The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm (last entry 5 pm), closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission tickets start from around US$28 for adults. The museum houses over 33 million specimens across 45 permanent halls, including towering dinosaur skeletons, a 94-foot suspended blue whale, and the Hayden Planetarium. Book tickets online to avoid queues and secure timed exhibition entry.
One of the great natural history museums on Earth, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) draws more than 5 million visitors each year to its landmark building on New York City’s Upper West Side. Spanning over 2 million square feet and housing more than 33 million specimens — from the 122-foot Titanosaur and fearsome T. rex to a suspended life-size blue whale and interactive space shows — AMNH is a must-visit for families, science lovers, and curious minds of every age.
This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything you need to plan your visit: ticket options, opening hours, must-see exhibits, guided tours, how to get there, and insider tips to make the most of your time at one of New York City’s most treasured cultural institutions.
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# American Museum of Natural History entry ticket
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AMNH offers four ticket types: General Admission (40+ permanent halls + Rose Center + Gilder Center); General Admission + one ticketed exhibition; General Admission + all ticketed exhibitions; and combo tickets with MoMA or Edge at Hudson Yards. Book online to save time and secure timed entry to popular exhibitions like the Butterfly Vivarium and Space Show.
AMNH offers several ticket options to match different interests, budgets, and available time:
The most popular and affordable option. Includes full access to:
Ideal for first-time visitors and families wanting to explore the museum’s core collection at their own pace.
Buy This TicketIncludes everything in General Admission plus entry to one ticketed special experience of your choice:
The all-access option covers all permanent halls plus every current ticketed temporary exhibition, subject to availability. Best value for visitors spending a full day or planning to see multiple special experiences.
Buy This TicketAMNH and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are just 2 miles apart — roughly 8 minutes by car or a short subway ride. The combo ticket provides convenient access to both world-class institutions in a single booking: ideal for art and science enthusiasts making the most of their NYC visit.
Buy This TicketCombine your AMNH visit with a trip to Edge at Hudson Yards — New York City’s highest outdoor observation deck. A great option for visitors mixing natural history with the city’s most dramatic panoramic views.
Buy This TicketExplore more of NYC for less! The New York CityPASS covers five iconic attractions — including AMNH — with up to 40% savings over individual ticket prices. Valid for nine consecutive days.
Buy This PassAMNH is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm, with last entry at 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Discovery Room operates weekends only: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am–1:30 pm and 2:15–5:15 pm. Always verify hours before visiting as they can change for special events.
The best time to visit AMNH is on a weekday morning, arriving at 10 am when the museum opens. Weekday mornings offer the smallest crowds and easiest access to popular galleries. Summer weekends are the busiest — expect higher demand for the Butterfly Vivarium and Space Show. Autumn and winter weekdays offer the most relaxed experience overall.
The best time to visit AMNH is on a weekday morning, arriving at 10 am when the museum opens. Weekday mornings offer the smallest crowds and easiest access to popular galleries. Summer weekends are the busiest — expect higher demand for the Butterfly Vivarium and Space Show. Autumn and winter weekdays offer the most relaxed experience overall.
Explore more for less! Get a New York CityPASS® and experience five must-see attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a 40% savings. Your ticket is valid for nine consecutive days, including the first day of use.
AMNH’s unmissable exhibits include the Fossil Halls (T. rex, Titanosaur, Triceratops), the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (94-foot blue whale), Hayden Planetarium Space Shows, the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals (Star of India sapphire), the Hall of Biodiversity, and the seasonal Butterfly Vivarium. Book timed entry to popular exhibitions well in advance.
Home to some of the finest dinosaur fossils on the planet. Stand face to face with a T. rex and Triceratops — and marvel at the Titanosaur, a 122-foot-long sauropod whose neck extends into the hallway outside the exhibition hall, making it the largest dinosaur ever mounted in a museum.
Marvel at the museum’s most beloved resident: a 94-foot-long (28.6 m) blue whale model suspended from the ceiling. Surrounding it are dramatic dioramas of ocean ecosystems, from the deep sea to coral reefs. This hall alone is worth the price of admission.
Experience narrated space shows — including productions narrated by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson — projected across the 87-foot domed ceiling of the Hayden Planetarium. Essential for space enthusiasts and families. Timed tickets required; book in advance.
Explore dazzling collections of rare crystals, gemstones, meteorites, and mineral specimens — including the famous 563-carat Star of India sapphire, one of the world’s largest blue star sapphires. Reopened in 2021 after extensive renovation, this is one of the most visually spectacular spaces in the museum.
Stroll through immersive dioramas showcasing Earth’s most diverse ecosystems — from African savanna to Amazon rainforest. The 2,500-square-foot Spectrum of Life exhibit features more than 1,500 specimens and models on a single dramatic wall.
Available seasonally (typically November to May), this enchanting experience lets visitors walk among hundreds of living butterflies from around the world. Extremely popular with families — book timed tickets well in advance, as it sells out on busy days.
Free guided tours depart daily on the half-hour from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm, each lasting approximately 75 minutes. Sign up at the Information Desk in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall (Floor 1). These tours offer excellent introductions to the museum’s most iconic exhibits and are ideal for first-time visitors.
Self-guided audio tours are available in multiple languages for independent exploration through the museum’s key halls, providing fascinating context and stories behind the exhibits.
Address: Central Park West & 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
Residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut 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 a driver’s license, IDNYC, State ID card, Library card, Student ID, Current utility bill with address, or Voter registration card. To view Special Exhibitions, everyone must book General Admission + One ticket.
Online booking is strongly recommended. It often provides better prices, saves significant time on arrival, and is essential for securing timed entry to popular exhibitions like the Space Show and Butterfly Vivarium, which can sell out on busy days.
AMNH is one of the best family-friendly museums in New York City. Standout experiences for kids include the Fossil Halls (dinosaurs), the blue whale, the Discovery Room (ages 5–12), the Butterfly Vivarium, and the Hayden Planetarium Space Show. Plan for a full day if visiting with young children.
Yes. The Fossil Halls — including the T. rex, Triceratops, and Titanosaur — are part of General Admission and require no additional ticket.
AMNH is located directly adjacent to Central Park on the Upper West Side, with entrances on Central Park West at 79th and 81st Streets. The museum and the park are essentially neighbours.
The 2006 film Night at the Museum is set in the American Museum of Natural History. It imagines the museum’s exhibits coming to life after hours, featuring many of the most famous specimens — including the T. rex skeleton and the Easter Island moai statue, housed in the Hall of Pacific Peoples.
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