Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
This innovative museum carries out its mission to "help people discover and explore the natural world" through a series of displays involving everything from dinosaur bones to astrological equipment plus "Lucy," one of the oldest skeletons of humanity's earliest ancestors.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
605 reviews
Excellent
327
Very good
187
Average
60
Poor
15
Terrible
16
DiscountKing
Cranberry Township, PA796 contributions
Aug 2021
A summer visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History was a disappointment compared to previous visits. This museum is undergoing renovations and the basement and planetarium were closed. Full price still charged even though portions of the museum were closed.
The museum offered several hands-on exhibits throughout the museum, but nothing like they used to offer. I'm hopeful they will add more hands-on exhibits once renovations are complete. If you like snakes, there are a few large snakes in the museum.
Cleanliness: The museum was clean and presentable. Restrooms were satisfactory as well.
Staff: Museum staff was not friendly. I contacted the museum in advance to ask questions about my visit. I was told I could purchase tickets at the museum or online. The museum attendant was upset that we did not purchase tickets in advance at the museum because she would have to enter information into the computer system.
Parking: Parking is available in a parking garage connected to the museum or along the street with a short walk.
The museum offered several hands-on exhibits throughout the museum, but nothing like they used to offer. I'm hopeful they will add more hands-on exhibits once renovations are complete. If you like snakes, there are a few large snakes in the museum.
Cleanliness: The museum was clean and presentable. Restrooms were satisfactory as well.
Staff: Museum staff was not friendly. I contacted the museum in advance to ask questions about my visit. I was told I could purchase tickets at the museum or online. The museum attendant was upset that we did not purchase tickets in advance at the museum because she would have to enter information into the computer system.
Parking: Parking is available in a parking garage connected to the museum or along the street with a short walk.
Written October 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey Koslowski
Canton, MI677 contributions
Apr 2023
I hate saying bad things about Museums as I know how much they can contribute to the lives of its visitors and the area around it as a whole. I also realize it's not totally fair to badmouth a place that is under construction as it won't always be. That said, turn back now! It is so hard to get a good view of how much is actually available versus how much is off exhibit based on the website but you can see the whole place in about 15 minutes. They will tell you online that their is construction and they say what is off exhibit so there is "transparency" but when you realize that what they are talking about feels like it is pretty much their entire collection, you feel like you received a bum deal.
First off, we planned to use our ASTC membership to gain free entry. For other places, you just show up, show the membership, and in you go. This place was insistent that we had to "buy" a ticket which meant scanning a QR code and following the steps. The problem is, the QR code takes you to what is basically step 2 of the ticket buying process. I would venture to say it took longer to buy the ticket than it did to actually see what was open. Once you have "bought" your ticket, you'll see a Triceratops, some VR thing you have to pay money for, a 3D movie which is thankfully free, some other movie you have to pay money for, a kids section on the lower level, a few insects mounted on the wall, some audubon books, and a selection of Andy Warhol art. That is it. Period. Nothing more. Signage indicates it won't be fully completed until late 2024 so do yourself a favor. Go to the art museum or the Cleveland History Center. Skip the indoor portion.
That said, there is an outdoor section with live animals. This portion was cool if for no other reason, you got to see live animals. I would compare their areas to "animal cubicles" but when you've had as lousy experience as we did in the indoor portion, anything would feel like an upgrade.
Overall, skip this Museum for the next two years. The ticket buying experience versus what you actually receive for your money versus your time invested make this a place you can leave off your itinerary.
First off, we planned to use our ASTC membership to gain free entry. For other places, you just show up, show the membership, and in you go. This place was insistent that we had to "buy" a ticket which meant scanning a QR code and following the steps. The problem is, the QR code takes you to what is basically step 2 of the ticket buying process. I would venture to say it took longer to buy the ticket than it did to actually see what was open. Once you have "bought" your ticket, you'll see a Triceratops, some VR thing you have to pay money for, a 3D movie which is thankfully free, some other movie you have to pay money for, a kids section on the lower level, a few insects mounted on the wall, some audubon books, and a selection of Andy Warhol art. That is it. Period. Nothing more. Signage indicates it won't be fully completed until late 2024 so do yourself a favor. Go to the art museum or the Cleveland History Center. Skip the indoor portion.
That said, there is an outdoor section with live animals. This portion was cool if for no other reason, you got to see live animals. I would compare their areas to "animal cubicles" but when you've had as lousy experience as we did in the indoor portion, anything would feel like an upgrade.
Overall, skip this Museum for the next two years. The ticket buying experience versus what you actually receive for your money versus your time invested make this a place you can leave off your itinerary.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titi K
Munroe Falls, OH5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
The museum is under reconstruction and is mention nowhere. How dare you charging extra just to come with a family of 6 and see literally only 3 displays, 2 dinosaurs and a large fish and some rocks! Shame on you, either close the museum until you finish or have a free entrance for your lame exhibits
Written December 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert E
3 contributions
Feb 2023
Skip the CMNH. The extent of exhibits are 1 stegosaurus, paintings by Andy Warhol, mounted insects, and the outside animal area. A total rip-off at $12+ per person and $10 parking. The entire experience took about 1/2 hour. We took out of town guests with children and were totally embarrassed that this was what Cleveland calls a museum and felt ripped off by the fees charged for virtually nothing.
