A record-breaking 52 million people visited New York City last year and the American Museum of Natural History was on the top of most everyone’s must-see list.  From its iconic dinosaurs to the blue whale to its renowned planetarium, AMNH has been entertaining and educating families for generations.  Whether we are revisiting a favorite exhibit (have you been to the Hall of Gems?) or discovering something new, my family and I always have a great time. 

We recently had the opportunity to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial and Hall of North American Mammals.  A new sculpture of Teddy Roosevelt provides a perfect photo op and the restored dioramas of mammals like the Alaska brown bear had everyone saying ROAR. 

Next we checked out the new exhibit “Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture.”  A quick walk through the Hall of Reptiles leads to a world of food, farming, and so much more.  Watching an introductory film while sitting in seats shaped like apples, tomatoes and other fruits was the highlight for my four year old as well as learning about square watermelons from Japan.  Discovering what Michael Phelps ate for breakfast while training for the Olympics (four eggs sandwiches is just the beginning) was what intrigued my seven year old in addition to a vertical garden that is perfect for apartment living.

We also visited the working kitchen where we learned about our senses by tasting a jelly bean and watched another short film about food traditions from the different cultures represented in New York City.  Which is where this exhibition really excelled – it was a wonderful balance of global and local facts so as New Yorkers we recognized some things but learned even more while exploring the food system around the world.  The important theme of healthy eating is throughout the exhibit and I welcomed this opportunity to discuss these concepts with my kids in a new and exciting way.

There is so much to discover, sample and discuss at AMNH that we are sure to return very soon!

“Our Global Kitchen” is on exhibit through August.  To learn more visit www.amnh.org, their kid’s site www.amnh.org/explore/ology, or download the Hall of North American Mammals app at www.amnh.org/apps.   

GIVEAWAY!  The folks from the American Museum of Natural History generously have provided me with a family 4-pack of tickets to "Our Global Kitchen" to give away to one lucky Macaroni Kid subscriber!  The tickets are also valid for general admission to the Museum, so you'll get to explore the entire collection!
Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment below telling me why you'd like to win (this part is mandatory).
• Want an extra entry?  "Like" Macaroni Kid Manhattan East Side on Facebook by clicking here, and then leave a separate comment below telling me you've done so.
• Want another extra entry?  Follow @MacaroniKidNYC on Twitter and leave a separate comment below telling me that you've done so.  Be sure to include your Twitter handle in the comment or it won't count! 
• You can only enter once via commenting regarding why you'd like to win, a second time via "liking" Macaroni Kid on Facebook and a third time via following @MacaroniKidNYC on Twitter.
• As always, you must be a Macaroni Kid Manhattan East Side subscriber to be eligible to win.   Not a subscriber?  Click here to sign up (it's free and you'll love it)! By entering your email below, you agree to subscribe to Macaroni Kid and to receive our free (and totally awesome) weekly e-newsletter.
• I'll use Random.org to draw 1 lucky winner from all eligible entries received by 5pm on Thursday January 31, 2013.  Good luck!