Just a word of warning about the Met and Museum of Nat’l History. They are both HUGE. You could spend your entire 2 day trip in either one and not see everything. So, if you plan to go to either of these museums (but not for 48 straight hours) pick out between 3 and 5 particular exhibits you want to see, consult the maps ahead of time so you more or less know where they are, hit the mseums commando-style and leave with enough energy to enjoy something else.
You just see too many people dragging around the Met, completely exhausted because they’re determined to see “everything.”
If I had to choose just one “must-see” from each it would be “Scales of the Universe” at the Nat’l History/Hayden Planetarium (it tries to help you conceptualize the size of things in the universe) and the Egyptian Collection at the Met.
I’ll definitely second the Hayden Planetarium, and the scale of the universe bit… truly fascinating, and the Planetarium overlooks the west side of Central Park, which it’s nice to stroll up and down during the summer.
Isn’t there an Arms and Armaments and Suits of Armor room in the Museum of Natural History? I thought so but I’m not finding it on their site. Their website also has hints for planning your visit.
No, Arms & Armaments (including suits of armor from Europe and Asia, and my fave, the fully armored and barded horses) is in the Met. It is very cool, too, one of my favorites.
LOL, as for glass-walled rooms I think you’re thinking of the Temple of Dendur? That’s within the Egyptian collection.
There’s actually an even better view, an amazing one, from the Met Roof Garden; currently there’s an exhibit of large sculptures by Frank Stella, don’t know how long that will be on.