American Museum of Natural History NYC: What to See, Costs & Tours

The American Museum of Natural History in NYC is an iconic museum that explores the wonders of the world we live in. While not an “art” museum, it focuses on the sciences and the world around us, including animals, plants, insects, geodes, minerals, dinosaurs, and so much more.

Before you go, read this article covering some of the most famous exhibitions, tour options, ticket prices, and must-know tips for your visit to New York’s Museum of Natural History.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is the American Museum of Natural History?
• Where is the Museum of Natural History in NYC?
• What are the famous things to see at the AMNH?
• How much are Museum of Natural History tickets?
• Does the Museum of Natural History offer tours?
• What to know before visiting the AMNH in NYC

Let’s look at each one below. 👇

Quick Links:

• Buy your ticket in advance to beat the lines
• Access the Museum of Natural History + Empire State & 3 other activities for 41% off
• View the free Highlights Online Guide for the museum

Note: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

American Museum of Natural History Podcast Episode

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What is the American Museum of Natural History?

The American Museum of Natural History, in their words, is one of the world’s preeiminent scientific and cultural institutions. It’s commonly referred to as the Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum, or just AMNH.

Founded in 1869, the museum has been on a mission to facilitate discovery and share knowledge about humanity, the world around us, and the universe as a whole.

It’s quite an undertaking, but one they excel at!

In my mind, the Museum of Natural History in New York City is a portal into all the interesting, curiosity-invoking slices of the world that fascinated my friends in elementary school and me.

Dinosaurs, planets, giant whales, minerals and rocks, bugs, flowers, and just about anything related to science, space, and discovery.

It’s one of my favorite NYC museums because it helps you rekindle the curiosity of the world around you. I couldn’t think of a better elementary school field trip than going to the Museum of Natural History, making it one of our top picks for things to do in NYC with kids.

Where is the Museum of Natural History in NYC?

The Museum of Natural History is nestled into the heart of the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

It starts on Central Park West and spans 77th to 81st streets, filling the entirety of those blocks between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.

The museum is right near Central Park, making it the perfect complement to park explorations.

It is easily accessible via public transit, including the C & B subway lines, with stops right at the museum.

What are the Famous Things to See at the AMNH?

There are so many phenomenal exhibitions at this museum that we can’t possibly list them all. Keep in mind that all animal exhibits are recreations or fossils; there are no live animals at the museum.

Many people know the Museum of Natural History from the Night at the Museum movie with Ben Stiller. Great movie, loved it as a kid.

We’ve been to AMNH with many of our nieces and nephews visiting the city, and they all wanted to see things from Night at the Museum. Their favorite is usually the Moai Statue from this iconic scene. 👇

Here are some of the most popular spots at the Museum of Natural History from the Night at the Museum movie:

• Tyronnasurus rex (floor 4)
• Moai statue (floor 3)
• Capuchin monkey (floor 3)
• African mammals (floor 2)
• Blue whale (floor 1)
• Neanderthals (floor 1)
• Theodore Roosevelt (floor 1)
• Lewis and Clark statues (outside)

I personally think all of these are worth seeing during your trip to the museum.

As for non-movie-centric exhibitions, here are some that are included in the ‘Highlights’ tour offered by the Museum of Natural History:

• Most of floor 4, including the Megalodon, Mammoth, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus Rex
• A Hardosaur footprint made by a dinosaur over 72 million years ago (floor 3)
• Komodo dragon (floor 3)
• Moai Statue (floor 3)
• African elephants (floor 2)
• Gorilla (floor 2)
• Barosaurus and Allosaurus (floor 2)
• King penguin (floor 2)
• Climate wall, highlighting our changing climate and its effects (floor 1)
• Blue whale (floor 1)
• Giant Sequoia (floor 1)
• Lucy, a cast of the 3.18-million-year-old fossil of one of the first upright ancestors of humans (floor 1)
• Giant geodes (floor 1)
• Star of India, the largest-known gem-quality star sapphire at over 563 carats and about 2 billion years old (floor 1)

If I personally had to pick two highlights from the American Museum of Natural History, it would be:

1. Hall of Gems and Minerals
2. Insectarium

Both of these are on floor 1 and very close to each other.

