My five year-old dinosaur geek persona came out to play recently.

We scheduled a field trip to see the stunning new 230,000-square-foot, $465 million addition to the American Museum of Natural History.

The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation is located on Manhattan’s upper west side.

What a stunning contrast to the museum that originally opened in 1877.

This remarkable gift to New York City is designed by architect Jeanne Gang of the Chicago based, Studio Gang, an international and urban practice design firm.

Drawing insight from ecological systems, Gang creates striking places that connect people with each other, their communities and the environment.

The Gilder Center’s unique, organic design contains natural paths, carved into landscapes that are exciting to explore.

The Gilder Center is a highly sophisticated flight of sculptural fantasy reminding me of a Richard Serra sculpture.

The new section showcases gems, stones, meteors, insects and much more.

Here are some highlights:

The structure is dynamic.

Having not viewed the dinosaurs and dioramas since I took my daughter 20 years ago I was excited to revisit the original wing.

It was a classic NYC Sunday commencing with breakfast in Central Park, a museum visit and a stroll around the Sunday Farmer’s Market.

We headed home with NYC’s iconic meal.

Definitely check out the new wing of the Natural History Museum across the street from Central Park.

This striking, curvaceous new addition seems destined to be a colossal attraction.

American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West New York City. Open daily 10am-5:30pm. Suggested admission price $25, but you can pay what you like.