This is the largest natural history museum in the world, and most of the rooms have remarkable displays. Be sure to see the section on minerals and precious stones, featuring the Star of India. the largest sapphire ever found, alongside moonstones and countless other gems.
Dinosaur exhibits fill two of the great halls. There are some marvellous rooms devoted to Africa, but you may be disappointed by tlje Mexican and Latin American sections, though they do have some superb jewellery. There’s something here from every continent, covering the whole of the animal kingdom and many primitive civilizations.
Next door is the Hayden Planetarium, known for its sparkling programmes about Awesome dinosaur skeletons at Natural History Museum always rouse school-children’s curiosity. the stars and space exploration. The Laserium (same building) has sound and light shows featuring the laser beam three or four evenings a week.
Cooper-Hewitt Museum, at Fifth Avenue and 91st Street. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays; closed Mondays. Tuesday evenings free.
This is the latest of the great New York museums. Located in the sumptuous mansion built for Andrew Carnegie in 1900, it owns the largest collection of decorative art in the United States. Special exhibitions with unusual themes are held regularly.
