The 11 must-see attractions at the American Museum of Natural History
Quick answer
The AMNH's must-sees are the blue whale in the Hall of Ocean Life, the T. rex and Titanosaur in the fossil halls, the Gilder Center, the Hayden Planetarium and the Akeley Hall of African Mammals. Halls can rotate or close for works.
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The 11 key attractions, hall by hall
Halls can close temporarily or change displays; check the museum's floor plan.
- 1
Milstein Hall of Ocean Life · main floor
The blue whale
A model about 94 feet long, suspended since 1969 above marine dioramas. It is the museum's most recognisable icon.
- 2
Floor 4 · Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs
Tyrannosaurus rex
One of the most complete skeletons of history's most famous predator.
- 3
Floor 4 · Wallach Orientation Center
The Titanosaur
A giant dinosaur so long its head pokes into the next room; its size brings the scale of the sauropods home.
- 4
Floor 4 · fossil halls
Triceratops and Brachiosaurus
The museum's great herbivores, among around a hundred dinosaur specimens.
- 5
Gilder Center
The Gilder Center
Opened in 2023, with cave-like architecture, open collections, an insectarium and immersive spaces.
- 6
Gilder Center
The Insectarium and Butterfly Vivarium
Experiences with live insects and butterflies (the latter needs a separate ticket).
- 7
Rose Center for Earth and Space
Hayden Planetarium
The great planetarium sphere, with shows on the universe booked separately.
- 8
Rose Center
Hall of the Universe
A walk through the scale of the cosmos, from particles to galaxies.
- 9
Main floor
Akeley Hall of African Mammals
Historic dioramas of elephants and other animals, one of the museum's great classics.
- 10
Main floor
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall
A memorial to the naturalist president, with a grand rotunda and a dinosaur skeleton at the entrance.
- 11
Floor 1
Hall of Gems and Minerals
A spectacular collection of gems and precious stones.
How to see them in one visit
Start on floor 4 (Titanosaur and T. rex), go down to the blue whale and finish at the Gilder Center or Rose Center. Our 2-hour route follows this exact order.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the T. rex?
On the fourth floor, in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs within the fossil halls.
Where is the blue whale?
In the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, on the main floor.
What is the Gilder Center?
An expansion opened in 2023 with open collections, an insectarium and immersive spaces.
Can you see everything in one day?
Not entirely. Choose the attractions that interest you most and book the planetarium separately.