Reviews of Beneski Museum of Natural History (Museum)

Jared Clark

Free entry. Fantastic local geology exhibits

Philip Blyth

I have rarely seen a small museum this refined. It is a real gem... The collection is varied and rather large (the walls are lined with pull-drawers filled with fossils that tell a story when opened in order), and while some sites labeled it as "not kid friendly", my 4-year-old was enchanted with the awe inspiring towering fossils of full dinosaurs, skulls and 2 gorgeous specimens of mammoth. He delighted in pulling open every single drawer, and asked for an explanation of every single one. True, it's not a "touchie feelie" kind of museum, but it's a museum that presents its collection in a kind of halo of awe and reverence for the countless eons it represents, and certain kids will pick up on this and become enthralled...! There are certain pieces that you can touch, especially in the very large "footprints" collection, which my kids loved pretending he was a dinosaur in :D

Eve Ouradou

Wonderful collection of fossils. Worth it to see Hitchcock's ichnological cabinet.

Matthew Alger

It's a neat museum and it's free. However, the guides don't always seem to understand the exhibits well. While I was there, they answered a question from another guest about how we know some thing or another by saying, "Well, we have scientists for that." They do color the plaster to contrast real bones, so it is neat to see how the skeletons are reconstructed. Most of the fossils are nearly complete.

Kenneth Santiago

Cool dinosaur stuff

Beth Chinigo

Hidden gem

Jeannifer Rodriguez

(Translated by Google) Excellent staff and with much knowledge. (Original) Excelente personal y con mucho conocimiento.

Silver Cole

Beautiful just beautiful, I live in town and I felt as if I was somewhere else!!!!!

Dee tee

Absolutely amazing. Had no idea this place even existed. Will definitely be back when we have more time to explore everything. Worth the trip for sure!

Vadim Sedletsky

Free to visit and tour !

candycoated biohazard

Loved it

Henk Hirl

Not only is the information on the website radically incorrect, it's also very difficult to find where you're supposed to go if it's your first time there. No signs anywhere, no free parking, no visit from me. Wasted so much time driving out here. Never going to attempt coming out again .

Dian Yustisiana

The mineral collection and the rock slabs with dinosaur tracks are AMAZING!!

Susan Stebbins

Wonderful museum. I've accompanied second grade classes there several times and it is always a huge hit. The staff is warm, they know their stuff and they know how to communicate effectively with second graders. Highly recommended!

Charlie Newman

This place rocks

Danielle Hardie

The Beneski Museum of Natural History has an outstanding collection of fossils. The exhibit has dinosaur bones, which includes a triceratops head and a tyrannosaurus rex head. The museum is free too! Their collection cannot be beat for a place that also has free admission.

Yiyao Li Barnoon

This place is amazing - such a hidden gem! According to Poke Stop introduction in the game Pokemon Go, it has the largest collection of dinosaur footprints! It's a fun place for both curious adults and kids!! It's free too! =) Strongly recommend if you're in the vicinity!

Jorden Ruszala

Really interesting, especially enjoyed the rocks and minerals. Wish they had more interactive exhibits.

Aries Fisher-Provost

I had no idea there was an actual mammoth on display right in my neighborhood! Definitely worth checking out, and free! Lots of signs saying do not touch though, which is understandable but difficult. Probably not a good place to bring a toddler

Matt S

Great mesuem, I would definitely recommend.

Brandon Sullivan

I was just at this museum and it was nice to look at the animals from the ice age

Hilary Caws-Elwitt

A gem - great for kids, great for all ages. Amazing skeletons, fossils, and a huge collection of dinosaur footprints. Don't miss the minerals collection in the hallways, and open all the drawers!

Joshua Vogel

Nice, small museum... Not great for small kids, and parking is an ordeal. Great exhibits regarding fossils and minerals. Definitely an excellent addition to a day trip in the area, but don't expect it to occupy you for more than an hour or two.

Sam Miller

Took the family to Amgerst for an impromptu Christmas holiday overnight. We had Beneski on our list and it didn't dissapoint. Hard to find on the campus as it lacks any notable signs, but once inside it's a great place. My daughters are 6 and 4 and loved the exhibits. The skeletons of Mamoths, Sabertooth Cats, and Dinosaurs is great. It's a very kid friendly place and we had fun both young and old. Just the right size for a couple of hours of learning fun!

