Due to the Museum's ongoing transformation project, programming in the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium will be unavailable until December 2024.
The Museum Is Now Cashless.
As of August 1, 2024, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is providing a cashless experience for transactions in the parking garage, at admissions, and in Origins Café. The Museum Store still accepts cash.
Upon arrival at the Museum, visitors may choose from the following cashless payment options: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Visitors may also purchase tickets for Museum admission online.
For those who prefer to pay in cash, a reverse ATM is available in the Museum’s coatroom, accessible via the Visitor Hall. This kiosk allows you to convert cash into a prepaid Mastercard debit card at no additional cost. Your prepaid card can be used for all cashless Museum transactions, and for purchases made outside of the Museum anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
The Museum continues to offer options to reduce or eliminate the cost of admission. Through Museums for All, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can show their SNAP EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card to receive $1 admission for up to four guests. In addition, the Museum offers free admission to all Cleveland and East Cleveland residents every Sunday through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days.
Learn more about admission pricing and available discounts.
OUR MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE IS IN PROGRESS.
We are reinventing the Cleveland Museum of Natural History with an expansion of our campus, the addition of new public spaces, and a complete redesign of all our exhibits—the most dramatic transformation in our 104-year history.
EXPLORING THE MUSEUM
During our transformation, some attractions and galleries will be temporarily taken off exhibit for restoration and scientific updates. Currently off exhibit until further notice:
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The Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life, including permanent mounts of the dinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex and Edmontosaurus
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The Human Origins Gallery
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The Reinberger Hall of Earth & Planetary Exploration
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The Ralph Mueller Observatory
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The Diversity of Life Hall, featuring a hands-on fossil timeline
Visitors are invited to explore new and reimagined spaces and exhibits. Visit this page for a complete list of current exhibits.
Our extraordinary new
Visitor Hall opened to the public on Sunday, October 15, 2023. The Visitor Hall showcases some of the Museum's most beloved attractions, including
Haplocanthosaurus (Happy), Balto,
Dunkleosteus (Dunk), Lucy, the Moon rock, and more. This community space is free to all! A general admission ticket is required to unlock all other Museum experiences.
A general admission ticket includes 3D movies, now playing in Murch Auditorium; Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC; the Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard; and the live animals in the
Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE
All visitors are encouraged to reserve their tickets before they arrive at the Museum. Advance tickets are available for members to reserve and nonmembers to purchase online at CMNH.org/visit or by phone at 216.231.4600.
The Museum has lowered its general admission prices. Ticket prices are as follows: $10 per adult and $7 per youth, senior, or college student. Children ages 2 and under are free.
PARKING
The garage entrance is located on Wade Oval Drive near the corner of East Boulevard. Guests can now enter the Museum through the attached parking garage entrance on Level 2. Alternatively, guests can explore the gardens along Wade Oval and arrive through the new Wade Oval Entrance.
MUSEUM STORE
The brand-new Museum Store is now open! Shopping supports the Museum's effots to explore, engage, and empower for a better tomorrow. Visit during regular Museum hours.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Origins Café is the Museum's new on-site café featuring indoor and outdoor seating. Levy, a critically acclaimed hospitality company, will craft food and beverage options for the café, as well as cater special occasions. A collaboration with Levy aligns closely with the mission, vision, and values of the Museum through their efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle; partner with local growers for produce and meats; use eco-friendly serving ware; support local food-pantry partners; offer vegetarian-friendly menus; and provide fresh, healthy options for every dining experience.
MASKS
Safety is the Museum’s number-one priority. Wearing a mask is optional inside the Museum. We encourage our visitors, staff, and volunteers to follow the mask-wearing practices that make them feel most comfortable. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor available data and public-health conditions and react appropriately.
QUESTIONS? CALL THE MUSEUM FRONT DESK AT 216.231.4600 FOR ASSISTANCE.