Planning your trip to the American Museum of Natural History

No visit to the Big Apple is complete without a trip toroom?  Check out the hand-crafted, museum quality
the American Natural History Museum.  One ofreproductions at Making the Most of your visit to the
nation's preeminent museums, it features a diverseAmerican Natural History Museum
collection of exhibits that span the existence of life onNo visit to the Big Apple is complete without a trip to
this planet and allow visitors to explore the galaxy. the American Natural History Museum.  One of
Many view the Fossil Hall as the highlight of their visit tonation's preeminent museums, it features a diverse
the AMNH where more than a 100 dinosaur fossilcollection of exhibits that span the existence of life on
specimens are on display.  For would-bethis planet and allow visitors to explore the galaxy. 
anthropologists the Culture Hall offers an explorationMany view the Fossil Hall as the highlight of their visit to
into ancient cultures of Asia, Africa, North and Souththe AMNH where more than a 100 dinosaur fossil
America, and the Pacific.specimens are on display.  For would-be
Other permanent exhibits enrich our understanding ofanthropologists the Culture Hall offers an exploration
mammals, birds, reptiles, human origin, ocean life andinto ancient cultures of Asia, Africa, North and South
geology through the famed dioramas familiar toAmerica, and the Pacific.
anyone who saw “Night at the Museum.”Other permanent exhibits enrich our understanding of
The Rose Center, opened in February 2000, is themammals, birds, reptiles, human origin, ocean life and
museum's most recent dramatic upgrade.  Thegeology through the famed dioramas familiar to
center is as renowned for its architecture as it is for itsanyone who saw “Night at the Museum.”
study of the cosmos, with a ceiling higher than GrandThe Rose Center, opened in February 2000, is the
Central Station and a glass wall larger than any othermuseum's most recent dramatic upgrade.  The
in the US.  Home to the Hayden Planetarium, thecenter is as renowned for its architecture as it is for its
Rose Center is sure to delight the aspiring astronomer,study of the cosmos, with a ceiling higher than Grand
astronaut or architect in the family with its dramaticCentral Station and a glass wall larger than any other
architecture and the expansive exploration of thein the US.  Home to the Hayden Planetarium, the
universe inside its glass walls.Rose Center is sure to delight the aspiring astronomer,
In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are aastronaut or architect in the family with its dramatic
number of special exhibits currently on display at thearchitecture and the expansive exploration of the
AMNH.  “Extreme Mammals”  studys theuniverse inside its glass walls.
evolution and existence of some of man’s moreIn addition to the permanent exhibits, there are a
unusual mammal cousins, including the kangaroo, batnumber of special exhibits currently on display at the
and platypus.   The Hayden Planetarium offersAMNH.  “Extreme Mammals”  studys the
“Cosmic Collision,” a view of our ever-evolvingevolution and existence of some of man’s more
universe through July 3.  After that visitors can take inunusual mammal cousins, including the kangaroo, bat
“Journey to the Stars,” a space show thatand platypus.   The Hayden Planetarium offers
takes the visitor through the 13-billion year history of“Cosmic Collision,” a view of our ever-evolving
the universe and beyond to the eventual death of ouruniverse through July 3.  After that visitors can take in
solar system as our sun becomes a Red Giant.  “Journey to the Stars,” a space show that
Spoiler Alert:  We all die.  Good news is we still havetakes the visitor through the 13-billion year history of
5 billion years before this happens.the universe and beyond to the eventual death of our
Running through mid-August is “Climate Change,”solar system as our sun becomes a Red Giant.  
an exhibit that takes a look at the impact of climateSpoiler Alert:  We all die.  Good news is we still have
change on the planet, its eventual impact to humanity5 billion years before this happens.
and what might be done to set the planet back on theRunning through mid-August is “Climate Change,”
right path.  “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors” runsan exhibit that takes a look at the impact of climate
through 2009 and offers a fun, informative look at ourchange on the planet, its eventual impact to humanity
amphibious friends.  “Wild Ocean” andand what might be done to set the planet back on the
“Dinosaurs Alive!” are on the IMAX screenright path.  “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors” runs
through July 4.  through 2009 and offers a fun, informative look at our
Don’t Miss:  The Fossil Hall with over 600amphibious friends.  “Wild Ocean” and
specimens including the T-Rex, Triceratops and“Dinosaurs Alive!” are on the IMAX screen
Apatosaurus.through July 4.  
Skip:  The Mammal Hall if you’re turned off byDon’t Miss:  The Fossil Hall with over 600
taxidermy.specimens including the T-Rex, Triceratops and
Tips:  The $15 ticket price is “suggested.”  YouApatosaurus.
can pay a smaller donation and won’t have toSkip:  The Mammal Hall if you’re turned off by
endure any disgusted looks from museum personnel. taxidermy.
The museum offers an overnight program for kids. Tips:  The $15 ticket price is “suggested.”  You
This could make a great overnight babysitter.  Costcan pay a smaller donation and won’t have to
$129.endure any disgusted looks from museum personnel. 
Looking for ancient Egyptian, Aztec, Mayan, Greek,The museum offers an overnight program for kids. 
Roman, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian statues, sculpturesThis could make a great overnight babysitter.  Cost
and wall reliefs to add a touch of culture to any$129.