What families say

Families love the mix of hands-on science (mini tornado, grip-strength machine, dinosaur/bird exhibits) with the historic taxidermy and artifact collections, plus a butterfly garden included with admission in summer months—good for a range of ages, from little kids to older homeschoolers. Plan on 2+ hours, and check the planetarium show schedule since not everyone catches it. The grand old building itself (spiral stairs, ornate ceiling) is a hit with parents too, and reviewers say the kid activities are woven in without overwhelming the natural-history focus.

Ages 6–18