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World Museum of Natural History
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About World Museum of Natural History

University natural history museum. Natural history museum on a university campus with animal, plant & mineral exhibits.

💬 What Parents Say

  • 🕐Visit on Saturday afternoons (2pm-5pm) if you want to skip the reservation requirement—no advance booking needed, making it perfect for spontaneous visits.
  • 💡Plan for 1-1.5 hours for your visit; the museum is intentionally compact but densely curated, so you can see everything meaningful without museum fatigue.
  • 💡Admission is completely free with free parking in Lot F near Cossentine Hall—excellent value for a nature lover's experience with global specimens.
  • 💡Book guided tours on weekdays (minimum one month in advance) for enhanced educational experience; the hosts receive specific praise for being engaging and informative.
  • 💡Check back frequently to see rotated mineral displays and updated exhibits—the mineral spheres collection and gems rotate regularly, so repeat visits offer new content.

Hours

MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
FridayClosed
Saturday2–5 PM
SundayClosed

World Museum of Natural History

★★★★☆ 4.7 (45 reviews)
📍 4500 Riverwalk Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92515
Type
Natural History Museum
Best For
All ages
Highlights
1,300+ mineral spheres, Southeast Asian birds (largest U.S. display), 90%+ of crocodilian species
Admission
Free
Saturday Hours
2pm-5pm, no reservation needed
🚗 Get Directions 🌐 Visit Website 📞 Call (951) 785-2209
Map & Directions
🗺 Open in Google Maps
Good to Know
  • ✓Houses the largest Southeast Asian Bird display in the United States
  • ✓Contains specimens representing over 90% of all known crocodilian species
  • ✓Features a mineral spheres collection with over 1,300 specimens
  • ✓Displays Asian species found in no other U.S. museum
  • ✓Offers free admission with donations accepted and free parking

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