Visit All Four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Photo by Tony Rinaldo
Museum Visit Information
Collection of Historical
Scientific Instruments
Open Sunday–Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
General Admission
Free
Harvard Museum of the
Ancient Near East
Open Sunday–Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
General Admission
Free
Harvard Museum of
Natural History
Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
General Admission
Adults: $15.00
Seniors (65+): $13.00
Harvard ID Holders: Free
Non-Harvard students with I.D.: $10.00
Youth ages 3–18: $10.00
Youth under 3: Free
Free for members
Peabody Museum of
Archaeology & Ethnology
Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
General Admission
Adults: $15.00
Seniors (65+): $13.00
Harvard ID Holders: Free
Non-Harvard students with I.D.: $10.00
Youth ages 3–18: $10.00
Youth under 3: Free
Free for members
Membership
As a member, you will enjoy unlimited free visits to all four HMSC Museums and the Harvard Art Museums. Additional benefits include reading room privileges, shop and restaurant discounts, and exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities.
Closures
Closed the following days:
- Wednesday, November 26, 2025
- Thursday, November 27, 2025 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve)
- Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas)
- Friday, December 26, 2025
- Saturday, December 27, 2025
- Sunday, December 28, 2025
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Day)
The museums open late on the following days:
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (at 11:00 am)
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (at 11:00 am)
The museums close early on the following day:
- Thursday, January 15, 2026 (at 3:00 pm)
Discounted and Free Admission
Harvard University ID Holders
Free for holders of a current Harvard ID (+1 guest); Harvard Museums of Science & Culture members, and Harvard Art Museums members.
Library Museum Pass Program
Library patrons can reserve discount passes through their local, Massachusetts-based, library to visit our museums! Library pass admission includes entry to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, and the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. Please be prepared to show the physical library pass and proof of Massachusetts residency. Only one member of the party must be a MA resident. The pass admits up to four visitors. The passes are non-transferable and may not be combined with other offers.
Are you a library looking to offer passes to your patrons? Contact Bethany Carland-Adams at bcarlandadams@hmsc.harvard.edu to learn more.
Card to Culture
Free for Massachusetts residents who present an EBT or WIC card and up to five guests. We are proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health’s WIC Nutrition Program, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of cultural organizations across Massachusetts. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts. Please note that the museums offer discounts for EBT and WIC participants. We do not offer discounts for ConnectorCare cardholders.
Blue Star Museums
Free to active duty military with their families in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts Blue Star Museums Program. Year-round free admission is offered to the Peabody Museum and Harvard Museum of Natural History using the Blue Star Museums guidelines.
ASTC Travel Passport Program
Free to members of institutions participating in the ASTC Travel Passport Program. Local restrictions apply, please review the guidelines and restrictions (PDF) before your visit.
Massachusetts Residents & Teachers
Free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Proof of residency required. This offer is not available to commercial groups.
Free to Massachusetts Teachers (K-12).
Save with CityPASS®
Sightseeing in Boston? Boston CityPASS® tickets include two of the four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture! Bundle Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology and Harvard Museum of Natural History admission with 3 other top Boston attractions and save up to 46%. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over 9 days.
One easy purchase and mobile ticket delivery saves time and money. Buy CityPASS® tickets online and present them to the museum admissions desk for entry.
Go City
Harvard Museum of Natural History is one of the Boston attractions offered by Go City. Discover 40+ top Boston attractions and save up to 55% with Go City. Choose between a 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7-day All-Inclusive Pass and get exploring—visit the Paul Revere House, get hands-on at the Museum of Science, hop on an entertaining guided trolley tour and meet the critters at New England Aquarium. There are different activities to suit everyone—all hand-picked by a team of local experts. Your pass is fully digital and comes with a handy city guide to help you plan your trip. See more. Spend less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC)
The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) is a partnership of Harvard University museums:
- Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments
- Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
- Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
HMSC works in concert with Harvard faculty, museum curators, and students, as well as with members of the extended Harvard community, to provide interdisciplinary exhibitions, events and lectures, and educational programs for students, teachers, and the general public. HMSC draws primarily upon the extensive collections of the member museums and the research of their faculty and curators.
Where do I purchase tickets?
Tickets for the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum can be purchased at the admissions desks in those museums. One ticket grants admission to both museums. Admission is free at the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments and the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East.
Where can I park?
There are a limited number of two-hour metered spaces located on Oxford and Kirkland Streets. These meters only accept US quarters or credit cards or you can pay via the parking app.
Limited parking is available for museum visitors in nearby University-operated garages including the 52 Oxford Street Garage, located at the intersection of Everett and Oxford Street. Permits must be purchased in advance online. All major credit cards are accepted and sales are final. For customer service related to the purchase of permits, please contact the Harvard Parking Office at (617) 496-7827 or parking@harvard.edu.
Weekend permits for the 52 Oxford Street Garage can also be purchased in person at the museum’s admission desk. A license plate number is required for purchase.
Where can I eat?
There is no eating or drinking allowed in the galleries, but we are located near Harvard Square where there is a variety of food and drink options. The Harvard University Northwest Café is also located near the museum.
Can I bring a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter?
You are welcome to bring strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters.
Can I take photos?
Yes, please! Photos and selfies are encouraged, but the use of flash and tripods is not permitted. Commercial photography or video cameras are not permitted without written permission. Information on photography and videography requests for commercial use can be found on the individual museum websites.
Can I draw?
Drawing is encouraged in the galleries, but the use of clay, paints, pastels, and chalk is not permitted. Please do not block passageways; keep them accessible to other visitors.
Do you have nursing stations?
We do not currently have nursing stations.
Do you have changing stations?
Changing stations are located in museum bathrooms.
Do you have tours?
Yes! Learn about Glass Flower Tours at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
During the academic year, Harvard students lead these tours:
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East Tours
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East Touch Tours for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors
Are animals allowed in the museums?
The museums welcome service dogs. Please note that emotional support animals and comfort animals are not permitted.