The most ordinary things that come naturally to us like breathing, digesting, or simply existing, take monumental effort and adaptations for some species that live on our planet. Life at the Limits: Nature’s Superheroes takes a closer look at these amazing creatures, big and small, and showcases the wonder that is their evolution.

How to visit the Life at the Limits: Nature’s Superheroes exhibit at AMNH

Life at the Limits exhibit showcasing unique animal adaptations, American Museum of Natural History.

Location: Floor 3, Gallery 3

Life at the Limits is a special exhibit not included with your general admission ticket. You need to buy an additional ticket to view this exhibit, or you can purchase the General Admission + 1 Ticketed Exhibit pass and select Life at the Limits as the ticketed exhibit of your choice on arrival. You can also choose the time you’d like to view the exhibit when you make the selection.

Book AMNH tickets

American Museum of Natural History Tickets + 1 Ticketed Exhibition

Extended validity

Flexible duration

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American Museum of Natural History Tickets

Extended validity

Flexible duration

‌

Check availability

Things to know before booking your tickets for the Life at the Limits exhibit

You need to purchase additional tickets to view Life at the Limits since it’s a ticketed special exhibit not included with your general admission.
You can add this exhibit as your special exhibit of choice with your General Admission + 1 Ticketed Exhibit pass. Simply select Life at the Limits at the entrance when you arrive and choose the time you’d like to view the exhibit on the day.
If you want to reschedule your experience to another day, you will have to purchase another General Admission ticket to enter the Museum.

Why you need to visit the Life at the Limits exhibit at AMNH

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Interactive experiences

Live life like the organisms do using the exhibit’s motion-sensing technology as the sensors engage with you and move along, showcasing how multiple species interact with their environments.

Large-scale models

See models of various microscopic organisms like the tardigrade and learn about the defense and survival mechanisms they have in place, so tough that they happen to be one of the oldest species to still exist on the planet (they are around 600 million years old!).

“Extremophiles”

See a diorama of a species of organisms that specialize in thriving in extremely harsh conditions, thereby earning the name “extremophiles”.

Corals

Learn about the coral courtship and reproduction cycle with a replica model of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Movement and sensory adaptations

Find out how multiple species have adapted to various harsh environments to move quicker, see better, hear sharper, and hunt more efficiently to improve their survival in the wild.

Highlights of the Life at the Limits: Nature’s Superheroes exhibit

Guests viewing a model at 'Life at the Limits' exhibit, American Museum of Natural History.

Tube worms diorama

Mother and daughter exploring interactive exhibits at Scienceworks Museum, Melbourne.

Tardigrade (water bear) on green moss background.

Guests interacting with a life-size Hercules beetle at the American Museum of Natural History.

The coral exhibit at Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, with skip-the-line access.

Know before you go

American Museum of Natural History entrance, Central Park West, New York City.

Location: Floor 3, Gallery 3, next to the Reptiles and Amphibians Hall
Timings: 10am to 5:30pm
Duration: Explore at your own pace
Reservation required: Yes
Included with general admission: No
Accessibility: The exhibit is wheelchair accessible

Frequently asked questions about the Life at the Limits exhibit at AMNH

Is the Life at the Limits exhibit kid-friendly?

Yes, the interactive gallery and large-scale models create a fun and engaging experience for children.

Is re-entry allowed with my ticket?

Since it’s a ticketed and timed-entry special exhibit, re-entry is not allowed for this experience. You can spend as much time as you like exploring the exhibit at your own pace.

How much time should I spend in this exhibit?

Visitors can take anywhere between 1 to 3 hours exploring different sections of this exhibit. It’s a timed-entry exhibit but there’s no fixed duration, so you can explore at your own pace.