American Museum of Natural History Launches Interactive App

Urban explorers can take a 21st century tour of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Explorer app can be downloaded free from the App store (http://bit.ly/aguapV) for use on an iPad, iPhone and iTouch. Taking advantage of the museums free Wi-fi network, the application serves as an Indoor GPS that can pinpoint one's real-time location within the museum. Turn-by-turn directions can enable one to get to their destination by using the fastest route available. Also, this app will help users navigate their way around the museum's 500,000 square feet by providing detailed information about 45 of the museum's permanent exhibits, as well as theaters, museum shops, cafes and restrooms.

Users can create a customized itinerary that enables them to create a trek that appeals to their interests. They can choose from a number of pre-loaded tours, create one's own customized tour, go on a fossil hunt or search over one of the over 140 items profiled in this application. Along the way, social media junkies can post their findings to Facebook and twitter. Also, items can be bookmarked so one can receive additional information about amnh.org that can be perused at a later time.

For those visitors to the museum who do not own an iPhone, iTouch or an iPad can borrow one of more than 300 devices that the museum is making available at no charge for use while touring the museum. A credit card will be needed to reserve a device. An authorization hold will be placed on the card, which will be removed after the device has been returned. Also, those nature enthusiasts, who cannot visit the museum in person can use this application to embark on a virtual tour.

A video demo of the Explorer is available at You Tube http://bit.ly/cHUI5s.

The American Museum of Natural History can be found via Facebook at facebook.com/naturalhistory or visit Twitter at www.twitter.com/amnh

The museum is opened every day from 10:00am to 5:45pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Suggested general admission which includes admission to the 45 museum halls and the Rose Center for Earth and Science is adults $16; children (2-12) $9, Seniors/students with ID $12, and free for adult and child members. There is an additional charge for special exhibitions.

For additional information about the museum including current and future directions, parking/directions, educational offerings, and the museum, log on to their website http://www.amnh.org.