Things to do in Ann Arbor! That are FREE Episode 1 of 3 ❤️😍 I am a baddie on a budget ❤️ That loves to explore. Today we went to the U of M natural history museum… @ummnh_museum which has been completely renovated 🥰 It’s always a good time to explore Natural History, or chat with a biologist! I spent around 2 hours here. I could have stayed longer. They have great places to sit and study. Let’s talk about the cost! It was FREE!

Wow! What a great time my family had here. My 6yo is really into dinosaurs right now and he absolutely loved this museum. There's so much to see on all 3 levels, way too much to list. I thought it was really neat to see scientists actually working and be able to see their labs. Interesting, educational, and lots of fun for all ages. The gift shop had a nice selection of items for sale. Admission is free. Place is new and very clean. My only complaint is finding the building and where to park, which was hectic and stressful. I drove past this building and around the block probably 4 times before I realized there was an underground parking garage and it was in the middle of a campus. Google maps isn't up to date on the parking location. This is a must see if you like museums. Recommend!

It is very nice, but I believe I prefer the old set up in the old building. It was very hard to figure out how to get there due to so much construction. It’s a lot bigger space with what it seems like less displays. For smaller children it is not engaging by have a lot of visuals. They have more brighter/newer displays with a lot of reading. It’s many levels but there is actual workspace for researchers to do their work. There was nobody in lab when we walked through. Cafe was closed which was a bummer

Really awesome place, with thorough exhibits, easy to maneuver with a stroller and plenty of room to roam even when busy. All ages can appreciate. There are video displays, hands on exhibits, and lots of reading too - go as deep as you want! I can't believe this resource is free to visit! Suggested donation of $10. Even if you believe in a young earth, this is a great visit and very informative.

What a great museum. It's not super huge or anything, but it's got what you need. I particularly liked how they had people at different places throughout the museum to answer questions. The woman working on Fossils, Ava, was really nice. She was definitely very knowledgeable about the subject. The way she interacted with two young boys, who were asking questions, was great. I am sure those kids left the museum feeling inspired. I found the fossils from Michigan the most fascinating. It's neat to see what was once right in our own backyard. The planetarium wasn't open when I was there, so I will definitely make a point of coming back to see it.

Quite an interesting place to visit for all ages. It is not huge as compared to some other Natural History museums but it had high quality exhibits and lots of information. Wonderful place to visit with kids. Keeping it free is a really good step in making science accessible to all.

Had a fantastic experience here! It was astonishing how much they had here to look at, be hands on with and taught about! Everyone there was incredibly nice and informative. They had such an array of things to see, definatly reccommend coming here!

July 2023 - came here with my 3 daughters (5, 7 and 10). All of us had a great time. I was told to start on the top floor and then you can leave in the Lower level when you are done. Bathrooms are on each level. A lot of nice exhibits. On the top floor there is more for the kids to try. There are some where the kids have to be 8 and older or 10 and older to do the activity. A lot to do and look at. I love the exhibit about Michigan. The museum was free but you can give them a donation if you would like. There is an exhibit that you have to pay to see. I think it was $8 per person. They do have a cafe but not sure if it's worth trying. By the time we went over there it was closed. The staff was very helpful, and from 1pm-3pm you can ask the scientist's a question, if they are around. Overall, a very nice place to visit. I would suggest you go here and bring the family. My 5yr old daughter wanted to take some pictures. I hope you enjoy many from her view point.

We had a blast. Admission was free! We did pay for parking at a nearby parking deck, recommended on their website. Lots of things to do with kids here. There is also a place to get some food, which we were surprised was decently priced! We did see attend one of the Planetarium shows “We are Stars”. It was $8 per person. We enjoyed it, but I do not recommend if you get motion sickness easily. We also did the aquarium tour with Professor Jim Bardwell. What a cool aquarium! It was very personalized to us, as we were the only 2 people who showed up for the tour that day. He fed many of the animals for us to watch. Highly recommend.

Great place to visit with kids. Parking available. Scientific models are awesome,easy to understand and fun. Curious people get to learn a lot about science and scientific history. I would recommend to attend the show at dome theatre its 8$ per person entry fee. Dinosaur skeletons at entry point is really cool.

My 3 & 4 year old had a great time viewing g various exhibits and navigating the stairs. I still miss all the various exhibits that the previous location had to offer, but love how interactive and viewable the biology lab and various other exhibits appear.

We took our 19 month son here on the weekend. He had an amazing time despite being very young. They have wonderful hands on exhibits in addition to more observational ones. Highly recommended.

Really great and FREE museum. If your looking for something affordable to take the kids to for a couple of hours, this is one of your best options in Ann Arbor. The planetarium is also cool, but it does cost eight dollars per person to get into that part and most of the programs are anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes long. It also doesn’t seem as though there are as many displays or featured items like there were in the old museum… But the way this one is designed, it is just a far better experience than the old one.

