Typically, it’s hard not to notice a gigantic mastodon skeleton. But at the American Museum of Natural History, looming fossils often get overlooked as guests explore five levels of seemingly infinite rooms, all packed with eye-catching exhibits. So, what might you be missing in favor of that famous blue whale? We reached out to Brad Harris, the senior director of visitor services at the museum, for his list of six unfairly overlooked gems. Here they are, from the fourth floor down to the first.
The Warren Mastodon
Paul and Irma Milstein Hall of Advanced Mammals, 4th Floor
This poor mastodon met its untimely end in a bog in what is now New York. Its death was fortuitous for scientists, however—this is the first entire mastodon skeleton ever found in the US, and every bone that you see is real.
Komodo Dragons
Hall of Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd Floor
The fearsome lizards in this diorama once reigned over the Indonesian island of Komodo. They were brought to the museum by an expedition team in 1926, and are now forever posed in predatory victory over a wild boar.
Chinese Wedding Chair
Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples, 2nd floor
Adorned with tassels, embroidery, and tiny figurines galore, this chair would have carried a Chinese bride-to-be on her way to meet her husband for the first time. The chair was not only decorative, but practical: it kept the bride’s feet from touching the ground once she had dressed to be married, thereby saving her from bad luck.
Roosevelt Murals
Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, 2nd floor
These murals tend to play second fiddle to the huge barosaurus skeleton in the middle of the room. If you look past the rearing dinosaur, though, you’ll see the major life milestones of President Theodore Roosevelt, which were painted by William Andrew Mackay in 1935.
Giant Squid and Sperm Whale
Irma and Paul Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life, 1st floor
Because it mimics the darkness of the deep sea, this diorama can be tough to make out at first. Once you get closer, you’re treated to a zoomed-in view of two underwater titans engaged in battle. Although mankind has yet to witness such a duel, sucker marks on sperm whales confirm that they do indeed take place in the inky depths.
Star of India
Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems, 1st floor
Walk through the Hall of Meteorites and the Hall of Minerals to get to the Hall of Gems, and you’ll find one of the largest star sapphires in the world. The 563-carat Star of India proves that some things only get more wondrous with age: it’s approximately 2 billion years old. For a smidgen of that time in 1964, it was stolen from the museum by legendary cat burglar Jack Murphy. Authorities recovered the gem months after Murphy’s arrest, finding it in a Miami bus-station locker.
Photos courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History.
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Things To Do In Elizabeth
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Medical school specializing in allied healthcare courses such as Medical Clinical Assistant, Clinical Research, Phlebotomy, ECG Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, Surgical Technology, and Electronic Health Record Specialist. Located in Elizabeth, NJ with parking. We have an 98% passing rate for national exams.
333 N Broad St
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The brightly colored lights that decorate The Lobby illuminate amenities of a gastropub, cocktail lounge, and sports bar all in one place. This glow mingles with the light from scores of LED HD TVs, which showcase games in nearly every sport throughout the week. The space stays open until 3 a.m. every Thursday through Saturday, providing an ideal hangout for late-night revelers or nocturnal pool sharks. To keep its visitors fueled, The Lobby's kitchen creates a plethora of hearty sandwiches, including a southern-fried chicken sandwich topped with guacamole and a house burger piled with bacon. Eclectic entrees include the cumin and teriyaki-marinated chicken, and miniature paella loaded with steaming seafood and chorizo, round out the menu.
821 Spring St
Elizabeth,
NJ
US
Chupitos NJ has all the elements of a traditional club: DJs and live music, screenings of major sporting events, and colorful cocktails. But it also manages to give off a distinct cultural vibe thanks to its Colombian roots. The lounge's menu supplies visitors the energy to participate in all of the entertainment opportunities with classic dishes including shrimp ceviches and steak empanadas, as well as fusion entrees such as Colombian pizza with chorizo and corn. The Latin influence is also prevalent on the cocktail list with strawberry caipirinhas and mojitos.
296 Morris Avenue
Elizabeth,
NJ
US
Ten Brunswick Gold Crown IV pool tables offer up their ample pockets to shooters' careful aim in Joe Broadway's Billiards & Sports Bar's spacious playroom. Every night until 3 a.m., an Internet jukebox augments the triumphant clamor of hefty breaks with players' favorite songs or high-school geometry lectures. In between games of pool, players can belly up to the full bar for a drink of domestic or imported beer, play a game on the Xbox or PS3 console, or raise the stakes with a free round of darts. Seven large-screen plasma TVs let players keep one eye on the game, and an onsite pro shop lets serious shooters replace their repurposed parade batons with real cues.
2178 Forest Ave
Staten Island,
NY
US
