Activity Overview
A refreshingly old-school Natural History Museum. Families and students can explore over 12,000 specimens at the University's most visited museum. Dinosaurs, meteorites, gemstones, birds and animals from around the globe are featured, including the renowned collection of 3,000 'Glass Flowers,' amazingly realistic flame-worked glass models of flowering plants used to teach botany to students in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Things to Do
Family favorites include the giant dinosaurs and other prehistoric mammals as well as more than 500 current day mammals, including skeletons of a rhino, hippo, giraffe and three whales.
The bug and bird collection is amazing, as well has the various new exhibits. The Gem collection will keep you busy and don't miss the Glass flower exhibit.
Get close to the world’s only mounted Kronosaurus, a 135 million year-old, 42 foot-long marine reptile; one of the first Triceratops ever discovered; and amazing gemstones and minerals including a 1,642 lb. amethyst geode.
Harvard Museum of Natural History Insider Tips
- This museum is attached the the Peabody Museum which gives you detailed exhibits on Mesoamerican artifacts, Native American, and many Native Island peoples from around the world. Ticket includes admission to both.
- Massachusetts residents can visit the Museum for free on Sundays (year-round) from 9:00am - 12:00pm
- The museum is on the Harvard University campus, just a short, 7-10 minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line ‘T’ station.
- Street parking is extremely limited; MBTA public transportation recommended (Red Line to Harvard Square, or Commuter Rail to Porter Square.) There are no Cambridge resident restrictions on street parking on Sundays or holidays so you have a better chance then.
