Plan a Visit

Information about directions, maps, parking, handicapped access and more to help you get the most out of your visit to the Museum of Natural History

 

How to get here

The Museum is located in Macbride Hall on the University of Iowa Pentacrest in downtown Iowa City, Iowa.

Regional Map

 

Parking

We recommend parking in one of the many downtown ramps (Old Capitol Mall, Pappajohn, Iowa Memorial Union, or Clocktower Plaza).

Campus Parking Map

 

Visiting the Museum

All galleries in the Museum are open to the public during regular Museum hours without prior arrangement. If you have a large group (more than 10) or would like a guided tour of Iowa Hall please schedule a tour before your visit. The Museum requests that you call to schedule your tour at least a week before the desired date.

 

Scheduling a Tour

Guided tours are available Tuesday through Sunday with a prior reservation. Tours focus on the exhibits in Iowa Hall, and tours of the Bird and Mammal Galleries are mostly self-guided by the groups. All tours are free. The Museum requests that you call to schedule your tour at least a week before the desired date.

To schedule a tour, please contact the Education Coordinator, or call 319-335-0606 during Museum hours.

 

To see which tours are currently available please check the schedule here. This schedule is updated often, but please contact the Museum to verify open times listed. The schedule was last updated 11/3/09.

 

Special instructions for teachers and other tour group leaders

 

Accessibility

The Museum is handicapped accessible through an entrance on the east side of Macbride Hall, adjacent to the stairs leading up to our main entrance. An elevator provides access to all Museum galleries. Please note: classes in Macbride Auditorium periodically block access to the William and Eleanor Hageboeck Hall of Birds on the third floor, at which time stairs provide the only means of entrance. If this is a critical issue, please contact the Museum or call 319-335-0606, and the staff can inform you about the auditorium schedule.

 

Foreign Languages

Free written guides for Iowa Hall are available in the Iowa Hall lobby in French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese (traditional and simplified).

 

Guides and Scavenger Hunts

Add some new adventures to your next visit using these guides.

 

Gift Shop

Visitors will find the Museum gift shop in the lobby of Iowa Hall offering a variety of books, rocks, minerals, t-shirts, jewelry, plush and plastic animals, and many other items. Items can be paid for with check, cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and University of Iowa staff/student charge.

 

Renting a Gallery

The Museum galleries are available after-hours to University of Iowa groups. Please contact the Assistant Director or call 319-384-3601 for more information.