We all know that the city is expensive. Trying to plan activities that are fun and don’t leave your wallet empty can be almost impossible. Luckily, the American Museum of Natural History is free with your Pace ID. Stepping into the museum is like stepping into an episode of Wild Kratts; animals from across time and space are available right in front of you. 

With 5 floors full of exhibition halls, the museum feels never-ending. Walking into the main lobby, you can have your own Night at the Museum moment as you see the iconic dinosaur skeleton in the center of the room. If dinosaurs are your thing, the top floor of the museum is completely covered in different skeletons. It would take up this entire article to list all the exhibits, but if you can think of an animal, it’s likely in the museum. They have halls of mammals, insects, different groups of people, just to name a few. The architecture of the museum changes by room to reflect what is inside, such as the iconic Exploration Atrium, which looks like a rock that has been carved by wind and water, The museum map, which can be found online, is a great way to discover everything that the museum has to offer.  

My favorite exhibit is the Hall of Ocean Life. A giant whale hanging from the ceiling watches you as you walk around this two– storied exhibit. There are animals from every ocean across the world, including jellyfish, a giant squid, and a walrus seal. The lighting of the room—mostly dark with blue light filtering through—creates the ambience that you are under the water.  

If you want to explore beyond the main part of the museum, there are special exhibitions that you can add on to your ticket. You have to pay extra for them, and new featured exhibits rotate into the museum every so often. I recently did “Worlds Beyond Earth”, the AMNH’s planetarium. Having never been to a planetarium before, I was blown away. I felt as if I had been transported onto a spaceship that was exploring the solar system, every time a meteor passed on the screen it was as if it was hurtling outside my window. The experience is narrated by Lupita Nyong’o, and she visits many of the planets in the solar system and discusses their unique features.

The museum is great at any time, but I prefer to go during the week because it’s usually less crowded. However, no matter when you decide to go, it’s a can’t miss experience in the city.