The American Museum of Natural History is the world’s preeminent scientific and educational museum. The museum which opened in 1869 has 45 exhibition halls and numerous temporary exhibits. The Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium are also attached to the museum. It takes a good 4 to 5 hours to see everything so plan on making a day of it, if you can. There is also a food court in the basement and two cafes to eat at and enjoy a little break.
Getting there, Hours & Price
The Museum is at 200 Central Park West which is between 77th street and 81 street on 8th Avenue (at this location 8th Avenue is called Central Park West), next to Central Park. So besides taxi you can get there by subway on the C line or by the M79 bus which both leave you at the corner on 81st Street next to the museum or the 1 subway line to Broadway and 79th which is a few streets away.
Hours are 10:00am to 5:30pm (closed Mondays).
The price is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $14 for children (for New York, New Jersey or Connecticut residents the price is whatever you wish to donate). Also note some of the temporary exhibits and the Hayden Planetarium Space Show have an additional charge.
The Exhibits
Dinosaurs (Fossils Hall)
One of the highlights of the museum are the dinosaurs which are on the 4th floor. I suggest taking the elevator up there first and then working your way down.
Besides the dinosaurs this hall features the fossils pf ancient extinct mammal such as mammoths, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, camels, and giant ground sloths and more modern mammals such as monkeys, bats, horses, rabbits, bears, horses, elephants and whales. There is also an education video to sit and watch.
Mammal Hall
This hall shows mammals of Asia, Africa and North America depicted in their natural habit such as water buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros. deer, wild dogs, moose and wolves including the famous charging elephants (see below).
Next to this is an exhibit that displays primates such as apes, monkeys, humans and their close relatives.
Birds and Reptiles and Amphibians Halls
This hall shows the the wide variety of birds and the anatomy and behavior of the reptiles and amphibians.
Human Origins and Cultural Halls
This hall explores the evolutionary story of the humans and the indigenous cultures of Asia, Africa, North America, South America and the Pacific Islands.
Biodiversity and Environmental Halls
Ecological biodiversity is shown by more than 160 species of flora and fauna and a 2,500-square-foot real walk-through forest based on the Dzanga Sangha rain forest, one of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems.
Next to this is an exhibit of more than 1,500 specimens from microorganisms to terrestrial and aquatic giants. A video installation provides a tour of nine ecosystems and preservation efforts.
Also in this hall is an exhibit that examines the variety of the forests of North America with trees, flowers, birds, mammals, and insects specific to each habitat.
Hall of Ocean Life
This hall has one of the highlights of the museum, a 94 foot long, 21,000 pound model of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling. Its a cool looking room with a lot of exhibits and a film abut ocean life in the middle of the ground floor. The 29,000-square-foot hall features models of more than 750 sea creatures from tiny green bubble algae to computerized glowing jellyfishes.
The hall also includes interactive computer stations and hands-on models.
Rose Center for Earth & Space
The Rose Center for Earth and Space which is attached to the museum has exhibits about the cosmos, the creation of the universe, galaxies, stars, planets, volcanos and other natural phenomena.
Conclusion
The museum is the best museum I have experienced in relation to the natural world; fun, interesting and educational. There were a lot of kids enjoying also so its a good place to bring them. It is massive and packed with information so best to choose what you want to see as it would take a few days to see and learn about everything they have.
The Natural History Museum website says you still need a time reservation although I was able to get right in without a reservation, just waited on the normal line for about 10 minutes. However to be sure, especially around holiday time, reservations can be made at: Natural History Museum tickets
As its right next to Central Park, you can see a bit of the park if you have time.
Enjoy and let me know if you have any comments or questions below,
