Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Museum of Natural History
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, just steps away from the historic Harvard Yard, you can witness the amazing artistry of the celebrated Blaschka glass flowers & sea creature collections, roar with the Siberian tiger, buzz with honeybees, find your birthstone gem, and go back in time in Romer Hall, home of the famous 42-foot Kronosaurus. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the most-visited attraction at Harvard—for its incomparable collections based on the research of scientists across the University, and its ongoing exhibitions like Climate Change, The Rockefeller Beetles, Birds of the World, Marine Life, and more. The Harvard Museum of Natural History’s mission is to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it, sparking curiosity and a spirit of discovery in people of all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Harvard • 8 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- dustythoughtsManchester, Connecticut2,128 contributionsFun and informativeI haven't been to this museum in years and was really excited to have the chance to come back here. This museum is jam-packed with just about everything from dinosaurs to rare rocks and minerals, and everything is so fascinating that it could take hours to look at everything properly. The glass sea creature exhibit was fantastic, as were the glass flowers (which were gorgeous to boot). The exhibit on Thoreau’s flowers was also nice. All of the exhibits were curated very thoroughly and clearly. There's a non-jingoistic focus on American history here that still doesn't exclude international contributions.Visited March 2023Written 19 April 2023
- YasjkaAmsterdam, The Netherlands233 contributionsMiraculous glass wonder and hidden gemTruly impressed and specifically excited about the glass plant collection. This is a true miracle and could as well serve next door in the Arts museum. My fear is that most people don’t have a clue what wonder they are viewing especially the enlargements. The rest of the museum certainly also merits a visit with some unique dinosaurs and other displays like on native Americans.Visited June 2023Travelled on businessWritten 13 June 2023
- Sarah MClaremore, Oklahoma56 contributionsPerfect for the natural history buffA VAST collection of natural history exhibits: everything from dinosaurs to glass flowers. Relatively inexpensive, but the parking is absolutely terrible, if you can even find any. Be aware, all the exhibits are not handicap accessible.Visited June 2023Travelled with familyWritten 24 June 2023
- DavigetaSaint Louis, Missouri1,091 contributionsStill greatThe glass flower and minerals/rocks are fascinating. The glass flower exhibit currently has information on the creation of these "specimens" and the subject of repairing broken ones. The giant ammolite specimen acquired for the geology exhibit is really nice! Underrated!Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 September 2023
- theiting49 contributionsHarvard Museum is a GemWalked around campus and took a tour of the museum compliments of the GoCity Pass. Tons to see, and the time you can spend within is unlimited. Very impressive displays on every floor. We particularly enjoyed the gems/rocks exhibits having a couple of geological type engineers in the party.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 31 October 2023
- ExnorthernerDobbs Ferry, New York981 contributionsWorth a visitMy first impression when entering the building was not a positive one. Upon entering, we were faced with a steep staircase that we had to climb to buy our tickets. To get to the exhibits, which were on the third floor, required climbing an additional flight of stairs. My wife and I chose the alternate elevator option, which required that we take the stairs back down to the first floor, walk outside and around to the back of the building, and then back inside to find an elevator. However, after finally arriving on the third floor my opinion really changed. The exhibit areas were crammed full of interesting things to see. There were exhibits on glass plants, rocks & minerals and sea life. But what blew me away were the exhibits of mounted mammals from all parts of the world. Of course I would rather be looking at living animals, but standing inches away from a full sized bengal tiger or mountain gorilla is quite amazing. Definitely worth a visit.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 February 2024
- Paul SBurnt Hills, New York6 contributionsA Real Gem of a MuseumThis is a must see if you are in Cambridge or the Boston area. The "glass flowers" exhibit is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen at a museum. The mineral and rock exhibits are top-notch. Interesting for geologists as well as the lay-person.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 March 2024
- JSB1979United States185 contributionsOld fashioned, but fun and educationalThis museum is very old fashioned in consisting mostly of taxidermied specimens, but nonetheless it's actually really interesting and a demonstration of the extraordinary diversity of life. There are also well-presented, if a little dated, fossil displays that clearly demonstrate evolutionary history and relationships. The geology samples are also fascinating and give you some hands-on opportunities. The glass plant displays are astonishingly lifelike and are art in their own right. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is attached to the Peobody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, which is excellent for the archeology of Mexico and good for the Indians of North America.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,214 reviews
Excellent
767
Very good
357
Average
70
Poor
14
Terrible
6
JSB1979
United States185 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This museum is very old fashioned in consisting mostly of taxidermied specimens, but nonetheless it's actually really interesting and a demonstration of the extraordinary diversity of life. There are also well-presented, if a little dated, fossil displays that clearly demonstrate evolutionary history and relationships. The geology samples are also fascinating and give you some hands-on opportunities. The glass plant displays are astonishingly lifelike and are art in their own right.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is attached to the Peobody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, which is excellent for the archeology of Mexico and good for the Indians of North America.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is attached to the Peobody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, which is excellent for the archeology of Mexico and good for the Indians of North America.
