American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is both entertaining and interesting for all ages

Beyond the dioramas and the blue whale looming over the Hall of Ocean Life, visitors to the American Museum of Natural History can experience interactive exhibits including a life-sized interactive ecosystem that engulfs you in the sights and smells of the Dzanga-Sangha Rainforest, following the Cosmic Pathway through 13 billion years of celestial evolution or mingling with free-flying butterflies in a tropical forest conservatory.
If it's your first visit to the American Museum of Natural History, consider taking a "Highlights Tour" for an overview of the museum collections or a "Spotlight Tour" for a more in-depth experience. iPhone and iPad users can enjoy the free "American Museum of Natural History Explorer" app that serves as both a personal tour guide and in-museum navigation system; additional American Museum of Natural History exhibit apps are available from the iTunes store.
Young children will enjoy being able to touch the exhibits in the Discovery Room and Hall of Planet Earth and all ages can enjoy an IMAX movie or Space Show in the Hayden Planetarium.
Basic admission to the museums permanent exhibits is by donation (their is a suggested amount). To see special exhibitions and view the IMAX or Planetarium shows you must pay a premium on top of the suggested admission. You should give yourself plenty of time to visit the museum; if you are planning to see the shows and special exhibits you may want to allow a full day and even that may seem tight as there is simply so much to see here!
The museum offers several eateries, but a more wallet friendly method of feeding the whole family may be to enjoy a hot dog or giant pretzel from the street vendors on the museum steps.
Nearby attractions include Central Park, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Frick Collection and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.American Museum of Natural History Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, USA
Phone: (212) 769-5100
Official Website: American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History Reviews
Rated
One of the best museums I've ever been to! The wealth of knowledge in here is truly astounding and what's even better is the various interactive ways it's presented to visitors. You can easily spend a half-day here exploring the five floors of exhibits. Some highlights include the halls of dinosaurs, gems and minerals, and biodiversity sections. Also, be sure to buy tickets beforehand for a smoother visit. Happy exploring!
Aditya Narayanan - in the last week
The American Museum of Natural History, located on the Upper West Side across from Central Park, is one of New York City’s most beloved cultural institutions. With exhibits spanning everything from dinosaur fossils to deep space, it offers something for visitors of all ages and interests.
The museum’s vast halls are filled with highlights, including the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops skeletons, the stunning blue whale suspended in the Hall of Ocean Life, and detailed dioramas of animals and ecosystems from around the world. The Rose Center for Earth and Space, with its immersive planetarium shows, is a must-see for anyone curious about the universe.
The museum is large but easy to navigate, with thoughtful signage and plenty of interactive elements that make learning fun and engaging. It’s an especially great destination for families, though adults exploring on their own will find just as much to enjoy.
Whether you’re visiting New York for the first time or returning for another look, the American Museum of Natural History remains a timeless, inspiring experience that captures the wonder of the natural world.
Given the extreme popularity of this museum, reserved tickets are strongly recommended. Lines move quickly here and expect crowds during weekends, school breaks and holidays.
Andrew Lim - a week ago
I bought the tickets online for a weekday at 11:30 AM. When we arrived at the place, the entry was super easy and quick. Visiting this museum requires dedicating quite a bit of time if you want to make the most of everything it has to offer. I also bought tickets to enter the Invisible World (which has an extra cost), and I could say it was my favorite part of the entire tour. It's a great place for both kids and adults. I would visit it again and would also recommend it.
Arieny Polo - a week ago
We visited using the City Pass, and entry was smooth and easy. We arrived right at opening time, which helped beat some of the crowds.
What we didn’t realize was just how massive this museum is—you definitely need a full day to explore everything properly. We only made it through about half of the exhibits, but every section was fascinating and well worth seeing.
One of the highlights was the Butterfly Conservatory, which was a really cool experience. The museum is great for all ages, with tons to see and learn.
As someone interested in physics, I was particularly excited for the Big Bang exhibit, but unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. While the visuals were nice, the presentation felt basic and didn’t go as in-depth as I’d hoped. It’s still a good introduction for those less familiar with the topic, but if you already have a strong interest in physics and cosmology, you might not learn much new.
The only downside is that there’s no clear path to follow, so you might find yourself doubling back or getting turned around. I’d recommend grabbing a map and planning ahead, especially if you don’t want to spend the entire day inside.
One great perk is that you can leave and re-enter on the same day, which we took advantage of to go out for lunch before continuing our visit. Highly recommend this museum, but be prepared for a lot of walking!
Jessel Fernandes - a month ago
This museum is truly incredible! Along with The Met, it’s one of my favourites. It’s the perfect place to learn about and appreciate the vastness and beauty of the natural world around us.
Of course, the new **Richard Gilder Center** is an amazing space to connect with the oldest beings on this planet.
It would be a perfect place if they didn’t keep insects in captivity—I don’t think that’s right.
Felipe Gatica - 2 weeks ago
Directions
Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
B or C | 81st Street Station | 2 minutes |
1 | 79th Street | 12 Minutes |
How to get to American Museum of Natural History by Subway
Take the B (Weekdays Only) or C train to 81st Street / Museum of Natural History, walk south on Central Park West to the museum entrance on your right. Alternatively, take the 1 train to Broadway and West 79th Street, head southwest on Broadway towards 79th Street, turn left at 77th Street, walk two blocks and turn left on Central Park West.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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One of many dioramas inside of the American Museum of Natural History cc licensed photo by Mike Steele -
Blue Whale exhibit in the AMNH cc licensed photo by Daniel Torres Bonatto -
Photo Credit: Francisco Anzola - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Guru Sno Studios - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: JFGryphon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Francisco Anzola - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: JFGryphon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: JFGryphon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: JFGryphon - cc license via Flickr
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