Dr. Timothy Hoffman

Great place with grandkids

John Han

Everything is very well laid out and the staff is very informative.

Alec Chrzanowski

I have never been here for Google won't let me get rid of it so I'm sorry but I'm putting a review so I can get rid of it

Diane Callman

Wonderful large clear displays! Would return anytime. Extinct bird samples like passenger pigeon and ivory billed woodpeckers

Derrick Alcott

Make sure you ask the staff questions! They are very knowledgeable and will blow you away with interesting information that is not on the placards.

ABDALLAH BOUHOUARI

This place is just amazing and well displayed. Good for kids and adults. Free parking lot. It has 3 levels where the dinosaurs and some other animals such as the elk and some horses etc.. there is also a wide variety of rocks and archeological creatures. A good spot to spend some quality learning time.

Dianita Rossari Dewi

They have collection of real mammoth bones. You can also find mineral collection here. It is an eye-catchy museum. I love it!

Paul Ducharme

Very cool

MR ESPEJEL

Muy interesante. Excelente para niños un poco pequeño. Pero en realidad no deja mucho. Qué desear el personal del museo muy. Amable y con intensiones de ayudar en todo momento

Rajvardhan Deshmukh

Great collection and helpful people at the information desk

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I went there 25 years ago as a child and then I went a couple years back and although it was a new building it was a lot like I remembered. This place offers a great overview of the natural history of the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas, among others. It's not a very big museum but if you like to learn you could easily spend a couple hours here.

Sam Plouffe

Great museum that is free!

Joe Hardie

Great collection of fossils.

Penny Dixon Gumm

Small but mighty. Went there with our five-year-old grandson and we all loved it. Staff is friendly, informed and welcoming to all ages. Dinosaur footprints, Mastodon and mamouth skeletons and many others. The real things, not casts.

Spencer Shorkey

Really awesome Natural History museum, mostly fossil specimens and a lot of mineral. Some interesting geological history stories/models of New England also

Juss Peachyy

This was a stunning experience for my 3 year old. Two people warmly greeted us at the door and informed us what was available to see along with a brief explanation of what each floor had to offer. A hidden gem for my little fossil enthusiast.

Sam Wagner

Student-inspired theme Museum to Team Mascot Purple Mammoths Rule #NOLA_Haiku @AmherstCollege #CollegeMascot #Mammoths #LiberalArts #Haiku #NCAA @AmherstMammoths #QuietPassion #NewEngland #Amherst

Sam Steen

They had a good group of fossils and minerals that were definitely worth seeing

Dave Lawler

Impressive 'hidden gem' of a place with the largest collection of fossilized footprints in the world. Great for kids and adults.

Nethaniel Colon

Awesome. Quiet in summer cuz school's out.

Sandra Barton

Outstanding museum. Spent many hours there. Plan to visit again

Sudhamsu Manne

Quite densely packed with "plunders" of several expeditions mounted by Amherst College, among several other artifacts sourced from other museums. Casually curious visitors can spend over an hour here amongst the bones and stones of the valley.

Skye Tranqille

There is an impressive collection of fossils and different types geological formations in the forms of both rocks and crystals(although crystals are also rocks). The fossil collection is beautifully lit with descriptions and helpful guides are there to explain or just let you explore. Take your children to see ancient dinosaurs!

Amy Radder

A lovely hidden gem. An impressive collection of fossils and pleasant staff. Definitely worth the trip.

Cynthia Barrs

Excellent museum except for the lack of signage and visitor parking.

Molly Buchanen

Great place to visit.

Adam Wuoti

Dinosaurs!

Hank Sundell

Free entry, old rocks and bones to veiw.

James Boyd

All kinds of Flo's big and small

Caroline Santayana

Small, free, cram packed, and gorgeously displayed! Walking distance to other cool free museums

Sean Tobin

This one location houses more knowledge than, let us say, Portland Oregon's OMSI. This while only operating under the umbrella of Natural History. Minus any dumbing down as well. The Beneski is an actual museum that sets about preserving fossilized specimens while maintaining and sharing the history of those who acquired this information. Give yourself several hours to take it all in and most definitely introduce yourself to the staff who can and will happily introduce you to all of the wonders contained therein at the Beneski!

Craig Cornell

Fantastic place for both adults and children.

Mark Lehrman

Great collection of fossils!

Mike M

It's free!

Viktor

Fantastic, most exhibits have been collected within 40 miles radius!