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Burnt Hills, NY6 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
This is a must see if you are in Cambridge or the Boston area.
The "glass flowers" exhibit is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen at a museum.
The mineral and rock exhibits are top-notch. Interesting for geologists as well as the lay-person.
The "glass flowers" exhibit is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen at a museum.
The mineral and rock exhibits are top-notch. Interesting for geologists as well as the lay-person.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exnortherner
Dobbs Ferry, NY981 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
My first impression when entering the building was not a positive one. Upon entering, we were faced with a steep staircase that we had to climb to buy our tickets. To get to the exhibits, which were on the third floor, required climbing an additional flight of stairs. My wife and I chose the alternate elevator option, which required that we take the stairs back down to the first floor, walk outside and around to the back of the building, and then back inside to find an elevator. However, after finally arriving on the third floor my opinion really changed. The exhibit areas were crammed full of interesting things to see. There were exhibits on glass plants, rocks & minerals and sea life. But what blew me away were the exhibits of mounted mammals from all parts of the world. Of course I would rather be looking at living animals, but standing inches away from a full sized bengal tiger or mountain gorilla is quite amazing. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coffeewow
Columbia, MD68 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Great collection of taxidermied animals, especially the birds. The rock/mineral collection was also very impressive.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
theiting
Midland, Texas49 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Walked around campus and took a tour of the museum compliments of the GoCity Pass. Tons to see, and the time you can spend within is unlimited. Very impressive displays on every floor. We particularly enjoyed the gems/rocks exhibits having a couple of geological type engineers in the party.
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy D
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Odorous stuffy air made the visit very uncomfortable. It includes many preserved and taxidermy animals. Be sure to wear a face mask. Reminds me of a museum designed in 1900. Harvard should be ashamed to charge an entrance fee.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davigeta
Saint Louis, MO1,091 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The glass flower and minerals/rocks are fascinating. The glass flower exhibit currently has information on the creation of these "specimens" and the subject of repairing broken ones. The giant ammolite specimen acquired for the geology exhibit is really nice! Underrated!
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
Claremore, OK56 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
A VAST collection of natural history exhibits: everything from dinosaurs to glass flowers. Relatively inexpensive, but the parking is absolutely terrible, if you can even find any. Be aware, all the exhibits are not handicap accessible.
Written 24 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lore
10 contributions
Jun 2023
Not the best museum. I think it's a good stop if you're just in the Boston area, but nothing to go out of the way for. A lot of the figure and points of interests didn't really have any information. When they did, it was on a clear plastic sticker, which wasn't always easy to see, find, or read. I think it's more suited as a little area of interest within Harvard, but not as it's own museum. If you have a student ID there's a discount, which is good. It's not worth a full adult price ticket. However, it does give you access to the Peabody museum attached, so maybe that's how the prices balance out. Not worth it, but not as bad if you do both museums.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yasjka
Amsterdam, The Netherlands233 contributions
Jun 2023 • Business
Truly impressed and specifically excited about the glass plant collection. This is a true miracle and could as well serve next door in the Arts museum. My fear is that most people don’t have a clue what wonder they are viewing especially the enlargements. The rest of the museum certainly also merits a visit with some unique dinosaurs and other displays like on native Americans.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qual o valor da entrada?
Blue M
Cambridge, MA7 contributions
Museum admission is $12 adults, $10 for students and seniors, $8 for youth 3-18. Check the website for special free programs, June 21 free evening admission, and weekly hours when the museum is free to Massachusetts residents.
tltallen
southern NH248 contributions
where is the best place to park to limit walking to museum of natural history? limited mobility
Blue M
Cambridge, MA7 contributions
Go to the museum's website under Plan your visit for info on reserving parking next door in the underground garage-- but it's still cc 200 yards away from our historic, but accessible building. Coming in a wheelchair works, but if you use a walker or cane, there is some unavoidable distance. Hope you can manage!
Afsu
Gainesville, FL19 contributions
How long would checking out the entire museum take? And is there provision to keep my luggage like a locker? Thanks :)
Blue M
Cambridge, MA7 contributions
They have a coat space, but it's not attended, or locked. Many visitors spend just a couple hours to wander through just the Harvard Museum of Natural History, but the Peabody Museum is included in your same ticket, and so depending on your knowledge and interest, you could spend longer..also the two smaller HMSC museums are nearby, and free. Most people feel it's worth the price of admission just to see the Blaschkas' masterpieces, the famed Glass Flowers and Sea Creatures in Glass.
How much time should we devote if we just want to see the glass flowers?
Bruno R
North Haven, CT114 contributions
That depends on whether you just want to enjoy the looks of the flowers or whether you are actually interested in the plants and their descriptions. If the former, I would say 15 minutes are enough; otherwise, an hour or more.
Kathleen B
Centerville, MA
Driving directions from No.Andover, Ma
Greg W
Southampton, PA85 contributions
Short answer..I-95 north. Best answer, try Google Maps, MapQuest, etc.
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Claim your listingHarvard Museum of Natural History - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Harvard Museum of Natural History
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