Going up (or down) to New York? Hit the button for Queens and head to the country's first elevator museum. Former elevator repairman and collector Patrick Carrajat opened the museum last week to chronicle the history of the American elevator from the oldest Otis elevator in 1861 to an autographed photo from the movie Titanic of the ship's elevator. Located in Long Island City, the "nexus of the elevator world" for its proximity to elevator companies and many of the city's subway lines, the one-room museum is full of elevator paraphernalia but mostly serves as a showcase for Mr. Carrajat's extensive knowledge and stories about his career. He hopes to eventually move the museum into a bigger space with room for an antique elevator.

The free museum is open weekdays and some Saturdays, check www.elevatorhistory.org or call 917-748-2328 for more details.

Want more ideas for a visit to Queens? Check out our Undiscovered New York guide to modern art in Long Island City.

Photo courtesy Flickr user Grevel.