The special exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History are diverse and offer interactive, immersive, and live experiences that are suitable for visitors of all ages. To view more special exhibits that are not included with your ticket, you can always purchase an additional ticket to the exhibit of your choice!
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, and learn about their life cycle and the role they play in nature.
Location: Floor 2, Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
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 3, Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation - Enter via Susan S. and Kenneth Wallach Gallery
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 unique circumstances that made life on our planet possible.
Location: Floor 1, Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Theater
Take a time-traveling journey through space in Encounters in the Milky Way, an immersive exploration of the cosmic events that shape our galaxy. Using groundbreaking data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, this exhibit brings to life the past and future paths of stars, comets, and interstellar clouds, coming together to create a striking visualization of the Milky Way.
Location: Floor 1, Hayden Planetarium, Rose Center for Earth and Space
Discover the extraordinary ways life has adapted to thrive in Earth’s most extreme environments in Life at the Limits. From deep-sea creatures that survive near boiling vents to animals with incredible senses, movement, or hunting skills, this exhibit showcases nature’s most astonishing adaptations. Encounter life-size models and interactive displays featuring cave dwellers to space-surviving tardigrades that reveal how life pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.
Location: Floor 3, Gallery 3
The reign of dinosaurs could have continued into the modern era if not for a breathtaking cosmic event that transformed life on Earth. Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs delves into the dramatic narrative surrounding the asteroid collision that struck the planet 66 million years ago; a moment that ended one era and began another. This compelling exploration illustrates how a catastrophic impact led to mass extinction, yet also ignited a remarkable explosion of biodiversity, giving rise to entirely new forms of life and ultimately shaping the world as we know it today.
Location: Floor 4, LeFrak Family Gallery
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, Alcove Gallery inside the Gottesman Research Library, Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
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, outside Gottesman Research Library, Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
This exhibit focuses on the vital role insects play in our world and shows the risks they face today. Learn about extinct species 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 2, Akeley Gallery and East Galleria, next to the African Mammals Hall
Meet Apex, one of the most complete Stegosaurus fossils ever discovered. This 150-million-year-old specimen stands 11.5 feet tall and stretches 27 feet long, displayed in a striking defensive pose with its spiked tail raised. Found in Colorado’s Morrison Formation in 2022, Apex features over 250 preserved bones, with missing parts carefully reconstructed using 3D technology.
Location: Floor 1, Exploration Atrium, at the entrance of Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
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
Experience the beauty of the cosmos through art and science in Cosmic Splendor, a special exhibition featuring over 60 celestial-themed jewelry pieces from the collections of Van Cleef & Arpels. Inspired by centuries of astronomical discovery, from Galileo’s early observations to the James Webb Space Telescope, these stunning creations reflect humanity’s ongoing fascination with the universe. This showcase invites visitors to marvel at the intricate craftsmanship that brings the wonders of space down to Earth.
Location: Floor 1, Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals
Explore the farthest reaches of space through the lens of the world’s most powerful space telescopes. Eyes on the Universe presents breathtaking images captured by Hubble, Gaia, and the James Webb Space Telescope, revealing the birth of stars, the eruption of supernovas, and the dynamic activity of black holes. This exhibit gives visitors a rare look at the invisible wonders of the cosmos, made visible through cutting-edge technology and scientific discovery.
Location: Floor 1, LeFrak Theater corridor
Discover powerful stories of resilience and hope in the face of climate change in this dynamic exhibit of over 150 large-scale portraits. Captured during a special Climate Week NYC event, Dreams We Carry showcases diverse voices, ranging from everyday New Yorkers to Indigenous land stewards and Museum scientists, who share personal reflections on how climate change is reshaping our world.
Location: Floor 1, Ellen V. Futter Gallery
American Museum of Natural History Tickets + 1 Ticketed Exhibition
American Museum of Natural History Tickets
You can purchase exhibition tickets along with your admission tickets here.
You can reschedule your time slot for the ticketed exhibit on the same day, but it’s subject to availability. Rescheduling for another day will require you to purchase an additional General Admission ticket to enter the museum.
No, General Admission provides access to the Museum’s permanent halls and galleries, but it does not include special exhibitions. To visit a ticketed exhibit, you’ll need to choose a ticket that includes Museum admission plus one special exhibition.
Yes, you can purchase tickets to additional exhibitions at the museum entrance. Be sure to check the exhibit schedule and allow enough time during your visit.
Ticketed exhibits are typically open during regular Museum hours (10am to 5:30 pm). Entry times for shows like Worlds Beyond Earth and Encounters in the Milky Way are based on showtimes that vary depending on their scheduled presentations.
Yes, most ticketed exhibits require timed entry reservations to manage capacity and enhance the visitor experience. When booking your tickets, you’ll be asked to select a specific time for your chosen exhibit(s).
Absolutely. Exhibits like The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, Invisible Worlds, and Life at the Limits are family-friendly and engaging for all ages.
Yes, all ticketed exhibits are wheelchair accessible. If you need assistance, accessibility services are available at the Museum’s entrances and Information Desks.
