Science and history are fun to explore at this family-friendly museum. Exhibits are geared to appeal to students, community members and visitors.
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is filled with skeletons and stuffed specimens of extinct and extant animals. Bring kids to marvel at the woolly mammoth and the huge dinosaurs assembled from real bones. Observe scientists conducting real research and experimentation.
Evolution takes center stage, starting with a touchable T. rex head and a mysterious Majungasaurus dinosaur. Study the explanations and illustrations of changes and development of new species built on the latest in scientific understanding.
Shift from large dinosaurs to small cells in understanding the foundations of life. Although these tiny organisms can’t be seen without microscopes, the exhibit enlarges them 100,000 times so that you can walk among the smallest components of life.
Learn about Michigan’s history, geology, anthropology and wildlife in a special exhibit area dedicated to the state. Multiple dioramas show animals from prehistory to today in their natural habitats. Young kids can enjoy the family play area and older ones can engage with hands-on and minds-on activities.
Travel far beyond Michigan, in fact all of Earth, by viewing a planetarium show in the digital dome theater. Additional shows cover archaeology, biology, geology and other natural history subjects.
From 1928 through 2017, the museum occupied the Ruthven Museums Building on the university’s main campus. After a 2-year closure, the museum is relocating to the new adjacent Biological Sciences Building for a 2019 opening. Updated exhibits, working labs and a large dome theater add to the appeal for visitors. Check the website to see the status of this exciting project and the schedule for opening hours and special events. Admission is free, with donations much appreciated.
Parking for the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is available in nearby garages, but these can fill rapidly during popular hours. Walk from other parts of the campus or take an Ann Arbor bus from elsewhere in the city to avoid parking hassles. After your visit, stroll through the nearby Nichols Arboretum to enjoy living nature in a beautiful setting.
