American Museum of Natural History
Museum Large natural history museum known for extensive dinosaur fossils
On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the American Museum of Natural History houses dinosaur skeletons, dioramas, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, and rotating science exhibits; visitors come for paleontology displays, planetarium shows, and family learning.
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, founded in 1869 and located along Central Park West. It is widely known for its fossil collections, natural science exhibits, and public science programs.
Established in 1869 by a group of naturalists and civic leaders, the museum’s collections grew rapidly through 19th- and 20th-century expeditions and donations. Facilities and exhibition spaces have been expanded and modernized repeatedly to house growing collections and to add contemporary exhibition design and educational programming.
The museum occupies a city block on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, opposite Central Park, roughly 2 miles north of Times Square and easily reached by subway and local transit.
- Location tip: The museum is on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, directly adjacent to Central Park, making it easy to combine with park visits and other nearby attractions.
- Exhibitions and tickets: Permanent exhibitions include extensive fossil collections and a planetarium; special exhibitions rotate and can require separate timed-entry tickets.
What to See #
- Rose Center for Earth and Space: A high-profile astronomy and earth-science center that includes a planetarium and modern exhibition spaces focused on space and cosmology.
- Fossil Halls: A series of halls devoted to paleontology, highlighted by extensive dinosaur fossil displays and mounted skeletons that form part of the museum's signature exhibits.
- Hall of Ocean Life: A large diorama-filled section featuring marine life displays, including a well-known suspended blue whale model.
How to Get to American Museum of Natural History #
The American Museum of Natural History sits on Central Park West between West 77th and West 81st Streets. Take the MTA B or C subway to 81st Street-Museum of Natural History (about a 2-3 minute walk from the station entrance to the museum) or the 1 train to 79th Street (about a 7-10 minute walk). The M79 crosstown bus stops on 79th Street near Columbus/Central Park West (a short 2-3 minute walk).
By car it is roughly 2.5-3 miles north of Midtown Manhattan (Times Square area); expect about 15-25 minutes driving depending on traffic. Street parking is limited; there are nearby paid garages around Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
Tips for Visiting American Museum of Natural History #
- Arrive right at opening on weekdays to avoid the mid-day crush and school groups that concentrate around the dinosaur halls; starting early gives you quieter access to popular exhibits.
- Enter via the Rose Center (on 81st Street) if you intend to see the planetarium first-it's the most direct entrance for space exhibits and often lets you bypass the busiest parts of the main rotunda.
- Many visitors head straight to the ground-floor dinosaur halls; to avoid that bottleneck, start on the upper floors and work downward so you see dioramas, gems, and mammal halls with fewer people around.
Best Time to Visit American Museum of Natural History #
Best to visit on a weekday during the winter or fall off‑peak months to avoid heavy crowds and long lines.
Weather & Climate near American Museum of Natural History #
American Museum of Natural History's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1213 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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