1 / 3Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
š Manhattan, NY
An architecturally dramatic addition to the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, featuring live butterfly vivarium with timed entry, fossil displays, realistic animal exhibits, a cafe, and pram-friendly access across multiple levels.
š Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children of any age who respond to immersive, large-scale environments - the architecture alone warrants the visit. Budget separately for the butterfly vivarium, which adds meaningfully to the experience. Arrive later in the day for reduced admission and fewer crowds.
ā¹ļø What to Know Before You Go
š¬ What Families Are Saying
View all reviews ā456 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Berele
8 months ago
āAbsolutely loved this after hours event. Grains of Change: The History of Rice Across Asia was such a smart idea and the venue could not have been better. The museum after dark has a totally different energy. There was a DJ playing genuinely good music, vendors selling everything from dumpling shaped candles to rice wine, and plenty of food to snack on while wandering the exhibits. It felt social without being crowded or chaotic. The exhibits themselves were fantastic. From the butterfly room to dinosaurs on display, including one that casually happens to be a $44 million fossil, the whole night felt special and a little surreal in the best way. It was fun, interesting, well organized, and just a great way to spend a Thursday night. Honestly, I cannot think of a better use of this space or a better concept for an event. Would absolutely go again.ā
Caleb Walker
9 months ago
āAbsolutely amazing location for fossil displays. Loved how all of them were presented. Other parts of the museum had incredibly realistic displays. 10/10 would drive another 3 hours to spend all day thereā
Kimberly Tuano
7 months ago
āGreat architecture and design! Part of the AMNH but this space alone is quite huge and very kid friendly. We went there for the butterfly exhibit mainly and I appreciate the time slots but they actually can let you in as well at a different time than your reserved one if its not too crowded which i appreciated since we actually missed our 1:30pm one. The butterfly exhibit was okay. i actually thought iād love it but there wasnt much butterflies during our visit unless they were mostly resting idk. didnt stay long too coz it got hot and we were still wearing out winter coats lol but they were really pretty and i enjoyed watching them from the magnifying glass while they had some fruit.The dinosaur exhibit was nice and educational. The lower level with bugs and insects was probably one of my faves and I wished we spent more time there. However having a toddler in tow can make us quite exhausted lol but nevertheless we had a fun time!ā
š¬ What parents mention
Overview
The Gilder Center extends the American Museum of Natural History with a distinctive latticed atrium housing natural history exhibits across multiple floors. Fossil galleries feature prominent dinosaur displays alongside highly realistic animal dioramas. The butterfly vivarium operates on timed entry slots. General admission after a certain hour is reduced. The cafe and pram-accessible layout make it manageable with young children.










