Why should I visit?
Let’s be honest: when you hear “natural history museum”, you might first imagine a giant dinosaur skeleton (and you’d be right). But the American Museum of Natural History is a full-on exploration of our planet, our universe and everything in between. From a gigantic blue whale suspended mid-flight (or mid-swim?) to shimmering gems, live butterflies, meteorites and interactive discovery rooms, for kids and grown-ups alike.
What struck me most was how easy it is to lose yourself here. One minute you’re admiring a ginormous blue whale, the next you’re peering into a dark corner of the Hall of Ocean Life to spot a giant squid – no glass, just you and the deep sea. It’s a place that rewards curiosity, whether you’re six or sixty. And if you’re exploring with the New York Pass, you can dive right in without skipping a beat.
A little bit of history
Founded in 1869, the museum has grown into one of the largest natural history museums in the world. It now spans multiple buildings, houses millions of specimens and welcomes around four million visitors a year.
Why does that matter? Because the building itself is part of the experience. Walking into its grand halls, you feel the weight of history, the legacy of science and the promise of discovering something you didn’t know you could learn.
During my visit, I found myself impressed by how the past and the present merge – whether it’s a 19th-century diorama of mammals or a newly designed immersive display about life’s hidden connections.
Pretty scary for something so cute and cuddly looking!
How do I get there?
You’ll find the American Museum of Natural History taking up an entire block of Manhattan’s Upper West Side – stretching along 200 Central Park West, between 77th and 81st Streets. It’s right across from Central Park, so you can easily pair your museum visit with a stroll under the trees afterwards.
The main entrance is on Central Park West at 79th Street, but there are two other entrances that typically have shorter wait times. One on Columbus Avenue and one on 81st Street.
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Subway: it has its own named subway station, 81st Street Museum of Natural History, on the B and C lines.
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On foot: if you’re staying nearby, strolling through Central Park and emerging right by the museum is a lovely start.
How do I get in with my pass?
Just show your pass to get in at one of these locations:
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Rose Center Entrance (81st St between Central Park West and Columbus Ave) and proceed downstairs to the main ticketing line.
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Gilder Center Entrance (79th and Columbus Ave) and proceed to the ticketing desk.
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Main Entrance (79th St at Central Park West) and proceed to the ticketing desk.
Arrive early (just after 10AM) if you can – the earlier you get in, the less crowded things feel (especially in the big halls), and the more time you have to see it all!
Now THAT is a crystal!
What's included and what is there to see?
The museum isn’t just one building, it’s a whole campus of discovery spanning multiple wings and levels. Here’s how to find your way around (and where to spend way too long, if you’re anything like me).
Floor 1 highlights: life as we know it (and as we don't)
My highlight: checking out their selection of pieces of my birthstone, Topaz!
The first floor celebrates the natural world in all its forms. It’s home to exhibits of dazzling gems and minerals, lifelike ocean dioramas, and real meteorites. You’ll also find exhibits on biodiversity and the environments of New York State, plus the ever-fascinating insectarium, where leaf-cutter ants go about their daily business, like tiny commuters. The Hall of North American Mammals features beautifully preserved dioramas that make you feel like you’ve stepped into the wilderness (without leaving Manhattan).
Floor 2 highlights: peoples, planets and pathways
My highlight: seeing how much I'd weigh on the sun or a neutron star, over a trillion pounds, reassuringly!
This level explores human cultures and cosmic wonders. Exhibits on the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, Mexico, and Central America showcase art, objects and traditions from across the world. Just next door, the Rose Center for Earth and Space connects it all to the cosmos, with its striking glass cube and the Cosmic Pathway – a walk-through timeline from the Big Bang to the present day. It’s a fascinating mix of anthropology and astronomy under one roof.
Floor 3 highlights: creatures great and small
My highlight: tricky, but I think it has to be the giant diorama of the African Elephants!
