Harvard Museum of Natural History
#3 in Best Things To Do in Cambridge, MA

Details
scorecard
- 3.5Value
- 3.0Facilities
- 5.0Atmosphere
The world-famous Blaschka Glass Flowers receive a lot of attention at this museum – and rightly so – but there are a lot of other must-see exhibits at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (which also contains specimens from the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria and the Mineralogical & Geological Museum). After you've had your fill of the stunningly life-like collection of more than 4,000 glass models, which represent more than 830 plant species, make sure to check out the other galleries. Popular exhibits include the Great Mammal Hall, Birds of the World and Climate Change: Our Global Experiment.
Recent visitors – who called the museum "fabulous" and "great for all ages" – said they wished they would have set aside more time to explore all of the exhibits. Reviewers also described the experience as a great value thanks to the two-for-one admission to both the adjacent Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the natural history museum.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for major holidays. Admission costs $12 for adults and $8 for youths ages 3 to 18; children 3 and younger enter for free. Tickets include admission to the Peabody Museum, which is adjacent to the museum. Entrance fees are covered for visitors who purchased the Boston CityPASS or Go Boston Card. The museum is a less than a 10-minute walk from the Harvard Square subway stop. Limited metered parking is offered on the surrounding streets, though the museum strongly recommends arriving by public transportation. In addition to the exhibits, restrooms and a gift shop are also offered on-site. For more information, visit the museum's website.
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#1 Harvard Square
Iconic Harvard Square, a bustling epicenter of Cambridge, is packed with quirky boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, cafes, bars, buskers and, of course, students from Harvard University, which borders one side of the square. No matter the time of day or night, there is always a lively atmosphere. Simply wandering around people-watching can be entertaining by itself.
Visitors say Harvard Square "feels like a European square" with a "fun and energetic vibe." Additionally, many add that it offers a great place to hang out in the evenings.
Iconic Harvard Square, a bustling epicenter of Cambridge, is packed with quirky boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, cafes, bars, buskers and, of course, students from Harvard University, which borders one side of the square. No matter the time of day or night, there is always a lively atmosphere. Simply wandering around people-watching can be entertaining by itself.
Visitors say Harvard Square "feels like a European square" with a "fun and energetic vibe." Additionally, many add that it offers a great place to hang out in the evenings.
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