Hall of Gems and Minerals

Not only does this exhibition include over 5,000 specimens, but it also features a small room with rotating exhibitions within this hall. Some of those mini exhibitions have included hip hop jewelry (no longer on display), wonders of the cosmos, and more.

If you love rocks, geodes, and geology, this hall is a must-visit.

The giant geodes must be seen to be believed!

Insectarium

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth. This interactive and engaging exhibition features over 20 live insect species.

It also has one of the world’s largest live leafcutter ant displays. This is one of our favorite parts of the museum, as you can see leafcutter ants cutting, transporting, and depositing leaves to build habitats, in real time.

You’ll Have to Check It Out – Tara Mor

• Plenty of seating options, spacious throughout
• Lots of TVs and the kitchen’s open late, perfect for post-MSG events
• Irish Spice Bag with chicken tenders is a hit
• Lovely pours of Guinness

Check out Tara Mor here.

How Much are Museum of Natural History Tickets?

The museum offers ticket options for adults, children, students, and seniors. Here are the costs for tickets to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC:

• Adults – $30
• Children (age 3-12) – $18
• Students (with valid ID) – $24
• Senior (ages 60+) – $24

This price is quite standard for New York City museums, and you can easily spend 3-4 hours at the AMNH. I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the museum.

There are specific exhibits that are available at an additional charge. We’ve enjoyed the butterfly atrium and others, but it depends on how much you want to spend and how long you plan on being at the museum.

If you plan to visit the American Museum of Natural History during your trip and also want to go to an observation deck like the Empire State Building, the CityPass will likely save you money. The pass gives you access to:

1. American Museum of Natural History
2. Empire State Building Observatory with AM/PM access
3. Plus, any 3 from the following list:
   • Top of the Rock
   • 9/11 Museum
   • Ferry Access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
   • Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
   • Intrepid Museum
   • Guggenheim Museum

As long as you use your admission within 9 days, you can get a LOT of value from this pass. On average, it saves you about 40% compared to buying 5 attractions individually. Get the New York CityPass here.

Does the Museum of Natural History Offer Tours?

Tours are only through the official American Museum of Natural History. No 3rd-party tours are allowed inside the museum. Anyone who claims otherwise is trying to scam you.

Luckily, the museum offers many tours. We recommend checking their website to verify there will be a tour on the day you plan to attend. Here are some tour options for the Museum of Natural History in NYC:

• Highlights Tour
  • Every 30 minutes, starting at 10:30 am until 3:30 pm
  • View the day’s schedule and sign up for a tour at the information desk in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on Floor 1
  • The tour is approximately 75 minutes long
• Foreign Language Highlights Tour
  • French
    • Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1pm
    • Most Wednesdays at 12pm
  • Italian
    • Thursdays at 2pm
  • Spanish
    • Tuesdays at 2pm
    • Most Sundays at 2pm
  • Mandarin Chinese
    • Some Wednesdays at 2pm
    • Most Saturdays at 2pm
  • Hebrew
    • Some Sundays at 1pm
• Spotlight Tours
  • Hall of the Universe
    • Thursdays at 1pm
  • Hall of Asian Peoples
    • Fridays at 2pm
  • Various others, see the full list here

The American Museum of Natural History also offers self-guided tours on its website or in a printable version. Those include a ‘Highlights Guide‘ and a ‘Night at the Museum Guide‘.

What to Know Before Visiting NYC’s Museum of Natural History

You can visit the AMNH without prior knowledge and have a great experience, but we have some tips to help you make the most of your time. Here are some things ot know before visiting the American Museum of Natural History:

• Either come at the very beginning of the day or near the end for fewer crowds
• Wear comfortable shoes
• There are multiple entrances, so you don’t have to go to the one on Central Park West… it’s the most crowded
• Eat before going – See our full Upper West Side Guide for top restaurants nearby
• Most visitors will stay for 1-3 hours
• Ideally, save a museum day for poor weather, although many others will also have that idea
• There are multiple stores/shops throughout the museum with some very fun gifts and souvenirs
• There are multiple cafes; hours vary

American Museum of Natural History in New York City Recap + Next Steps

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History is something we recommend to all visitors of New York City. It’s a wonderful way to learn more about the world and the universe we live in.

Remember to:

• Buy your ticket in advance to beat the lines
• Access the Museum of Natural History + Empire State & 3 other activities for 41% off
• View the free Highlights Online Guide for the museum

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