American Museum of Natural History

Awe and marvel at one of the largest and most renowned museums in the world, The American Museum of Natural History. Both educational and entertaining, this NYC America Museum of Natural History is perfect for adults and children alike. Spend a day here and learn about everything from prehistoric dinosaur bones to far-off space galaxies. The Natural History Museum NYC was voted the #1 family attraction in New York City and #3 most popular destination in the USA by Zagat Survey Family Travel Guide!

Located in the heart of Manhattan, set across from beautiful Central Park, the Natural History Museum New York, is one of the world's greatest scientific and cultural institutions housed in one of the most architecturally magnificent buildings.

Natural History Museum NYC History 

The Natural History Museum New York was founded in 1869 and has grown significantly since then. It now encompasses a jaw-dropping 25 interconnected buildings that collectively house more than 1.2 million square feet (111483 square meters) of exhibits, research facilities, and libraries. The museum curators use this space to perfectly merge the past, present, and future for a wonder-filled day of education and fun for all ages.

Discover the Natural History Museum NYC that continues to fascinate and enrich millions of visitors each year. The museum’s historic 77th Street lobby recently underwent a renovation that allows visitors to experience the grandeur of the original 1904 design and celebrating the return and revitalization of the century-old icon that is the 63-foot-long Great Canoe.

Natural History Museum NYC Exhibits 

Many visitors travel far and wide to experience the Natural History Museum NYC‘s quintessential, show-stopping displays that it’s known for: the grizzly bear watching over the Hall of North American Mammals; the flabbergasting 94-feet long blue whale swimming through the world’s deepest oceans; the skeleton of a prehistoric Barosaurus rearing up as if to scare the neighboring Allosaurus skeleton. Those are just a few of the Natural History Museum NYC exhibits that standout but it’s the collective power of expertly curated collections that fill the 148-year-old museum with visitors year-round. No matter young or old, those who enter will leave with a profound curiosity about the universe around them.

Kids will love the many inspirational displays featured in the film Night at the Museum, including the Easter Island head in the Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples and the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton found in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs. Discover peoples of the world with the vivid displays of the Cultural Halls examining the cultures of Asia, Africa, North and South America and the Pacific. Discover the evolution of the human family throughout time in the Hall of Human Origins. In addition to these amazing exhibits, you can find even more collections covering mammals, birds, natural history, biodiversity, dioramas and so much more!

Don't forget the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a grand glass cube enclosing the equally impressive sphere housing the Big Bang Theater and the Hayden Planetarium. Don’t miss the Big Bang presentation or the Cosmic Pathway and be sure to explore our closest planetary wonder--planet Earth!

Natural History Museum NYC Tips & Info 

• Museum of Natural History hours: daily from 10 am–5:45 pm, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Don’t miss a visit to the Gift Shop—it is awesome!
• The American Museum of Natural History is perpetually crowded, but you'll face fewer people if you visit during a weekday.
• There are approximately 32 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 25 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't even plan on seeing everything in a single day! 
• You can download a map of the Museum here

We make it so easy to visit the Natural History Museum NYC. Just hop on our Uptown and Harlem route and hop off at stop #20 for an unforgettable day at the American Museum of Natural History. You’ll be glad you did!