Cleveland Museum of Natural History
About
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, located in University Circle, completed a landmark $150+ million transformation in December 2024—its most sweeping renovation in over a century. The result is more than 375,000 square feet of new and expanded exhibit space, plus over 2 acres of outdoor visitor areas, making it one of the most comprehensively updated natural history museums in the country. The museum is home to one of the most significant paleontology collections in the United States, including "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis), one of the world's most famous hominid specimens, and "Happy," a Stegosaurus skeleton. Its collection spans human evolution, Ohio geology, astronomy, wildlife ecology, and the deep history of the Earth. Education programs are extensive: school programs run across all K–12 grade levels, teen programs include SLAM Dunk (a STEM mentorship program), and summer camps serve elementary and middle school students. Free admission on select weekends is available to Cuyahoga County residents through the Mandel Community Days program, making the museum accessible to local families regardless of income. Scientific research at the museum spans archaeology, botany, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, and physical anthropology, with active fieldwork on multiple continents.
🏠 Homeschool Programs
School programs available for homeschool groups. Summer camps and teen programs run seasonally.
Subject Areas
Best For
Hours of Operation
Closed Mondays. Free admission for Cuyahoga County residents on select weekends (Mandel Community Days).
Hours change seasonally — verify before visiting.
Admission
Mixed admissionPaid admission; Cuyahoga County residents receive free admission on Mandel Community Days (select Saturdays and Sundays). Discounted admission for advance online purchase.
✓ Membership available