Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
4.8(358)4.8 out of 5 stars, 358 reviews New York, NY
About Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
The Gilder Center, a new and large addition to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), offers a comprehensive and inspiring science experience. It stands out for its highly immersive 15-minute Planetarium show, the unique opportunity to touch real artifacts (unlike many museums), and a wide array of interactive exhibits that aim to make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun. With dedicated sections for insects and gemstones, it's designed to captivate visitors of all ages, providing enough content for a full day of exploration.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking an educational and inspiring full-day outing focused on science.Children and adults with a keen interest in astronomy, physics, entomology, or geology.Visitors who prefer interactive and hands-on learning experiences over passive viewing.Anyone looking for a comprehensive museum experience, especially when combined with the AMNH.**6-12 years:** Ideal for sparking curiosity with hands-on activities and accessible scientific concepts, especially for those interested in space, bugs, or geology.
Why families love it
- Highly recommended and immersive 15-minute Planetarium show, "Beyond World," explaining the solar system and Earth's development.
- Unique opportunity to touch real artifacts, differentiating it from traditional museums.
- Interactive exhibits designed for experimentation and exploration, covering topics from outer space to the human body.
- Dedicated and impressive sections for insects and gemstones, recommended for extended viewing.
- Knowledgeable and passionate staff/educators who enhance the learning experience.
- Some special interactive exhibits (requiring separate tickets) are considered "well worth it" by some visitors.
Insider tips
- **Allocate Ample Time:** Plan for at least 3-4 hours to explore approximately 85% of the Gilder Center, and potentially a full day if combining with the AMNH.
- **Book Online:** It is highly recommended to purchase tickets online in advance to save time and avoid potential queues upon arrival.
- **Research Extra Exhibits:** Be aware that some 'special interactive exhibits' require an additional, separate ticket. Research specific exhibits to decide if their content aligns with your family's interests and value expectations, as opinions on their worth can vary (some are highly recommended, others less so for interactivity).
- **Part of AMNH:** Understand that the Gilder Center is an integrated extension of the American Museum of Natural History, and general admission often provides access to both.
Good to know before you go
- If your primary expectation is *only* high-intensity, physical interaction (e.g., playground-style science activities), as some general exhibits might be more observational than hands-on.
- If you are on a very strict budget for extra exhibits, as the perceived value of these can vary, and some may not feel sufficiently interactive for the added cost.
- Some general exhibits may lack the desired level of interactivity for visitors expecting a fully hands-on experience.
- An extra-paid exhibit (e.g., "Invisible World") was described by one reviewer as not interactive or unique enough for its additional cost.
- Crowds
- The center is described as "humongous," suggesting it has a large capacity for visitors.
- Value
- For non-NYC residents, the base ticket price is $30 per person. General admission appears to include access to the Planetarium show ("Beyond World") and the broader American Museum of Natural History, offering significant combined value. However, certain "special interactive exhibits" require an additional, separate ticket. While some reviewers found these extra-cost exhibits "well worth it," others (e.g., for the "Invisible World") felt they lacked sufficient interactivity or uniqueness to justify the added expense. Parents should budget for these potential hidden costs and research specific extra exhibits to determine if they align with their family's priorities.
What parents say
"this is a very big museum with a lot of exhibits! it definitely took me around 3-4 hours tô get done with 85% of the museum. So, you should go with a lot of time on ur hand. I do wish there was more interactive things within the museum. I payed extra for the invisible world and it was cool but like I said, I wish it was more interactive and unique. Especially for the price."
a month ago
"I love science and astronomy physics and this place was fun for me to learn a lot about space. Their planetarium show “beyond world” is super good and immersive. I would definitely recommend people to attend this 15 min show that showcases how our solar systems works and why earth flourished among the harsh planets around us. Their display of artifacts were real and we get to touch them uncle most museums where they are kept behind glass boxes. I enjoyed this place and will definitely recommend ppl to bring their kids to get inspired."
2 months ago
"Exploring the science center at this museum is a truly awe-inspiring experience that captivates visitors of all ages with its interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging displays. From budding young scientists to seasoned enthusiasts, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn from in this dynamic and educational space. One of the highlights of the science center is its commitment to making complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for visitors. Through interactive exhibits that encourage experimentation and exploration, guests are able to immerse themselves in the wo"
8 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More interactive science centers in New York
Interactive Science Centers Museum of Illusions - New York
4.5(12,390)4.5 out of 5 stars, 12390 reviews77 8th Ave, New York
Interactive Science Centers Liberty Science Center
4.5(9,225)4.5 out of 5 stars, 9225 reviews222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City
Interactive Science Centers New York Hall of Science
4.5(5,711)4.5 out of 5 stars, 5711 reviews47-01 111th St, Corona
Interactive Science Centers Sciencenter
4.7(1,358)4.7 out of 5 stars, 1358 reviews601 1st St, Ithaca