Explore the American Museum of Natural History! From life-sized dinosaurs to a 94-foot blue whale, every corner is an unforgettable adventure in science!
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit the American Museum of Natural History: A Family Guide
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About the American Museum of Natural History
- Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History, where over 33 million specimens and artifacts tell Earth’s amazing story!
- WHOA! The museum’s first dinosaur skeleton was so big they had to build the entrance doors extra tall just to get it inside!
- HOLY MOLY! The giant blue whale model is the exact size of a real female blue whale – and it took 50 people to build it!
- SUPER COOL! The museum has its own research library with over 550,000 books about nature and science!
- AMAZING! Some of the gems in the mineral collection glow in the dark under special lights!
- INCREDIBLE! The museum’s oldest artifact is a meteorite that’s 4.5 billion years old – that’s older than Earth itself!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At the American Museum of Natural History
Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs Get Ready for the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Stand face-to-face with the mighty T-Rex and discover how these incredible creatures lived millions of years ago!
INTERESTING FACT! The T-Rex’s teeth were as long as bananas and could regrow throughout their lifetime.
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Dino Detective” – Have your child pretend to be a paleontologist and count the number of teeth they can see in different dinosaur skulls.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If T-Rex came to dinner at our house, what do you think would happen?
DISCUSS: A T-Rex could eat up to 500 pounds of meat in one bite – that’s like eating 2,000 hamburgers at once!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: T-Rex wasn’t just a fierce hunter; it was also a parent! Scientists have found T-Rex nests and eggs, showing they took care of their babies. They lived in family groups, protected their young, and taught them how to survive. Their babies were about the size of a turkey when they hatched and grew to be as big as a house by their teenage years!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think T-Rex had such tiny arms?
DISCUSS: Despite their small size, T-Rex arms were incredibly strong and could lift up to 400 pounds!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Scientists think T-Rex’s arms were short because they didn’t need them for hunting. Their powerful jaws did all the work! The arms might have helped them push themselves up from the ground or hold onto their prey. Some scientists even think the arms helped T-Rex give hugs to their mates!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the biggest footprint in the dinosaur hall
HINT: Look near the Apatosaurus display
OBJECTIVE: Count how many T-Rex teeth you can see
HINT: Look carefully at both the skull and the information panels
Hall of Ocean Life Get Ready for the Hall of Ocean Life : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the magic of marine life under the museum’s famous 94-foot blue whale, surrounded by dioramas of underwater worlds!
INTERESTING FACT! The blue whale model weighs 21,000 pounds and every spot on it was painted by hand.
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Whale Songs” – Take turns making whale sounds and guessing which whale might make that sound using the interactive audio displays.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How many elephants do you think could fit inside a blue whale’s mouth?
DISCUSS: A blue whale’s tongue alone weighs as much as an elephant, and 50 people could stand on it!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Blue whales are the largest animals that have ever lived on Earth – even bigger than the biggest dinosaurs! They eat tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill, and can eat up to 6 tons of krill a day. That’s like eating 6,000 hamburgers! When they feed, they take in so much water it would fill up an entire swimming pool. They filter out the water through special plates in their mouths called baleen, which work like a giant strainer to catch their food.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could breathe underwater like a whale, what would you want to explore first?
DISCUSS: Whales can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes – that’s longer than watching a whole episode of their favorite TV show!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Whales are mammals just like us, which means they need to come up to the surface to breathe air. They have special blowholes on top of their heads that work like our noses. When they sleep, only half their brain goes to sleep while the other half stays awake to remember to breathe! They also take care of their babies just like human parents do, nursing them and teaching them important survival skills.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find all the different types of seals in the dioramas
HINT: Look at the Arctic and Antarctic displays
OBJECTIVE: Spot three different ways sea creatures protect themselves
HINT: Look for animals with shells, spikes, or camouflage
Butterfly Conservatory Get Ready for the Butterfly Conservatory : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Walk through a magical tropical garden where hundreds of free-flying butterflies flutter all around you!
