gallery shows, magazines, coffee table books, and more.