Cleveland Museum of Natural History
4.5(5,289)4.5 out of 5 stars, 5289 reviews Cleveland, OH
About Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, post-renovation, offers a highly interactive and modern experience, particularly valuable for families seeking hands-on learning and engaging animal encounters. It features state-of-the-art exhibits, live animals (both indoor and outdoor), and educational staff interactions, making it a dynamic visit for children.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for interactive, hands-on learning experiences.Children with a strong interest in animals, nature, and dinosaurs.Educational outings that include live animal encounters.Parents seeking a modern and visually stimulating museum environment.Highly engaging and loved by young children, specifically mentioned as perfect for a three-year-old due to hands-on/interactive displays.
Why families love it
- Interactive stations in almost every room effectively engage children and adults alike.
- Live animal exhibits, including active and well-cared-for outdoor animals, allow for close observation.
- Staff-led animal encounters are highly educational and praised by parents.
- The museum features a modern, state-of-the-art building with thoughtfully designed and inviting exhibits.
- A dedicated room allows visitors to explore specimens hands-on.
- Impressive dinosaur skeletons are available for viewing.
Insider tips
- Consider purchasing a membership if you plan on visiting more than once, as it may offer better value given the high individual entry and ancillary costs.
- Budget generously; be prepared for the $28 adult / $21 child entry fees, an $18 parking garage fee, and extra charges for planetarium shows/3D movies, plus any food or souvenir purchases.
- You may not see everything in one visit, which some reviewers found positive as it provides a reason to return.
Good to know before you go
- If you have strong sentimental attachments to specific pre-renovation exhibits, as many are no longer present or are significantly altered.
- If you are on a very strict budget, as the total cost for a family can escalate quickly.
- If you prefer a traditional, expansive museum layout over one that feels more condensed or 'event-center' focused.
- Many classic exhibits from before the renovations are gone or downsized, leading to a perception that the museum 'feels so much smaller'.
- Some visitors feel the venue has shifted to be '60% event center, 40% museum' post-renovation.
- Crowds
- No specific crowd level information or busy times mentioned in reviews.
- Value
- $28 entry fee for adults and $21 for kids. Parking in the garage costs an additional $18. Planetarium shows and 3D movies require extra payment. Factoring in cafeteria food and gift shop items, a family of four can 'easily spend a few hundred dollars'. Some reviewers find the price 'almost out of reach' for what the museum has become, suggesting that the Cleveland Zoo offers 'a lot more to do' for potentially less money. A membership is implied as a way to enhance value for repeat visits.
- Food
- A cafeteria is available on-site for purchasing food. No information regarding outside food policy is provided.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations for special needs mentioned in reviews.
- Safety
- The museum is described as 'super clean'.
What parents say
"There’s an interactive station not too far in each room that engages the kids. Every display is very appealing to kids and adults. I love what they did with the place. I went here a lot as a child and it’s barely recognizable at this point. The animals outside are all very active and well taken care of it seems. We enjoyed an animal encounter from a staff member which was very educational for the kids. Overall it was a really good visit! I might need to get a membership 😜"
a month ago
"This place was truly amazing! It features a variety of interactive exhibits that engage visitors in a hands-on learning experience. There are live animals that you can observe up close, allowing for a unique connection to nature. Additionally, the space is filled with a wealth of historical information, all presented in a modern, state-of-the-art building that enhances the overall experience. The design of the exhibits is thoughtful and inviting, making it easy to explore and discover new things at every turn."
3 weeks ago
"This museum has always been one of my favorite places, but after my last visit I’m hard pressed to come back. Firstly, the renovations are done and it looks great, but it feels so much smaller, and so many classic exhibits are just gone or downsized. I get that the world is changing and places must change too, but this feels like 60% event center, 40% museum now. The animals were awesome like always, it was super clean, and the new exhibits were cool, but the price was almost out of reach for what it’s become. All that said, all of the staff were awesome, upbeat, and knowledgeable!"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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