INTERESTING FACT! Butterflies taste with their feet, not their tongues!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Rainbow Wings” – Try to spot butterflies of every color and keep a tally of how many different colors you find.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design your own butterfly, what colors and patterns would you give it?
DISCUSS: Some butterflies’ wings are clear like glass, while others can shine like mirrors!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Butterflies start life as tiny eggs, smaller than a grain of rice. They hatch into caterpillars that eat and grow for weeks. Then, they form a chrysalis – like a sleeping bag – where they transform into beautiful butterflies! This process is called metamorphosis, and it’s like having a superpower that lets them completely change their body. The patterns on their wings can help them hide from predators or find mates, and some butterflies can even make themselves look like leaves or other animals!
Space Theater Get Ready for the Space Theater : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Journey through the cosmos in an immersive dome theater that makes you feel like you’re really floating through space!
INTERESTING FACT! The Space Theater’s projector can show over 8.5 million stars – that’s more than you could ever count!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Space Explorer” – Have your child point out different planets and constellations they recognize during the show.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could build a house on any planet, which one would you choose and why?
DISCUSS: On Jupiter, it rains diamonds instead of water droplets!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our solar system is like a giant neighborhood with eight planet “houses” circling around our Sun. Each planet has its own special features – Mars is red and dusty like a desert, Saturn wears beautiful rings like a hula hoop, and Neptune has winds that blow faster than any hurricane on Earth! Some planets are so hot they could melt metal, while others are so cold they’re covered in ice. Earth is special because it’s just right – not too hot and not too cold – which is why we can live here!
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think astronauts eat and sleep in space?
DISCUSS: In space, astronauts have to velcro their food packages to the wall and their sleeping bags to the ceiling so they don’t float away!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Living in space is like living in a world without gravity – everything floats! Astronauts eat from special packages and drink through straws because liquids form floating bubbles. They exercise on special machines to keep their muscles strong, and they wear the same clothes for several days because doing laundry in space is impossible. They even have to squeeze toothpaste directly into their mouths because it would float away if they tried to put it on a toothbrush first!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many planets you can spot during the show
HINT: Remember the order: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
OBJECTIVE: Find the Big Dipper constellation
HINT: Look for the shape that looks like a big spoon in the night sky
Discovery Room Get Ready for the Discovery Room : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This hands-on learning space is perfect for young scientists to touch, explore, and experiment!
INTERESTING FACT! The Discovery Room has real artifacts that kids can handle – including dinosaur bones!
COOL ACTIVITY! Build your own animal skeleton using the magnetic bone pieces and compare it to real animal skeletons.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could invent a new animal, what parts from different animals would you combine?
DISCUSS: Some real animals are already combinations – like the platypus, which has a duck’s bill, otter’s feet, and beaver’s tail!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Animals have evolved different body parts to help them survive in their environments. Birds have hollow bones to help them fly, fish have gills to breathe underwater, and some animals can change color to hide from predators. Scientists study these adaptations to understand how animals live and even to inspire new inventions! For example, shark skin has inspired swimsuit designs, and gecko feet have helped create super-sticky adhesives.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think scientists do all day in their laboratories?
DISCUSS: Scientists use special tools called microscopes that can make tiny things look 1,000 times bigger – imagine making a grain of sand look as big as a baseball!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Scientists are like detectives who solve nature’s mysteries. They ask questions, make guesses (called hypotheses), and do experiments to find answers. Sometimes they discover things by accident – like when penicillin (a medicine) was discovered because of moldy bread! Scientists work in many different places – some study animals in the wild, others work in labs with test tubes and microscopes, and some even explore the deep ocean in submarines or space in rockets.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of animal tracks in the discovery boxes
HINT: Look for the boxes with paw prints on them
OBJECTIVE: Complete a puzzle at the microscope station
HINT: Start with the bigger pieces first and work your way to the smaller ones
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near American Museum of Natural History
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the American Museum of Natural History:
Central Park Zoo: Just a short walk away, where you can meet real-life penguins, snow leopards, and red pandas! View the article
Children’s Museum of Manhattan: Five floors of interactive exhibits perfect for young explorers.
