Located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is one of the world’s leading scientific and cultural institutions.
It attracts over 5 million visitors each year. The museum’s exhibits showcase human evolution, biodiversity, meteorites, and the cultures of indigenous peoples from around the world.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the American Museum of Natural History.
Top Tickets
# American Museum of Natural History entry ticket
# American Museum of Natural History + Edge Hudson YardsIt’s highly recommended to book your American Museum of Natural History tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
Things to know before booking tickets
Tickets for the American Museum of Natural History can be purchased at the attraction or online in advance. Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
To book tickets, go to the American Museum of Natural History ticket booking page, select your preferred date and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email. You don’t need to carry printouts – just show the tickets on your mobile and enter.
American Museum of Natural History entry ticket
American Museum of Natural History + Edge Hudson Yards
American Museum of Natural History with CityPass
Opening hours
The American Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
There is no last time of entry.
Visitors who enter the Museum during the last hour of the day – from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm – can step in for free.
The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Duration of visit
If you book the most popular General Admission ticket, you will need at least 2.5 to 3 hours to explore the American Museum of Natural History.
If you plan to explore one special exhibition, you will need an hour more.
It is a massive museum, and some visitors explore the entire day. We recommend you learn about the American Museum of Natural History’s exhibits and plan an itinerary.
However long you stay, be assured of lots of walking, so you need good shoes and water.
Best time to visit
We suggest booking your tour on a weekday when the museum is less busy for a more enjoyable visit.
Mornings and late evenings typically have fewer visitors, making for a more peaceful visit.
It’s best to arrive at the American Museum of Natural History when it opens at 10 am.
Weekends and public holidays are the most crowded at the attraction.
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting American Museum of Natural History
If you are a local on a budget
If you are a history enthusiast, this is the best option! You can stay as long as you want, till the museum closes.
Enjoy exhibitions such as “What’s in a Name,” “Garden of Green,” and “Extinct and Endangered” at the best price.
Spend time at the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation.
If you want to make the most of your day
Book once and elevate your experience with this convenient combination of must-sees in New York, the AMNH, and the Edge Hudson Yards.
These attractions are just 3.5 miles apart. Booking a combo ticket to both helps save time and money.
You save about €15 per person when you book this combo!
You get access to more than 40 permanent exhibition halls at AMNH and a timed entry to the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. A perfect way to spend a day in the city!
If you want to save money and yet see more
If you are in New York for a longer duration or are visiting with a big group, you may want to save money. This New York Pass does just that!
You can visit five major New York City attractions at significant savings.
At a 40% discount, visit iconic sites like the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History.
Enjoy panoramic views from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, ride the Statue City Cruises ferry, and explore the Guggenheim Museum.
American Museum of Natural History contains more than 34 million exhibits, but only a small portion are displayed at any time. Even that is a lot to see during your visit. Find out the most important exhibits, exhibitions, and shows at AMNH.
Explore AMNH better
Directions
The American Museum of Natural History is on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in New York City.
Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, USA. Get Directions
You can reach the AMNH by public transport or car.
Museum’s entrance
Visitors can enter the Museum through Central Park West (upstairs) at 79th Street or the accessible entrance on 81st Street/Rose Center for Earth and Space.
Museum members can use the member entrance on Central Park West at 79th Street (it is at ground level, via the driveway).
Museum map
The American Museum of Natural History comprises 26 interconnected buildings and has 45 permanent exhibition halls and a planetarium.
The massive museum contains over 34 million exhibits, of which only a small portion is displayed at any time.
Knowing the museum’s floor plan helps avoid getting lost and missing out on significant exhibits.
The American Museum of Natural History’s map helps you locate exhibits and exhibitions and spots visitor services such as restrooms, cafes, souvenir shops, visitor assistance booths, etc.
Explorer app
You can also download the free Explorer app, which offers turn-by-turn directions and highlights and is available for iOS and Android.
The app offers navigation from every corner of the museum, including the shortest and most accessible routes.
The Explorer app is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, and its language is automatically set to your device’s language.
Where to eat
American Museum of Natural History has three places to eat – the Food Court on the Lower Level, Cafe on One on the first floor, and Cafe on Four on the fourth.
These outlets are open from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and cater to various palates.
Café on One also serves wines by the glass and a selection of beers.
