The Richard Gilder Center is a science hub packed with live insects, dazzling displays, and behind-the-scenes access to the museum’s massive collections. Whether you're interested in bugs, archives, or science tech, the Gilder Center has something exciting for every curious visitor.

About the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

American Museum of Natural History Interior

The Gilder Center brings together science, education, and design in a dynamic space. It houses live exhibits, interactive displays, and access to scientific research. The halls are organized across multiple levels and offer immersive experiences for people of all ages and interests.

Location: Entrance via Central Park West at 79th Street, Floors 1, 2, 3, and 4
Must-visit: Solomon Family Insectarium, Collections Core, Invisible Worlds Immersive Experience, Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium
Best for: Families, science lovers, school groups, insect enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the museum’s collections and scientific research

All exhibitions & galleries inside the Gilder Center

Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium

Get up close with the world of insects in this vibrant hall. The Insectarium features live species from all over the world, interactive exhibits, and models that explain the vital role insects play in ecosystems. Designed with kids and curious individuals in mind, the space also offers magnified views and real-life insect colonies in action.

Featured exhibits: Leafcutter ants, Be a Bee, Pollination Portal, microscopic station

Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Collections Core

Go behind the scenes with over 3 million scientific specimens on display in a giant glass-walled archive. This hall gives visitors a peek into the museum’s research collections, which are usually off-limits to the public. The three-story vertical exhibit showcases everything from taxidermy mammals to rare minerals and fossils.

Featured exhibits: Megalodon teeth, Pueblo pottery, Gaia astronomical data, astronomical instruments

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library interior at American Museum of Natural History, New York City.

Gottesman Research Library and Learning Center

The Research Library supports both in-depth academic study and hands-on learning. It features thousands of rare books, scientific journals, archival materials, and interactive educational tools. The Learning Center hosts programs for students, teachers, and lifelong learners.

Featured exhibits and resources: Historic field journals and scientific manuscripts, rotating educational programs and workshops

American Museum of Natural History exhibit featuring illuminated globe and visitors exploring displays.

Invisible Worlds

Step into a high-tech immersive theater that brings unseen forces of nature to life. Invisible Worlds is a large-scale projection space that surrounds visitors with digital displays of everything from cellular activity to the web of life on Earth. The experience uses real scientific data to create stunning animations that respond to your movement to create an interactive, immersive, and breathtaking experience.

Invisible Worlds is a special ticketed exhibit, and access to it is not included in the general admission ticket.

More about Invisible Worlds

Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium

A living tropical garden filled with butterflies and moths. This climate-controlled exhibit lets visitors walk among more than 80 species of free-flying butterflies. It's warm, lush, and buzzing with life; perfect for kids and nature lovers. The exhibit also offers close-up views of the butterfly life cycle and their role in the environment.

The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium is a special ticketed exhibit, and access to it is not included in the general admission ticket.

More about the Butterfly Vivarium exhibit

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Frequently asked questions about the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at AMNH

Is the Gilder Center included with general admission?

Yes, access to the Gilder Center is included with general admission, but Invisible Words and the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium exhibits are not.

Are there any special exhibits that cost extra?

Yes, special ticketed exhibitions like Invisible Worlds and the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium require an additional ticket. You can also choose to purchase the General Admission + 1 Ticketed Exhibition ticket while booking to get access to one of these exhibits.

Are there timed entry exhibits at the Gilder Center?

Yes, the Invisible Worlds immersive experience is a timed entry experience, and so is the Butterfly Vivarium.

Are there any tips to keep in mind while visiting the Gilder Center?

The Gilder Center can get crowded, so make sure you visit earlier in the day for a more peaceful exploration. Bring headphones if you're sensitive to sound in immersive exhibits.