Belvedere Castle: A real castle in Central Park with amazing views of the city and fun architecture to explore.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc – The movie was based on this fun picture book!
- How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum by Jessie Hartland – Perfect for understanding how museums work
- Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! by Kathleen V. Kudlinski – Great for young dinosaur enthusiasts
- Inside Out: The Ultimate Guide to the American Museum of Natural History – The official museum guide with lots of pictures
- ROARrr! A Kid’s Guide to the American Museum of Natural History – Written specifically for young visitors
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About the American Museum of Natural History
- Welcome to one of the world’s largest natural history museums, spanning four city blocks and housing over 34 million specimens!
- HOLY COW! The museum’s first dinosaur skeleton was displayed in 1877, and it was so popular that it helped launch the great dinosaur fossil hunt known as the “Bone Wars”!
- MIND BLOWN! The Star of India, the world’s largest gem-quality blue star sapphire, was stolen from the museum in 1964 but recovered from a Miami bus terminal locker!
- SUPER COOL! The museum’s collection includes over 2 million cultural artifacts, including items from every known human culture!
- WOW! The building itself contains secret passages and hidden staircases that date back to its original construction in the 1870s!
- INCREDIBLE! The Hayden Planetarium’s projection system is so precise it can show the night sky as it appeared on any date in history or the future!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At the American Museum of Natural History
Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs Get Ready for the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Stand face-to-face with the mighty T-Rex and discover how these incredible predators ruled the Earth millions of years ago.
INTERESTING FACT! The T-Rex skeleton on display has about 40% of its original bones, making it one of the most complete T-Rex specimens ever found!
COOL ACTIVITY! Be a dinosaur detective! Count the number of teeth in the T-Rex’s jaw and compare them to the size of your hand (safely behind the glass, of course!). Each T-Rex tooth was about the size of a banana!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If T-Rex had feathers like scientists now believe, what colors do you think they might have been, and why?
DISCUSS: Scientists have found pigment-containing structures in some dinosaur fossils that tell us about their actual colors! Some raptor dinosaurs had reddish-brown feathers.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern birds are actually living dinosaurs! Just like peacocks have colorful feathers to attract mates, and eagles have camouflage feathers to hide while hunting, dinosaurs might have had similar adaptations. Scientists think some dinosaurs may have been as colorful as modern parrots, while others might have been more subtle like today’s eagles. The color patterns could have helped with everything from attracting mates to regulating body temperature.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think T-Rex’s tiny arms were useful?
DISCUSS: T-Rex’s arms were about the size of human arms but could lift 400 pounds each!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Despite their small size, T-Rex’s arms were incredibly muscular. Scientists think they might have used them to push themselves up from a lying position, hold prey close while biting, or even to help them mate. The arms’ small size might have actually been beneficial, keeping them out of the way during feeding and preventing injury from other T-Rexes during fights.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the evidence of T-Rex’s hunting behavior by locating tooth marks on prey bones in the display.
HINT: Look carefully at the Edmontosaurus bones near the T-Rex display.
OBJECTIVE: Locate the smallest and largest skull in the Saurischian hall and calculate the size difference.
HINT: Compare the Compsognathus (one of the smallest) to the T-Rex skull.
Hall of Ocean Life Get Ready for the Hall of Ocean Life : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the majesty of marine life beneath the iconic 94-foot blue whale model and discover the incredible diversity of ocean ecosystems.
INTERESTING FACT! The blue whale model weighs 21,000 pounds and was updated in 2003 to reflect modern scientific knowledge, including a more anatomically correct blowholes and flippers!
COOL ACTIVITY! Lie down on the floor beneath the blue whale (there are designated spots!) and imagine being underwater. Count how many different sea creatures you can spot on the dioramas surrounding you.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design a deep-sea creature to survive in complete darkness, what adaptations would you give it?
DISCUSS: Some deep-sea creatures create their own light through bioluminescence, and about 90% of deep-sea marine life can produce this living light!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Deep-sea creatures have developed amazing adaptations to survive in the darkness. The anglerfish uses a glowing lure to attract prey, while the giant squid has eyes the size of dinner plates to catch any available light. Some fish have transparent heads, and others are covered in light-producing organs called photophores that help them communicate, camouflage, or attract mates.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think whales sleep without drowning?