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BougieKnight
Akron, OH194 contributions
Dec 2022
Ok, our family feels there should be a current review that reflects the extent of current renovation and the significant impact/limits on your visit. We visited the week between Christmas and New Year.
First, the extent of the renovation is very significant. We felt this was understated on the website. All large exhibits/displays are in storage. There are 2 promoted exhibits/displays at this time, everything else is a movie/show. The 'bugs display' are encased pinboards displayed in the downstairs lunch room. No labels, 'facts' or anything else you would expect from a museum worthy exhibit. This took us about 5 minutes to walk through. The second is Andy Warhol Endangered Species paintings. These are remarkable works, but again, 5 minutes for our family to look and walk through.
There were small 2 volunteer stations on the main level with a nice 5 minute talk at each.
The planetarium was re-opened and the show was fantastic, about 40 minutes in length.
We passed over the pre-school geared 'play/dig' station downstairs. Younger families might enjoy this.
The rest of the museum are movies.
While renovation is exciting and we're sure the 2024 re-opening will be spectacular, the current exhibits/displays are extremely limited and, in our opinion, not worth the trip and price for what you get at this time.
First, the extent of the renovation is very significant. We felt this was understated on the website. All large exhibits/displays are in storage. There are 2 promoted exhibits/displays at this time, everything else is a movie/show. The 'bugs display' are encased pinboards displayed in the downstairs lunch room. No labels, 'facts' or anything else you would expect from a museum worthy exhibit. This took us about 5 minutes to walk through. The second is Andy Warhol Endangered Species paintings. These are remarkable works, but again, 5 minutes for our family to look and walk through.
There were small 2 volunteer stations on the main level with a nice 5 minute talk at each.
The planetarium was re-opened and the show was fantastic, about 40 minutes in length.
We passed over the pre-school geared 'play/dig' station downstairs. Younger families might enjoy this.
The rest of the museum are movies.
While renovation is exciting and we're sure the 2024 re-opening will be spectacular, the current exhibits/displays are extremely limited and, in our opinion, not worth the trip and price for what you get at this time.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicol G
Cuyahoga Falls, OH1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Family
Paid for 7 people and 1/2 left to go to art museum bc there was nothing to do other than watch movie and planetarium. Should have been free. Typically, I love this museum. It should be closed til renovation complete, not very kind to their visitors.
Written March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin S
2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Wow, I've never written a bad review before. I was unsure if I'd be able to squeeze in a visit here, but it worked out and there is a station outside the front door to scan a QR code for ticket purchase. Oddly neither of my credit cards could be processed by their system (BoA and USAA?), so went inside to find out my options. There was only one, apparently -- I needed to call their box office and reserve a ticket with them via phone. I then decided that a museum with most of its exhibits down due to their construction was not worth this amount of energy. Went to the nearby Botanical Gardens instead and had an absolutely delightful day.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon
Pittsburgh, PA475 contributions
May 2022 • Family
A nice museum with many surprises. We were very happy to see the recuse animal zoo attached to the museum. The staff were very friendly and they were even doing an animal presentation in the building to give you a closer look at the wildlife. Also keep an eye out for hamburgers and try to see if you can find them all.
Written May 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane - DiscoveryOnADime
Midland, MI224 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We visited here about 20 years ago, and came back again. We spent about two hours here, and it was time well spent. The fossil and dinosaur exhibits are excellent, and the mineral and gems were very interesting. We were surprised by the rescued animals attached to the museum and enjoyed them immensely. The Peregrine falcon was quite active! We arrived at opening time, and it was not crowded at all.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imrico
427 contributions
Oct 2023
A friend told me they had a blast at this, so while I was finishing the FREE art museum I walked over to this. Paid my $10, went to the planetarium show since it was the last one of the day, which was decent. I got a free pair of eclipse glasses for the upcoming eclipse in 2024 :D. However, after that I went to explore the rest of the museum only to find out they had the little zoo outside, and a 3d movie - and that's it. I was expecting much more with other exhibits.
Disappointed overall, but it was very clean and great staff.
Disappointed overall, but it was very clean and great staff.
Written October 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ANGEL C
Columbus, OH
How long does it take to tour the museum?
Dennis L
San Francisco397 contributions
I am the type to stop and read about every exhibit, but as a museum buff, a lot of the exhibits were repetitive and we also wanted to walk to the other museums nearby, so we did it comfortably in about 2 hours. If I weren't going to the others, I would probably have spent 3 hours.
I haven't seen my brands for 10 years. They are coming to visit during Christmas, and my Grandson wants to be an archeologist when he grows up. He's excited about coming up and seeing me for the first time, and I want to supride him with going to this museum when they arrive. What days will you be open 20-27th?
Jack L
East Syracuse, NY815 contributions
All days should be good.
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Claim your listingCleveland Museum of Natural History - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cleveland Museum of Natural History
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