American Museum of Natural History — Attraction in New York

Live in NY and Been coming to this museum my whole life, Came here today ( Tuesday ) at 11 am and it was SOOO crowded. First of all, I am a member and members should have a separate line. The parking lot is tiny and luckily I was able to get the last space available and there is no parking in the area , only lots you will have to pay about $60 dollars for . The signage for everything is so confusing and makes no sense. There is no guidance either, the workers just on their phones distracted. Now upon entering, our first show was the butterfly exhibit. We were squished into this tiny room full of kids who were on a school trip and also families with strollers and huge back packs. I was being pushed, shoved by everybody and even one of the kids on the trip hit me with his clipboard by accident because the class was sitting on the floor doing a project which shouldnt be allowed because the room is so small its not fair for other people . The room was also so hot. We didnt get to see much either. We went to the planetarium next and boy it got worse. We were pushed like animals into the room and waited to get inside the show. We were packed in like sardines with a bunch of smelly tourists who dont wear deodorant . Only 1 girl working and she was yelling at us telling us to push in even further because they wanted to get more people in . When it was time to get into the show they simply let everyone just run rampant into the doors, no guidance at all.. an old couple was nearly pushed to the ground from all the obnoxious teenage schoolkids , it was almost like a stampede of everyone running to get inside the show , as if we werent all going to be seated and watch the show regardless . The show was great of course. the other 2 shows we watched about the elephants and immersive show were great and not packed . Everything else is very educational and great. The 3 stars are for the museums artifacts. To sum it up, I agree with what other reviewers are saying —

-Alot of things are outdated, but still love this museum and its still very educational and definitely an experience to go to. The museum has 0 organizational skills so plan your times 30 min- 1 hour in advance for everything . You are pretty much on your own and get a paper map . theres way too many infant and small children coming here , these kids are not going to remember any of this and you are only being inconsiderate of others. Parents , this is a MUSEUM and not a playground or free daycare for your children to run free , scream , and bump into other people . Control your kids or leave them home. Tourists and teenagers and kids all standing in the way of everything and on their phones and not even looking at the exhibits . Move out the way and let other people get a chance to see . We had to rush through many exhibits because of too many crowds and we werent able to read what we were seeing. when you come here expect to spend the entire day. it gets VERY hot, not much air circulation going on in there, wear light clothing and do not pack heavily. Lots of walking and stairs. ( elevators are super slow ).

This is a museum, therefore it should be peaceful and educational. At this point they must take action and implement certain modifications. They definitely need a whole new organization plan and need to update...

As a photographer I really liked it.

The National Museum of American History in New York is a remarkable institution that offers a deep dive into the natural world. Its extensive collections, particularly the dinosaur exhibits, are both fascinating and educational. As a New York resident, I had the privilege of visiting with my friend, and the experience was truly memorable. We were fortunate to take advantage of the "pay what you wish" policy and paid just one dollar for our visit.

The dinosaur hall is one of the highlights of the museum. It features an impressive array of fossils, including the famous Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. The sheer size of these ancient creatures is awe-inspiring. Detailed plaques provide information about each species, including their habitat, diet, and behavior.

In addition to the dinosaurs, the museum has a variety of other exhibits that showcase the diversity of life on Earth. From the ocean's depths to the highest mountains, the displays offer a comprehensive look at the natural world. The interactive exhibits are particularly engaging for visitors of all ages.

The museum is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the different sections. Signage is clear, and there are maps available to help guide you. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to answer questions or provide additional information.

Another highlight is the museum's commitment to education. They offer a range of programs and workshops for both children and adults. These programs are designed to enhance the visitor experience and deepen their understanding of natural history.

The architecture of the museum itself is stunning. The grand entrance hall sets the tone for the entire visit, with its high ceilings and beautiful decor. Each exhibit is thoughtfully designed to be both informative and visually appealing.

Visiting the museum is a wonderful way to spend the day, whether you're a local or a tourist. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of our planet and the life forms that have inhabited it. The experience is both enriching and entertaining.

Overall, our visit to the National Museum of American History was a highlight of our time in New York. It's a place where history comes alive, and every corner reveals something new and exciting. We left with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and a sense of wonder about the past.

I would highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in natural history. It's a treasure trove of knowledge and a must-visit for anyone in New York. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just looking for an interesting way to spend an afternoon, this museum has something for everyone.

Layout and Highlights of the Museum: Grand Entrance Hall: Stunning architecture with high ceilings. Dinosaur Hall: Featuring Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and other fossils. Oceanic Exhibits: Showcasing marine life from the depths. Mountain Displays: Highlighting the biodiversity of mountainous regions. Interactive Exhibits: Engaging for all ages. Educational Programs: Workshops and programs for children and adults. Maps and Signage: Clear directions and...

Terrible just for the customer service aspect. The museum is beautiful and they do great with the exhibits. Do better with your staff. This is an email I sent to them after my visit with no response: I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally address a concerning experience I had during my recent visit to the American Museum of Natural History on Friday, February 21st. First, I would like to commend the museum for its beautifully curated exhibits. The quality of the displays and the overall experience was truly a pleasure for myself and my children. As a world-renowned institution, the American Museum of Natural History is synonymous with excellence, and it was a privilege to explore its collections.

However, my experience was significantly impacted by the unprofessional behavior of a manager at the museum, which I feel needs to be addressed to maintain the high standards associated with your institution.

I visited the museum with my three children to celebrate my daughter’s 16th birthday, and we purchased a City Pass to streamline our experience and avoid waiting in line. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the line for a ticketed exhibition, we were mistakenly provided with tickets for a different exhibition. We were informed that the issue could be resolved by visiting the ticketing desk, which we did.

Upon arriving at the ticketing area, we were initially assisted by a very polite and helpful young woman, who advised that we would need to speak with a manager to correct the tickets. She informed us that the manager, whose name I believe is Roxanne, was momentarily unavailable. We waited for approximately 15 minutes, during which time another guest had a similar issue and was also told to wait for the manager’s return.

When the manager eventually appeared, I was disappointed by her unprofessional conduct. Rather than engaging with us directly to resolve the issue, she rolled her eyes and dismissed the staff member who had been assisting us. She also failed to address us as guests in need of assistance, which I found to be incredibly disrespectful. Instead, she made a dismissive comment about us needing to pay an additional $10, without offering any further explanation or attempting to resolve the situation in a courteous manner.

As someone in a leadership position at a prominent institution, I was disheartened to witness such behavior. The manager’s actions were not only unprofessional but also disrespectful to both the staff member and the guests seeking assistance. I believe this situation reflects poorly on the museum’s standards of service and leadership, and I trust you will take the necessary steps to address it.

I hope this feedback leads to improved training and accountability for the staff in leadership roles at the museum. As a visitor from outside New York, it was especially disappointing to encounter such unprofessionalism at an institution of such global prestige.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am confident that the museum will continue to uphold its reputation as a world-class institution, and I look forward to hearing about the steps taken to ensure this type of behavior does not occur...