American Museum Of Natural History
American Museum Of Natural History
6 minutes read•Published on 05-10-2024
The American Museum of Natural History, located in the heart of New York City, is one of the most prominent and prestigious educational institutions in the world. Boasting a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1869, the museum is a fusion of academic exploration and public enlightenment, offering an immersive journey through the natural world, human cultures, the universe, and a panoply of scientific fields. Offering 45 permanent exhibit halls and a planetarium, the museum provides an entertaining and enlightening portal into the majesty and mystery of our world and beyond. Its vast collections, educational programs, and scientific research provide an unrivaled resource for millions of visitors annually.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the American Museum Of Natural History with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The American Museum of Natural History in New York was established in 1869 by a group of eminent men, including Theodore Roosevelt Sr., who wished to promote the discovery, interpretation, and dissemination of knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the cosmos. The museum’s founding was endorsed by Albert Smith Bickmore, who had previously been a student of Louis Agassiz at Harvard University. It officially opened its doors and public galleries on December 22, 1877, and became one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, setting the bar for natural history museums around the globe.
The museum’s early days were marked by the construction of several significant architectural features, including the Gothic Revival-style building on Central Park West. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, expeditions across the globe led to extensive collections of dinosaur and mammalian fossils, which would become the hallmarks of the institution. During this time, the museum also began to serve as a research institution, offering graduate training and fellowships and publishing research in its own series of scientific journals.
The American Museum of Natural History underwent significant expansion during the mid-20th century. Starting from the 1950s, several new wings and exhibits were added. These include the Hall of Ocean Life, the Hall of Dinosaurs and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. This growth was fueled by both private donations and public funds. In addition to its physical expansion, the museum also increased its reach by starting educational and outreach programs, reaching students across the country.
In recent years, the museum has further established its position as a leading institution in global scientific research and education. It offers extensive online resources, has digitized much of its collection for public viewing, and hosts regular scientific events and lectures. The American Museum of Natural History is not only a testament to our world’s rich and vibrant history, but is also a beacon of scientific research and conservation moving forward. Today, with over five million visitors each year, the museum continues to fulfill its mission, inspiring a broad and diverse audience about science and the joys of learning.
One reason to visit
The Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton
One fantastic reason to visit the American Museum of Natural History in New York is the chance to see the renowned Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. This commanding artifact is one of the most comprehensive T. rex fossils in existence. Originating from one of the most feared carnivores that have ever inhabited our planet, this tangible connection to the past provides a potent sense of awe and a fantastic opportunity for education. The chance to witness this extraordinary specimen firsthand, displayed in a dynamic pose that reveals its massive scale and terrifying power, is a truly unforgettable memory that appeals to both kids and adults alike. Anyone fascinated by the ancient world, natural history or simply craving a unique, enlightening experience, should witness this artifact. Visiting the American Museum of Natural History will give you the chance to be face-to-face with one of the most admired predators of all time, a creature that ruled its era unquestionably. Its not just a display, its an encounter with history, a journey into the raw natural world that once was.
Getting there
If you're starting from Central Park South, first head northwest on Central Park South toward 7th Ave. Turn left onto 7th Ave., then take a sharp right onto Central Park West. Continue straight until you reach the 77th Street. The American Museum of Natural History is on the right side at Central Park West & 79th St. If you're starting from a distance, the easiest way by public transport would be by MTA Bus. The M7, M10, M11, M20, M104 buses all stop within a block of the museum. You can also take the C or B subway trains to 81st Street - two blocks from the museum.
You can reach the American Museum of Natural History by taking the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway cycle route. To get there, first, cycle west on 80th Street towards Riverside Drive. Make a left onto Riverside Drive and then a right onto 79th Street, which will lead you to the Riverside Park. From there, you can easily access the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway which follows the Hudson River. Following the greenway south, you will reach 77th Street. Make a right onto 77th Street and continue east until you encounter Columbus Avenue. The Museum will be in sight at 200 Central Park West.
If you are looking to get to the American Museum of Natural History in New York by public transport, it's quite straightforward. If you are taking the subway, you can take either the C or B lines to the 81st Street - Museum of Natural History stop. If you prefer to take the bus, you can hop on board either the M79, which crosses Central Park and stops right outside the museum, or the M7, M10, M11, and M104 buses that all stop within a few blocks of the museum.
Start your journey towards the American Museum of Natural History by getting on I-278 W from your location. Follow I-278 W and I-495 W to W 35th St in Manhattan, New York. After you arrive in Manhattan take the exit towards 36 St, from I-495 W. Continue on W 35th St. Take 8th Ave and Central Park W to W 79th St. After turning on to W 79th St, you will see your destination, American Museum of Natural History. The museum does not have its own parking facility, but there are several parking garages nearby, such as the Regent Garage Corporation at 45 W 61st St or the Quick Park at 15 W 65th St.
