The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. General Admission covers more than 40 permanent halls and listed exhibitions, but some popular experiences—including the Butterfly Vivarium and Hayden Planetarium Space Show—cost extra and require timed tickets. Check the Museum’s live ticket, hours, and closure pages before choosing a date.
Hours, closures, and how much time to allow
The Museum’s regular hours are 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Temporary hall and amenity closures can affect what is available on a particular visit; the Museum says its closure list is updated weekly and that schedules can change. Review the official hours and temporary-closures page before you go.
AMNH is a large institution, so pick a few priority halls or exhibitions rather than expecting to see everything in one visit. Check the live schedule for any timed experience you want to attend and leave time to move between buildings and floors.
Tickets: what General Admission includes
General Admission includes more than 40 permanent halls and the exhibitions listed as included on the Museum’s ticket page. The Museum distinguishes these from ticketed exhibitions, which require an additional ticket. Advance online tickets offer faster entry; timed-entry availability is selected during checkout for most ticket purchasers. Some pass holders and Pay-What-You-Wish visitors need to select eligible ticketed experiences at a ticket desk on arrival.
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Current listed General Admission prices
The Museum’s ticket page lists the following standard prices for visitors from outside New York State. Rates and eligibility can change, so confirm them at purchase.
| Category | Listed price | Eligibility noted by the Museum |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $37 | Adult admission |
| Senior | $30 | Age 60 or older, with valid ID |
| Student | $22 | Student with valid student ID |
| Child | Free | Ages 3–12 |
New York State residents with eligible ID may pay what they wish for General Admission. The resident pricing table lists suggested amounts of $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $14 for children; check the live page for its resident and student category details. Pay What You Wish applies to General Admission only, not paid ticketed exhibitions.
Experiences that cost extra
The Museum currently lists these as ticketed, added-cost experiences requiring an entry time:
- Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium
- Invisible Worlds
- Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs
- Hayden Planetarium Space Show: Encounters in the Milky Way
Availability and prices may vary by date. Check the Museum’s Plan Your Visit and ticket information before buying.
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The Museum lists free-admission conditions for members, children under three, eligible military visitors under the program’s terms, Cool Culture pass holders, caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities, and visitors entering during the last hour. Conditions vary, and complimentary admission still requires tickets. Consult the current ticket page for eligibility and instructions. Visitors with disabilities can buy admission at the Student/Senior rate on-site or by phone; one accompanying caregiver receives complimentary admission when requested.
Getting to the Museum
Subway and bus
- The B train (weekdays only) or C train to 81st Street.
- The 1 train to Broadway and West 79th Street.
- The M79 cross-town bus stops near the Museum. The Museum also lists the M7, M10, M11, M86, and M104.
The 81st Street subway station is not wheelchair accessible. The Museum identifies 72nd Street on the 1/2/3 as the closest accessible subway station and describes an M7 connection. Check transit-agency information on your travel date for service changes and step-free route details.
Entrances and parking
Public entrances are at Central Park West and 79th Street, Columbus Avenue and 79th Street at the Gilder Center, and 81st Street at the Rose Center for Earth and Space, which has an accessible entrance. The Museum garage entrance is on 81st Street. Parking rates and access conditions can change; check the visitor page before driving.
Finding your way around
The free AMNH Explorer app provides a Museum map, turn-by-turn directions, accessible and shortest routes, recommendations based on interests, and directions to amenities. The Museum says the app is available in several languages. You can also use the Museum’s map and route information to plan ahead.
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Free guided tours
The Museum offers free daytime guided tours. Its daily highlight tours are scheduled at 30 minutes past each hour from 10:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.; confirm the day’s schedule at an information desk. Foreign-language and accessibility tours are also scheduled. The Museum does not allow third parties to lead private tours inside.
Accessibility and visiting with children
Strollers are generally welcome, except in theaters. The Museum recommends using the Rose Center or Gilder Center entrances with a stroller. Double strollers are not typically allowed in ticketed exhibition galleries; stroller parking is provided there.
For sensory planning, AMNH provides a sensory guide and information about a sensory room. Visitors with specific access needs should review the Museum’s accessibility information before arrival.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Food, lockers, and re-entry
The Museum lists four dining options, with hours that vary by venue and weekday. Eating is not allowed in galleries. Visitors may leave and re-enter the same day with the same ticket, using designated re-entry entrances and passing through security again.
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Lockers are listed as available until 5 p.m., subject to change. The posted rate for large storage is $12 per day. Large bags, backpacks, luggage, food, and beverages are not permitted in lockers under the Museum’s posted rules. Check the current visitor information for locker availability and restrictions.
Events and attraction passes
The Museum calendar lists daily drop-in Learning Lab programs as well as dated ticketed and member events. Because schedules are date-specific, check the official events calendar for your visit rather than assuming a program will be running.
The Museum’s visitor-information PDF says CityPASS includes Museum General Admission and one ticketed exhibition, alongside four other New York City attractions. That inclusion alone does not establish current pass terms or whether it will save money for a particular itinerary; compare the live pass details with the attractions you actually plan to visit.
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