Museum of Natural history is one of the interesting places in Ann Arbor. There is a history of natural sciences from different countries of the world showing animals and their living in last thousands of years. I enjoyed going through all the places inside the museum and good knowledge about many animals which have got extinct. A nice place for those who love natural sciences.

Such an amazing museum! It’s free (but you can donate) and the planetarium shows are about $8. There is so much great information about the nature on Michigan. I learned so much and we spent the entire day looking at exhibits. I would recommend this museum for anyone of any age.

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is a must-visit for families with kids. The museum is packed with fascinating scientific models that are both educational and entertaining. The displays are well-designed, making it easy to understand and engage with the scientific concepts being presented. Whether you're a student, teacher, or just a curious individual, this museum is a great place to deepen your knowledge of science and scientific history. One of the standout features of the museum is its impressive collection of fossils and rocks. From dinosaur skeletons to ancient stones, there's something here for everyone with an interest in the natural world. The museum staff is knowledgeable and passionate about their collections, and they are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Parking near the museum can be a bit of a challenge, but there are several parking lots nearby where you can park and take the elevator up to the ground level. The museum is free to visit, making it an accessible and affordable option for families on a budget.

Visited during grad week with lots of informative tables and students showing their work. The exhibits were great and it was very walkable for my senior uncle who joined me. Will definitely return!

This was my first time since the move to the new building. I was disappointed. There were some cool new additions, but the change from the scenery based exhibits to mainly electronic based exhibits made it less enjoyable. They did add a lot more tactile exhibits that strongly encouraged touching. So I guess they had that going for them.

It's a lot to do here for the kids and a lot to learn for adults. Also, there's great surveys for the kids to take and learn from " with parents' permission" by great Survey takers.

Loved the coral reef tank tour with Professor Bardwell! A small but fascinating exhibit with a variety of specimens. As a marine science major, it was very cool to see the self-sustaining tanks. Great for all ages!

Great little museum that's free to enter and has quite a few interesting displays. If youre walking around Ann Arbor I highly recommend taking a stroll through it.

Brilliant museum to visit. So glad they opened on Saturday! Took my family there for a quick Ann Arbor visit. My kiddos loved it! So much to see for kids and adults. Clean facility, free for all admission, would love to come back next time we are in Michigan.

Wonderful museum! I've been going to this museum for well over 30 years. The remodel is absolutely amazing with wonderful hands on exhibits to keep new generations interested while educating them!

Worth checking out at least once. My daughter is into dinosaurs so we made the drive to check out the dinosaur exhibit. There was plenty to look at and we learned some things about Michigan while we were there. It wasn't overcrowded, but I wish the snack bar was open on weekends. It would have been a nice break to grab a refreshment and get off our feet for a moment.

My kids, age 7 and 4, really enjoyed the museum on a rainy afternoon. The museum is currently only open Friday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm and does require reservations. I did ask and was informed that you can also walk-in and register at the door. It was not crowded at all on a Friday at 2pm.

Had the best time here! I want to give a special shout out to Eve who was working the Michigan wildlife exhibit. She was so sweet and patient with my 6 year old and really took the time to listen and answer every question my daughter had. She made our time spent here extra special!

The planetarium shows were all sold out but it was still a great time.

Great place for children of all ages. It's free. Read the instructions on their website for parking because it's very straightforward and easy if you have the directions. Easy to get around and you can see most of it in about an hour. 2 hours if you take the time to read everything.

Beautiful museum on campus. Showed up about half an hour before closing and had time for a few exhibits. Interactive. Busy but not crowded. Lots of fossils, rocks and minerals. Some working labs are visible.

This museum is very well put together and extremely informative. Admission is free on Sundays(including parking) and most of the workers are students at the university so they are passionate about their jobs. There are some REALLY cool exhibits for all ages and activities for a wide range of people and ages. I didn't have a chance to attend the planetarium but next time we visit, we are planning to attend the planetarium show. If you have nothing to do on a Sunday and love free activities with the family, I strongly suggest going to the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

Very cool free museum. Maybe not worth a trip all on its own but certainly something cool to experience if you are coming to the AA area.

Visited here in February 2024. The museum is enjoyable and has a good variety of exhibits. The food court, however, does not have a wide range of food items. Overall. this is a nice place to visit!

The most amazing museum that I have been too!! Truly an honor to be able too see all of which presides inside 🤓

Great place to explore and take the kids on the weekend. Lots of cool exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to cellular biology to space. Entry is free but donate if you can. Parking is free on Sundays.

The museum is beautifully set up with a vast array of specimens and educational information. There are interactive opportunities for a wide age range, from kids to adults. We especially enjoyed the area displaying Michigan habitats, the minerals and gems and the amazing fossils telling the story of life's development on earth.

