Hayden Planetarium

Name: Hayden Planetarium
Address: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, USA, New York, NY, US
Telephone: (212) 769-5100
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024, USA

Overview

Category:Interactive Science Centers

Location:New York, NY

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

The Hayden Planetarium offers an excellent and often breathtaking planetarium show experience, particularly focusing on the solar system with impressive graphics and real science. It's lauded for its unique and inspirational architecture, making it an engaging place for learning by doing, listening, or watching, and a notable stop for NYC visitors interested in astronomy.

Key Highlights

✓Breathtaking planetarium shows, specifically a tour of the solar system with excellent graphics and real science content.
✓Comfortable seating in the theatre for viewing shows.
✓Unique and inspirational architecture of the building.
✓Overall exhibition quality is highly praised as 'best I've ever seen' by some visitors.
✓The theatre experience is described as 'amazing and bombastic'.
✓Impressive displays, shows, and materials throughout the venue.

Standout Features

⭐The main space show inside the Planetarium is included free with museum admission.
⭐Comfortable seats in the planetarium theatre.
⭐Shop with a lot of interesting items for purchase.
⭐Unique and inspirational architecture of the building.
⭐Excellent graphics and real science presented in the shows.

Perfect For

Ideal for school-aged children and teens who are interested in astronomy, space, and science due to the 'real science' content and learning opportunities.

Engaging for those who prefer to learn by doing, listening, or watching, suggesting a multi-sensory experience.

Ideal For

Families seeking an educational and awe-inspiring experience focused on astronomy and space science.

NYC visitors looking for a unique and impressive learning destination.

Individuals who appreciate innovative architecture and high-quality visual displays.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

→Ensure you locate the correct entrance on Floor 3, as signage can be poor if you inadvertently arrive at Floor 2.

Things to Consider

⚠Concerns about the 'Peoples' exhibits potentially overlooking non-European perspectives.
⚠The standing planetarium show may lack the immersive quality compared to experiences in New England planetariums for some visitors.
⚠Overall museum quality might not meet expectations when compared to world-class institutions like the Royal Museum in Toronto.
⚠The 'silly spiral exhibit' within the planetarium area was considered mediocre by one reviewer.
⚠Poor signage to the correct entrance, specifically if entering on Floor 2 instead of Floor 3.

Price & Value

The main space show within the Planetarium is included with general museum admission, providing added value. However, one reviewer felt the overall experience was not worth the entrance fee, suggesting value perception can vary based on individual expectations, especially regarding exhibit diversity and immersive show quality.

♿Accessibility & Special Needs

•No specific accessibility features or accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

•No specific food and drink policies were mentioned in the reviews.

🚗Parking Info

•No specific parking information was mentioned in the reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

•No specific information regarding crowd levels or peak times was mentioned in the reviews.

🛡️Safety Features

•No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.

⏰When to Avoid

• If you prioritize cultural exhibits with comprehensive non-European perspectives, as the 'Peoples' exhibits have received criticism.
• If you have very high expectations for immersive planetarium shows based on experiences in highly rated New England venues.
• If you are seeking a museum experience comparable to top-tier international institutions like the Royal Museum in Toronto.
• If you are sensitive to the perceived value of entrance fees for experiences that might be considered 'mediocre' by some.

Pricing/Package/Events

What People Say

What's Great

Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Jim G

a year ago

My visit to the Haden Planetarium left me with a sense of disappointment and a desire for a refund. The "Peoples" exhibits, while attempting to showcase diverse cultures, seemed to fall short, often overlooking non-European perspectives. The standing planetarium show, unfortunately, paled in comparison to those I've experienced in New England, lacking the immersive quality one would expect. The museum's overall quality doesn't come close to the majestic Royal Museum in Toronto. The planetarium and its silly spiral exhibit felt mediocre, leaving me questioning the value of the entrance fee. In hindsight, I wish I could get a refund, as the experience was far from worth it.

Dan Quine

2 years ago

A fantastic planetarium. We've always seen great shows here. Today's was breathtaking, a tour of the planets of the solar system with excellent graphics and real science. Comfortable seats and friendly staff The only downside is poor signage to the entrance - if you end up at the other entrance on floor 2 there are no signs directing you to the right place. Make sure you go to floor 3.

Sascha Bragard

6 years ago

The Hayden Planetary is nothing else but excellent. The architecture: unique and inspirational. The exhibition: best I've ever seen. The theatre: amazing and bombastic. An excellent place to learn. To learn by doing, listening or just watching. The Hayden Planetary is embedded in a neighborhood of nice old buildings. A must for every NYC visitor!