Plan Your Visit

All tickets must be reserved online on the Museum’s website.

Access to more than 40 permanent halls, plus the following exhibitions:

Apex Stegosaurus Fossil
Cosmic Splendor
Extinct and Endangered
Eyes on the Universe
Opulent Oceans
Portraits on Climate and Health: Dreams We Carry
The Changing Museum
What's in a Name? 

The following Ticketed Exhibitions have an added cost, and require a timed reservation. 

Voucher and pass holders, and Pay-What-You-Wish customers cannot select these online and can do so at a ticket desk on arrival to the Museum.

• Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium
• Encounters in the Milky Way
• Invisible Worlds: Immersive Experience
• Life at the Limits
• Passport to the Universe: Hayden Planetarium Space Show
• The Secret World of Elephants
• Worlds Beyond Earth: Giant Screen Film

For all other ticket purchasers, these options are available during the checkout process, after you have selected the number of tickets, and date of entry to the Museum.

• Children ages 3–12 qualify for child admission.
• Students of any age with valid student ID qualify for student admission.
• Seniors ages 60+ with valid ID qualify for senior admission.

Yes! For more information view the Membership FAQ.

• Museum Members, Corporate Members, and IDNYC Members
• Children under 3
• All members of the U.S. military and their families during the Blue Star program, from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. At other times of the year, free general admission is provided to members of the U.S. military and one guest.
• Cool Culture pass holders
• Caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities
• Museum staff and museum sector staff
• Visitors who enter the Museum during the last hour of the day

*Please note that complimentary admissions still require a reservation. Check the box that says "Corporate Members and IDNYC" on the ticketing page to make your reservation.

If you are eligible for Ticketed Exhibitions, they will be selected once you arrive at the Museum.

All members of the U.S. military and their families during the Blue Star program, from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. At other times of the year, free general admission is provided to members of the U.S. military and one guest.

Residents of NY State (with ID*) may pay what you wish for General Admission only.

• Ticketed Exhibitions (Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, Invisible Worlds immersive experience, Hayden Planetarium Space Show, giant-screen film, and The Secret World of Elephants) are NOT included and cannot be added to a Pay-What-You-Wish ticket.
  To see any of our Ticketed Exhibitions, select a Resident Pricing Ticket.
• For visitors outside of New York State, the fee for General Admission is mandatory.

*Accepted forms of ID include: Driver’s License, State ID Card, IDNYC, Library Card, Student ID, Current Utility Bill (with address), Voter Registration Card

Do guests of New York State residents qualify for pay-what-you-wish suggested admission?

• New York State residents with valid identification* can pay what you wish for four (4) General Admission tickets for guests.

• Select the checkbox that says "New York State Residents. The amount you pay for General Admission is up to you."
• Enter an eligible zip code. 
• Select "Pay What You Wish"
• Select the number of tickets.
• Select date of entry.
• Enter the amount you would like to pay.

The fee is suggested at $25 for adults, $20 for students with ID, $20 for seniors (ages 60 and up), and $14 for children (ages 3–12). 

The Museum is committed to ensuring that its facilities, exhibitions, and services are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. View the Accessibility page for all resources and programs.

There are bicycle racks in the driveway of the Museum's Rose Center for Earth and Space, as well as in the parking garage. Both are accessible on 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.

You can park and lock up your scooter at one of several racks located outside the entrances at 81st Street (Rose Center for Earth and Space) and 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue (though that entrance is currently closed). Small, foldable scooters for young children may be carried by an adult if they do not bring a lock.

Four Dining Options

The Restaurant at Gilder
11:30 am–3:30 pm
Floor 2
The Restaurant at Gilder offers table-service dining with a view overlooking the soaring architecture of the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium.

Museum Food Court
10:45 am–4:45 pm
Lower Level
A wide variety of selections for all ages and palates, with gluten-free and nut-free choices, and a menu that changes daily. A manager will be able to answer any questions about ingredients.

Cafe on 1
11 am–4:30 pm
Floor 1
Gourmet fare including panini sandwiches pressed to order and cheese and dried fruit plates. Desserts, espresso, and cold beverages are also served.

Cafe on 4
11 am–4:30 pm
Floor 4
Sandwiches, soups, salads, fruit, desserts, espresso, and cold beverages.

Members Get a Discount

Museum Members may present their cards at the time of purchase to receive a 15% discount on all food and beverage purchases. For more information, see Membership.

*Eating is prohibited in Museum galleries. Visitors may leave and return using the same ticket on the same day. When re-entering the Museum, visitors must enter at the 81st Street or Central Park West entrances and must go back through the security line to be readmitted.

