American Museum of Natural History

One of the best attractions I visited during my trip to New York. The American Museum of Natural History is absolutely massive, and you can easily spend half a day—or even a full day—exploring everything it has to offer. The dinosaur fossils were every bit as impressive as I had imagined, and seeing the iconic blue whale suspended from the ceiling was a real highlight. I also enjoyed the gemstone and mineral exhibits, which were stunning, and the newer Gilder Center is beautifully designed. The museum is well organized, clean, and suitable for visitors of all ages. Wear comfortable shoes because there’s a lot of walking, and it’s almost impossible to see every exhibit in one visit. If you’re visiting New York, I highly recommend adding this museum to your itinerary. It’s an educational, fascinating, and memorable experience that’s well worth the time.

We absolutely loved our visit to the American Museum of Natural History! There is so much to see and explore that you could easily spend an entire day here. My favorite exhibit was the Oceans section, seeing the enormous Blue Whale suspended from the ceiling was truly breathtaking and one of the highlights of our trip. We also spent a lot of time in the dinosaur halls, which were incredible. The fossil displays are impressive, and it's amazing to see the massive dinosaur skeletons up close. We also ate at the museum restaurant and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was. It was the perfect place to take a break and recharge before continuing our adventure through the exhibits. This museum is fascinating for both kids and adults, and every gallery offers something unique to discover. We can't wait to come back and explore even more on our next visit!

🦖🔭 The American Museum of Natural History is absolutely incredible! It’s one of those places that amazes both kids and adults. There’s so much to see—from dinosaurs and giant whales to space, gemstones, and fascinating exhibits from around the world. You could easily spend an entire day here and still want to come back. If you’re visiting New York City, this museum is an absolute must-see! ⭐️🦕🌎🚀

The American Museum of Natural History in New York was honestly such a fun experience for the family. The exhibits were beautiful, the dinosaurs were amazing, and there was so much to see that you could spend all day there. Definitely worth visiting at least once! BUT… be prepared to spend money before you even walk in 😭 I get it it’s Manhattan. It’s New York. But gosh We got there around 9:30 AM thinking we were early, only to realize the museum doesn’t open until 10. We sat waiting for about 45 minutes while the parking garage clock kept running the whole time. Parking ended up costing us $60 alone,18% tax/fee And don’t even get food from the carts outside unless you ask for prices FIRST. $85 for 5 hot dogs, fries, and drinks. Absolutely insane. Overall: amazing museum, but the parking garage prices and food carts outside were crazy expensive. Plan ahead, bring snacks, and expect NYC prices!

Although we didn’t have the opportunity to visit the museum itself, we spent some time exploring the grounds while walking through the area with our family, and we were very impressed. The building is absolutely beautiful, and the courtyard is stunning. The fountain, benches, and overall atmosphere make it a wonderful place to relax, take photos, and enjoy a peaceful break from the city. We ended up spending quite a bit of time there simply enjoying the surroundings. I would also like to give a special thank you to the security guard who was working at the entrance on May 18, 2026. My daughter urgently needed a restroom, and he was incredibly kind and helpful. He politely guided us and showed us exactly where to go. His friendliness and willingness to help made a great impression on us. Based on this experience alone, we would highly recommend stopping by to admire the beautiful architecture and outdoor spaces. We definitely plan to return and visit the museum itself on our next trip.

You can easily spend a whole day here. There are 5 levels of exhibitions as well as ticketed exhibitions. If you can I would recommend getting the general admission with all ticketed exhibits. Their ticketed exhibits are truly amazing. We went to the milky way ticketed exhibit and it was mind-blowing. Try to come early as long lines forms as it gets nearer to noon. Personally I find the level 1 exhibitions being more interesting. The level 4 dinosaur exhibitions are very cool as well. Most of the bones are real ones!

The American Museum of Natural History is an extraordinary institution; ensure you allow at least four hours to properly traverse its vast collections. For an optimal experience, I highly recommend securing your tickets in advance. To bypass the formidable queues at the main hall, utilize the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation side entrance. If you possess pre-purchased tickets, this entry allows you to skip the long lines entirely. It is truly the premier way to begin your visit to this world-class museum.

One of the best museums in New York — educational, massive, and unforgettable The American Museum of Natural History in New York is an absolutely amazing experience for both adults and kids. The museum is huge, beautifully organized, and filled with fascinating exhibits that make learning genuinely exciting. The highlights for us were definitely the dinosaur fossils, the massive blue whale model, the space exhibits, and the incredible wildlife dioramas. Every section feels immersive and detailed, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring without seeing everything. What I loved most: Incredible exhibits and attention to detail Very educational while still being fun Great for families and children Beautiful architecture and atmosphere Interactive experiences that keep kids engaged The museum can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays, and because it’s so large, comfortable shoes are definitely recommended. Planning ahead also helps if you want to see special exhibitions. Overall, the American Museum of Natural History is a must-visit NYC destination and one of the most impressive museums we’ve ever visited. Perfect for anyone curious about science, nature, history, and space.