The third floor is a haven for animal lovers. It features dioramas of mammals from Africa and Asia, alongside exhibits on primates, reptiles, amphibians and birds – including both North American and New York City species. The displays here range from grand to delightfully niche, from elephants mid-charge in the gallery below to tiny songbirds frozen mid-flight. There’s also a section on the Pacific Peoples, adding another layer of cultural depth.
Floor 4 highlights: the dinosaur kingdom
My highlight: seeing how (not) tall I am compared to various dinosaur species on the measuring wall!
The top floor is where things get prehistoric. The museum’s world-famous collection of fossils and dinosaur skeletons fills the entire level, arranged like a vast evolutionary tree showing how species are connected through time. Highlights include towering skeletons of the T. rex and the titanosaur, plus countless smaller fossils and ancient life forms that bring Earth’s deep history to life.
The museum’s research library is also located here – a quieter space filled with knowledge and curiosities of its own.
Nope, it's not a massive spider; that is a giant grab!
What ticketed exhibitions are on offer?
The museum also offers a range of ticketed exhibitions. With the New York Pass you get entry to your choice of one of these - winning!
If you'd like to visit more than the one included, just visit any ticket desk.
Invisible Worlds
This immersive, multimedia experience takes you on a mind-bending journey through the hidden connections that shape life on Earth. You’ll walk through a 360° environment where light, sound and motion react to your movements, perfect for curious minds (and for anyone who loves a good “wow” moment).
The Hayden Planetarium Space Show
The Hayden Planetarium Space show is a must for space fans. These Space Shows are narrated by some seriously big names like Pedro Pascal and they’ll fly you through time and space to explore distant galaxies, exploding stars and the mysteries of the cosmos.
The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium
Step into a lush, tropical haven where hundreds of butterflies flutter freely around you. With over 80 species on display, it’s a living, breathing rainbow of colour. Kids love it, of course, but even adults will find it impossible not to smile as a butterfly lands nearby (or if you’re lucky, right on your shoulder).
All three are well worth a visit if you have the extra time and budget.
Yes, I was just as mesmerized as the toddlers running around the interactive floor in the Invisible Worlds Exhibition.
Hidden gems to look out for
- A giant clam shell you can touch – yes, they do make giant pearls, but sadly they’re way less pretty.
- The poles holding up a giant meteorite – those metal supports go all the way to the bedrock under the museum, otherwise the meteorite would literally crash through the building, it’s that heavy!
- Animals hiding in the shadows of the dioramas – take a torch or use your phone’s light and shine it around to hunt for hidden creatures.
- A strange-looking beetle with airplane wings and missiles – allegedly a Banksy artwork, this is now hidden within the display in the Library.
See if you can spot this rumoured Banksy hidden display within the library!
What facilities are there?
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Several café options around the building (great for a quick meal, snack or coffee break).
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One full-service restaurant (ideal for a more relaxed sit-down).
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Six gift shops (yes, you can bring home a dinosaur-t-shirt and no one will judge).
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Lockers available to rent.
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Free daily tours in a selection of languages.
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Plenty of restrooms are located throughout.
Where should I go next?
Once you’ve absorbed the wonders of the American Museum of Natural History, you’ve got great onward options:
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A stroll through Central Park (right across the street) – decompress under trees after some serious learning!
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The New York Historical - just next door, this museum and library explores New York City’s rich past, from its colonial beginnings through its cultural evolution to today.
Ready… steady… explore!
The the American Museum of Natural History is one of those places where you find new favourite exhibits you’ve never heard of. One minute you’re staring up at a towering dinosaur, the next you’re marveling at a tiny piece of actual stardust.
So grab a map, lace up your comfiest shoes and prepare to get delightfully lost among dinosaurs, gems and ocean giants.
Enjoyed this little slice of New York?
Take your trip to the next level with our complete guide to Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises or check out our or our behind the scenes chat with an American Museum of Natural History expert, all filled with visitor hacks and money-saving tips.
With The New York Pass®, you can skip the stress and save big on Empire State Building tickets plus dozens of other must-see attractions, all with one easy-to-use pass.
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