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Children's Museums

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

Name: The Harvard Museum of Natural History
Address: 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, Cambridge, MA, US
Telephone: (617) 495-3045
Rating: 4.8

★★★★☆ 4.8 (5532 reviews)

📍 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138

📞 (617) 495-3045

🌐 www.hmnh.harvard.edu

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–5 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–5 PM
Thursday	9 AM–5 PM
Friday	9 AM–5 PM
Saturday	9 AM–5 PM
Sunday	9 AM–5 PM

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About The Harvard Museum of Natural History

Glass flowers, zoology & minerals. Extensive natural-science collections, including animals, minerals & the famous Glass Flowers. The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants features intricately handcrafted glass flowers and plants created by the Blaschka family, with the collection mentioned in 337 visitor reviews as a standout exhibit. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 5,532 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Highlights: Glass Flowers collection, Swimming with Sharks, Emeralds gallery
Best For: All ages
Special Events: Educational workshops, Science Spotlights, free museum nights

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants features intricately handcrafted glass flowers and plants created by the Blaschka family, with the collection mentioned in 337 visitor reviews as a standout exhibit
⭐The museum features a giant Kronosaurus skeleton among its extensive paleontology collections, which reviewers specifically highlighted as a major attraction
⭐The museum offers free admission to all Harvard students, making it an unusually accessible resource for the university community
⭐The museum maintains an extraordinary geology collection featuring rare mineral specimens and an emeralds gallery, with geology mentioned positively in 65+ visitor reviews
⭐The museum operates specialized educational workshops including unique programs like 'Painting with Mushrooms' and hosts interactive Science Spotlights programs alongside traditional taxidermy and fossil exhibits

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Start with the Blaschka Glass Flowers exhibit — it's the most iconic and frequently praised collection. Reviews consistently highlight this as a must-see, and photos alone may not do it justice, so prioritize it early in your visit.
💬Plan for at least 3-4 hours to explore the museum thoroughly. With multiple world-class collections (glass flowers, minerals, taxidermy, fossils, and whale skeletons), rushing through diminishes the experience.
💡Attend an interactive workshop like 'Painting with Mushrooms' or 'Crunchy Critters: Teen Saturdays' to deepen your learning. Reviews mention educational lectures (like the axolotyl talk) that captivate both children and adults.
💬Budget for parking or use public transit — multiple reviews note difficulty finding parking and entrances. Check the museum website for directions and parking information before arriving.
💬At $15 admission, this museum is highly accessible. Sign up for the e-newsletter to stay informed about special free events like 'ArtsThursdays: A Free Night at the Museums' and new exhibitions.