DISCUSS: Whales sleep by resting only half their brain at a time, keeping the other half awake to control breathing and watch for danger!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: This type of sleep is called unihemispheric sleep, and it’s like having your brain work in shifts. Dolphins and whales must consciously remember to breathe, unlike humans who breathe automatically. They also need to regularly surface for air, so they can’t fully fall asleep like we do. Mother whales and their calves often sleep while swimming slowly side by side, maintaining physical contact to stay together.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find all the different types of seals and sea lions in the dioramas.
HINT: Look for the differences in their flippers and ear structures.
OBJECTIVE: Locate three different types of deep-sea creatures that produce their own light.
HINT: Check the darker displays and look for creatures with unusual appendages or spots.
Hayden Planetarium Get Ready for the Hayden Planetarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Journey through space and time in this cutting-edge sphere that uses advanced visualization technology to explore the cosmos.
INTERESTING FACT! The Planetarium’s Space Theater uses a custom-made projection system that can show about 120 million stars!
COOL ACTIVITY! During the show, try to identify constellations you might be able to see from your backyard and make a list to look for them later at night.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could travel at the speed of light, how long would it take you to reach the nearest star system to Earth?
DISCUSS: Light travels at 186,282 miles per second, and it still takes 4.2 years for light to reach our nearest stellar neighbor, Proxima Centauri!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: If you could drive your car to Proxima Centauri at highway speeds (65 mph), it would take you about 50 million years to get there. Even our fastest spacecraft would take thousands of years. The distance is so vast that astronomers use “light-years” to measure space instead of miles or kilometers. Our entire Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think planets are round instead of cube-shaped or pyramid-shaped?
DISCUSS: Any object in space that’s massive enough naturally becomes spherical due to its own gravity pulling equally in all directions!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: This process is called hydrostatic equilibrium. Think of it like dropping a water balloon – the water naturally forms a sphere because all the water molecules are pulling toward the center. The same thing happens with planets, but with rock and gas instead of water. Objects need to be about 600 miles across before they become round – that’s why smaller asteroids have irregular shapes!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many planets you can spot during the Space Show.
HINT: Pay attention to their relative sizes and colors.
OBJECTIVE: Find the projection of the Milky Way galaxy and try to locate where our solar system is within it.
HINT: We’re about two-thirds of the way out from the center, in one of the spiral arms.
Hall of Human Origins Get Ready for the Hall of Human Origins : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Explore the fascinating story of human evolution and discover how scientists piece together our ancient past through fossils and artifacts.
INTERESTING FACT! The human family tree has many branches – at one point in history, several different human species lived on Earth at the same time!
COOL ACTIVITY! Compare your handprint to those of different human ancestors and notice how hands have evolved over millions of years.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think was the most important tool early humans invented, and why?
DISCUSS: The oldest stone tools ever found are 3.3 million years old – that’s older than our own species!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Early human tools were like the first Swiss Army knives – multi-purpose and revolutionary. Stone tools allowed our ancestors to access new food sources, build better shelters, and eventually create more complex tools. This technological advancement led to bigger brains, as tool-making required complex planning and fine motor skills. Think about how one invention leads to another – just like how the invention of smartphones led to apps, which led to new ways of communicating!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think humans started walking on two legs instead of four?
DISCUSS: Walking upright helped early humans see over tall grass and carry food and tools while keeping their hands free!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Standing upright was a game-changer for human evolution. It saved energy (imagine how tired you’d get walking on all fours!), helped our ancestors stay cooler in the hot African sun by exposing less body surface to direct sunlight, and freed our hands for tool use. This change also led to other adaptations: our curved spine, specialized foot structure, and even the way our head sits on our neck are all related to walking upright.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find all the different skull casts of human ancestors and spot how the shape of the face and brain case changed over time.
HINT: Look for changes in brow ridges, chin shape, and forehead size.
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of early human art and symbolism.
HINT: Search for jewelry, cave paintings, and decorated tools.
