On Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History explores nature, human cultures and the universe across 45 permanent exhibition halls. Its dinosaur fossils and the 94-foot blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life are memorable stops, while the Hayden Planetarium turns attention to space. You can also see human evolution at the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins and visit the Richard Gilder Center, with its insectarium and butterfly vivarium. The museum is vast, so choose a few priority halls and wear comfortable shoes.
A museum founded for science and education
The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869. Its work centers on discovering and sharing knowledge about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through research, education and exhibitions.
The collection includes more than 33 million specimens and cultural artifacts, from fossils, plants and animals to minerals, meteorites and human remains. Only a portion can be displayed at one time. Across 28 interconnected buildings, 45 permanent exhibition halls make the collection accessible to visitors exploring a wide range of scientific subjects.
Dinosaurs, mammals and ocean life
The Fossil Halls are a natural place to start if you want to see dinosaur skeletons. Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops and other fossils bring the museum’s deep-time displays into view. In the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, a Barosaurus rears up beside an Allosaurus, a dramatic encounter visible near the entrance.
The museum’s animal halls extend beyond fossils. In the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, a 94-foot blue whale model hangs above visitors. The Hall of North American Mammals is known for its habitat dioramas, which present animals within carefully arranged scenes of their environments. These displays give you a way to compare life across different habitats without leaving the museum.
From human origins to the universe
At the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins, exhibits trace human evolution, including the famous fossil Lucy. The Hall of Biodiversity takes a wider view, with an evolutionary timeline of 1,500 specimens spanning 3.5 billion years.
For a change of scale, head to the Rose Center for Earth and Space, home to the Hayden Planetarium. Its shows explore subjects including the solar system and galaxy. The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation adds another way to explore the natural world, with an insectarium, a butterfly vivarium and the immersive experience Invisible Worlds.
Plan a route through the halls
The museum’s connected buildings and many galleries can make it difficult to see everything in one visit. Pick a few priorities before you arrive, then allow time to walk between them. Comfortable shoes help on a day spent moving through multiple halls.
If a special exhibition or ticketed event is part of your plan, check its details ahead of time. Tickets in advance are recommended. The museum has a cafe, restaurant and marketplace, but food inside can be costly; bringing snacks is one option mentioned in the visit guidance.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the American Museum of Natural History?
It is at 200 Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, across from Central Park.
What are the main things to see?
Highlights include the Fossil Halls, the 94-foot blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, the Hayden Planetarium and the Richard Gilder Center.
Should I get tickets in advance?
The museum recommends getting tickets ahead of time. Plan ahead in particular for special exhibitions and ticketed events.
