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Harvard Museum of Natural History

26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
617 495 3045
Website
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As featured in 3 days in Boston
Ranked #2 of 45 attractions in Cambridge
Type: Natural History Museums
Fee: Yes
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Owner description: This is the public museum of Harvard's three research museums. More than 12,000 of the 21 million specimens are on display, including the renowned... more » Owner description: This is the public museum of Harvard's three research museums. More than 12,000 of the 21 million specimens are on display, including the renowned collection of 3,000 'Glass Flowers,' amazingly realistic flame-worked glass models of flowering plants used to teach botany to students in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Family favorites include the dinosaurs and other prehistoric mammals as well as more than 500 current day mammals, including skeletons of a rhino, hippo, giraffe and three whales. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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236 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Portland, OR
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2013 NEW

Beautifully displayed filled with fascinating objects. Take the time to visit this museum - free with three day pass on Hop on Hop off bus.

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See 3 more reviews by pixel45 for Cambridge
Lexington, Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2013 NEW

I like their glass collection and their adjacent mineral collection. The place is really worth a visit with your friends.

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Boston, Massachusetts
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

The glass flowers are unique worldwide; you get up close to some fossil and mineral specimens that are documented in text books. This is a low-key museum that hasn't followed the trend toward glitzy, incomplete stage shows, but remains a true science museum. A real treasure.

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Dunfermline, United Kingdom
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 7, 2013

The "glass flowers" were amazing. The whole museum was well laid out and very interactive. Plenty of staff to answer any questions.

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Somerville, Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2013

So cool! I love this kind of stuff though. I loved the giant stuffed animals and ...well, that place just rings my bells. I love the guilded age ness of it....love it all.

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Braidwood, Australia
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2013

A must see if you are visiting Cambridge area. Many interesting items from all around the world, including the Tasmanian tiger.

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Boston, Massachusetts
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 20, 2013

This museum is really well laid out and interesting to all our family. Very easy to get to on public transport, probably not so easy by car. The rocks and minerals are amazing even if youre half hearted by the theme. The animals are really well presented and we could not believe the range they had. The adjoining Peabody is... More

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Scotland
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 17, 2013

We had a wee bit difficulty finding this building within all the other buildings within the Harvard University Area but was certainly worth the effort and the $12 admssion fee is well worth it. The most fascinating exhibit has to be the glass flowers which were created over a 50 year span and used in botany teaching classes. Good spread... More

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portland, oregon
Senior Contributor
48 reviews 48 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2013

This was a nice diversion while on campus and the gems are amazing. I would not go out of my way to see it but if you are on campus visiting it is worthwhile while your child is studying for an exam, etc

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See 6 more reviews by brainmind for Cambridge
San Luis Obispo, CA
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2013

There is a wide range of exhibits, from minerals and meteorites, climate change, evolution, and lots of preserved specimens of all kinds of species. As you would expect from the Harvard connection, the quality of exhibits and the accompanying documentation is very high. And, there is something for kids as well as scholars. I've been there twice now and feel... More

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