Museum of Natural History

I was lucky enough to finally score free passes from the library today. We are going in 2 weeks. YAY!!

I haven't been there since I was a teen so I don't know how it will be with kids.

So those who have been there, give me the good and the bad.

I have a 9 year old and a 2 year old.

I was looking at the parking fees and they are pricey. I was thinking of taking the train in.

Has anyone taken the train there from L.I.?

Should I bring DS stroller?

What exhibit should we aim to see first?

Will be we able to see everything?

Can we eat there?

Is the food good?

I am trying to keep this trip as affordable as possible. We are on the tightest budget ever.



Thanks

Message edited 7/20/2012 2:01:27 PM.

Re: Museum of Natural History

I usually drive in... sometimes you can find free parking (but this is up to you & the circling could be pretty long depending on the time of day).

I never really worry about free tickets because it is suggested donation.

DO bring a stroller. The place is really big... so I wouldn't think about seeing everything. Look online & pick what you think your DC would most enjoy seeing. Leave some time for walking through Central Park if the weather is nice.

I would bring a snack from home. I usually don't eat at museums as they tend to be pricey & food is usually not great... but I haven't eaten there for a long time. The last time we went, we walked a block west & ate at a pizza place & during the visit before that we ate brunch at a restaurant. I think you have better luck (and it's more exciting) to go outside of the museum for food.

Museum of Natural History

We just went last month with out almost 3 hyear old...we took the train and he loved it...we also took a small umbrella stroller to walk around the city with

If your not planning on going anywhere else driving in would be easier btu we went into time square and walked around also so the train was way easier

you can eat there but there food is a little expensive

Re: Museum of Natural History

It is directly across from the Diana Ross playground in Central Park. This is a great playground. You can pack a lunch and eat over there, then head back into the museum.

Re: Museum of Natural History

If you want to save some money, drive to queens and then take the subway. We usually drive to forest hills, park and then take a subway. That way, we don't have to worry about parking in Manhattan but we don't have to pay RIDICULOUS LIRR fees!

Re: Museum of Natural History

maybe you can look up alternate side parking...we parked right across the street from the museum (tuesday 12:30) all those blocks around the museum are residential so once the alternate side is done there's a lot of parking you just have to be there at least 15 to 30 min before its done

I would bring a stroller and a snack

There's pizzaria UNO not that far and if you go on a Tuesday kids eat for free

Re: Museum of Natural History

FYI- The Museum of Natural History admission is suggested donation. They suggest a price but you can pay whatever you can afford. Many people think the museum is unaffordable, but really it's not.

Hope this helps someone out there

Re: Museum of Natural History

I work at the Museum. This is what I usually tell people:

Definitely bring a stroller. The museum is huge and it's a lot of walking for little ones.

If it's raining outside the Museum will be very crowded. Pack your patience and you'll be fine.

There is a parking garage that is connected to the Museum. Parking there is convenient but expensive. If you spend the day it will probably cost about $40.

Eating in the Museum's food court is definitely pricey, but again you're paying for convenience. You can definitely bring food and eat outside. Central Park is right across the street. There are also tons of restaurants in the neighborhood - Shake Shack, Chipotle, Pizzeria UNO, Lenny's (a great deli with seating), and Ray's Pizza just to name a few.

Do you know if your library tickets give you any special exhibitions? The Museum is a Pay as You Wish institution as others have said but that only applies to general admission. If you want to see any special exhibitions or shows you will have to pay an upgrade price, unless your library tickets specifically say shows are included.

The Museum currently has two special exhibitions - Creatures of Light and Beyond Planet Earth. Creatures of Light is pretty cool. Your 9yr old would probably love it. The 2yr old might be afraid though - the whole exhibition is in the dark. One additional special exhibition is opening July 28th. It's called Spiders Alive. The very idea of it creeps me out but the kids might like it. And yes, it's live spiders.

I hope this helped. If you have any other questions feel free to FM me.

Re: Museum of Natural History

Posted by dianadrw

I work at the Museum. This is what I usually tell people:

Definitely bring a stroller. The museum is huge and it's a lot of walking for little ones.

If it's raining outside the Museum will be very crowded. Pack your patience and you'll be fine.

There is a parking garage that is connected to the Museum. Parking there is convenient but expensive. If you spend the day it will probably cost about $40.

Eating in the Museum's food court is definitely pricey, but again you're paying for convenience. You can definitely bring food and eat outside. Central Park is right across the street. There are also tons of restaurants in the neighborhood - Shake Shack, Chipotle, Pizzeria UNO, Lenny's (a great deli with seating), and Ray's Pizza just to name a few.

Do you know if your library tickets give you any special exhibitions? The Museum is a Pay as You Wish institution as others have said but that only applies to general admission. If you want to see any special exhibitions or shows you will have to pay an upgrade price, unless your library tickets specifically say shows are included.

The Museum currently has two special exhibitions - Creatures of Light and Beyond Planet Earth. Creatures of Light is pretty cool. Your 9yr old would probably love it. The 2yr old might be afraid though - the whole exhibition is in the dark. One additional special exhibition is opening July 28th. It's called Spiders Alive. The very idea of it creeps me out but the kids might like it. And yes, it's live spiders.

I hope this helped. If you have any other questions feel free to FM me.

Message edited 7/21/2012 1:41:25 AM.

Re: Museum of Natural History

I went in February of this year. It was the first time since I was age 10. It has changed a lot. Definitely bring a stroller, because its alot of walking. They do have food for you to purchase, but it's pretty pricey. Overall I enjoyed it but dc did not.