Are you in New York? Don’t miss visiting the Natural History Museum! Find here our practical guide to explore the magnificent collections of this high scientific place!
ANMH or American museum of natural history of New York is considered one of the most beautiful and great museums in the world! It is also a renowned scientific institution that has several hundred researchers. Its gigantic size does not seem to affect the crowd of tourists who rush there every day. And for cause! Interactive, educational and playful, it is a joyful place for both adults and young people.
Dinosaur skeletons, naturalized animals, 3D spaces, meteorites... All exhibition rooms are exciting and will allow you to learn more about terrestrial, marine and human civilizations. If you stay in the "city that never sleeps", go to discover this must-see museum. The place being very large, visiting the Natural History Museum in New York requires time and a little organization. By following our tips and practical information, you will be at the best of what it has to offer.
History of the New York Museum of Natural History
Photo credit: Flickr – Daniel Mennerich
Founded in 1869 , the New York Museum of Natural History was born of a proposal by the zoologist Albert Smith Bickmore . It was initially in the arsenal of Central Park . As the collections were enriched, the space became too narrow and another building was built between 1874 and 1877, between 77th and 81st Street.
Since then, it has continuously developed to shelter near 32 million objects and specimens ! Today, the different exhibitions are spread over 5 levels and over 150,000 square metres, in a magnificent architecture building.
What to see and do at the Natural History Museum of New York
Photo credit: Flickr – Neil Alexander McKee
The museum’s surface is huge, so it’s better to have an idea of what you’d like to see before embarking on the assault 5 levels The building! To do this, here is a small overview of what awaits you, floor by floor:
Level -1 : Lower level
Located at the lower level of the Rose Centre for Earth and Space, Cullman room of the Universe presents the discoveries of modern astrophysics. The hall traces the formation, evolution and properties of stars, planets, galaxies and the Universe.
Ground floor : First floor
This level has a large number of rooms to visit. You can start with the space Milstein dedicated to ocean life. Raise your head to admire a life-size whale over 28 meters! On the same floor you will find the permanent exhibition on the Human origins and the General Assembly meteorites . As for North American Mammal Hall , it will be easy to imagine you in the middle of the mountain between tigers or in African steppes with antelopes thanks to naturalized animals in their natural habitat. Finally, board for a surprising space show Hayden Planetarium .
First floor: Second floor
This is the floor by which we enter the museum. This is where the Butterflies Conservatory (open from October to late May), to see many species and more than 500 live butterflies (and not naturalized as other exhibition halls). On the same level are the rooms dedicated to the peoples of Asia, America and Africa . rotonde Theodore Roosevelt presents dinosaur skeletons.
Second floor: Third floor
Learn more about different natural phenomena (cyclones, eruptions...) with the Room Nature’s Fury . Are you curious about which way of life were the first occupants of North America? Visit the space dedicated to Plain Indians and Woodland Indians .
Third floor: Fourth floor
The highlight of your visit is here the iconic collection of dinosaurs New York Museum of Natural History. The skeletons are impressive and the panels explain the different theories about the extinction of these animals. A fun experience, a clock makes you aware of the very recent appearance of the human species. It’s simple: if the world’s history lasted only 24 hours, we would only arrive at the last minute!
How to visit the New York Museum of Natural History?
To visit the Museum of Natural History without losing yourself, have a plan at the entrance. The display panels will also be able to switch your course. An interesting option is to follow a guided tour . They exist in a group (in English and certain days in French), or in an individual version using an audioguide. In this case, you will have the choice between the different themes:
- Dinosaur circuit
- Space circuit
- Circuit best of
How to go to the Natural History Museum?
By metro
- Line B (only on weekdays): 81st "Museum of Natural History"
- Line C: station 81st « Museum of Natural History »
- Line 1 : station 81st « Museum of Natural History »
By bus
-
Line M79 (Eastwest sense on West 79th Street crossing Central Park): stop next to the museum on West 81st Street.
Other buses also stop at the museum or nearby, including M7, M10, M11, M86 and M104 buses.
Bike
If you are on a bike, a parking lot is dedicated to them in the driveway Rose Center for Earth and Space the museum, as well as in the car park. It is accessed by the 81st, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
By car
The best thing is to use a GPS, by entering the address 56 West 81st Street, New York, NY 10024.
Schedules & Rates of the Museum of Natural History of New York
HORARI
- Every day (except Thanksgiving and December 25): from 10am to 5:45pm
RATES
Entry tickets are payable online or at the ticket desks. At the counters, it is possible to pay on the principle of a suggested donation: the museum indicates what the fair price would be, you then give what you want (more or less).
Base rate comprising 46 permanent museum rooms
- Adult$23
- Child (less than 12 years old): $13.
- Senior Student$18
Base rate + special activity (temporary exposure, Space Show or giant screen film)
- Adult$28
- Child$16.50
- Senior Student$22.50
Base rate + all special activities
- Adult$33
- Child $20
- Senior Student $27
Guided tours
Included in the entrance ticket
Audioguides
- Adult$7
- Child (less than 12 years) $5
Note: Tickets for AMNH are included in the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass.
Good to know.
- Taking pictures is allowed in the museum, but selfies are forbidden
- There's a locker room. Backpacks must be deposited (the price is $2 )
- It is possible to restore to each floor of the museum
- Water bottles are prohibited
- In the United States, the floors do not count as in France. So, the 1st floor means the ground floor, the 2nd floor the first floor and so on
- ♪ audioguides are available in French
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