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All 81 Cambridge Attractions »

Harvard Museum of Natural History

26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
617 495 3045
As featured in 3 days in Boston
Ranked #3 of 51 attractions in Cambridge
4.5 of 5 stars 108 Reviews
Type: Natural History Museums
Fee: Yes
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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108 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

It was free back then! You will feel as if you stepped back it time, it is Harvard after all. More

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

There were so many great exhibits to see in this museum! The great mammal hall and the cenozoic dinosaur remains are a must see. The massive Kronosaurus took my breath away. The glass flowers are also a necessary stop on your visit to the museum. In addition, I really enjoyed the new Mollusk and New England Forest exhibits. More

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Boston, Massachusetts
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2012

like everyone else mentioned, the glass flowers were fascinating! all the other places we had ti rush thru' a little bit due to the plans we had later that day. but it was definitely worth the time. i booked passes for that day with the cambridge public library and paid only $4/head for the entrance. it was fun time there... More

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Chandler, AZ
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

Lots of information, the Glass Flowers were awesome! More

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Norfolk, VA
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

Our middle school class came to the Harvard Museum of Natural History on our trip to Boston, and it was one of the most outstanding events on the trip. The first room you see when you enter the museum is the glass flowers room, and inside are some of the most intricate and realistic pieces of glasswork you will ever... More

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London, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
54 reviews 54 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

A very unique exhibition. You will not be able to see it anywhere else.Before modern way of teaching- came these father and son who created plants, roots, leaves, flowers all in glass - For the purpose of teaching. More

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See 2 more reviews by DANIELLA107 for Cambridge
Denver, Colorado
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Fantastic displays and admission includes the adjacent Peabody anthropology museum as well. The glass flower and plant collection is one of the most amazing works of artistic craftsmanship in the world More

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Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2012

It's not a big museum, but it has a very nice mineral collection. The meteors are the most interesting part of the exhibit. The dinosaurs part was very interesting, especially the Kronosaurus skeleton and the Tryceratop cranium. I don't really like stuffed animals, but the exhibit is arranged very well. The vertebrates skeleton collection is also very good, even if... More

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See 2 more reviews by Raistlinsama for Cambridge
Charlottesville, VA
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012

This museum is an interesting combination of historic collections (lots of taxidermied animals, in some instances in historic arrangements) and modern exhibits (including a fascinating one on the use of color in the natural world and one on evolution while we were there). The collection of glass flowers is stunning. A great way to spend a few hours. More

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Boston, Massachusetts
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2012

Free to MA residents 9-12 on Sunday mornings, this is a true gem. Great size for kids and no need to travel to NY for the Museum of Nat Hist. Smaller scale and achievable. Some street parking early. Some museum passes available. Attached to the Peabody Museum which is also terrific. More

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