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New York City (Manhattan)
American Museum of Natural History456
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about American Museum of Natural History:
There's no better place to spend a rainy day, or even a sunny one, than inside the American Museum of Natural History, winner of our 2008 and 2010 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Museum for Kids in New York City. From the instant they climb the stone steps and enter the lobby, children are rapt with attention. The animal dioramas are over 30 years old (they were there when WE were kids), but the scenes are still fascinating and weirdly beautiful. The dinosaurs, of course, can't be beat, and the often overlooked Hall of Gems contains The Star of India, the biggest and most famous star sapphire.
The Hall of Biodiversity is another big crowd-pleaser, with a walk through faux rainforest and lots of sea and land creatures to gaze upon.
The Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins presents the remarkable history of human evolution from our earliest ancestors millions of years ago to modern Homo sapiens. The innovative Spitzer Hall combines the most up-to-date discoveries in the fossil record with the latest in genomic science to explore the most profound mysteries of humankind: who we are, where we came from, and what is in store for the future of our species.
The Discovery Room houses hands-on exhibits for older children in the company of an adult. Kids can hunt for hidden creatures in a two-story replica of an African baobab tree (read the Little Prince before visiting!), check out an authentic Kwakiutl totem pole, dig for fossils (the staff tell us it takes about two weeks for kids to uncover the skeleton, at which point the museum covers it back up with packed sand for the next round), put a dino skeleton back together (our kids' favorite) with ingenious magnetized bones, and track earthquakes all over the world on a seismograph.
The Discovery Room holds about 50 inquisitive kids and parents at a time; when it gets too busy, you might be asked to wait for the next 40 minute stretch.
IMAX films are screened in the Lefrak Theatre, which features a forty-foot-high, sixty-six-foot-wide screen and a state-of-the-art digital sound system. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling 212.769.5200, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Highlights Tours are offered daily at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm; 1:15pm, 2:15pm, and 3:15pm. Tours begin at the entrance to the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, on the second floor.
Special exhibits and seasonal events, like the annual Butterfly Conservatory, require additional ticketing, and often an additional fee, and it can all be somewhat confusing. The smartest way to visit the museum is to plan in advance - and order tickets before you go. The Will Call ticket booth (located at the entrance at 81st between Central Park West and Columbus) usually has shorter lines than the drop-in booths, and if you order in advance you're sure to be able to see what you want to see.
AMNH offers summer camp and school vacation camp options for kids ages seven to 12. Check the website for updated information.
The museum is justly proud of its Food Court on the lower level; walk through the center and choose food to put on your tray - the options range from the very healthy and nice looking fruits and vegetables (and lovely cheese plates), to kid-pleasing pizza, burgers, and fries. Even on a crowded Saturday at 12:30pm, we had no trouble sailing through the brilliantly designed self-serve section, paying, and finding a place to sit.
The Hayden Planetarium is housed in the new Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Parking is available in the Museum's three story lot (enter on 81st Street between Columbus and Central Park West), for typical NYC prices. Still, you can't beat the convenience. Don't forget to have your ticket validated in the museum; you'll save at least a couple of dollars off the full price.
The museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
CityPass: The American Museum of Natural History is a participant in CityPass®, the most convenient way to visit five city attractions. Tickets are combined in an easy booklet for one low price, with no waiting in ticket lines!
The Hall of Biodiversity is another big crowd-pleaser, with a walk through faux rainforest and lots of sea and land creatures to gaze upon.
The Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins presents the remarkable history of human evolution from our earliest ancestors millions of years ago to modern Homo sapiens. The innovative Spitzer Hall combines the most up-to-date discoveries in the fossil record with the latest in genomic science to explore the most profound mysteries of humankind: who we are, where we came from, and what is in store for the future of our species.
The Discovery Room houses hands-on exhibits for older children in the company of an adult. Kids can hunt for hidden creatures in a two-story replica of an African baobab tree (read the Little Prince before visiting!), check out an authentic Kwakiutl totem pole, dig for fossils (the staff tell us it takes about two weeks for kids to uncover the skeleton, at which point the museum covers it back up with packed sand for the next round), put a dino skeleton back together (our kids' favorite) with ingenious magnetized bones, and track earthquakes all over the world on a seismograph.
The Discovery Room holds about 50 inquisitive kids and parents at a time; when it gets too busy, you might be asked to wait for the next 40 minute stretch.
IMAX films are screened in the Lefrak Theatre, which features a forty-foot-high, sixty-six-foot-wide screen and a state-of-the-art digital sound system. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling 212.769.5200, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Highlights Tours are offered daily at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm; 1:15pm, 2:15pm, and 3:15pm. Tours begin at the entrance to the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, on the second floor.
Special exhibits and seasonal events, like the annual Butterfly Conservatory, require additional ticketing, and often an additional fee, and it can all be somewhat confusing. The smartest way to visit the museum is to plan in advance - and order tickets before you go. The Will Call ticket booth (located at the entrance at 81st between Central Park West and Columbus) usually has shorter lines than the drop-in booths, and if you order in advance you're sure to be able to see what you want to see.
AMNH offers summer camp and school vacation camp options for kids ages seven to 12. Check the website for updated information.
The museum is justly proud of its Food Court on the lower level; walk through the center and choose food to put on your tray - the options range from the very healthy and nice looking fruits and vegetables (and lovely cheese plates), to kid-pleasing pizza, burgers, and fries. Even on a crowded Saturday at 12:30pm, we had no trouble sailing through the brilliantly designed self-serve section, paying, and finding a place to sit.
The Hayden Planetarium is housed in the new Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Parking is available in the Museum's three story lot (enter on 81st Street between Columbus and Central Park West), for typical NYC prices. Still, you can't beat the convenience. Don't forget to have your ticket validated in the museum; you'll save at least a couple of dollars off the full price.
The museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
CityPass: The American Museum of Natural History is a participant in CityPass®, the most convenient way to visit five city attractions. Tickets are combined in an easy booklet for one low price, with no waiting in ticket lines!
tips:
Membership at the Museum will help get you into the often booked-up Hayden Planetarium and other exhibits that require ticketing (and past the insane lines on days when schools are closed for vacation!). If you plan to visit more than twice in a year, it's well worth the $115/family fee. Membership benefits include unlimited complimentary admission, discount prices in the gift shops and for Space Show, IMAX theater, and special exhibition tickets for two adults & up to four children, invitations to special Members' exhibition previews for your family, individual child's membership card upon request, and invitations to the annual Family Holiday Party. $90 is tax deductible.
getting there:
Cross streets are 77th and 81st Streets. The Members' entrance is on Columbus Avenue and 79th Street. Parking is available in the lot under the museum. Enter at 81st Street between CPW and Columbus. The lot is open from 8am-11pm, and members receive a discounted rate if they park after 4pm, Mon-Fri. [212.313.7278]
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