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American Museum of Natural History: Explore the popular exhibits on display

Exhibitions

The American Museum of Natural History exhibitions are diverse, ranging from permanent collections that delve into the mysteries of the natural world to temporary displays that showcase the latest scientific discoveries. While general admission grants access to many permanent exhibitions, you can purchase separate tickets to explore special exhibitions and experiences.

Temporary exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History

Exhibitions American Museum of Natural History

Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium

Step into a lush environment filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world. This vivarium features 80 different species fluttering among tropical plants. Watch how they interact with the environment, learn about their life cycle and the role they play in nature.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: No

Invisible Worlds: Immersive Experience

Invisible Worlds takes you on a journey through the hidden layers of life, from the microscopic to the vastness of space. Through engaging visuals, this exhibit helps you understand how different elements of the world are connected, from cells to ecosystems. It's an interactive experience that uses technology to show things that are too small or too far away to normally see.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: No

The Secret World of Elephants

This exhibit introduces you to the intelligence, emotional depth, and strong social bonds of elephants. Learn about their daily lives, from caring for their young to communicating with each other. You’ll also get to explore the challenges they face due to poaching and habitat loss, making this an informative and moving look at these majestic animals.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: No

Extinct and Endangered: Insects in Peril

This exhibit focuses on the vital role insects play in our world, showing the risks they face today. Learn about species that are extinct and others currently at risk, including bees and butterflies. It highlights how climate change, pollution, and habitat loss are threatening these tiny but essential creatures, offering insight into what we can do to protect them.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: Yes

Grounded by Our Roots

This exhibit explores the deep connections between people and plants across different cultures. From food and medicine to spirituality, plants have always played a vital role in human history. See how nature has influenced our traditions and daily lives, reminding us of our close relationship with the environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: Yes

Opulent Oceans

Experience the ocean’s beauty with this exhibit featuring marine fossils, seashells, and other underwater wonders. Explore different species that have lived in the ocean throughout time and learn about their impact on marine ecosystems. It’s a perfect blend of science and art, offering you a chance to appreciate the ocean's lifeforms, both past and present.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: Yes

What's in a Name?

This exhibit explains the science and significance behind species naming. Learn about the fascinating process of taxonomy and the stories behind some of the most interesting names in the animal and plant kingdoms. Know how names can reflect discoveries, culture, and creativity.

Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
Included with admission: Yes

Worlds Beyond Earth

The 25-minute journey across our solar system narrated by Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o tells the story of Earth and its neighboring planets, their oceans, volcanoes, and storms, and the series of unique circumstances that made life on our planet possible.

Location: Floor 1, Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Theater
Included with admission: No

The Changing Museum

Learn more about representation and the ongoing cultural collaboration practices at the American Museum of Natural History. Understand more about the journey of learning and growth through the years when it comes to respecting the values and perspectives of the Indigenous communities in the country.

Location: Floor 3
Included with admission: Yes

Hayden Planetarium Space Show: Passport to the Universe

Catch this fan favorite, back in the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater for a limited time! Narrated by Tom Hanks, Passport to the Universe explores humanity's place in the cosmos, taking you on an unforgettable journey from Earth all the way to the edge of the observable universe.

Location: Floor 1, Hayden Planetarium
Included with admission: No

*For exhibitions not included in the general admission ticket, click here to book your spot.

Permanent exhibition halls at the museum

Felix M. Warburg Hall of New York State Environment

This exhibit is designed to deepen your understanding of the plants and animals at Stissing Mountain and the village of Pine Plains, located in Dutchess County about ninety miles north of New York City.
Recommended exhibits: An October Afternoon Near Stissing Mountain | Bird's Eye View of Stissing Mountain and the Valley Of Fine | Life in The Soil

Theodore Roosevelt Hall of Biodiversity

The Hall of Biodiversity depicts the richness and variety of life on Earth, showcased through a 2,500-square-foot walk-through diorama, which recreates a section of the Dzanga-Sangha rainforest—one of the planet's most diverse ecosystems.
Recommended exhibits: The Dzanga-Sangha Rain Forest | Siberian Tiger | Dodo Bird

Hall of North American Forests

The Hall of North American Forests showcases the ecology and diversity of forests across the continent, from the lush forests of Ontario to the giant cactus forests of Arizona. It also explores the forest food web and strategies for forest conservation.
Recommended exhibits: Giant Sequoia Tree | Life on the Forest Floor | Giant Anopheles Mosquito

