Peabody Museum of Natural History

Museum Large natural history museum at Yale with dinosaur fossils

Yale’s Peabody Museum in New Haven displays extensive fossil, mineral and anthropology collections-most famously dinosaur mounts-drawing students, families and science-minded visitors.

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The Peabody Museum of Natural History is Yale University’s natural history museum in New Haven, Connecticut, founded in 1866 with support from philanthropist George Peabody. It houses exhibition halls and large research collections in paleontology, anthropology, entomology and vertebrate zoology.

Key visitor attractions include the museum’s large dinosaur hall with mounted skeletons and casts, anthropological displays and rotating temporary exhibitions. The institution also supports active scientific research and houses extensive specimen collections used by scholars.

The museum was established in the 19th century and has expanded its exhibits and collections over time to serve both public education and university research. The building and galleries are part of Yale’s campus cultural and scientific facilities.

The Peabody Museum sits on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, near the university’s Science Hill area and within walking distance of downtown New Haven.

  • Founding: Founded in 1866 through a gift from philanthropist George Peabody, the museum forms part of Yale University's natural history and research infrastructure.
  • Highlights: The museum's dinosaur hall and large research collections make it one of the major university natural history museums in the United States; special exhibitions and school programs are regular features.

What to See #

  • Great Hall of Dinosaurs: A large permanent gallery in the Yale museum housing mounted dinosaur skeletons and casts, arranged in a vaulted exhibition hall popular with visitors of all ages.
  • Collections and research spaces: Research and object collections that support the museum's scientific work and exhibitions, containing millions of specimens across paleontology, entomology, vertebrate zoology and anthropology.
Peabody Museum of Natural History
Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
41.3175, -72.9199
Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays
Free (suggested donations for special exhibits)

How to Get to Peabody Museum of Natural History #

The Peabody Museum sits on the Yale University campus in downtown New Haven. It is a 10-15 minute walk from New Haven Union Station; local buses also serve the campus. Driving and campus parking are available but limited.

Tips for Visiting Peabody Museum of Natural History #

  • Visit the Great Hall to see the mounted Deinonychus skeleton and the iconic Yale mastodon casts early in the day to avoid school groups.
  • Check the museum's calendar for the changing exhibit schedule - some of the best displays are temporary and curated around Yale research.
  • If pressurized climate-controlled rooms bother camera sensors, point-and-shoots and phones often capture the shadowy dinosaur halls better than large DSLRs without a tripod.

Best Time to Visit Peabody Museum of Natural History #

Indoor attraction - visit any season for exhibits; weekdays in term time are less crowded.

Year-round (museum)
All months · Indoor climate-controlled
Crowds peak during summer and university term starts; weekdays outside school holidays are the quietest.
Autumn (Sept-Nov)
September-November · Indoor climate-controlled
When Yale's academic calendar is active and the city feels busier - still a good time for combining campus architecture walks with the museum visit.

Weather & Climate near Peabody Museum of Natural History #

Climate

Peabody Museum of Natural History's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1184 mm/year), wettest in April, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm).

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 29°

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 28°

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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