Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology image

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Tourist attraction Museum Archaeological museum

One of the Most Reviewed Museums in Cambridge


Address

11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Website

www.peabody.harvard.edu

Contact

(617) 496-1027

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (595 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (43) history (16) collection (15) exhibits (14) great (13) artifacts (12) American (11) Harvard (10) Natural (10) History (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ayon I. 2 years ago on Google • 681 reviews
    Great museum! Takes 1-2 hours depending on how leisurely you go through the exhibits, which is the perfect amount to me (no museum fatigue). It’s also directly connected to the Harvard museum of natural history!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Durga K. 6 months ago on Google • 222 reviews
    Good museum, with a variety of cultural material. The museum achieves a unique goal, of supplementing the history of the "study of anthropology" through time, and prompts the viewer to recalibrate how one "sees the collection". The ticketed entry allows access to the Peabody and Natural history museum.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephen S. 4 years ago on Google • 67 reviews
    Amazing! They pack so much into a small museum. Loved every square inch of it. :) TIP: If you have a similar museum membership in another major city, they might offer free reciprocal admission. Double check the website and bring proof of membership.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Talia K. 1 year ago on Google • 85 reviews
    The entire museum and the exhibits are very educational, beautiful and high quality! Not too crowded. Def recommend!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Douglas B. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic museum of natural history. The glass flowers are a wonder of the world, and a must see exhibit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Credible C. 4 years ago on Google
    A "twin" with the Natural History museum. It is also beautiful, but may be not in the same league with his twin. Nevertheless, it has many exhibits about human development/progression. The Mayan exhibit is well done, and the "world we live in" exhibit is great as well. The neat thing about having a joint building allows one to move seamlessly from one museum to another. It did break up the monotonous for us, and make the trip quite interesting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Fanuel M. 5 years ago on Google
    You have to come back multiple times to absorb everything. Love that it’s quiet and provides a nice escape to learn and explore the past. Also, the summer Solstice festivities are awesome somewhere between June 20-22 each calendar year. Keep an eye out on their calendar. Museum is open till 9pm during the solstice festivities!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Top 10 Farsi (‫۱۰ تا �. 5 years ago on Google
    This museum was one of my favorite places during our Boston vacation. The museum has many great things to see. We got there an hour before closing but we managed to see everything and enjoy them. If you're close by give it a try. Highly recommended.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Google Guide AkA Black N. 4 years ago on Google
    Animal exhibits are amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 R H. 4 years ago on Google
    The American Indian artifacts!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Olga K. 1 year ago on Google
    I remember most of all the collection of stones. Extremely beautiful. I didn’t find how to buy a ticket online, most likely this function is not available. Ticket for adults - $15, kids from 3 to 18 - $10, up to 3 years - free.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Quintin K. 1 year ago on Google
    The Peabody Museum has some very interesting collections of artifacts from the many native peoples of North and South America. Their exhibit on North American Mound Builders is particularly detailed and fascinating. Admission allows you to see the Harvard Museum of Natural History as well. Seeing both is a great afternoon activity.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danijela 1 year ago on Google • 11 reviews
    I really enjoyed the North America exhibit, very detailed, interesting and beautifully presented. I definitely recommend seeing the glass flowers collection, they are beautifully made and the details and accuracy are stunning. The minerals collection is quite impressive. I liked that one can walk freely between this museum and the Museum of Natural History.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darold L. 3 years ago on Google
    “Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.”
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emily B. 5 years ago on Google
    Wonderful small museum packed with excellent specimens from the natural world and more. Felt lucky to have made it to the ‘Art of War’ exhibition.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter S. 5 years ago on Google • 370 reviews
    3 floors of history about exploring our species’ history. Pretty meta. In all seriousness, a great and vibrant collections. Lots of native peoples exhibits, interesting stories of past major exhibitions, and well curated rooms to explore. Definitely could spend a long time here to look more closely

  • 4/5 Natalie D. 6 months ago on Google • 91 reviews
    Covering several distinct areas, this is a great little museum to visit. My favourite sections are on the Columbian Exposition and the different sites set up there from around the world but the old school Harvard Freshman's Dinner section is great too (love the specified cigarette brands on the original menu too!). This is a museum that's at its best on focused exhibitions however some sections can feel just a tad meandering. Very good value ticket offering you access to the Natural History too (and the free Ancient Near East and Scientific Instruments museums are pretty close too!). There are restrooms and lift access to each floor as well as a small gift shop in the lobby (the lady on the counter was very friendly too!). I would also say take a back-up method of payment too- I bought tickets at the Natural History and their card machine was really acting up (card worked fine in all other stores both before and after)- got there in the end but wouldn't want anyone to miss out!

