American Museum of Natural History

08/13/2008 Posted by mikelllita

This is a wonderful museum. The dioramas, the IMAX, the Planetarium (recently rebuilt) are all wonderful and entertaining. Check online or call in advance to see what the special exhibit is and to see if there are live animal exhibits on display. The butterfly vivarium is GREAT, you can walk through a room of free-flying butterflies and watch them drink from flowers/pieces of fruit while the docents explain their behavior and life cycle. You can spend an entire afternoon (many, actually) here and not get bored. They also have great events and guest lectures from the top minds in science on weekends/evenings. Check out their site for upcoming events.

Pros: IMAX, Live Exhibits

Cons: Can get crowded

10/24/2007 Posted by dmac6160

Indispensible. This NYC landmark is one of the best museums in the city, if not THE BEST. A wonderful place to while away the hours. The dinosaur exhibit alone is worth the price of admission. What are you waiting for? GO NOW!

02/25/2007 Posted by leotoni

I have been to the AMNH over five times, but I just won't get tired of it. Not only does it have an amazing collection of animals and dinosaur fossils, but also insights on how our planet evolved to what it is today and some of the past and present cultures around it. The AMNH is one of the sights that must be seen at least once when visiting New York, and will please children and adults alike. Don't try to cover everything in a single visit, though--you'll exhaust yourself.

Pros: Superb permanent collection, with guides who help kids understand what they see

01/04/2007 Posted by davidlovesnoriko

This was not very a very interesting museum for me. I could not find a bathroom anywhere! I paid extra for the gold exhibit and there was not really that much there. A bunch of nuggets. Save your money and have a look at Tiffany's. The exhibits were fine, but I prefer to see animals that are living. I think a visit to a zoo would have been nicer.

Pros: Extensive collection of DEAD animals

Cons: Lack of bathrooms

12/30/2006 Posted by b00pi3flak3s

Its easy to be impressed with all of the special exhibitions this place has to offer, what is really difficult however, is attempting to cover the entire museum in a day. It just simply cannot be done. 8 hours may not be enough in this place. Its a beautiful museum, stocked full of artifacts ranging from the start of man from different points of the world. Its expensive, but its a wonderful place to visit for locals and tourists.

Pros: Exhibits, Variety, Ambiance

Cons: Prices, Service

03/19/2006 Posted by kour

Screaming children trying to smash butterflies in the butterfly conservatory and the permanent exhibits look like elementary and middle school projects. I thought I was on candid camera--it was so frustrating and everything looked so cheap and fake. The layout is utterly confusing and repeatedly you must go up a level to reach a level below. The staff are rude. The ticket cost $25 for museum entry and the butterfly conservatory, but they neglect to mention when you order online this won't get you into the dozen other special exhibits, including the planetarium--a total ripoff!!!

Pros: in a nice area

Cons: confusing layout, expensive, rude staff

03/04/2006 Posted by joshdog

The world-leading dinosaur exhibit is amazing, no matter what your age, and there are numerous other areas to be discovered that will keep you entertained for hours (the gemstones, meteorites, Rose Space center, Millstein Hall of Ocean life, etc...). Some of the exhibits are dated, but I woudn't change them - they give a glimpse of how the museum evolved over the decades and have essentially become "classic". There's plenty of "new" to see as well. While it can get a little pricey if you are buying for the day, the family membership is an absolute bargain for frequent visitors and allows you to completely avoid the ticket lines. And, contrary to some earlier comments, the cafeteria is fairly priced (this is NY folks) and has a number of options for kids and adults.

Pros: Dinosaurs!!!, Rose Space Center, Dinosaurs!!!

Cons: Parking prices

06/18/2004 Posted by jerlena

I took my 4-year old niece to the American Museum of Natural History and she had a great time. She absolutely loved the museum. She learned a lot. She especially enjoyed looking, learning and reading about the animals in the African Collection. Enlightened by her new findings, she insist on nominating going to this museum when creating her weekend "What To Do" list. We went back a few times and now she names the animals without reading or having me help her (sometimes she would peek at the writings and say, "I know what that animal is Aunty".) Her reading has improved and it is a delight when she names some of the animals that I am not familiar with.

Pros: pay what you want, to get in., educational and fun

Cons: , in certain areas., suggested admission

03/25/2004 Posted by ednfct

You can actually see this place for free if you want. I paid the student rate. The admission is recomended but pay what you want. The staff guy in line will even tell you this. But give something. There is a lot to see. The giant redwood is incredible, and there is a section on filipinos on the third floor. Its a good break from all the art stuff and good anthropology and bio break. The place is huge and good for kids.

Pros: lots of stuff to c, choose wut 2 pay, good break from art

Cons: , line during busy hrs

07/11/2003 Posted by gumby3000

My friend and I went to the museum recently - and we paid for an all inclusive ticket that allowed us to see 6 special exhibits. The space shows were great, and I learned a lot about Einstein. The Ocean Life Exhibit is beautiful! I left that day feeling very smart :).