Everything about the American Museum of Natural History in New York

What You Need to Know About the American Museum of Natural History

• The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York’s most renowned museums. Founded in 1869, it sits in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. The museum occupies three city blocks and features a grand entrance facing Central Park West, the avenue that runs along the western edge of Central Park.
• The museum explores the origins of life and how it has evolved over millennia. Its mission: “to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a broad program of research, education, and exhibition.”
• The museum contains 45 exhibition halls spread across three floors. The collection totals more than 32 million objects: minerals, fossils, and taxidermied animals. The collection keeps growing, with over 90,000 acquisitions added each year. You simply won’t have time to see everything. Tip: focus on the sections that interest you most.
• Lectures and programs run throughout the year. Since 2000, the museum has featured the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a building dedicated entirely to the sky and space.

What to See at the American Museum of Natural History

• The museum’s stars are undoubtedly the dinosaurs, which greet you right in the entrance hall. Look for the impressive barosaurus skeletons. Did one of them just move?
• In the ocean hall, you’ll be amazed by a massive blue whale suspended in the air.
• The anthropology collections feature an extensive exhibition on Native Americans. You’ll also discover the mysteries of Inca civilization, including a spectacular calendar stone that shows how advanced Inca astronomers were.
• Another highlight: the “Star of India,” the world’s largest blue sapphire. This stone, discovered in Sri Lanka, weighs 563 carats. The geology section also lets you touch an actual meteorite. The museum is filled with remarkable objects.

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History

• Address: Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side.
• Subway: 81 St-Museum of Natural History (lines A, B, and C).
• Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
• Admission: $30 for adults, $24 for seniors and students, $18 for children ages 2–12.
• Skip-the-line tickets: To avoid waiting at the entrance, you can book tickets in advance through our ticket reservation service for the American Museum of Natural History. You can also pay in your own currency: US dollars, euros, British pounds, Canadian dollars or Swiss francs, avoiding exchange fees and bank charges.
• Tip: admission to the American Museum of Natural History is included in the New York City Pass, the New York Explorer Pass, and the New York Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews of the American Museum of Natural History

• Emilie P.: “The American Museum of Natural History is absolutely magnificent. It’s a must-see in New York!”
• Nath G.: “We spent over 4 hours here—the museum is so vast, majestic, and beautiful. There’s so much to see. It’s a must-see that really deserves half a day :-)”
• Anneline D.: “A dream… A marvel!!!”
• Christophe V.: “This museum is simply wonderful. Definitely see it if you’re in New York.”
• Marjolaine B.: “Watch Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller before you go!!”
• Typhène Tyty: “I absolutely loved it!!!!! As a science teacher, I had a wonderful time. Especially in the geology section!!”“
• Eva F.: “A very interesting museum. Don’t miss it!!!”
• Virginie P.-F.: “Beautiful. All the paintings behind the animals are hand-painted to be as realistic as possible.”
• Mathieu D.: “Simply splendid.”
• Caro Vegas: “I loved it! We spent hours here.”
• Caroline S.-C.: “I didn’t love it. The museum is probably great for kids, but we found it a bit dated and dusty, though the reconstructed scenes have impressive detail.”
• Valerie F.: “A beautiful museum, but to really enjoy it you need to spend the whole day!”
• Claudia S.: “Interesting but too much to see in one visit. You’d really need at least two half-days. The museum isn’t brand new either. And between Christmas and New Year, it’s way too crowded…”
• Vinay I.: “I went in early January when it wasn’t too crowded. Arrive when it opens in the morning. A beautiful museum to visit.”

Reviews of the American Museum of Natural History from the Destination New York Facebook group

The American Museum of Natural History in Photos

Map to the American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History by the Numbers