INSIDE: Everything you need to know about the Discovery Room Museum of Natural History New York.
Did you know there’s a room dedicated to kids at the American Museum of Natural History?
There is!
The DISCOVERY ROOM at the Museum of Natural History in New York was the highlight of our visit, with tonnes of hands-on activities for kids to explore natural history in real life.
Check it out below.
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Guide to The Discovery Room Museum of Natural History for Kids
Make a beeline for the Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
This hands-on room for families and children aged 5-12 is an interactive exhibition giving kids an opportunity to explore behind the scenes of science, and the natural science collections.
Kids can dig for bones at the DISCOVERY ROOM Museum of Natural History!
There’s something for everyone including activities from every major field of Museum science and research, from anthropology to zoology.
Older kids, teens and adults should head upstairs for more activities too.
(We entered for FREE, as part of our New York Pass. Click here for details. Click here for details)
RELATED: ULTIMATE guide of unique things to do in New York with kids
The Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History
New York
Discovery Room Highlights:
- Grab your clipboard and torch to hunt for animals in a magnificent replica of an African baobab tree filled with specimens of birds, insects, reptiles, and small mammals.
- Create your own collection of minerals, skulls, or arthropods from a cabinet full of fascinating specimens.
- Learn about cultures in locations from Brooklyn to Bombay by examining traditional and contemporary artefacts from around the world.
- Use the bones in the drawer to build a life-sized cast skeleton of Prestosuchus, a 14-foot long reptile from the late Triassic Period
- Handle real fossils
- Become an archeologist and unearth an Oviraptor nest in a re-creation of a paleontology field site.
- Track real-time earthquakes anywhere in the world on the digital seismographic display and explore the natural world with sophisticated microscopes on the upper level.
There’s puzzles, artifacts, specimens to view, scientific challenges, felt pictures, masks to copy, colouring in, and books to read too.
The Big-Ticket Must-See Attractions at the American Museum of Natural History
Once you’ve checked out the DISCOVERY ROOM of the Natural History museum, see the big ticket items at the Natural History museum for kids, including both the permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions.
Here’s the list of stuff you must not miss.
- Look at the Giant Galapagos Turtle and Crocodiles in the Hall of Reptilians and Amphibians
- See the Mammoth and Saber Tooth Tiger bones in the Hall of Advanced Mammals
- Be wowed by the Stegosaurus and Triceratops fossils at the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs
- Spy the Alaska Brown Bear and American Bison at the Hall of North American Mammals
- Check the African Animal displays at the Hall of African Animals
More things to see at the Natural History Museum
- Stand under the Giant Blue Whale in the Hall of Ocean Life
- Explore Human History in the Human Origins and Cultural Halls
- Explore the Galaxy and the Universe at the Rose Center for Earth and Space
MORE THINGS TO DO AT THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN NEW YORK
No.1: Take a Self Guided Tour
Take a self-guided tour. Movie lovers can’t miss the Night at the Museum Tour!
There’s also tours to discover Dinosaurs, or an Earth and Space Tour featuring moon rocks, meteorites, and more.
No.2: American Museum of Natural History Events
For upcoming events and activities for families, sign up to the American Museum of Natural History newsletter and tick ‘Family Programs’.
No.3: Book a Museum of Natural History Sleepover!
Book A Night at the Museum Sleepover. I’m not sure the creatures and displays will come alive on your visit like they do in the movie of the same name, but it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
For children 6-13, along with their parents or caregivers.
$150 per person.
What’s included in the Natural Museum sleepover?
- Evening snack and light breakfast
- Cots for all participants
- Fossil fact-finding mission by flashlight
- Planetarium show in the Space Theater
- 3D nature movie in the LeFrak Theater
- Live animal presentation
- Access to entire permanent collection
- Available special exhibitions
To purchase tickets for A Night at the Museum, please call Central Reservations at 212-769-5200. Online ticketing is not available at this time.
Click here for upcoming dates.
No.4: Where to eat at the Natural History Museum New York
No.1: Natural History Museum Food Court
Best for families.
Lower Level, across from the Subway entrance.
Open daily, 11 am–4:45 pm
No.2: Café on One
Gourmet selections for adults.
Beers and Wines by the glass available.
First floor, Grand Gallery.
Open daily, 11 am–4:45 pm.
No.3: Café on Four
Light meals and assorted snacks.
Fourth floor, adjacent to 77th Street elevators.
Open daily, 11 am–4:45 pm.
No.4: Bring your own food
Please do not eat or drink in Museum halls or theaters.
Visitors are welcome to use the Museum’s student lunchrooms, located on the Lower Level near the Food Court.
Outside food and beverages may not be consumed in the Museum’s Food Court unless visitors are also purchasing items in the Food Court.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Natural Museum of History Discovery Room
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in US dollars, unless otherwise stated
Museum of Natural History Address:
- The Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History is on the 1st floor between the Grand Gallery and the Warburg Hall of New York State Environment.
- The American Museum of Natural History is located at Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192
Telephone: 212-769-5100
Website: Click here
Natural History Museum New York Opening Hours
The Museum is open daily from 10 am-5:45 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
It’s located on the 1st floor between the Grand Gallery and the Warburg Hall of New York State environment.
The Discovery Room opening hours are as below.
School Year:
- Monday to Thursday from 1.30pm to 5.10pm
- Closed Fridays
- Saturday, Sunday and public school holidays from 10.30am to 1.25pm, and 2.15pm to 5.10pm
Summer Hours:
- Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 1.25pm and 2.15pm to 5.10pm.
The American Museum of Natural History Tickets
The Museum of Natural History prices are:
General admission to all 45 Museum Halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Space is:
- $23 USD for adults
- $13 USD for children 2-12 years
- $18 USD for students and seniors.
Free passes for 40-minute timed sessions in the Discovery Room are available at the Discovery Room entrance
Please note: admission to the Giant Screen films, a Special Exhibition, or Space Show tickets is extra. Click here for details.
American Museum of Natural History Discount
Free entry to the Natural History Museum is included in the New York Pass, the New York CITYPASS, and the NYC Explorer Pass.
Read our comparison guide to see which is the best New York pass for your family.
Hot tip: Pay-what-you-wish admission is available at ticket counters only. The amount you pay for admission to the Natural History Museum is up to you.
How to get to the Natural History Museum in New York
By subway: Take the B (weekdays) or C train to 81st street. NB: This exit is not wheelchair accessible.
Click here for a full guide to NYC subway entrances and exits for strollers and wheelchairs.
Click here for details of getting to Natural History museum by bus, car and train.
Museum of Natural History Map
Click here for the AMNH Map Floor Guide in a number of different languages
Facilities at the Natural History Museum of America in NYC
Toilets: Yes including baby change table
Disability access:
- All of the Museum’s exhibitions are accessible by wheelchair, and all public floors of the Museum can be reached by elevator. Public elevators near the Central Park West and 77th Street entrances and those in the Rose Center are equipped with Braille signage and give auditory signals.
- All theaters include wheelchair locations and companion seats. The LeFrak Theater also is equipped with chairs that have swing-out armrests for those wishing to sit in a theatre seat.
- All food service areas are accessible by wheelchair, with no steps, turnstiles, or other potential obstructions.
Closest playground: The Diana Ross playground on the border of Central Park is 5 minutes walk. Head out the front door and turn left.
Toadstool Rating – Discovery Room ANHM
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