With the fan favorite sleepovers returning after a five-year hiatus and the unveiling of a “Impact,” the brand-new exhibit reliving the world’s most famous extinction, NYC’s American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is proving that she’s still relevant, still one of NYC’s best museums, and still that girl.
But there’s more where that came from.
The museum’s beloved Discovery Room has officially re-opened to the public for full-scale exploration. Whether you’re looking for a way to escape the winter chill or just need a new weekend plan for the kids, this interactive sanctuary is finally back in action.
A Kid-Friendly Gateway to AMNH’s World-Famous Exhibits
The Discovery Room is a hands-on learning lab where the “do not touch” rule disappears.
Designed to be a “mini-museum,” every major field of AMNH science–from anthropology to zoology–is represented here. It’s the perfect way for kids to get a vibe check on the museum’s massive galleries through tactile, sensory-filled play.
Wonders Await: From Baobab Trees to Dino Digs
From a life-sized replica of an African baobab tree to an interactive paleontological field site, the room is packed with secrets for curious minds. Young explorers can:
- 🦎 Be a Paleontologist: assemble a life-sized cast skeleton of a Prestosuchus (a 14-foot reptile from the Triassic Period) or unearth an Oviraptor nest
- 🐦⬛ Explore the Wild: spot hidden birds and insects in a two-story baobab tree filled with real museum specimens
- 🔬 Get High-Tech: track real-time earthquakes around the globe on a digital seismographic display or use professional-grade microscopes
- 🦐 Collect & Curate: create a custom collection of minerals or arthropods at the specimen cabinets
- 🏙️ Cultural Discovery: examine artifacts from Manhattan to Mumbai to see how different cultures live today
Plan Your Visit
The Discovery Room operates on a specific schedule to ensure it doesn’t get too crowded. Here everything you need to know:
- Price: free (included with any admission to the Museum)
- How to Enter: pick up a free 40-minute timed pass at the Discovery Room entrance (Floor 1)
- Ages: best for children ages 4-12 (children of all ages are welcome when accompanied by an adult)
- When: open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays)
Passes are first-come, first-served and they do run out on busy weekends! Head straight to the First Floor (near the Warburg Hall of NY State Environment) as soon as you arrive to snag your time slot.
Learn more on AMNH Website