We started the day unsure about our plans. The original idea was to visit the American Museum of Natural History, but the weather was beautiful and a bike ride through Central Park was tempting. Since the forecast looked fine for the next day too, we stuck to the museum plan — which turned out to be a poor choice weather-wise, but absolutely the right choice experience-wise.
A world-class museum
This was our second visit to the American Museum of Natural History, and once again, we were completely fascinated. The museum is huge, detailed and endlessly engaging. The highlight for us — like last time — was the animal dioramas that recreate natural habitats with incredible accuracy.
These displays are works of art: a combination of biology, storytelling and hyperrealistic scenery. You genuinely feel like you’re standing in the wild, inches from the animals.
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Two special exhibitions: DNA, the Milky Way & the bigger picture
We added two paid experiences to our visit — and both were absolutely worth it.
The Invisible World
An impressive, beautifully made film exploring how everything on Earth is connected — and how we share a surprising amount of DNA with nearly every living organism. The final sequence is especially stunning. Highly recommended.
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The Milky Way & the universe
A dome-projected journey through space where you lean back in your seat and watch the universe unfold above you. Calm, immersive and visually spectacular.
So much to see — and still not everything
The museum is enormous. Even this time, while covering around 80%, we still didn’t see it all. Some sections are captivating, others a bit less exciting — which is natural in a museum of this size. You can easily spend an entire day here if you want the full experience.
Conclusion: A must-visit in New York
The American Museum of Natural History is one of New York’s most impressive attractions. Whether you’re into wildlife, space, evolution or simply want a break from the urban rush, it’s a perfect way to spend a few hours. Despite the beautiful weather outside, we had no regrets about choosing the museum.
And honestly — we could easily go back a third time.
