American Museum of Natural History

The basics

Purchase general admission American Museum of Natural History tickets to explore the permanent exhibits and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Alternatively, purchase an upgraded ticket that adds access to space shows in the Hayden Planetarium, IMAX films, and ticketed temporary and seasonal exhibitions, such as the annual Butterfly Conservatory.

Guided American Museum of Natural History tours are great for checking off all the must-sees. Choose between family-oriented tours, highlights tours, small-group tours, private tours, and early access tours that allow participants to explore before official opening hours. Some guided tours combine visits to the Natural History Museum with trips to other cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). Various New York City sightseeing and discount passes include admission to the museum.

Things to know before you go

• The American Museum of Natural History is a must for families.

• Leave large bags, luggage, and selfie sticks at home, as they are not allowed in the museum.

• Download the AMNH Explorer App on your smartphone to help you navigate.

• The museum is fully-accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

• A food court can be found on the museum’s lower level, while cafés are situated on the first and fourth floors.

• If you have kids and your days are booked, spend the night at the museum on organized sleepovers.

How to get there

The museum is in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Parking in NYC is expensive, so it’s best to arrive on public transport. Ride the B or C subway lines to 81st Street, or the 1 train to Broadway and West 79th Street. Hop-on hop-off bus tours of New York also stop here.

When to get there

The museum is very popular among families, so expect bigger crowds on weekends, school vacations, and rainy days. Plan to arrive early and head directly to the more popular exhibits, such as the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing, which tends to get busier as the day goes on.

The American Museum of Natural History highlights

Of all the exhibits at the museum, few are as popular among young visitors as the dinosaurs. Highlights include the Allosaurus, depicted hunched over and feeding on a carcass, and a Tyrannosaurus rex shown in stalking mode. Other standout displays include the animal dioramas at the Family Hall of North American Mammals, the Asian elephants at the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, and the 94-foot-long (29-meter-long) blue whale model suspended from the ceiling at the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.

How long does it take to visit the American Museum of Natural History?

Visitors should expect to spend two to three hours exploring the American Museum of Natural History’s permanent collection. Add another hour to see one of the special exhibitions or attend a performance. Travelers who aren’t in a hurry can spend a whole day here.

Do we need to make reservations in advance to the American Museum of Natural History?

Yes, visiting the American Museum of Natural History requires reservations as it operates on a timed entry basis. However, visitors arriving without reservations can easily use their phones to reserve tickets.

Is the American Museum of Natural History accessible?

Yes, all exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History are wheelchair-accessible. All public floors are reachable by elevator, and several restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. Non-motorized wheelchairs are available to visitors at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, service animals are welcome inside the museum, as are strollers.

Can you bring water into the American Museum of Natural History?

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their water bottles inside the American Museum of Natural History. Note, however, that eating is not permitted in the museum’s exhibition spaces. Visitors can dine at the museum’s food court or in one of the cafés.

Can you take bags into the American Museum of Natural History?

Yes, you can take small bags into the American Museum of Natural History, but they must be small enough to carry on your shoulder. Large backpacks, bulky bags, and suitcases are not allowed inside. Since the coat check isn’t always available, it’s best to leave larger bags at home.

Can I take pictures at the American Museum of Natural History?

Yes. Except where noted otherwise, visitors are welcome to take photos in the American Museum of Natural History, as long as they are only for personal and not professional use. But leave selfie sticks at home: they’re not allowed inside the museum.

Ways to explore

Set aside several hours, if not a whole day, as the museum is massive. A standard ticket gets you access to more than 40 permanent halls, including a 150-million-year-old stegosaurus fossil, paintings by Indigenous artists, and an exhibit on the world’s oceans. Add on optional ticketed exhibits, including the Hayden Planetarium Space Show.

Catch a free guided tour throughout the day to be taken straight to the museum highlights. Or opt for a private or shared Manhattan sightseeing tour that includes a stop at the American Museum of Natural History. You can even take a hop-on hop-off bus tour and listen to commentary along the way.

Accessibility

The entire museum is wheelchair-accessible, and you can rent wheelchairs for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Age limits

Children under 12 must have an adult with them.

What to pack

Camera, water bottle

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, because visiting the museum involves a lot of walking.

Not allowed

Selfie sticks, drones, outside food and drink, eating in the exhibition galleries

Amenities

Storage lockers, family restrooms, cafés, food court, the Restaurant at Gildner

Address

The American Museum of Natural History is located in the Upper West Side, just across the street from Central Park. It’s a convenient spot to reach on foot from many locations in Manhattan (or a quick taxi ride away). If you’re coming from further afield, you’ll find plenty of options via the subway or bus.

Driving

From Lower Manhattan, take NY-9A North and turn onto West 79th Street. There’s a parking garage on 81st Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West with hourly rates. Parking in Manhattan can be pricey, so consider taking a taxi or rideshare service instead.

Public transportation

By subway, take the C or B (on weekdays) to 81st St-Museum of Natural History, or the 1 train to W 79th St, which is a 12-minute walk from the museum. The closest wheelchair-accessible subway station is the 1, 2, 3 at 72nd Street. The M79 bus stops right next to the museum on West 81st Street.

Best times to visit

Aim for morning or late afternoon; ticketed exhibits have timed reservations.

Best days to visit

Avoid weekends for fewer crowds, especially during the school year.

Best months to visit

New York City is most pleasant in spring and fall, although the museum is also great for rainy or chilly days.

Special events

The museum hosts special events throughout the year, everything from origami folding workshops and astronomy lectures to the annual Margaret Mead Film Festival.