University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
4.7(2.5K)google
4.3(89)yelp
KidsIndoorFreeRestrooms AvailableInteractiveEducationalScienceFossils
Overview
Housed in a striking, modern facility on the university campus in Ann Arbor, this world-class museum explores billions of years of Earth's history. It is celebrated for its massive, iconic displays of prehistoric dinosaur skeletons, a high-tech digital planetarium, and interactive research labs.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeA world-class indoor natural history sanctuary perfect year-round. Arriving after 1:30 PM on a non-holiday weekday is highly recommended; morning school field trip crowds vacate the halls early, granting open, unhurried access to their iconic prehistoric mastodon fossils. It also ensures premium seating for early afternoon dome planetarium shows.
Getting ThereHoused inside the modern biological sciences complex at 1105 North University Ave, Ann Arbor. Because the campus core is pedestrian-only, personal vehicles must park inside the Palmer Drive Public Parking Structure (hourly fees applied) just a short walk away. Well-serviced by the free University Blue Bus transit network.
Travel Tips
- Housed inside the Biological Sciences Building, general admission is free, but the Planetarium & Dome Theater requires an 8 USD ticket. Weekend showtimes sell out entirely before 12:00 PM, necessitating prompt purchase at the morning counter.
- The facility offers no visitor surface lot; drivers must go directly to the paid U-M Palmer Drive or Geddes Ave public parking structures. Rates are 2.25 USD per hour Monday through Saturday, with free parking available only on Sundays.
- To safeguard the world's only male/female Mastodon Couplet skeletons, the core gallery air conditioning is heavily chilled to a permanent 66 degrees Fahrenheit; tourists entering during hot summer months must bring insulated layers.
Reviews
Positive
- The new building architecture is stunningly modern; huge dinosaur skeletons and transparent research labs are eye-opening and highly engaging.
- The accessible elevators are fast and spacious, lactation rooms and restrooms are upscale and tidy, and digital maps are on every floor.
- Student docents are energetic and patient, always giving wonderful answers to kids' quirky questions while maintaining excellent crowd control.
- General admission is completely free (donations welcome), and high-tech interactive exhibits rival top-tier paid museums, a fantastic deal.
Heads up
- The Planetarium shows require separate paid tickets and run on a very limited schedule; if you miss your slot, you're out of luck.
- Located in the heart of campus, it's very tough for driving tourists to find parking nearby, and the closest university garages have tight public restrictions.
- During peak school field trip seasons, large groups of kids run and shout through the halls, creating massive lines at interactive screens.
- The only gift shop inside has inflated prices, with a basic printed dinosaur t-shirt being quite pricey, lacking budget-friendly options.