Are you planning a trip to New York City this summer? Or do you live in the area? If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, check out the newest exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History (200 Central Park West, New York, NY).
I have loved the museum since I was a child. I am from upstate New York, so it took a few hours to get to the city. It was worth it. The museum was my favorite place to visit. Even as an adult, I still love visiting the museum. I have spent many hours there looking at all the museum has to offer. It seems like each time I go I discover an area I haven’t seen before, or a piece that I must have missed on my last visit.
My husband and I made the trip down to the museum this past Friday. Not only was I excited to see my favorite exhibits (the animals and the dinosaurs), I was also looking forward to checking out the museums new Butterfly Vivarium exhibit, as well as their new Invisible Worlds exhibit.
Both of these exhibits join other special exhibits – Sharks, Worlds Beyond Earth and Blue Whales.
I’ve linked to all the exhibits so you can learn more about them.
Each of these exhibits are special exhibits which require extra tickets. General admission does not give you access to these exhibits. They are inexpensive, so if you want to see them, don’t fret over a huge expense. That is not the case at all.
Invisible Worlds is a truly amazing immersive exhibit that shows you how all life on Earth is connected in one way or another.
When I say “connected,” some people might mean in regards to people. But that is not the case at all. We’re all connected some how at a cellular level. After all, life began with just a single cell.
When you first walk into the exhibit you’ll see interesting content on large screens. There are also many touch screen sections, which sadly I was never able to get close to. So many people were interested in using them.
There was even a human brain that was donated to science by an eighty year old (plus) woman. Interesting!
Before you enter the main room where the “magic” happens, you’ll be greeted by this sign.
I should make note that the movement could make you feel a bit “off” too. I was perfectly fine, but my husband said he felt like he was moving. For that reason he chose to keep his eyes on the walls and not on the floor.
When you enter the main room you’ll be surrounded by screens all over the walls, as well as a floor where things get projected on to.
The show talks about how all live is connected, and how important cells are important too all living beings on Earth.
As the narrator talks, images are shown moving around the walls, as well as on the floor.
The above picture are tulips that were part of the New York City Central Park part of the show. The walls showed the park including people and trees. Seeing the tulips on the floor made me feel like I was really in the park myself. It’s like it transported me there.
The whale that went around the entire room on the wall was incredible too.
Children loved running around, stomping on the feathers and chasing the birds that flew around the room projected on the floor.
I tried to pay attention to what the narrator was saying, because I love to learn, but it was hard to because I got too focused on all the beautiful imagery all around me, including the floor.
To say this was “immersive” is an understatement. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
The next place we went to visit was the Butterfly Vivarium. Just like the other exhibit, this is a special exhibit that you need a ticket for.
A vivarium is an enclosed place used to protect plants and creatures from the outside world.
When you visit you enter through two sets of doors. This ensures that the butterflies don’t escape.
Inside the vivarium you are greeted with dozens of butterflies in different colors and sizes. They are everywhere!
Inside the vivarium are plants that the butterflies land on. There are even dishes all about filled with fruit and other goodies butterflies like to eat. When they stop to eat, visitors can get a close up look at these amazing creatures.
There are museum employees on hand to answer your questions. They also try to lure the butterflies onto sponge sticks in hopes of giving visitors an even better view of them.
When you visit, be sure to look at the ceiling, walls and window. The butterflies are everywhere.
Don’t worry, butterflies will NOT hurt you. They do not bite.
They are also very fragile which is why visitors are not allowed to touch them or handle them in any way. Should one land on you, just leave it alone. It will eventually fly off or you can get a museum employee to help remove your new friend.
The plants inside the vivarium are interesting too. One of them I thought for sure was plastic, but it wasn’t.
I took A LOT of photos in the Butterfly Vivarium. These are just a few of them. I didn’t want to give away too much and spoil your visit when you come to the museum.
We spent hours at the Museum of Natural History in New York City (Manhattan). Honestly, I could go every day for an entire week and not see it all.
I’m one of those people who stops and reads everything. My husband is more of a casual viewer and just likes to look at things rather than read about them.
I took about 200+ photos while we were there between the Invisible Worlds and Butterfly Vivarium exhibits, we as well as the permanent exhibits.
If you follow me on social media you might have already seen some of my photos (I posted them last week). Here are a few more just to show readers who have never visited the museum what they are missing.
I will spare you from the “overkill” of having to see all the photos I took. I’d have to do a five part post to include them all.
As you can see, I love every part of this museum. If you have never visited the American Museum of Natural History you should put it on top of your “must see” places in New York City when you visit. Or, if you live in the New York City area you should plan on day trip to the museum.
There is parking under the museum, but it fills up quickly. I would recommend arriving at the museum when if firsts open.
If you are interested in learning more about the American Museum of Natural History, visit them a AMNH.org. You can purchase tickets directly on the site too.
The museum can also be found on social media. I would suggest following them to learn more about new exhibits.
Have YOU visited the American Museum of Natural History? If you have, what is your favorite section or things to see? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*I received two free tickets to the museum, Butterfly Vivarium and Invisible Worlds exhibits for me and my husband. There was no compensation (we paid for our own parking). The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
