The Harvard Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum displaying 12,000 specimens from Harvard University’s research collections, located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00am–5:00pm |
| Ticket prices | Adults: $15, Seniors (65+): $13, Non-Harvard students (with ID): $10, Youth (3–18): $10, Children under 3: Free |
| Address | 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 |
| Nearest metro | Harvard Square Station (Red Line) – 800 metres (10-minute walk) |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Facilities | Museum shop, toilets, WiFi, drinking fountains, wheelchair hire (no café on-site) |
Harvard Museum of Natural History opening hours
The museum is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day (27 November 2025), Christmas Eve (24 December 2025), Christmas Day (25 December 2025), 26–28 December 2025, and New Year’s Day (1 January 2026).
The museum opens late on 30 September 2025 (12:00pm), 19 November 2025 (11:00am), 17 March 2026 (11:00am), and 20 May 2026 (11:00am). The museum closes early on 15 January 2026 (3:00pm).
Harvard Museum of Natural History ticket prices
Entry costs $15 for adults. Seniors aged 65 and over pay $13. Non-Harvard students with valid ID and youth aged 3–18 pay $10. Children under 3 enter free. Harvard ID holders receive free entry plus one guest.
Admission includes entry to the connected Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. Tickets are valid for the full day until 5:00pm, with re-entry permitted on presentation of your receipt.
Free admission is available to Massachusetts residents every Sunday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm (proof of residency required). Massachusetts teachers (K–12) receive free admission year-round. Massachusetts residents with EBT or WIC cards receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in February 2026.
Why book the Boston CityPASS?
- Saves on key attractions: Visit top Boston sights with bundled entry at a reduced price compared with buying individual tickets.
- Flexible sightseeing: CityPASS offers timed entry at major options, helping you plan your itinerary over multiple days.
- Must-see included spots: Explore favourites such as the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science and more, depending on the pass you choose.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: Great way to check off a range of iconic Boston museums and experiences without worrying about separate bookings.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Your pass is delivered digitally for easy scanning at each attraction, with no need to print vouchers.
How to get to the Harvard Museum of Natural History
The museum is located at 26 Oxford Street on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, approximately 5 kilometres northwest of downtown Boston. From downtown Boston, take the MBTA Red Line to Harvard Square Station. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes. From Harvard Square Station, the museum is an 800-metre walk (10 minutes): exit the station, walk through Harvard Yard, and continue to the science buildings on Oxford Street.
Several MBTA bus routes serve the area, including routes connecting to other parts of Cambridge. By car from downtown Boston, take the Mass Ave Bridge or Longfellow Bridge across the Charles River and follow signs to Harvard Square. Parking is limited (see below).
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
Parking at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
On-street parking is available on Oxford Street and Kirkland Street with two-hour metered spaces. Meters accept US quarters or credit cards, or payment via parking app. Parking is free on Sundays.
Limited parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage at the intersection of Everett and Oxford Streets. Permits must be purchased in advance online. For parking enquiries, contact the Harvard Parking Office on (617) 496-7827.
Use of public transport is strongly recommended, as parking near Harvard is limited and expensive.
How long to spend at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours at the museum. The museum features 16 galleries across three floors. Allow additional time if you plan to visit the adjacent Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, which is included in your ticket. A self-guided highlights tour takes approximately one hour.
Accessibility at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters are permitted throughout the galleries. Lifts provide access to all floors. Accessible toilets are available. Changing stations are located in museum bathrooms.
Drawing is encouraged in the galleries, but the use of clay, paints, pastels, and chalk is not permitted. Visitors should not block passageways.
What to see at the Harvard Museum of Natural History
The museum was created in 1998 as the public-facing component of three Harvard research museums: the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Harvard Mineralogical Museum. The collection includes 12,000 specimens drawn from Harvard’s holdings of millions of research objects.