Entrances and Exits

• Visitors can enter and exit through Central Park West (upstairs) at 79th Street or at the accessible entrances on 81st Street/Rose Center for Earth and Space or Columbus Avenue at 79th Street/Gilder Center.
• For priority access, Members and their guests can use the Member entrance at Central Park West and 79th Street (ground level, under the grand staircase).
• School groups arriving by subway can enter from the 81st Street B/C station), Monday-Friday, 10 am–2 pm. 
• Access-a-Ride Service and GPS devices can use these addresses:
  • 56 West 81st Street – for the entrance at 81st Street/Rose Center
  • 415 Columbus Avenue – for the entrance at Columbus Ave/Gilder Center. Please note: There is no driveway at the Gilder entrance.

Visit the security desk in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on Floor 1, or email [email protected], or call 212-769-5222.

The parking garage is open from 6 am–11 pm on weekdays, 8 am–11 pm on weekends.

Enter at 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. (GPS address: 56 West 81st Street)

Rates are as follows:

• Up to 2 hrs: $33
• 2 to 5 hrs: $40
• 5 to 10 hrs: $50
• Max to close: $55
• Oversized Vehicles: (vehicles over 6’ 5”) $10 additional charge

NYC Parking Tax is included. For more information, please call 212-313-7275

Electric vehicle chargers are available to visitors and monthly parkers on the mid-level of the parking garage. These free charging stations include four charging units with a total of eight ports.

To sign-up for this free service, download the ChargePoint app and set up an account before your visit.

Except where noted, photography for personal use is allowed with hand-held cameras using available light or electronic flash attachments.

• Selfie-sticks are not permitted at the Museum.
• Tripods and lights may not be used.
• Reproduction or sale of photographs is not allowed without Museum permission.
• No photography or filming is permitted in the theaters, including the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater or in the LeFrak Theater.

The American Museum of Natural History takes photographs and video footage in its galleries, classrooms, and other public spaces. By attending, you agree the Museum may use photographs and video footage in which you appear for its archival, documentary, promotional, or other purposes. 

• Subway: Take the B (weekdays only) or C to 81st Street. Two blocks west of the Museum, the 1 train stops at Broadway and West 79th Street. For a complete subway map, visit the MTA website.
• Please note: The 81st Street subway station is not wheelchair accessible. The closest accessible subway station is the 72nd Street station for the 1, 2, and 3 trains, with a connection on the northbound M7 on Amsterdam Avenue.

• Bus: The M79 bus travels east/west on West 79th Street across Central Park, with a stop next to the Museum on West 81st Street. Other buses also stop at or near the Museum, including the M7, M10, M11, M86, and M104 buses. For complete bus information, visit the MTA website.

• Train: From North of New York City: See the Metro North Railroad website for maps and schedule information.
  • From Long Island: See the Long Island Railroad website for maps and schedule information.
  • From New Jersey: See the New Jersey Transit website for maps and schedule information.
  • From Outside the New York City Metro Area: If you are traveling from outside the New York City Metro Area, please visit the Amtrak website for route and schedule information and to purchase tickets.

Restrooms and Facilities

Restrooms

Lower Level

• Near the subway entrance (accessible)
• Rose Center for Earth and Space (accessible)

Floor 1

• Richard Gilder Center for Science, Innovation, and Education (accessible) 
• Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (located on hall's lower level, access via elevator on mezzanine level) (accessible)
• Rose Center (accessible)
• Near the Grand Gallery (family and gender-neutral restroom; accessible)
• Near Linder and Kaufmann Theaters

Floor 2

• Gilder Center (accessible) 

Floor 3

• Gilder Center (accessible) 
• Hall of Primates

Floor 4

• Gilder Center (accessible) 
• Wallach Orientation Center (accessible)

Lactation Stations

• Lower Level, Rose Center (accessible)
• Floor 3, Gilder Center (accessible) 

Companion Care Room

• Floor 1, Gilder Center (accessible) 

Store shopping bags, backpacks, coats, and personal items conveniently and securely.

• Small: $7 per day (12 in x 11 in x 19 in; 32 cm x 28 cm x 50 cm)
• Large: $12 per day (22 in x 11 in x 19.5; 56 cm x 28 cm x 50 cm) 
• Storage lockers are available until 5 pm. Closing times are subject to change.

Not permitted:

• Large bags or back packs or luggage
• Food and beverage items

Strollers are welcome throughout the Museum, except in theaters.

• The recommended Museum entrance for strollers is 81st Street/Rose Center for Earth and Space.
• Double strollers are not typically permitted in the ticketed exhibition galleries due to space constraints. Where strollers are not permitted, stroller parking is provided. 
• Visitors with strollers can use the Museum’s free Explorer app to find routes that include elevators. Choose the accessible route and receive turn-by-turn directions.

The Museum offers free guided tours throughout the day, as well as foreign language and accessibility tours on scheduled dates. View the schedule and sign-up information for all tours.