American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5100 voice prompts will connect you to the right department
www.amnh.org

Possibly the most famous museum in the world, the American Museum of Natural History offers individuals, families and groups virtually unlimited opportunities to explore all four corners of the globe. Exhibits, whether permanent or changing, are dynamic, awe-inspiring events that present their subjects in a way never seen before.

Take, for instance, one past exhibit, Spiders! This animal, at least 380 million years old, with nearly 34,000 different species, has developed a complicated and successful way of life. The exhibit explores the world of the spider in depth, including its mating, feeding, and defensive behaviors.

Even if there were no changing exhibits, the Museum would stand out as one of the world's important educational and cultural resources. However, there are, and a phone call will tell you what's new and happening.

Of the many, many permanent exhibits, perhaps the most famous is the Dinosaur Halls. The Museum possesses the largest and finest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world. Wide-eyed kids and dazzled adults can spend hours in these halls alone. Recently renovated, Dinosaur Halls is better than ever -- bigger, more diverse, more accurate, and includes interactive computers with great dinosaur programs.

Other galleries feature permanent exhibits covering the following subjects, to name a few: Oceanic Birds, African Mammals, African Peoples, South American Peoples, North American Mammals, Eskimos, Minerals and Gems, Northwest Coast Indians, Meteorites, and NY State Environment. The list goes on and on. Each exhibit is a major event, covering its subject thoroughly.

Whole books could be done on the American Museum of Natural History without doing justice. It's simply a "must see" experience. Combined, the exhibits embody virtually all of existence on earth: animal and man, plant and rock. A visit will broaden your horizons and make you think on a much broader scale.

An exceptional Museum Program, Expedition: Treasures from 125 Years of Discovery, is a specially designed, self-guided tour of fifty of the Museum's treasures that anyone can enjoy. An Expedition guide book is free with admission and, for $5.00 more, a state-of-the-art CD audioguide can be rented. This is great, because the Museum is so immense that a road map such as this helps put things in order. Be sure to arrive early -- you'll want to spend many hours here.

Another popular feature is the IMAX theater, with its enormous screen and superb sound. The theater's changing shows highlight various aspects of our natural world, such as The Serengeti, Yellowstone, and other great titles. Shows begin mid-morning and run throughout the afternoon. Families and Groups alike can also enjoy very special dinner packages at the Museum. Call for details.

Adults Groups of 20 to 80 people can arrange a special Museum Tour which also includes lunch and/or a Naturemax Show or a Sky Show at Hayden Planetarium (click below).

School Groups have a special treat here. The Expedition Program mentioned above is also available for School Groups. A wide variety of special, interactive school programs is also available. The programs change throughout the year and some may reflect a current exhibit or special event. During Black History Month, for example, a few of the titles included African Stenciling (grade 3 and up): students learn about this ancient African art of cloth design and create their own; Steel Pan Rhythms (3 and up): how the steel drum came into existence and how it is made and played -- includes performances; and Haitian Folklore (3 and up): introduces students to traditional Haitian instruments such as bambu and vaccine. Students learn song and dance movements.

Many other programs are available, covering topics such as Endangered Wildlife, Early Mammals, Global Warming, Ancient Mexico, Plains Indians, and others. Teachers can call for information. Maximum class size depends on the program, and all reservations must be made by mail.