The Ware Collection of Glass Models of Plants (the Glass Flowers) is the museum’s most famous exhibit. Between 1886 and 1936, father-and-son glass artists Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka created over 4,000 life-size glass models of plants, fruits, and flowers with botanical accuracy. These models, commissioned for teaching purposes, demonstrate extraordinary craftsmanship and remain unmatched in their precision.
The mineralogical galleries display meteorites, minerals, and gemstones, including a systematic presentation allowing visitors to find their birthstone. The Great Mammal Hall features six whale skeletons suspended from the ceiling, alongside a giraffe and bird specimens from around the world. The paleontology gallery includes dinosaur fossils, notably the first Triceratops skull ever discovered, and a mounted Kronosaurus, a marine reptile from the Cretaceous period.
Recent exhibitions include Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination and Making the Invisible Visible, which showcases microscopic slide collections digitised for public access. The museum also presents Islands: Evolving in Isolation, featuring live knight anole lizards demonstrating island evolution.
The museum connects directly to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, allowing visitors to explore Maya culture, Native American history, and early American anthropology. One ticket admits visitors to both museums.
Practical tips for visiting the Harvard Museum of Natural History
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit on Sunday mornings (9:00am–12:00pm) or Wednesday afternoons (3:00pm–5:00pm) for free admission if you are a Massachusetts resident (proof of residency required). |
| Arrive early (before 10:00am) or late afternoon (after 3:00pm) to avoid school groups and tour buses, particularly during weekday mornings. |
| Allow time to visit the adjacent Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, which is included in your admission ticket and connects directly to the natural history museum. |
| There is no café inside the museum, but Harvard Square (10 minutes’ walk) has numerous dining options including the Northwest Café near the museum. |
| Photography without flash is encouraged for personal use, but commercial photography requires written permission. |
| Combine your visit with other Harvard museums, including the Harvard Art Museums (8 minutes’ walk), which require separate admission. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Harvard Museum of Natural History suitable for children? | Yes. The museum offers interactive exhibits and educational programmes for children. Changing stations are available in bathrooms. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No. Tickets can be purchased at the admissions desk on arrival. Advance booking is not required, though group visits of 10 or more require reservations. |
| Is the museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, including Sundays. Massachusetts residents receive free admission on Sunday mornings (9:00am–12:00pm). |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes. Small bags and backpacks are permitted. There are no bag storage facilities or lockers. |
| Can you exit and re-enter the museum? | Yes. Admission is valid for the full day until 5:00pm. Present your receipt for re-entry. |
| Is there a café? | No. There is no café inside the museum. The Northwest Café is located nearby on Harvard’s campus, and Harvard Square has numerous dining options within 10 minutes’ walk. |
Things to do near the Harvard Museum of Natural History
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (directly connected to the natural history museum, included in admission) features collections on Maya culture, Native American history, and early American anthropology.
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (5 minutes’ walk, free admission) displays artifacts from ancient Near Eastern cultures including a replica Iron Age home and authentic mummy coffins.
Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (5 minutes’ walk, free admission) exhibits scientific instruments from Harvard’s history including telescopes, microscopes, and early computing devices.
Harvard Art Museums (8 minutes’ walk, approximately $20 adult entry) comprise the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler Museums with European, Asian, and American art.
Harvard Yard (8 minutes’ walk) is Harvard’s historic central campus with the John Harvard Statue, Memorial Hall, and historic university buildings. Several walking tours are available.
Harvard Square (10 minutes’ walk) is a commercial and cultural district with bookshops, cafés, street performers, and the Harvard Square Red Line station.
MIT Museum (2 kilometres southeast, approximately $10 adult entry) features exhibits on science, technology, and MIT’s history including robotics and holography.
Mount Auburn Cemetery (2 kilometres west, free admission) is America’s first garden cemetery with 175 acres of landscaped grounds, notable graves, and birdwatching opportunities.
More Boston travel
Other Boston travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Discovering the story of baseball, starting at Fenway Park.
- Why visit the Back Bay neighbourhood in Boston?
- 5 really good reasons to visit Boston.
- Review of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tackle the key sites on the Freedom Trail: The Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