  • 5/5 ajanta b. 5 years ago on Google • 88 reviews
    This place, including the adjacent natural history museum, is one of the best museums in the country. The 5 hours we spent were not nearly enough! There is so much to learn and see, and the collection is presented so beautifully that you actually want to spend time reading it all. I kept wishing that I lived in Boston, just so I could go there every week and take the time to really absorb everything and appreciate what Harvard has done here. Expect random school children groups to come through (who don't understand what they have and we don't 🙁) and distract you.

  • 5/5 Eduardo Y. 10 months ago on Google • 63 reviews
    Awesome museum with a lot of information on the indigenous tribes all around the world, I learned a lot and I enjoy the visit with my family.

  • 5/5 Austin B. 4 months ago on Google • 31 reviews
    Very cool displays of animals, gems and minerals, and other natural history. From a creepy wall of beetles to giant replicas of Giant Hairy Sloths, it's a great walk through Harvard Yard to get there from the bus. 2 hours or more to get the full experience

  • 5/5 Ethan C. 1 year ago on Google
    An extensive collection of Native American and Mesoamerican artifacts and information. Tons of information with recreations and inside information about the archaeological process. This museum also connects to the Peabody Natural History museum on the 3rd floor, which is also excellent. It reminds me of a smaller Smithsonian.

  • 3/5 Leslie A. 4 years ago on Google
    Is a great place to learn about ancient cultures.

  • 5/5 hashim k. 4 years ago on Google
    I live it, seeing different rock from all over the world it was incredible

  • 5/5 Tracey O. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved this museum. So interesting. So many animals on display. Enjoyed it all.

  • 2/5 Kendra S. 4 years ago on Google
    The collection was very nice but the staffs were not friendly.

  • 5/5 Laura Patricia Núñez O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) And I would visit again. I loved (Original) Y lo volvería a visitar. Me encantó

  • 3/5 Edison R. 2 years ago on Google
    A lot to see, authentic artifacts of native cultures. They should make it more accessible to low income communities. If you have little to no resources you will not be able to appreciate what is here. I brought my family members for them to enjoy and learn and they really liked it but the costs quickly added up to $75. A cost which was difficult for me to afford. Most attendees seem to be Harvard students. I am a decendent of the Mayan peoples and am privileged enough to see what my ancestors have left. But I know there are others like me who will never lay eyes on what is held here. Very sad to say.

  • 5/5 Jordan H. 1 year ago on Google
    They have a really interesting array of artifacts from an unexpectedly broad and complete world view of history. This is accessible through the Harvard Museum of Natural history and both combined are the perfect size to fit in an afternoon.

  • 5/5 Danny S. 4 years ago on Google
    A must see

  • 5/5 Matthew P. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a great museum, reasonably priced, where you are able to see some really cool exhibits and learn some cool stuff. On the beautiful Harvard campus, and close to other attractions.

  • 5/5 Todd M. 4 years ago on Google
    What an incredible place. I can't say enough about it. Every room is filled with amazing collections.

  • 5/5 Caitlin L. 4 years ago on Google
    The exhibits are set up great and are so informative

  • 5/5 Lark A. 1 year ago on Google
    This is part of a bundle for entry into the Harvard museums. Takes about 35 minutes to go through- absolutely no parking on site. The first floor has some nice interactive moments for kids, but the upper levels do not (more adult audience).

  • 5/5 CLAUDIA 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting (Original) Interesante

  • 5/5 packet H. 1 year ago on Google
    The North America collection was detailed and thoughtfully presented. Loved learning about the significance of blue roan horses. Of course do not miss seeing the famous glass flowers.

  • 5/5 Wendy A. 1 year ago on Google
    Small but exquisite collection that gives a good overview to the development of anthropology, featuring American cultures. Joint entry fee with Museum of Natural History.

  • 5/5 paige m. 4 years ago on Google
    Always a great time

  • 5/5 Brady A T. 4 years ago on Google
    This was one really awesome place to go and spend an afternoon looking at so many different exhibits, from geology and geology to ancient cultures, and even to modern biomes! Really awesome place, truely.

  • 1/5 Ivan M. 3 years ago on Google
    This museum financed the illegal exploration and ransacking of Mayan archeological sites for over 30 years, every single Mayan artifact you see here was stolen from the Yucatan peninsula, stripped of it's archeological context without even being properly listed so that it could be sold, to this day no one knows for sure how many items where sacked or where they ended up, this museum is directly responsible for one of the biggest atrocities to science and culture of the XIX and XX century, and they won't even admit it, scum.

  • 5/5 LS T. 10 months ago on Google
    We arranged for a visit for a school group who had an interest in native American artifacts and history so from a quick search, we discovered the Peabody Museum and I'm so glad we did! The group had a wonderful visit and setting up the tour through their staff was seamless. Highly recommend a visit if your coming to the area, especially if you are a student travel group.

