Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH)
Other Ideas: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA); Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Institute for the U.S. Senate; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; EcoTarium; Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Look closer at hundreds of animals including giraffe, elephant, rhino, tigers, lions, armadillo, platypus, giant whale skeletons, & more.
The Collection
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.
Don’t miss the world famous exhibit of 3,000 ‘Glass Flowers’, amazingly realistic models of plants, fruits and flowers created by father-son glass artists Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka from 1886-1936.
Find models of bananas, figs, cacao, pineapple, and cashew nuts to learn what they look like as they grow. You won’t believe they’re not real.
For Kids & Families
Check out their event calendar for family days such as I Heart Science, National Fossil Day, Reptile Day, the Fabulous Fungus Fair, the Annual Solstice Festival, and more, often offered with free parking at the University Garage at 52 Oxford Street. Don’t miss Natural Storytime on Sundays at 11am and 2pm.
Changing Exhibits
New and changing exhibitions include Climate Change, Fruits in Decay (in the Glass Flowers gallery), Lily Simonson: Painting the Deep, Microbial Life, and Cosmic Origins.
Explore the world of woodland caribou, beaver, otter and dozens of other wildlife of New England; learn about lichen cities that cling to rocks; and the circle of life within and around a forest pond from tiny tadpoles to giant moose.
Handicapped accessible. Ticket includes admission to the adjacent Peabody Museum -- archaeology and cultures of six continents.
If you are interested in finding more ideas on things to do with kids in Boston, check out our go to list that are sure to entertain children of all ages.
There are many interesting museums to visit in Boston - peruse our Boston Museums guide to find out which one you should visit next.
For more ideas on places to visit in Boston for all ages, our Things to do in Boston guide is a great place to start! We've compiled some of our favorite spots for you right here.
HOURS | ↑ top |
Open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm
Nature Storytimes: Sat.& Sun.: 11 am & 2 pm
The museum is closed on:
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Day
Free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning (year-round) from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (September through May). Proof of residency required. This offer is not available to commercial groups.
COST | ↑ top |
Adults: $15.00
Non-Harvard students with I.D.: $10.00
Seniors (65+): $13.00
Children ages 3–18: $10.00
Free admission: Visitors under age 3 and EBT card holders.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology included with your HMNH ticket.
Mass. Residents Free Admission Days
Wednesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 pm (Sept. - May)
Sundays for MA residents (year-round) 9:00am - 12:00pm
WEBSITE | ↑ top |
LOCATION | ↑ top |
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138 map
Phone: 617-495-3045
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.
TIPS | ↑ top |
- Street parking is limited; MBTA public transportation recommended (Red Line to Harvard Square, or Commuter Rail to Porter Square.) No Cambridge resident restrictions on street parking on Sundays or holidays. On weekends, you can purchase a parking pass at the front desk to park in the University’s adjacent garage at 52 Oxford St..
- See the museum’s website for directions to reserve parking online on weekdays. Free parking in the garage is offered for weekday evening free public lectures.
REVIEWS | ↑ top |



RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
- Localities
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH) before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...