A day in the Museum!

Last week we were in desperate need for some time out of the New York heat, so we headed for a day at the American Museum of Natural History.

Located in Manhattans Upper West Side, it is one of the World’s most famous museums and has featured in movies such as Miracle on 34^th Street, Spiderman 2 and Night at the Museum. And lets not forget Ross from Friends worked here too!

Covering four blocks, the museum is so vast and jam packed with curiosities that we have a different experience every time we visit. With more than 32 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts the museum can only display a small selection at any one time.

Even as an adult, I still learn something interesting every time we visit and I’m sure B learns each visit too.  He also remembers what he has seen on previous visits and recites things back to me, I find this amazing.

B is obsessed with dinosaurs, so every trip includes a visit to the fourth floor where the dinosaur exhibits live. There are hundreds of dinosaur bones on display. One of the most popular is the Tyrannosaurs Rex, everybody wanted to stop and take a picture of him.

The magnificent Titanosaur was also added to the collection earlier this year.

This visit we spent a lot of time in The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, which focuses on marine biology. Although most people focus on the giant blue whale suspended from the ceiling!

From there we explored the Hall of Biodiversity. B was enthralled watching the educational videos and touching the hands-on elements of the exhibit.

There is so much more to discover, but we’ll have to come back another day.

No trip to the museum is complete without a visit to the shop to spend your pocket money. The shop at the museum is actually amazing. They have a great selection of educational and fun toys. The children's book selection is also wonderful, we never leave without one. 

Tips

You can check your stroller into the coat check. If you can do without the stroller you should, as the elevators are very slow.

The main dining area can get very busy and noisy at peak times. Try one of the smaller cafes if you need to refuel.

Don’t forget to visit the museum shops. You will find something for even the pickiest of customers.

If you live in New York, consider becoming a member so you can visit again and again.

Getting there

The museum has its own subway station on the B and C line and there is also has a car park.

You can find out everything you need to know about The American Museum of Natural History on their website.  

Watching an educational video in the dino wing.

Rows upon rows of dinosaur bones. 

A Triceratops. 

Another part of level 4.

Child v Dino! Not sure why he looks so grim, he was in his element! 

Learning about Titanosaur.

Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life.

Hall of Biodiversity.

More of the Hall of Biodiversity. 

Striking a pose.

Engrossed. 

Crocs was a special exhibit when we visited.

Lots to learn about crocs.

King Croc!

Hall of the Universe. 

A popular hands-on experience in the Hall of the Universe. 

Inside a Star.