Meteorites Hall Get Ready for the Meteorites Hall : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Touch actual pieces of other worlds and learn about the cosmic visitors that have crashed into Earth throughout history.
INTERESTING FACT! The Willamette Meteorite, the largest meteorite found in North America, weighs 15.5 tons and is covered in natural holes called regmaglypts!
COOL ACTIVITY! Feel the difference between iron and stone meteorites, and try to guess which planets or asteroids they might have come from.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could analyze any meteorite in the world, what would you hope to find inside it?
DISCUSS: Some meteorites contain amino acids, the building blocks of life, suggesting that the ingredients for life might have come from space!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Meteorites are like cosmic time capsules, carrying information about the early solar system. Some contain tiny diamonds formed before our solar system existed, while others have bubbles of ancient Martian atmosphere trapped inside them. Scientists have even found meteorites containing water and organic compounds, suggesting that space rocks might have delivered the ingredients for life to Earth billions of years ago.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How can scientists tell the difference between a real meteorite and just a regular Earth rock?
DISCUSS: Many meteorites contain much more iron than Earth rocks and will stick to a magnet!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Meteorite hunters use several clues to identify space rocks. Most meteorites have a dark, crusty coating called a fusion crust, formed when they heat up passing through Earth’s atmosphere. They’re usually heavier than regular rocks of the same size due to their high metal content. Some even have distinctive patterns called Widmanstätten patterns that can only form in space over millions of years of slow cooling.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of meteorites (iron, stone, and stony-iron).
HINT: Look at their colors and textures – iron meteorites are usually silvery, while stone meteorites look more like Earth rocks.
OBJECTIVE: Locate a meteorite with visible crystals or patterns inside it.
HINT: Check the sliced specimens under the special lighting.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near American Museum of Natural History
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the American Museum of Natural History:
Central Park: Just across the street! Explore 843 acres of urban parkland, including Belvedere Castle, the Central Park Zoo, and numerous playgrounds. View the article
New-York Historical Society: Located right next door, this museum brings American history to life through engaging exhibits and interactive displays.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan: Just a short walk away, offering hands-on exhibits perfect for curious minds.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “Night at the Museum” by Milan Trenc – The book that inspired the movie series, perfect for getting kids excited about museum exhibits coming to life!
- “The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way” by Colin Davey – A fascinating look at the museum’s history, suitable for older kids and parents.
- “DK Eyewitness Books: Natural History” – Excellent visual reference that previews many of the specimens you’ll see at the museum.
- Download the AMNH Explorer App before your visit – It provides turn-by-turn directions to exhibits, augmented reality experiences, and additional content about the collections.
- Visit the museum’s YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes videos and science content that will prepare kids for what they’ll see.
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About the American Museum of Natural History
- The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, stands as one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, hosting over 5 million visitors annually.
- HOLY COW! The museum’s collection contains over 34 million specimens and artifacts, but only about 3% are on display at any given time!
- MIND BLOWN! The Star of India, the world’s largest gem-quality blue star sapphire at 563 carats, was stolen from the museum in 1964 but recovered from a Miami bus terminal locker just days later!
- SUPER COOL! The museum’s fourth floor contains fossils arranged in a phylogenetic tree, allowing visitors to literally walk through evolutionary history!
- INCREDIBLE! The Hayden Planetarium’s sphere is so perfectly round that if it were enlarged to the size of Earth, the tallest mountain would only be 30 feet high!
- WOW! The museum has its own research library with over 550,000 volumes and hosts active scientific expeditions worldwide every year!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At American Museum of Natural History
Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs Get Ready for the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This hall showcases some of the most impressive dinosaur fossils ever discovered, including the iconic T-Rex skeleton, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the Mesozoic era.
INTERESTING FACT! The T-Rex specimen here has about 40% of its original bones, making it one of the most complete T-Rex fossils ever found. Scientists have discovered that T-Rex’s bite force was equivalent to the weight of three small cars!
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the AMNH Explorer app to take part in the “Dinosaur Detectives” challenge, where you can analyze bone structures and compare them to modern animals to understand evolutionary adaptations.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do paleontologists determine dinosaur behavior from fossils alone?