Irma and Paul Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life

This hall takes you to the underwater world. A centerpiece of the hall is one of the Museum's most iconic exhibits—a 94-foot-long, 21,000-pound model of a blue whale suspended from the ceiling.
Recommended exhibits: Blue Whale Model | Sperm Whale and Giant Squid | Andros Coral Reef Diorama

Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

The new Gilder Center showcases an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, impressive floor-to-ceiling collection displays, and more. It spans four floors and connects seamlessly to the rest of the American Museum of Natural History.
Recommended exhibits: Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium | Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium | Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience | Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Collections Core

Rose Center for Earth and Space

This hall features the Hayden Sphere, and other exhibits that explore cosmic scales, the 13-billion-year history of the universe, the nature of galaxies, stars, planets, and the dynamic processes of planet Earth.
Recommended exhibits: Scales of the Universe | Hayden Big Bang Theater | Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Cosmic Pathway | Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe | David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial

This hall is part of New York State's official Theodore Roosevelt memorial and features four exhibits exploring his life: young naturalist, rancher and conservation advocate, Conservation President, and post-presidency explorer of Brazil’s River of Doubt.
Recommended exhibits: Old New York Diorama | Roosevelt Timeline | Roosevelt Sculpture

Ellen V. Futter Gallery

Located just inside the 77th Street entrance, the Futter Gallery serves as a gateway to the Museum’s Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins and the Northwest Coast Hall.
Recommended exhibits: 150 large portraits and narratives of climate change

Mammal Halls

The permanent exhibits at each of the Mammal Halls feature anatomically accurate dioramas of mammals from around the world, ranging from African elephants to tigers from Asia. With precise depictions of their geography, each Hall is a distinct exploratory experience.
Recommended exhibits: Bernard Family Hall of North American Mammals | Akeley Hall of African Mammals | Hall of Asian Mammals | Hall of New York State Mammals | Hall of Primates | Hall of Small Mammals

Human Origins and Cultural Halls

Take a walk through the evolution of humanity, and learn how we changed in a physiological and sociological manner. The Hall of Human Origins is focused on human evolution as a species while the Cultural Halls explore the diversity of the cultures in Asia, Africa, North and South America, and the Pacific.
Recommended exhibits: Northwest Coast Hall | Hall of Mexico and Central America | Hall of African Peoples | Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples | Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins | Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific Peoples | Hall of South American Peoples

Fossil Halls

The collection of fossils at the American Museum of Natural History is famous for their variety, size, and the level at which some of them have been preserved. The halls include a 122-foot-long Titanosaur, a Stegosaurus, and the featured Tyrannosaurus rex.

Earth and Planetary Sciences Halls

Meteorites, minerals, giant geodes, and rare minerals await at the Earth and Planetary Sciences Halls. The exhibits include 130 meteorites, with Ahnighito taking center stage with a mass of 34 tons and a collection of some of the world's most important gems and minerals.

Recommended exhibits: Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals | Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites

Birds and Reptiles and Amphibians Halls

Visit the Birds Halls to see the display of avian life on the planet with dioramas of birds in their ecosystems, and learn about the anatomy, feeding habits, reproduction, locomotion, and defense mechanisms of amphibians and reptiles.

Recommended exhibits: Hall of Birds of the World | Hall of New York City Birds | Leonard C. Sanford Hall of North American Birds | Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians

* Please note that all permanent exhibitions are included with your general admission ticket.

Frequently asked questions about exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History

Which exhibitions can I access with a general admission ticket?

With a general admission ticket, you can access all permanent exhibitions, including the Halls of Biodiversity, Fossils, and Earth and Space.

Where can I book tickets to the AMNH exhibitions?

You can purchase exhibition tickets along with your admission tickets here.

What are the must-see exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History?

Must-see exhibitions include the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs, the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space.

Are there any special exhibitions?

Yes, the museum features special exhibitions like the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium and Invisible Worlds, which require separate tickets.

Is there a time limit on how long I can stay inside the museum's exhibitions?

There is no specific time limit for exploring exhibitions, so you can take your time as long as the museum is open.

Are the exhibitions at the American Museum of Natural History interactive?

Many exhibitions are interactive, featuring hands-on displays and engaging activities that enhance the learning experience for visitors of all ages.

How long should I plan to spend at the museum to see the major exhibitions?

Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours to fully experience the museum’s major exhibitions and special showcases.

Is photography allowed in the exhibitions?

Photography is generally allowed in most exhibitions, except where otherwise indicated, particularly for certain special exhibitions or artifacts.

Are there any special exhibitions for children?

Yes, exhibitions like the Discovery Room and special immersive experiences, such as the Butterfly Vivarium, are designed to engage younger visitors.