CLOSE  
  • Accessibility
Menu Close

Museum of the Earth

Hyde Park Mastodon
Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institute
Finding fossils
Steggy
Corral reef tank
Fossil Prep Lab
Right Whale
Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7) Enlarge Photo (1/7)
Finger Lakes Region
Details

Museum of the Earth provides a unique opportunity to explore Earth and its prehistoric past—from the tiniest trilobites to the mighty mastodon—through engaging and interactive displays, hands-on features, stunning fossils, and science-inspired art. The museum’s 8,000-square-foot permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the 4.5 billion years of history, from the Earth’s origin to the present day. Through hands-on, visual exhibitions and outreach, the Museum of the Earth encourages critical thinking about life on Earth in the past and today, and how our species is affecting the natural world.

  • Marvel at the Hyde Park Mastodon—one of the most complete mastodon skeletons ever found.
  • Find and take home your own fossil from the Fossil Lab.
  • Visit Steggy the Stegosaurus in the Jurassic-themed early-learner Dino Zone.
  • Watch as dinosaur bones and other fascinating specimens are uncovered in our Fossil Prep Lab.
  • View the 44-foot long Right Whale #2030 skeleton and learn her story.
  • Journey 540 million years back in time through our 500-foot mural, Rock of Ages, Sands of Time.
  • Discover the diversity of life in our coral reefs and learn how changing climates shape the Earth.

The Museum is a public educational venue of the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI).  Founded in 1932, PRI has outstanding programs in research, collections, publications, and public education. The Institution cares for a collection of over five million fossil specimens (one of the 10 largest in the U.S.), and has published the Bulletins of American Paleontology--the oldest paleontological journal in the Western Hemisphere--since 1895. PRI is a national leader in the development of Earth science and climate change education resources for educators and the general public. PRI and its two public venues for education, the Museum of the Earth and the Cayuga Nature Center, are separate from, but formally affiliated with Cornell University, and interact closely with numerous University departments in research, teaching, and public outreach.

The Museum of the Earth is a partner in the ASTC Travel Passport Program, and a proud member of Ithaca’s Discovery Trail.

Hours:
Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day): Daily 10am - 5pm
Winter (Labor Day - Memorial Day): Thu - Mon 10am - 5pm (closed Tues. & Wed.)

Just 2 miles north of downtown Ithaca on Route 96, just south of the Cayuga Medical Center.

 

Amenities

Amenities

General
  • Wheelchair Accessible:

Things To Do

General
  • Winter Indoor Activity:
Museums
  • Science-Natural History:
Accessibility

Accessible Amenities

Blind/Low Vision
  • Blind/Low Vision Accommodations:
  • Signage: Partial
  • Staff Orientation to Venue: Yes
  • Special Programs: Yes
  • Guided Tour: Yes
Cognitive/Autism Spectrum
  • Cognitive/Autism Spectrum Accommodations:
  • Sensory Kits Available: Yes
Deaf and/or Hearing Loss
  • Deaf and/or Hearing Loss Accommodations:
  • Closed-Captioned Films/Videos: Yes
General
  • Accessible Amenities:
  • Accessible Car Parking Onsite: Yes
  • Accessible Van Parking Onsite: Yes
  • Assistive Equipment: Yes
  • Special Programs: Yes
  • Service Animal Relief: Yes
Mobility/Wheelchair Access
  • Mobility/Wheelchair Access Accommodations:
  • Accessible Bathroom: Yes
  • Accessible Entrance: Yes
  • Accessible Route: Partial
  • Special Programs: Yes
  • Accessible Guided Tour: Yes
Trip Advisor
Map

See What's Nearby

  • Show All
  • Places to Stay
  • Restaurants
  • Things to Do
  • Most Popular