DISCUSS: Scientists can determine dinosaur behavior by studying trace fossils like footprints, which reveal walking patterns, speed, and even social interactions.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern technology allows researchers to create 3D models of dinosaur brains using skull cavities. These models suggest T-Rex had excellent depth perception and sense of smell, comparable to modern wolves. Scientists also study bone scarring to understand hunting patterns and territorial disputes. Recent discoveries indicate some dinosaurs may have hunted in packs, similar to modern predators.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What evolutionary adaptations do you see in different dinosaur species, and how might these compare to modern animals?
DISCUSS: The Velociraptor’s sickle-shaped claw is remarkably similar to the talons of modern birds of prey, suggesting similar hunting strategies.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Evolution has created similar solutions across different species and time periods. The aerodynamic shape of certain dinosaur crests resembles modern car spoilers, both designed to manage airflow. The hollow bones of flying dinosaurs mirror those of modern birds, providing strength while reducing weight. These parallel adaptations demonstrate how nature often arrives at similar solutions to common challenges.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of feathers in theropod dinosaurs.
HINT: Look closely at the Velociraptor display and find the specific bone structures that suggest feather attachment points.
OBJECTIVE: Find three examples of convergent evolution between dinosaurs and modern animals.
HINT: Compare the leg structures of running dinosaurs with modern flightless birds.
Hall of the Universe Get Ready for the Hall of the Universe : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This cutting-edge space exploration center features interactive exhibits about cosmic phenomena, dark matter, and the evolution of stars.
INTERESTING FACT! The Hayden Planetarium’s Space Theater uses a custom-made projection system that can display up to 10 million stars with perfect accuracy.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the “Dark Universe” interactive station to explore how scientists detect dark matter through gravitational lensing.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do scientists measure the age and distance of stars when they can’t physically reach them?
DISCUSS: Scientists use spectroscopy to determine a star’s composition and age by analyzing the specific wavelengths of light it emits.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Stars act like cosmic fingerprints, each with unique spectral lines that reveal their chemical makeup. The Doppler effect helps measure star movement, similar to how a passing ambulance’s siren changes pitch. The expansion of the universe causes light from distant galaxies to appear redder (redshift), allowing astronomers to calculate vast cosmic distances.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What evidence supports the theory of dark matter, and how does it shape our understanding of the universe?
DISCUSS: Galaxy clusters contain up to 85% dark matter, which we can detect through gravitational effects despite being invisible.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Dark matter’s presence is revealed through gravitational lensing, where light from distant galaxies bends around massive invisible objects. This phenomenon is similar to how a glass lens bends light, except on a cosmic scale. Scientists map dark matter distribution by studying these distortions, revealing an invisible cosmic web that shapes the structure of our universe.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the exhibit showing how different wavelengths of light reveal different aspects of cosmic objects.
HINT: Look for the multi-wavelength display near the entrance to the Hayden Sphere.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of how scientists measure the expansion of the universe.
HINT: Search for the redshift demonstration in the cosmic phenomena section.
Hall of Human Origins Get Ready for the Hall of Human Origins : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This revolutionary exhibition traces human evolution through fossils, DNA evidence, and interactive displays that demonstrate how we became who we are today.
INTERESTING FACT! The human brain has tripled in size over the past 2.5 million years, but most of this growth occurred in the last 500,000 years – an incredibly rapid change in evolutionary terms.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the morphing station to see how your face would look as different human ancestors and explore which features have evolved over time.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do small genetic changes accumulate to create major evolutionary adaptations over time?
DISCUSS: A single genetic mutation that occurred roughly 2.6 million years ago allowed early humans to metabolize more protein, potentially enabling brain growth.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern genomic studies reveal that humans share 99.9% of their DNA with each other and about 98.8% with chimpanzees. The small differences in our genetic code have profound effects, similar to how changing just a few lines of computer code can completely alter a program’s function. Recent discoveries show that Neanderthal DNA continues to influence traits in modern humans, from immune response to skin color.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What role did climate change play in human evolution, and how might it affect our future adaptation?
