In the western part of the Central Park "Big Apple" (Central Park West) is located one of the most curious research institutions in the world. The American Museum of Natural History has long been a must-see tourist attraction. Hosting almost 5 million visitors a year, it houses priceless collections of artifacts from various eras.
One of the most interesting sights in New York
The gigantic museum complex consists of 25 light gray buildings connected by labyrinths of showrooms. It was founded in 1869 by Albert Beekmore, and among the founders was Theodore Roosevelt himself. The institution, whose main exhibits were stuffed animals and skeletons of animals, was not very popular. And even the question arose about its closure.
Museum President Morris Jesup, looking for a way out of the predicamentfinancial situation, did the incredible: for 25 years of work, the territory of his offspring has increased by almost 11 times, and the amount of donations amounted to about a million dollars. With this money, expeditions were equipped to all parts of the globe, which bore fruit. The researchers brought unique finds, which even now arouse the curiosity of modern man.
The American Museum of Natural History, whose exhibitions bring together past and present, is divided into several thematic sectors, impressive in size. 4 floors of the most interesting attraction in New York is an educational and at the same time entertaining platform for adults and children.
What to see?
The Descent of Man Hall is one of the most visited. It contains rich material that tells about different periods of the formation of mankind. Among the unique exhibits, the so-called Lucy stands out - the skeleton of the Afar Australopithecus, found in Ethiopia by an American anthropologist. An upright adult lived over three million years ago.
The Fossil Room is a permanent exhibition showcasing the world's largest collection of vertebrate fossils. The exhibits, among which there are well-preserved ones, plunge into the unexplored and mysterious prehistoric world.
The "Mammals" Hall is a spacious room consisting of dioramas that introduce visitors to various continents. And in the "Birds" hall you can see both local representatives of the avifauna andfeathered other continents.
The Universe Hall, which hosts exhibitions dedicated to astronomy, leaves no one indifferent.
Rare exhibits are exhibited in the "Mineral Resources" hall. They are stored in special glass containers equipped with bright lights. And in the "Precious Stones" room, a unique emerald "Patricia" and a sapphire "Star of India" are stored.
Meteorites Hall attracts those who are interested in space and its mysteries. Bodies of cosmic origin that fell on our planet, and nanodiamonds, whose age is 5 billion years, are the hall's exclusive.
Opened just 18 years ago, the Rose Center for Earth and Space includes several exhibition halls where visitors can get up close and personal with myriad stars, planets and galaxies.
The "Ocean Life" hall boasts amazing exhibits - inhabitants of the deep sea who lived in different eras. The most impressive specimen is considered to be a life-size blue giant whale. It hangs under the dome of the hall, causing admiration of visitors. A film about the origin of life in water is constantly broadcast on a huge screen, the footage of which was filmed in various parts of the world's oceans.
Dinosaur Hall
Of course, for most visitors, the most interesting rooms are those where exhibits of the prehistoric world are presented. For example, those who lived
during the Mesozoic era, dinosaurs reaching a length of several tens of meters. Fossil vertebrates, amazing in size and power, are the real highlight of the paleontological collection.
Many of the exhibits are made of plastic, but there are also the remains of extinct animals, for example, real skeletons of a brontosaurus, a mammoth and a tyrannosaurus rex are exhibited here. But the Apatosaurus skull is made of plaster. From the tablets in the hall you can learn about the types of dinosaurs, their names and eras of existence.
Old library
The library, founded in 1880, is of no less interest to visitors. It includes 500 thousand of the most valuable books on natural science and other sciences. Those who wish will be able to get acquainted with the reports of scientists who have made expeditions to different parts of the globe.
Museum dioramas
Installations that reproduce the nature of different parts of our planet are very popular among the guests of the museum complex. Dioramas of the African savannah and Arctic deserts accurately convey the color and originality of these places. The colorful decorations created by artists, photographers and engineers are the pride of the museum.
Carl Ackley, a well-known taxidermist, worked on them for a long time. For the first time, he did not stuff animal skins with sawdust, as was done earlier, but created real animal skeletons with blood vessels and muscles.
Space Cathedral and Cinema
In 2000, a giant planetarium appeared, arousing the curiosity of guestsan unusual floating roof resembling a sphere. The glass building with a height of 6 floors looks majestic. The most interesting installation, according to the guests, is the "Big Bang Theory", which reproduces the process of formation of the Universe. It is curious that the performances that the audience likes so much are voiced by the famous actress Whoopi Goldberg.
A few years ago, a modern IMAX cinema opened. All sessions are dedicated to popular science topics. For example, the film "The World from a Bird's Eye View" is an exciting journey that leaves a lasting impression. Spectators fly on the wings of birds from one continent to another, and behind the scenes the voice of the brilliant Hollywood diva Cate Blanchett sounds.
Where to eat?
Hungry visitors can eat in the cafe and restaurant located on the ground floor of the complex. All dishes presented here are themed. For example, the children's favorite dessert is a multi-layered creamy parfait that demonstrates how the soil works. The worms inside are edible: the natural-looking invertebrates are made from marmalade.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The American Museum of Natural History welcomes visitors all year round from 10.00 to 17.45. It is only closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November).
The cost of a ticket, depending on which exhibitions the guest wants to see, ranges from 25 to 35 dollars. You can buy it directly at the box office or onofficial website.
Those who wish to visit the museum can choose both a standard tour and an individual one, depending on their interests. It was here that the family comedy "Night at the Museum" was filmed, in which the main exhibit came to life - a giant tyrannosaurus rex. After the release of the film, the audience rushed to the American Museum of Natural History. Soon a new program appeared that caused a stir. The eponymous tour "Night at the Museum" will allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of the film's main characters.
Interesting facts
US President T. Roosevelt has always been a dedicated fan of the museum. For 14 months he traveled around Africa, and then gave him his collection of unique exhibits. Now in the African Hall there is a sculpture of an outstanding political figure who made a huge contribution to the country's natural history.
Some of the interactive exhibits ("Water Equals Life", "The Brain: A Story Inside", "Beyond the Earth") can be compared to the unique shows that only take place in this museum.
The American Museum of Natural History, whose exhibits introduce all stages of human development, was rebuilt several times, and now it covers an area of 4 blocks.
Visitor reviews
Tourists who have visited the museum, located in Manhattan, in Central Park West, are completely delighted. And this is not surprising, because the first thing that catches your eye is realistically drawn landscapes. The effect of presence creates a uniquely shaped glass, behind whichmummified animals hiding.
This is a rather interesting facility where tired children and their parents can sit down and even lie down, looking at the exhibits or doing their own thing. To many tourists wandering the halls of the American Museum of Natural History, it seems as if the frozen exhibits are about to come to life.
Visitors recommend visiting the gift shop to stock up on both traditional and themed items. Products are constantly changing depending on the exhibitions of the museum. This is not just a souvenir shop, but a real trap, and getting out of it without a pile of gifts is unrealistic.
In one day it is impossible to see 32 million exhibits that have been collected over the years. Stunned guests leave the building with full confidence that people are just grains of sand in a vast world.