Since the entry tickets allow re-admission, some visitors prefer to step out, dine, and get back in.
Eating is not allowed in Museum galleries.
You can get some nearby restaurant recommendations here and here.
Combo tickets
To make the most of your visit to New York, it’s best to plan and book a combo ticket.
Take advantage of exclusive deals and explore the city’s top attractions near the American Museum of Natural History, some within a couple of miles.
You can buy the American Museum of Natural History tickets in combination with tickets for the Edge Hudson Yards, MoMA, Bronx Zoo, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, The Guggenheim, or One World Observatory.
Combo tickets are ideal for large families, groups, or those on a budget holiday and can help you visit all major attractions by booking just once!
Avail discounts of up to 10% when booking these combo tickets
Unlock your ultimate New York adventure!
Explore more for less! Get a New York CityPASS® and experience 5 must-see attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a 40% savings. Your ticket is valid for 9 consecutive days including the first day of use.
Pay what you wish to get entry to AMNH!
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents qualify for the Pay What You Wish entry. The amount they pay for General Admission is up to them, but they must provide a valid ID at the entrance. The accepted IDs are driver’s license, IDNYC, State ID card, Library card, Student ID, Current utility bill with address, or Voter registration card. To see Special Exhibitions, everyone must book General Admission + One ticket.
Is the American Museum of Natural History free?
American Museum of Natural History is free for visitors who qualify for one or more of the following conditions –
- Caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities
- US military and their families*
- Cool Culture pass holders
*All family members can enter for free from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. One guest gets free admission for the rest of the year, along with the US military personnel.
Even though general admission fees are waived for this set of visitors, they still require a timed-entry reservation.
What to expect at AMNH
Visit the American Museum of Natural History and explore one of the largest museums in the world, boasting around 32 million natural specimens.
Go on an expedition to a Pacific Island, to the deep-sea floor, back to the age of the dinosaurs, or out to the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy – all without leaving New York!
Explore the Rose Center for Earth and Space, which explores the 13-billion-year history of the universe and cosmic evolution.
Head to the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, showcasing the diversity of aquatic life, including a life-size model of a blue whale.
The Richard Gilder Center features three levels of floor-to-ceiling displays showcasing the museum’s scientific collections, stunning architecture, and fascinating displays.
The museum boasts the world’s most significant collection of dinosaur fossils, including the iconic T. rex, the colossal Titanosaur, and a 122-foot-long skeleton.
Entry to Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals
The 11,000-square-foot Mignone Halls house one of the world’s most important collections of gems and minerals. The newly redesigned part of AMNH showcases 5,000 specimens from 95 countries.
All American Museum of Natural History tickets include entry to the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. However, visitors must join a virtual line once they arrive at the museum.
Once inside, look for signs near the entrances for instructions or ask a staff member. Since the Halls of Gems and Minerals is popular with visitors, spots in the virtual line often fill up by early afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s possible to visit the museum without a reservation, we recommend booking a timed entry ticket in advance, especially during busy periods.
Purchase tickets online ahead of your visit. With an e-ticket on your mobile, you can avoid the long ticket counter lines at the museum.
Absolutely. The museum is famous for its incredible dioramas, which feature lifelike scenes of animals in their natural habitats. These exhibits, created by Carl Akeley, include meticulously painted backgrounds and taxidermied animals, making it a fascinating experience.
You should plan to spend about three to four hours at New York’s American Natural History Museum, although you could easily spend an entire day exploring all the different sections.
No, tickets for special exhibitions are not included in the general admission price and must be purchased separately.
Outside food and drink are not allowed in the museum, but several dining options are available.
Don’t miss the Blue Whale, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Barosaurus, and Allosaurus exhibits. These are some of the museum’s most iconic displays.
No, eating is not allowed in the museum galleries.
Visitors can leave and re-enter the museum on the same day using their timed-entry ticket. Re-entry is allowed through the 81st Street or Central Park West entrances, but you must go through the security line again.
The museum is stunning and has countless exhibits. You can easily spend several hours or even a full day there. However, note that some special exhibits may require additional fees.
Yes, the museum typically provides a 10% to 25% discount for military members, including active duty, veterans, and their immediate families.
Yes, strollers are allowed inside the museum, but they must be folded in certain areas.
