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United States/Things to Do in New York, with kids

American Museum of Natural History (with kids)

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How Kids-Friendly is American Museum of Natural History?

95%Kids-Friendly
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What makes it 95% Kids-Friendly: Hands-on Discovery Room, towering dinosaurs, and kid-priced tickets create an exciting, educational half-day, though parents must budget extra for paid shows.

Google
Reviews4.6/ 5
(from 23,277 reviews)
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Positives:

  • Stroller-friendly: Wide ramps and elevators let you explore most galleries with a stroller.
  • Family Restrooms: All-gender restrooms include changing tables near major exhibit halls.

Challenges:

  • Timed Pass Lines: Discovery Room passes fill quickly—lines form at opening on weekends.
  • Museum Size: The vast layout can tire younger kids; plan frequent snack and rest breaks.
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🏖️ Explore American Museum of Natural History with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around American Museum of Natural History. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is American Museum of Natural History?

  • A landmark natural history museum on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, founded in 1869 and dedicated to scientific research and education
  • Home to more than 34 million specimens and artifacts, from dinosaur fossils and meteorites to global ethnographic collections
  • Architectural ensemble uniting a century-old Beaux-Arts complex with the modern glass-and-steel Rose Center for Earth and Space

What is so special about American Museum of Natural History for with kids?

  1. Hands-on Discovery Room to keep kids engaged
  2. Gigantic dinosaur skeletons for awe and photo ops
  3. Interactive Ocean Life and biodiversity exhibits
  4. Seasonal Butterfly Conservatory with real butterflies
  5. Immersive Hayden Planetarium space shows

Recommended visit duration: 3–5 hours

Why 3–5 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows time for key halls, a Discovery Room session, and a planetarium show without overloading the kids.

(View American Museum of Natural History on Map)

Kids-Friendly Activities in American Museum of Natural History

Discovery Room:

Hands-on lab with fossil digs, live critters, puzzles, and scavenger hunts.

Tip: Get your free 40-minute pass at the entrance early to secure your slot.

Dinosaur Halls & Titanosaur:

Walk among T. rex, Ankylosaurus, and the 122-foot Titanosaur skeleton.

Tip: Visit first thing in the morning to avoid crowds and get best photo spots.

Hall of Biodiversity & Ocean Life:

See the Giant Blue Whale and a rainforest diorama with 1,500+ specimens.

Tip: Use the lower-level walkway under the whale for a close-up view.

Butterfly Conservatory:

Seasonal exhibit (Oct–May) with hundreds of free-flying butterflies.

Tip: Wear bright clothing to attract butterflies for memorable photos.

Hayden Planetarium Space Show:

Half-hour full-dome shows like “Dark Universe” under the 87-foot sphere.

Tip: Reserve show times when you buy admission to get your preferred slot.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to American Museum of Natural History

  1. Book Online: Secure general and special-exhibit tickets before you arrive to skip lines.
  2. Use the Explorer App: Download the free app for kid-friendly audio guides and indoor maps.
  3. Start Early: Arrive at opening to explore popular halls before peak crowds gather.
🏖️ Tour American Museum of Natural History like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in American Museum of Natural History. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of American Museum of Natural History

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Harold PK

Harold PK

Nov 2025

Amazing! I’ve been to several museums in this category all around the country & world & in my opinion this is the best…even better than DC’s Smithsonian. Unlike other NYC attractions it was less packed and more enjoyable. I love the balance between science & history. The scale and attention to detail is top notch. Many of the taxidermies & environments looked great. I won’t go into great det...

Lion

Lion

Nov 2025

My visit was awesome! There was so much too see, I’ve been there for about 4 hours, including a show in the Hayden planetarium and it was barely enough to walk through every exhibit and read a few things. The 4th floor was my favorite by far, because it had the dinosaur bones, which was very interesting. The large Titanosauros was amazing. The other floors and exhibits were also very interesting,...

Antonio On The Map

Antonio On The Map

Oct 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The American Museum of Natural History is truly one of New York City’s greatest treasures. Every exhibit is fascinating — from the towering dinosaur fossils to the dazzling Hall of Gems and Minerals. The museum is beautifully curated, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring without seeing everything. The dioramas are stunningly detailed and bring the natural world to life, whi...

Lars Idar Waage

Lars Idar Waage

Oct 2025

The American Museum of Natural History never disappoints. You could easily spend hours here — especially in the incredible animal exhibits, where lifelike dioramas make you feel like you’re standing in the middle of the wild. It’s one of those places that fascinates you no matter how many times you visit. This was our second time, and it was just as impressive as the first. Even though the weathe...

Matt Owen

Matt Owen

Sep 2025

What an amazing place. The mammal exhibits blew me away, and the dinosaur fossils are just stunning. There's to much to see in just one day. There are several cultural exhibitions as well, and the museum has acknowledged that it did not act in the best manner all the time in collecting them. You will definitely learn something while you're here.

When is the best time to visit American Museum of Natural History (New York, United States)?

Plan your visit Oct–May for the Butterfly Conservatory. In winter and spring, the butterfly hall is busiest—arrive early. Planetarium shows run year-round but sell out fast on weekends.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to New York on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

ItemCost (Approx.)
General Admission (Adult)USD 28
General Admission (Child 3–12)USD 16
Total EstimatedUSD 88

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of American Museum of Natural History

Address: 200 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10024, USA

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About American Museum of Natural History

Opening Hours

Monday:10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday:Closed
Friday:9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday:9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+1 212-769-5100

Average price

US$ 27
Book on GetYourGuide

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Average price

US$ 27
Book on GetYourGuide
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