DISCUSS: Major evolutionary changes in human history often coincided with significant climate shifts, forcing adaptations in diet, behavior, and physical characteristics.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Climate fluctuations created environmental pressures that drove human innovation. The development of tools, control of fire, and complex social structures all emerged during periods of environmental stress. This demonstrates how external challenges drive biological and cultural evolution, much like how modern environmental challenges are pushing technological innovation today.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of tool use among early human ancestors and identify how tool complexity increased over time.
HINT: Look for the timeline of stone tools and notice the increasing sophistication in design and function.
OBJECTIVE: Find three anatomical features that distinguish modern humans from our closest evolutionary relatives.
HINT: Focus on the skeletal comparisons, particularly in the spine, pelvis, and skull.
Milstein Hall of Ocean Life Get Ready for the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This dramatic hall features a 94-foot model of a blue whale and showcases the diversity of marine ecosystems from microscopic plankton to massive marine mammals.
INTERESTING FACT! The blue whale model is based on actual measurements of a female blue whale found in 1925, and each of its 25,000 aluminum plates was individually shaped to create its realistic appearance.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the interactive “Ocean System” table to explore how changes in temperature, acidity, and pollution affect marine ecosystems.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do ocean currents influence global climate patterns, and what might happen if these patterns change?
DISCUSS: The Gulf Stream transports more water than all of Earth’s rivers combined and moves enough heat to power 100 million homes for 20 years.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Ocean currents act as Earth’s climate control system, moving heat from the equator toward the poles. The interaction between warm and cold currents creates weather patterns that affect everything from rainfall in the Amazon to winter temperatures in Europe. Recent studies show that climate change is already altering these currents, potentially leading to dramatic shifts in global weather patterns.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What adaptations allow deep-sea creatures to survive in extreme conditions, and how might these adaptations inspire human technology?
DISCUSS: Some deep-sea fish produce their own antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystals from forming in their blood at depths where water temperatures drop below freezing.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Deep-sea organisms have evolved remarkable solutions to extreme pressure, darkness, and cold. Bioluminescence helps creatures communicate and hunt in total darkness, while special pressure-resistant proteins maintain cellular function at crushing depths. These adaptations are inspiring innovations in everything from cold-storage technology to pressure-resistant materials for deep-sea exploration.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify three different types of bioluminescence and their functions in marine life.
HINT: Look for the deep-sea dioramas showing different light-producing organisms.
OBJECTIVE: Find examples of convergent evolution between marine mammals and fish.
HINT: Compare the body shapes of dolphins, sharks, and extinct marine reptiles.
Spitzer Hall of Human Origins Get Ready for the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This cutting-edge exhibition combines the latest genomic research with physical anthropology to tell the complex story of human evolution and adaptation, featuring over 200 casts of important fossils.
INTERESTING FACT! The hall contains a replica of the famous 3.2-million-year-old Lucy skeleton, one of the most complete early human ancestor fossils ever found, showing how our ancestors transitioned to walking upright.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the interactive DNA sequencing station to compare your genetic makeup with Neanderthals and other human ancestors, understanding how small genetic changes led to major evolutionary adaptations.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do scientists use modern technology to reconstruct ancient human behaviors and environments?
DISCUSS: Scientists can analyze microscopic wear patterns on fossil teeth to determine exactly what our ancestors ate, revealing details about their diet and environment from millions of years ago.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern technology has revolutionized our understanding of human evolution. Using CT scans, scientists can now examine the internal structure of fossils without damaging them. DNA analysis of ancient specimens reveals interbreeding between different human species. Isotope analysis of bones and teeth can tell us about ancient climates and migration patterns. Computer modeling can even reconstruct how our ancestors moved and what their voices might have sounded like.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What role did social cooperation and tool use play in human brain evolution?
