American Museum of Natural History

Kids and grownups alike love this museum!! The dinosaurs, the whales, the planets and the planetarium are just some of the things that make this the museum to beat. There are always great exhibits for the kids to enjoy as well as adults. It is easy to get to though parking is troublesome. Go early to avoid the weekend crowds. more

This is my favorite museum in New York City. It is not an art museum, but rather a museum of nature (hence the name Natural). You learn a lot about animals and the different species that existed before our time. You will see all sorts of animals you never new existed, especially the different kinds of fish that exist today. They have this life size balloon blue whale hanging over a room. It is truly amazing to fathom the fact that something that big exists today. You'll have lots of fun, this is a great place. more

Head to this great, old museum to see some of the most well put together science exhibits in New York. This collection, with its dioramas of stuffed animals from Teddy Roosevelt's day is a place to get lost on a rainy afternoon. Kids will love it but so will any adult with a love for science and history. From it meteors to its dinosaurs, this is the place to see the beauty and form of science in our lives. Sometimes you will be lucky to be there when a musical group is playing around the elephants. Go! more

The AMNH is amazing -- not only can you pay what you wish (which, as a poor student, I always appreciate), but there is something for everyone. From the cultural histories of the planet's many different peoples to an amazing record of animal life, the AMNH is never, ever dull. I love to go there and draw -- it's a great place for inspiration as well as a good spot to do research on texture and color. On the weekends it is swarming with children, but they're all having such a great time looking at such amazing things (you hear "wwwwoooooooaaaahhhhhh" over and over) that they never get on my nerves. The dinosaur halls are always packed, but worth a fly-by. Don't miss the cultural halls and the numerous galleries of stuffed animal exhibits (creepy but incredbile). The relatively new Rose Center and Planetarium is worth half a day on it's own, and on weekend nights they do light and laser shows in the dome. All in all, the AMNH is a great place to take kids, go on a date, or wander solo. Something for everyone and it never disappoints. more

This museum has been one of my favorites all of my life - I guess those great childhood memories of visiting the museum come through every time I take my kids here. It's still go the great dinosaur exhibits and so much more. While some exhibits may be a bit 70's and non-PC there is a lot that is very fresh and fun. Don't miss this place - even without kids. more

This is a great museum to bring the kids. They have numerous displays of dinosaur bones and fossils. These displays still amaze me today after all these years. There are also many replicas of different animals in their natural setting in the museum. However, the most impressive is still the dinosaurs. I have been to this museum numerous times on class trips. I have also been there numerous times when I was a counselor for summer camp. Children always enjoy visiting this museum. Be sure to plan on staying the entire day since the museum is extremely big. You could not possibly have seen everything in a day but you can see the majority of the place. THe musuem is divided into regions so you can explore those that interest you. However due to the tremendous amount of walking you will be doing, I will be sure you schedule several breaks for your kids. more

for some reason, only kids (escorted by parents or teachers) seem to populate this museum. nonetheless, this museum has all the elements to wow you and reduce you to a grade-school kid once again. as is probably true for most people, the section for dinosaurs was the most interesting, and even humbling. more

I remember going to this museaum since I was a kid in school. Every now and then I still would visit the museum whether for school projects or leisure. It's a great way to spend time with the children or even with your friends during a rainy and cold day or when you just run out of ideas. You really can learn a lot from the displays such as culture, animals, climate, dinosaurs, and etc. The best part of the museum for me was the planeterium. I love it! Price for admittance is what you suggest. I believe students receive discounts? I'm not sure. Either way it is a great way to spend your day. Speaking of which it makes me want to go back there tomorrow with my little cousin. more

When you don't know what to do with your kids on a rainy or snowy NY day, this is the place. To be admitted, you pay a suggested donation. It can actually be any amount. The Museum is huge, there are ample seating areas and a great cafe and plenty of accessable restroom. Best of all, the kids can run it out if they need to without disturbing people. Plenty of corriders, nooks and crannys to explore. Plus, you learn something new every time you go. more

This museum is great for all ages. Its carved animals and sculptures are more than real. Even though they are mostly behind glass, it's great for kids and parents to explore the wild/marine life and others. They also have ancient people such as the Aztecs and others on display, as well as dinosaurs. The entrance fee is $10 for students, and around $13 for adults, which is well worth it as the museum hosts 4 floors. more

This museum is huge! It has several floors of exhibits. You have your permanant exhibits like the dinosaur bones , mammals and ocean. Then you have constantly changing exhibits so there is always something new to see. You can come back time after time and still find something interesting here. The cafeteria is good also with a variety of food to choose from. You pay more if you get something in teh museum than if you went outside to eat. more

Huge, lots of things to see and learn. If you're a fan of nature and the Earth, then the exhibits will be of great interest. The room with all the fossils of wilder beasts and dinosaurs is great. The planetarium is cool with their space shows, and sometimes they have really crazy exhibits -- they created a butterfly terrarium inside the museum one winter. Only thing is that it can get a little on the expensive side. more

This museum is probably the best museum in the city of New York. There is an exhibit on almost everything out there, from animals to different types of civilizations, to evolution and space. This has stuff for the entire family, plus it is cheap for kids (and students). If you have cash defiantly go see the planetarium show. This place can be explored only in many days if you want to see the whole place in depth. more

The American Museum of Natural History is located at the edge of Central Park. Spend a few hours there. You can look at artifacts from ancient civilizations, learn about the Big Bang, or even look at dinosaurs on the top floor. There are special films and exhibits that you need to pay extra for, but those are of course optional. more

The sheer size of this place makes you come back time and time again. I really like the animal exhibits from all the continents and the huge dinosaur bones. I like to really read some of the information on just a few of each exhibit - each plaque is full of unique information that you probably won't find anywhere else. more

My friend was assigned a visit to a museum in college so he chose this one and took me along. I thought it would be boring but I was wrong. I loved the exhibit on ancient Asia. After he was done taking his notes we decided to go to the Planetarium which is only a few dollars. That was a great show! Narrated by Tom Hanks, it taught me a lot about space in an interesting way. Check this place out! more

I've been visiting the American Museum of Natural History for over 55 years. In my opinion it's the finest museum of its kind. The exhibits are constantly changing (and growing). It's a fun (and learning place) for both young an old. The new cafeteria is a bit pricie so I wouldn't recommend having lunch there ... anyhow there are some nice (and less expensive) luncheon spots in the neighborhood. Plan to spend a full day there and try to fit in to your day an Imax viewing and a visit to the Planetarium. more