ArcherJ

Hello, sorry to keep bothering you all with questions, but I really appreciate the help thus far. I am very interested in the natural history museum. I am a huge science buff (physics major in college, doing graduate research in astronomy) so I am extremely excited about going to the museum. My question is, I'm going to be there next weekend (7/7-7/9) and I am assuming that it will be very busy. I'm trying to decide if it would be advantageous to buy tickets in advance. Looking at the website, it seems like it would be $27 to get the pass that includes eveyrthing in advance, but $23 when I get there. But, then you are also locked into specific times. Is the wait to buy tickets bad enough to justify this? Or do showtimes frequently sell out?

Also, does anyone know how much the IMAX or space show costs separately, if I were decide to get a citypass for the weekend (I'm also planning on going to the intrepid museum, and maybe the ESB, though I'm not sure about the long wait time)?

Thanks for the help!

beentheretwice

When we were there in March, the wait to buy tickets was extremely intimidating. As was the wait to check coats! We tag teamed to get the job done.

We had the City Pass, but those are NOT tickets in your hand. They are coupons for a reduced price. This was the same for the Circle Line tour, too. You still had to wait in line to purchase your tickets. (The Members line had two agents, both filing their nails, while there was a huge line for the walk ins.)

We didn't see the Imax show, but I don't recall having any difficult getting into what we wanted to see, just be flexible on what you want.

Intrepid Museum was good. The docent we met had actually been there during the attack and that made the visit particularly meaningful.

Tell the whale we say Hello.

seetheworld

Showtimes do sell out. They can sell out even while you are deciding on what you want to see and the time you want to see it.

I think the admission for the Hayden Planetarium is $7 but I'm not certain if you must pay admission to the museum as well.

ggreen

Hi Archer, the natural history museum might not be that busy - the big show there on Darwin has already been up for many months and not many people know it has been extended. In my experience, the museum is always by far the most crowded during the school year on weekdays, so since that's not the case, that should help. Also, the museum is enormous, so there's plenty of room for crowds!

Were you looking at the museum's website, www.amnh.org? I clicked on Tickets, then chose Imax from the dropdown on the left side, and clicked July 8 for the date. It says "Ticket includes admission to the Museum as well as the Rose Center, plus timed entrance to one Imax film of choice," with time "TBA", meaning you can determine it once you're there. FYI, it's not a full-on Imax theater, but rather an older theater in the museum that they have retrofitted to show Imax...

From the website, it doesn't appear that there are prices for tickets for Imax only, but you could try contacting their customer service to find out more. Also, there is a cool event they hold once a month in the Rose Center, where they have live jazz and serve tapas the first Friday of each month from 6-8:30pm. If you'll be in the city on 7/7, you're in luck!
http://www.amnh.org/rose/specials/jazz/

P.S. The AMNH is suggested admission for general entrance (space shows, etc. are an additional, non-negotiable price), so there wouldn't really be a coupon for a "discount". If you're wary of long lines at the ticket windows, try using one of the entrances other than the main one. For example, there are ticket windows at the Rose Center entrance on the north side of the museum, and the website also indicates "The Weston Pavilion Entrance (Columbus Ave. and 79th St.) will be open both weekdays and weekends from July 1 through Labor Day."

Hope this helps! Enjoy your visit!

ArcherJ

Thanks for the help! I doubt I'll have a coat or bag to check so that shouldn't be an issue. I am mostly concerned about arriving there and finding that ALL of the planetarium shows are sold out. I am not sure if this happens or not, but I'd definitely be crushed as I've been looking forward to it.

Also, I saw on the websites about two exhibitions they have: Darwin and Lizards. Has anyone seen these? Are they worth the extra admission? At the moment, I think I am leaning towards buying the admission + space show online and deciding when I get there if the extra exhibits are worth it. But, I might end up waiting until I arrive to buy tickets, I'm not really sure.

ArcherJ

Also, thanks again for the great advice. I had no idea about the alternate entrance, that is great to hear. And thanks also for clarifying about the city pass and still having to wait in the ticket line.

At first I thought I'd see the Imax show because the super saver ticket included it in addition to the extra exhibitions, but it doesn't sound like the show is any more impressive than other Imax shows, and I've already been to many.

Lena456

Hi, I've tried all of the entrances and have had long waits at all of them. I've found the earlier you get there the better - and you can buy timed tickets and come back later if you want. I did not like the Darwin exhibit; my boyfriend loved it. I want to get over there this week to see the lizards. Check out the earth science exhibits off of the Rose Center.

Scarlett

Hello, sorry to keep bothering you all with questions..
Ahhh Archer, that is what we are here for! It is a pleasure to get a new question

The NYC Museum of Natural History is just wonderful..from the moment you walk in the doors.
No, I am pretty sure you do not pay for the Museum when you are only going to the Haydn Planetarium.
I think your idea to buy the admission + space show & wait for the rest is good.

Enjoy, I miss the Museums of NY

dan_woodlief

I would also advise getting there early - before opening perhaps. We arrived less than an hour before opening in April once and had to wait at least 30 minutes. This was a Saturday. We didn't have trouble with show times, but those were pretty busy. If I were you, knew what day I wanted to go to the museum and had my heart set on doing this, I would probably book ahead just to make sure. That doesn't mean you need to, but it doesn't hurt. You could just pick an early show time so you don't have to worry about the time all day.

nytraveler

A couple of things.

First on summer weekends the museum is moobbed with people trying to do things with their kids (strollers on up).

Except for special shows (Darwin etc - which has been there a long time) you can usually just walk up and get tickets for each activity.

For most of the museum you don;t need anything but general admission.

The planetarium is a separate ticket.

Each of the IMAX moves - and they show several per day - is a separate cost.

There is no way you can see the entire museum and the planetarium and the IMAX movies in one day - simply not enough time.

Go to the web site, pick out what you really want and have a plot before you enter. (Also this will tell you which departments are being refurbished.)

(By the way, I'm a member and go at least once a month. Have loved it since it was our 2nd grade class trip.)

seetheworld

I just want to add that even though school is out, many many children can be found at the museum. Not only do parents bring their children but many summer programs/camps do the same. While it is a huge museum, there are only so many tickets available for each time.

Have a great time! The upgrades to the museum are outstanding!

ArcherJ

Great! Thanks for the advice, I'm really looking forward to it. My current plan is: I'm essentially going to devote my day to it on Sunday. I have to get on a bus out of New York at 6:30, but other than that I should have all day. I'll arrive before opening and try and use one of the other entrances. I think I'll just get admission to the museum and space show. If I think I want to see somehing else I will just get it there. Thanks for all of the advice, it helped a lot!