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 27, 2024 (day before Thanksgiving)
  • Thursday, November 28, 2024 (Thanksgiving Day)
  • Saturday, December 21, 2024
  • Sunday, December 22, 2024
  • Monday, December 23, 2024
  • Tuesday, December 24, 2024 (Christmas Eve)
  • Wednesday, December 25, 2024 (Christmas)
  • Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day)
Museums close early on the following days:
  • Tuesday, February 27, 2024 (Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East third floor closure at 3:00 pm)
  • Thursday, March 7, 2024 (at 3:00 pm)
  • Tuesday March 26 (at 3:30 pm)
  • Tuesday, May 7, 2024 (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 the Card to Culture program.

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).

CityPASS®

Spend less, Experience more! Boston CityPASS® saves 45% on admission to top Boston’s top 4 attractions, including the Harvard Museum of Natural History. 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® online and present your pass to the admissions desk for entry at the Harvard Museum of Natural History or Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology.

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:

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.

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.

Are animals allowed in the museums?

The museums welcome service dogs. Please note that emotional support animals and comfort animals are not permitted.