The American Museum of Natural History: New York City's Hidden Treasure

As you walk into the majestic halls of the American Museum of Natural History in the heart of New York City, you are instantly transported to a fantasy. The museum, located at Central Park and 79th Street, is one of the most popular attractions in the city. With diverse exhibitions that change every few months in addition to 45 permanent exhibitions, a library, and a virtual planetarium, the American Museum of Natural History easily makes any tourist's itinerary.

One of the most popular exhibitions currently displayed at the museum is the Water H2O=Life. It is an amazing and riveting presentation that explores the importance of water to our daily lives. Kids and adults will all enjoy the extremely informative, yet exciting exhibition.

On the other hand, one of the most recently opened exhibitions at the Museum of Natural History is titled, The Horse. This exhibition focuses on the impact of horses on human culture and how they have changed our way of life. It is certainly an overlooked relationship, but it is still important. There is a powerful relationship between man and horse and this exhibition strives to enlighten the general population about it.

However, while there are numerous exhibitions that will only be around for a few months or the summer season, there are 45 brilliantly crafted permanent exhibits that are just as breathtaking. The Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins is certainly one of the most intellectually amazing and entertaining exhibitions. The presentation essentially defines and explains how humans have evolved, starting with our earliest ancestors named Lucy to the Neanderthals and finally ending with our modern humans. The display is especially interactive for children, making it a wonderful place for families. On the other hand, it is perfectly appropriate for high school and college students to explore human origins through vivid representations and fossil evidence.

With such amazing exhibitions, there is no doubt the museum is often crowded. Visitors from around the world, such as France, Australia, and even South Africa, flock to the beautiful 18-acre masterpiece that was originally a library. In fact, it ranks among number 40 on Forbes Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the world. In fact, with its annual 4 million visitors, it beats out the Empire State Building, the Palace of Versailles in France, and even the Taj Mahal in India. Ranking about the Taj Mahal, a place that nearly everyone has heard of, certainly explains why the American Museum of Natural History is a hidden treasure buried in the heart of New York City on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

If you are a local resident of New York or the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), you should definitely stop by the American Museum of Natural History because it is entertaining and education making it appropriate for the whole family. If you are a resident of the other 47 states or a foreign country, then include the museum in your itinerary if you ever visit New York City. It is a wonderful place to take the family or your lover. The American Museum of Natural History is fun, exciting, and most importantly, a crash course on human culture, history, and achievements. The museum is a must see if you ever want to truly experience the Big Apple (New York City). For more information about the American Museum of Natural History, visit http://www.amnh.org. You will see that ticket pricing is at a suggested price, which means that you can gain admission through a donation of any amount. This makes the museum accessible to children as well as adults.