DISCUSS: The human brain uses 20% of our body’s energy while only accounting for 2% of our body weight – a unique ratio that developed alongside complex social behaviors and tool use.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The “social brain hypothesis” suggests that managing complex social relationships drove brain evolution. Just as modern social media networks require us to track numerous relationships, our ancestors needed to maintain social bonds within growing groups. Tool use created a feedback loop – better tools led to better nutrition, which supported larger brains, which in turn led to more sophisticated tools. Evidence shows that cooking food made it easier to digest, providing extra energy for brain development.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of cultural development in early humans through artifacts and art.
HINT: Look for the earliest examples of symbolic thinking in the form of decorated objects and cave art reproductions.
OBJECTIVE: Find three examples of how human anatomy changed as our species evolved to walk upright.
HINT: Focus on the spine, hip, and foot fossil comparisons in the bipedalism display.
Hayden Big Bang Theater and Cosmic Pathway Get Ready for the Hayden Big Bang Theater and Cosmic Pathway : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This immersive experience combines cutting-edge visualization technology with actual scientific data to take visitors on a journey through 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution, from the Big Bang to present day.
INTERESTING FACT! The Cosmic Pathway is exactly 360 feet long, with each step representing 75 million years of cosmic history. Human history occupies only the width of a human hair at the very end!
COOL ACTIVITY! Calculate your “cosmic address” starting from Earth and expanding outward through the solar system, galaxy, and universe using the interactive digital displays.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do scientists determine the chemical composition of stars and planets they’ve never visited?
DISCUSS: Scientists can identify elements in distant stars by analyzing their spectral lines – essentially their light fingerprints. Each element creates a unique pattern when its light is split through a prism.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern astrophysics uses spectroscopy to read the chemical signatures of celestial objects billions of light-years away. This technique revealed that the same elements we find on Earth exist throughout the universe. The process is similar to how forensic scientists identify substances at a crime scene using their chemical signatures. Recent discoveries using this method have found organic molecules on distant exoplanets, suggesting potential for life elsewhere. The James Webb Space Telescope is currently using advanced spectroscopy to study atmospheres of planets around other stars.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If we could rewind the universe like a video, how would the fundamental forces of physics affect what we see, and could the universe have turned out differently?
DISCUSS: During the first second after the Big Bang, the universe expanded faster than the speed of light in a process called cosmic inflation, growing from smaller than an atom to about the size of a grapefruit.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The four fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear) emerged in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. If any of these forces were slightly different in strength, stars wouldn’t form, atoms wouldn’t stay together, and life as we know it wouldn’t exist. This concept of “fine-tuning” has led to theories about multiple universes with different physical constants. Modern particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider recreate conditions similar to the early universe to test these theories.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the point on the Cosmic Pathway where the first stars formed and identify what conditions made this possible.
HINT: Look for the section about 380,000 years after the Big Bang when the universe became transparent.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of how dark energy is affecting the expansion of the universe.
HINT: Search for the visualization showing galaxy distribution and movement over time.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near American Museum of Natural History
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the American Museum of Natural History:
Central Park: Just across the street, this 843-acre urban oasis offers beautiful walking trails, Belvedere Castle, and the Central Park Zoo, perfect for connecting natural history concepts to the real world.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Located on the opposite side of Central Park, this world-renowned museum offers an amazing collection of human cultural artifacts that perfectly complements AMNH’s natural history focus.
New York Hall of Science: Though slightly further away in Queens, this hands-on science center offers interactive exhibits and experiments that build on many concepts explored at AMNH.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte – This engaging book provides current scientific understanding of dinosaurs, making the fossil halls even more meaningful.
- “Your Inner Fish” by Neil Shubin – Perfect for understanding human evolution and our connection to other species, enhancing the experience in the Hall of Human Origins.
- “Cosmos” by Carl Sagan or Neil deGrasse Tyson – Either version of this classic will prepare teens for the cosmic concepts presented in the Hayden Planetarium.
- AMNH’s Digital Resources – Download the Explorer App before visiting
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a world where dinosaurs roam, butterflies dance through the air, and the mysteries of space unfold before your eyes! The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is like stepping into the pages of the most amazing science book ever written, except everything is life-sized and real. Did you know there’s a 94-foot-long blue whale hanging from the ceiling that’s the same size as three school buses put together?
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