Fantastic exhibits! Great place for Sunday afternoon with the grandkids!

This place is so cool and FREE admission! (Planetarium is extra) Sundays are free parking too. And if you go on their website they explain directions and parking very well. The route from the parking garage to the museum is well marked. It's not far but a lot of other buildings in the courtyard to get confused. It's a multi-level building full of all things science. You can even talk directly to scientists working on projects. There are also 12 hidden paintings around the common spaces. We only found two.

Very educational and fun place for any age group. Great for family visit! It's free to enter but well worth the $10 donation!

The new building is fantastic, it really put the different display in their best position. It is an easy museum to visit with kids and adults. The dinosaur part have some great fossil. It is also very cool to the University at works thanks to windows into the divers lab. The planetarium is a fantastic experience. Must do. Parking is nice and not too pricey (free sometimes like during winter break).

This place is incredible! I could get lost in here and never be bored. My only complaint is that they close at 4. Admission is free. Go on a day when the planetarium is open and buy your tickets to see a show in there. You will not regret it!

Had a wonderful afternoon at the museum with my 13 year old. We had a lot of fun exploring the exhibits and she took her time to read almost everything. The building is beautiful and everything flows well together. The planetarium show was a delight and a great way to end our trip.

Free for groups under 10. Donations suggested. Planetarium is extra cost though. We enjoyed it.

This is a great museum to visit. My three children loved that they could touch things at almost every display. We will be making a return visit here in the future!

Nice museum, clean and very nicely displayed items. It's a little hard to find. GPS takes you to the wrong place. It doesn't have a dedicated parking lot so look for the public parking deck to park, get on the south elevator and follow the signs.

What a great museum! Fun kids activities for all ages, really cool info about history, genetics, cells, and Michigan wildlife. Had a blast with my 5 year old, will probably check back at least once a year with her and her younger brother as he grows.

I took my mom here for her birthday and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of interesting exhibits and free knowledge we acquired! I'll definitely bring my son back when he's older. Great place for kids and adults alike with interactive exhibits, friendly staff and an affordable gift shop!

I had a very good experience here as a young person. If you are feeling inspired to see some science then this is the place for you. I've been here multiple times and it is very interactive and it is a good place for older children, (averaged) puberty-aged, and teens. Little kids could enjoy it but I think that it is good to say that it is a place that older people and kids would enjoy better. Here are my opinions on the museum and my experience. Vocab: intelligible - able to be understood; comprehensible moot - subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty scrupulous - (of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details 1. Nice Staff and Employees: The staff and employees in this place are very nice and friendly. They are trustworthy and my mother had no problem with them. 2. Understandable Science: The science showcases were really understandable and intelligible. I think it's great for older learners of science since it covers topics that you may learn in 7th grade and above and maybe a bit of 6th grade depending on your (home)/school's curriculum since topics such as genetics and theories of which I believe are untrue but lets not get too moot right now. The museum would actually be great for a school field trip since it correlates with the topics taught in middle and maybe high school which I have not reached yet. 3. Modern Interior and Design: If you know me personally at this time, you know I am heavily scrupulous when it comes to interior and a space's design. If you are planning on starting or thinking of a school, museum, or any sort of building then I suggest coming here. It is modern and the information is well organized. It is a very unique place for us citizens of Michigan. (of course 8th graders. We are all citizens of the US and not our own individual states.) It is special to us since it's not so common to see modern spaces up north so it really stands out. 4. Science & Information: It gives really good information you could learn from. Genetics, theories/experiments, biology, marine biology, geology, objects from space, dinosaurs, and embryology are the main topics in the building. My summary overall is that it is a great place for people with an imagination, ideas, and wonder. It is the dream place for people searching for a modern space or are design nerds like I. If you have older kids who are struggling to find a place appropriate for their age to enjoy, then bring them here. This may be a place worth coming too again. Fun Fact: Science museums have some of the largest collections of science, engineering, and math objects and exhibits. These exhibits can include the discovery of the light bulb and the Apollo capsule.

Museum was great, clean and had a few interactive stations for the younger kids. Lots of seating throughout to just enjoy the displays. We did the planetarium show and it was near unbearable with the person that narrated the show. I would like to think I am just a negative exception but we were in a group of 16 people and majority of our group felt the same. The over enthusiastic, yelling, repeating and over the top moving of the laser pointer was too much. The speaker would try to talk so fast and enthusiastically that she would have to pause to suck in air and swallow (audibly). You would think it would be a relaxing experience but her vocal presentation made it so our group couldn’t wait for it to be over. Not trying to be mean because it is nice she enjoys it so much but toning it down or at least reducing the volume of the speakers would have helped. I highly recommend supervisors to sit in and listen to give positive reviews for her to adjust. Visit on 2/4/24.