Both The Vatican Museums and The American Museum of Natural History are world-renowned institutions offering unique and enriching experiences. The Vatican Museums are ideal for those interested in art, religious history, and European culture, while the American Museum of Natural History is better suited for those fascinated by natural history, science, and cultural diversity. Both require careful planning to navigate crowds and make the most of the visit.
| Attribute | The Vatican Museums | The American Museum of Natural History |
|---|---|---|
| Name | The Vatican Museums | The American Museum of Natural History |
| Collection Size | Approximately 70,000 works of art, with about 20,000 on display. | Approximately 32 million specimens, including plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts. Only a small fraction of the collection is displayed at any given time. |
| Historical Significance | Founded in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II, displaying art collections amassed by the Catholic Church and papacy over centuries. Promotes knowledge of art history and culture. | Founded in 1869, the museum has a long history of scientific research, education, and exhibition. It has been a leader in field expeditions and creating lifelike dioramas. |
| Artistic Value | Contains well-known Roman sculptures and masterpieces of Renaissance art, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Bernini. | The museum's architecture is a blend of Victorian Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles. The Rose Center for Earth and Space has a modern, futuristic design with a glass-enclosed sphere. |
| Scientific Exhibits | Includes the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, housing artifacts from ancient Egypt, such as papyruses, sarcophagi, mummies, and sculptures. | The museum's exhibits cover a wide range of scientific disciplines, including anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, geology, and paleontology. |
| Cultural Representation | Showcases art, archaeology, and ethno-anthropology, with collections spanning Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman civilizations, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and contemporary art. The Ethnological Museum houses about 80,000 objects. | The museum is working to increase diversity and offer historical context in its exhibitions and programming. Some exhibits, like the Northwest Coast Hall, showcase the creativity, scholarship, and history of Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures. |
| Visitor Accessibility | Offers ramps, elevators, and wheelchair lifts. Wheelchair rentals are available free of charge. Disabled visitors with certified invalidity of at least 67% are granted free entry, with free entry also extended to a companion if the visitor is not self-sufficient. Skip-the-line entry for disabled visitors and their companions. | The museum is committed to ensuring its facilities, exhibitions, and services are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. All exhibitions are wheelchair accessible, and all public areas can be reached by elevator. The museum offers free wheelchair rentals, assistive listening devices, and ASL-interpreted tours upon request. |
| Educational Programs | Offers guided tours, including specialized tours like "Vatican Gardens without barriers" for visitors with mobility difficulties. | The museum offers a wide range of educational programs for children, families, teens, adults, and educators. The museum also has a graduate school. |
| Architectural Style | Includes Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. | The museum's architecture is a mix of styles reflecting its long history. The original building was Victorian Gothic, while later additions are Romanesque Revival and Beaux-Arts. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a modern glass and steel structure. |
| Location and Surroundings | Located within Vatican City. | Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in Theodore Roosevelt Park, across the street from Central Park. |
| Special Exhibits | Includes the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and the Pio Clementino Museum. Special exhibits include the Carriage Pavilion, Ethnological Museum, and Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. | The museum offers a variety of special exhibits, including the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium, Invisible Worlds: Immersive Experience, and The Secret World of Elephants. |
| Crowd Levels | Can get very crowded, with over 25,000 visitors a day during peak season. Busiest times are Mondays, Saturdays, and Wednesdays. Quietest times are early mornings and late afternoons during the week. | The museum can get crowded, especially during peak hours and on weekends. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon on weekdays is recommended to avoid crowds. |
| Photography Policy | Photography is allowed in most areas for personal use, but flash photography is forbidden. Photography and filming are strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. Tripods, stands, drones, and selfie sticks are not allowed. | Photography for personal use is allowed with handheld cameras and smartphones, except where noted. Selfie sticks, tripods, and lights are not permitted. Photography and filming are not allowed in the theaters. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | overall: Not available, performance: Not available |