  • 4/5 Eithne M. 10 months ago on Google
    Informative Native American exhibits - you can learn a lot about the indigenous history of Harvard's Indian College as well. So many interesting Native American artifacts and stories of objects that have been repatriated. However, some exhibits (Resetting the Table for example) seemed to be pushing a political agenda to be anti-colonialist/anti-elitist which felt hypocritical 1) being immediately juxtaposed with exhibits about peoples like the Mayans with a bloody, violent history and who practiced human sacrifice and 2) being at a very historically elitist institution.

  • 4/5 Siew L. 10 months ago on Google
    Interesting museum with many archeological artefacts through the ages. There is a room full of glass plants and flowers. Plus it is connected to a museum with plenty of amazing rocks, stones and minerals of our globe.

  • 3/5 William S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to gather with family and friends.

  • 4/5 Sneha C. 5 years ago on Google
    Expected a huge collection, but so far whatever is located is quite unique but dims in front of the Museum of Fine arts collection. This is definitely a recommended museum for all the collection and educative information the exhibits carry.

  • 4/5 Z. C. 3 years ago on Google
    A small collection of artifacts (quite a bit smaller than I was expecting). You can power through in half an hour if needed and still see everything (without reading the descriptions). A pretty heavy focus on cultural artifacts from the Americas, which is nice because that's often not as central to many other larger and more famous museums. Could use a bit of elbow grease on some of the more aged exhibits for cleanup and retouching.

  • 5/5 Luke S. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting and dynamic museum focussed on anthropology and related topics. Exhibits are renewed frequently but what doesn't change is the combination of insightful organization and interesting content.

  • 5/5 jose m. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very cool (Original) Muito legal

  • 4/5 Michael L. 4 years ago on Google
    Not as good as the natural history museum, but something you can combine with that to make a full morning or afternoon.

  • 5/5 Ina L. 4 years ago on Google
    Very information rich

  • 5/5 Jonathan B. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent museum, the glass flowers are amazing. Always learn something new when I go here.

  • 4/5 詹益銘 4 years ago on Google
    High quality museum.

  • 5/5 J E. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A good cultural place (Original) Un buen lugar cultural

  • 5/5 Marc W. 4 years ago on Google
    Legendary science collection curated by Harvard... The glass flower exhibit is not to be missed! You may not believe some of them aren't real...

  • 4/5 Leah M. 4 years ago on Google
    A wealth of Native American artefacts and stories, with a visible consultation with Native communities & elders, repatriation of certain sacred items, and partnership over Native representation throughout the exhibits. A fairly short visit. The museum is connected to the Natural History museum, so you get two museums for one ticket.

  • 5/5 magno caterino mahecha l. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful collection of ancestral cultures (Original) Hermosa colección de culturas ancestrales

  • 5/5 April I. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit! Beautiful museum.

  • 4/5 Jezrielle B. 4 years ago on Google
    Fun day, lots of stuff to see

  • 4/5 kenny h. 4 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed my time spent hete !!

  • 5/5 Phil S. 4 years ago on Google
    I've been here more than 20 times, yet I always find something new and fascinating. Very well curated!

  • 4/5 Leon P. 4 years ago on Google
    Is a great place to learn about ancient cultures. I can't think of a better museum here in the USA for the topic. You might want to go ahead and buy the guide. Ia just great.

  • 5/5 mike f. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting and informative lots of pieces for display.

  • 5/5 Luke D. 4 years ago on Google
    Outstanding museum, gotta see it for yourself.

  • 5/5 N H. 4 years ago on Google
    I went to the Smithsonian and was highly I wasn't Disappointed with this museum there was lots to see read & learn the glass flowers blew me away the Smithsonian had two dinos this museum had more I love

  • 4/5 Hector R. 4 years ago on Google
    Too many nice things. Good admission price .

  • 5/5 Marilyn C. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful examples of American Indian artifacts.

  • 5/5 Zevach 4 years ago on Google
    Very nice experience for the whole family.

  • 1/5 Johnathon L. 2 years ago on Google
    I would really like to visit this museum. The treasure trove of artifacts here belong to all of us around the world. Our history and heritage is there especially our Native American history. My one star review is based on the frustration that the museum leaders have refused to open to the public. They say it is due to COVID, which I can understand to some degree. But every other small and large business, aquarium, and presidential library in the greater Boston area is open. These other institutions are trying to serve the public, but the Peabody museum would rather hold back than put the public first. This doesn’t seem right to me.

  • 5/5 Anthony M. 4 years ago on Google
    History son🔥🔥🔥

  • 4/5 Lisa E. 4 years ago on Google
    Wide variety of artifacts from native American cultures.


Call (617) 496-1027 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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