There is so much to see at the American Museum of Natural History when staying in New York, it’s hard to select any outstanding highlights! Guests will travel back in time and into the future in this delightful and stimulating experience. As well as the special exhibits, permanent exhibits like Hall of Human Origins, the Dinosaur Wing, and the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals are certainly must-sees for visitors of this comprehensive and captivating museum!
Anne And Bernard Spitzer Hall Of Human Origins
Humans have always been curious about where we came from and who walked in our footsteps millions of years ago. In this fascinating exploration into the origins of humanity, this hall features a vast assortment of Neandertal tools, the three-million-year-old “Lucy†and four-thousand-year-old “Peking Manâ€. These ancient artifacts and skeletons will astound viewers. Looking right into the eyes of some of humanity’s earliest ancestors and gazing upon the very tools some of them used is truly a remarkable experience not usually found elsewhere.
David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing
Looking to gaze into the jaws of a Tyrannosaurus rex? The David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing provides onlookers with a truly prehistoric perspective on the giants who walked the Earth before humans did.
The Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs features the famous and terrifying fossilized skeletons of Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus, Deinonychus, and Apatosaurus, and in the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, guests can come face-to-face with the Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and an actual mummified dinosaur complete with fossilized skin and tissue!
Mignone Halls Of  Gems And Minerals
Guests might want to put their sunglasses on for this sparkling and mesmerizing area of the museum. Featuring more than two thousand different gems, jewelry, and carvings, the Mingone Halls of Gems and Minerals is a glorious chance to see some of Earth’s most dazzling rocks. Huge emeralds, like The Patricia Emerald, glittering sapphires like the 563-carat Star of India, and fiery rubies like the DeLong Star Ruby will certainly take any guest’s breath away.
Note: Because of their popularity, the Mignone Halls tend to get overcrowded. In order to see the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, the museum asks all guests to join a virtual line once they are physically on the premises to help cut down on crowds. Reserve a virtual place in line here.
Special Exhibits
The American Museum of Natural History currently offers three special exhibits available for a limited amount of time. Pricing for these exhibits comes at an additional cost, but they are definitely worth it to get the full experience of what this fantastic museum has to offer.
The Nature Of Color - March 9, 2020, To December 5, 2021
A great exhibit for children and adults alike, this exhibit guides visitors through rooms of all things color. Guests will learn how certain colors inspire certain emotions, how particular animals use color to communicate, how humans have harnessed the power of color into clothing and architecture in this vibrant and engaging multi-room experience.
- Where: LeFrak Family Gallery
- Length: freeform
- Times: every thirty minutes, depending on timed reservation availability
Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker - July 1, 2021, to January 2, 2022
Another exhibit suitable for children, this inspiring show takes viewers on a journey alongside an adorable baby sea lion. Guests will learn about current conservation efforts and initiatives and discover how people are working around the clock to save the planet and its wildlife from the devastating effects of climate change.
- Where: LeFrak Theater
- Length: 43 minutes
- Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM
Worlds Beyond Earth - Open As Of March 24, 2021
Perfect for space and NASA lovers, Worlds Beyond Earth takes visitors on a truly out-of-this-world adventure through space and time themselves. Guests can zoom into space and see the stars, planets, and galaxies that make up the night sky at the state-of-the-art Hayden Planetarium, learning all about how planet Earth relates to its other-worldly neighbors.
- Where: Hayden Planetarium
- Length: 25 minutes
- Showtimes: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM
General Information
- Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
- Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- General ticketing prices (does not include admission to any special exhibits): Adult $23, Child (3-12) $13, Senior (60+) $18, Student (with an ID) $18
- Note: for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut (with an ID), the amount paid for General Admission is donation-based.
- General ticketing prices (plus one special exhibit): Adult $28, Child (3-12) $16.50,, Senior (60+) $22.50, Student (with an ID) $22.50
- General ticketing prices (plus access to all special exhibits): Adult $33, Child (3-12) $20, Senior (60+) $27, Student (with an ID) $27
Like any tourist attraction in the Empire State, the American Museum of Natural History seems to be the most crowded around lunchtime, from about 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. To avoid these busier times, 10:00 AM is a good time to shoot for, or right after 3:00 PM.
The American Museum of Natural History is an excellent choice for families looking to add an educational stop to their New York itinerary. With a comprehensive collection of fossils and gems, this museum offers more than enough education, inspiration, and fun for any museum lover! Be sure to map out the trip ahead of time- it’s easy to get lost and over-excited in this magnificent museum!