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North Museum of Nature and Science

400 College Ave · Lancaster, PA

Why you should go…

The North Museum of Nature and Science is a natural history museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, founded in 1953 and independent from Franklin and Marshall College since 1992. It holds more than 360,000 specimens across three floors of exhibit space, including a dinosaur gallery, a live animal room and central Pennsylvania's largest planetarium. General admission is 13 dollars for adults, juniors and seniors, with planetarium shows available separately or as a combo ticket.

  • #museum
  • #planetarium
  • #dinosaurs
  • #science
  • #family

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to North Museum of Nature and Science, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Theatre & Events
    Date Night

    Prima Theatre

    $25–$50

    Intimate Lancaster, Pennsylvania venue presenting contemporary theatrical productions and concerts.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Museums
    History Buff

    LancasterHistory

    Under $25

    Lancaster County's history museum and the historic Wheatland estate of President James Buchanan.

    0.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Theatre & Events
    Iconic

    Fulton Theatre

    $25–$50

    A National Historic Landmark theatre in downtown Lancaster, reportedly the oldest working theatre in the US.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Theatre & Events

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Lancaster City Welcome Center

    Free

    The City of Lancaster's own visitor welcome center offering maps, brochures and walking tour information for downtown Lancaster.

    0.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Historic Rock Ford

    Under $25

    The preserved 1794 Georgian mansion of George Washington's Adjutant General, Edward Hand.

    2.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Ressler Mill Foundation

    Free

    A free, guided tour of a working water-powered grist mill and 1855 miller's home in Lancaster County Amish country.

    8.7 mi awayMore like this