Harvard Square is home to its namesake University, a rich architectural and cultural history, shops, restaurants, and photo opportunities, from the John Harvard statue to the gates of Harvard Yard. Just steps from Harvard Square visitors can find a hidden treasure: the Harvard Museum of Natural History, home of the world-famous and historical Glass Flowers, and more.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the university's most-visited museum and a popular destination for travelers from around the world. All exhibits are drawn from Harvard University collections and reflect the most current scientific research from partner museums.
The museum boasts over 14 galleries, including the new exhibit Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination, the popular Shark exhibit, and a breadth of taxidermy filling five galleries. The Great Mammal Hall features six whale skeletons hanging from the ceiling, a giraffe, and birds from all over the world.
Although commonly referred to as the "Glass Flowers," this popular exhibit is titled "The Blaschka Glass Model of Plants" after the Czech father and son who painstakingly made the collection of glass plants over the course of 50 years. Be sure to check out the Sea Creatures Blaschka collection down the hall! Some other highlights:
Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery
Find your birthstone gem in the newly renovated mineral gallery, including a new intimate collection of Emeralds. This gallery also educates visitors about the region's geological history, dating back millions of years, our solar system at large, and how our planet fits within it. Even those not typically interested in geology are sure to be wowed by this staggering collection of gems and minerals in various colors, types, and textures.
Marine Gallery & New England Forests
The Harvard Museum of Natural History has an incredible marine life-focused exhibit that explores underwater life in New England and includes numerous specimens from shells to preserved fish. The nearby New England Forests exhibition features an immersive sound experience, as well as displays on leaf identification, the role of fungi in the ecosystem, and a regal wolf watching over the gallery.
Romer Hall – Paleontology Gallery
Whether you consider yourself to be a dinosaur enthusiast or not, you won't want to miss this breathtaking exhibit, including the first Triceratops skull ever discovered and 42-foot, wall-mounted Kronosaurus, sure to be a hit if traveling with children!
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology can be conveniently accessed through the third-floor Climate Change gallery, and admission is included with your Boston CityPASS® ticket. From towering Native American totem poles and large Maya sculptures to artifacts of the ancient world, the Peabody cares for cultural heritage, including objects and images, from diverse people from around the world and across time. Drop-in tours by Harvard students are available during the fall and spring.
Don't forget to visit the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture two free museums around the corner: The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. Learn more here: https://hmsc.harvard.edu/visit/
Visit Harvard University's Most Popular Museum on Your Trip to Boston
Inside the Harvard Museum of Natural History's walls are an enormous display of incredible specimens and exhibits. In addition to learning a lot from a trip to the museum, you can also broaden your horizons by wandering around the Harvard University campus, strolling through Harvard Yard, and visiting more of the university's museums.
When you bundle with CityPASS® tickets, you can save nearly on some of Boston's top attractions, including:
- Museum of Science
- Harvard Museum of Natural History
- New England Aquarium
- Franklin Park Zoo
- Boston Harbor City Cruises
Boston Lodging
To get the most out of your stay in Boston, we recommend finding lodging near Boston's top attractions. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
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