Harvard Museum of Natural History 🇺🇸

Located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Harvard Museum of Natural History serves as the vibrant public face of three natural history research museums: the Harvard University Herbaria, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Harvard Mineralogical Museum. Spanning 16 galleries, the museum showcases 12,000 specimens drawn from these world-class collections. When you visit, you will encounter the vast diversity of life on Earth.

Explore displays featuring everything from dinosaurs, fossil invertebrates, and reptiles to large mammals, birds, and fish, alongside the world's only mounted Kronosaurus. Mineralogical galleries offer a systematic display of meteorites, minerals, and glittering gemstones. Don't miss the famous Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants—popularly known as the Glass Flowers—as well as the intricate Sea Creatures in Glass exhibit highlighting delicate marine invertebrates.

Changing exhibitions continually bring fresh focus to groundbreaking research at the university. Housed in the University Museum Building, it is physically connected to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, making it a captivating scientific stop for all ages.

What to see at Harvard Museum of Natural History

• Marvel at the unique Glass Flowers and Sea Creatures in Glass Blaschka models.
• See the world's only mounted Kronosaurus alongside fossil invertebrates and dinosaurs.
• Explore systematic displays of meteorites, minerals, and gemstones.
• Gain single-admission entry to both HMNH and the connected Peabody Museum.
• View 12,000 specimens spanning 16 rich galleries.

Visiting tips

Your admission ticket grants access to both the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the physically connected Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Harvard Museum of Natural History is easy to reach on Cambridge’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Fitzwilliam Museum and Harvard Art Museums. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Cambridge travel guide.