Inside view.
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Natural History Museum and Vivarium

4.5
·952 reviews·Tournai, Belgium

Discover a world of natural wonders, from ancient taxidermy to a vibrant butterfly pavilion and live vivarium. An affordable gem for all ages.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
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Inside view.

Natural History Museum and Vivarium

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more peaceful

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover a world of natural wonders, from ancient taxidermy to a vibrant butterfly pavilion and live vivarium. An affordable gem for all ages.

4.5
(952 reviews)

"A beautiful museum, very well maintained, with a gorgeous vivarium and butterfly garden included. Reddit"

Vertical photo
TIP

🦋 Butterfly Garden Bliss

Allow extra time for the butterfly pavilion; it's a highlight for many visitors.

💰 Affordable Entry

The entrance fee is very reasonable, making it a great value for families.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Enchanting Butterfly Pavilion

The Enchanting Butterfly Pavilion

Vivarium

Wander through a lush greenhouse filled with vibrant butterflies, a truly peaceful and tranquil experience.

Reddit
Impressive Taxidermy Collection

Impressive Taxidermy Collection

Main Exhibition Halls

Marvel at a vast array of taxidermied animals, including impressive giraffe skeletons and diverse species.

Reddit
Live Reptile and Amphibian Displays

Live Reptile and Amphibian Displays

Vivarium

Discover a fascinating collection of live reptiles, amphibians, and spiders, offering a glimpse into diverse ecosystems.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit: Timing is Key

The Natural History Museum and Vivarium is a gem, but can get busy. Consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds, especially if you're traveling with children. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended to secure your spot and potentially skip queues. Reddit

Budget-Friendly Exploration

This museum offers incredible value. With an affordable entrance fee, it's a fantastic option for families and budget travelers looking for an enriching experience. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
Good for families with kids
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The Natural History Museum is here 🍃🦕 Officially opening to the public tomorrow, the NHM Abu Dhabi adds yet another cultural institution to the Saadiyat Cultural District 🤩 Get ready to see historic natural wonders like Stan the T-rex, one of the best-preserved fossils of this famous predator; and a 1.3kg fragment of Murchison, a 7-billion-year-old pre-solar meteorite 😱 📍Saadiyat Cultural Distr...
yallaabudhabi
5.3K likes • 137.5K views

🦋 Butterfly Garden Bliss

Allow extra time for the butterfly pavilion; it's a highlight for many visitors. Reddit

💰 Affordable Entry

The entrance fee is very reasonable, making it a great value for families. Reddit

Natural History Museum sleepover was one of the best thing I did in London They have for adults and kids so make sure to book the right one. The dates are : 📍 July 4th 📍 August 1st 📍 October 18th Natural History Museum throws a sleep over party once a month for adults called Dinosnore. You sleep overnight at the museum but they also have a lot of activities that are actually interesting. The...
rollinjoint1
238.8K likes • 3.1M views
The Natural History Museum has officially opened! 🦕🌎🇦🇪 We were one of the first to preview Abu Dhabi’s Natural History Museum (@nhm_abudhabi). Inside, the museum features a series of galleries and exhibitions that take you on a journey spanning 13.8 billion years of natural history, from the Big Bang and the birth of our solar system to the age of dinosaurs and the biodiversity we see today. It’s...
cntravellerme
1.6K likes • 128K views

🚶‍♀️ Stroller Friendly

The museum is accessible for strollers, and staff can assist with storage if needed. Reddit

⏱️ Quick Visit

Most visits take about an hour, perfect for a short outing. Reddit

Have you visited this “Cathedral to Nature”? Thank you @natural_history_museum for inviting me for an amazing architecture tour of the museum. It was truly amazing to see the museum before it open to the public. With stunning architecture and a world-class collection, the Natural History Museum should be on everyone’s visit list when making a trip to London.
greatbritisharchitecture
19.9K likes • 234.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🦋 Butterfly Garden Bliss

Allow extra time for the butterfly pavilion; it's a highlight for many visitors. Reddit

💰 Affordable Entry

The entrance fee is very reasonable, making it a great value for families. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Stroller Friendly

The museum is accessible for strollers, and staff can assist with storage if needed. Reddit

⏱️ Quick Visit

Most visits take about an hour, perfect for a short outing. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(952 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Natural History Museum and Vivarium for its excellent value and engaging exhibits, particularly the butterfly pavilion and diverse taxidermy collection. It's considered a beautiful, well-maintained, and affordable destination suitable for all ages, especially families. Some note that the visit is relatively short, around an hour.

"Very well organised natural museum, although not too large. The visit takes around 1 hour and there are some very interesting exhibits in the museum collection. The butterfly pavilion is a very nice surprise and walking among the butterflies leaves you a feeling of peace and tranquility."

Cezar Neculae

"Beautiful museum. very well maintained. The entrance is cheap, only 4 euros. The kids loved the butterflies."

Elena Ramona

"Parking available, excellent price, a lot of animal species, vivarium is gorgeous, butterfly garden included, nice place especially for kids"

Marek Sopko

What People Like

Affordable entrance fee
Beautiful butterfly pavilion
Impressive animal collection

What People Dislike

Visit duration is short

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Information on public transport and driving directions would be ideal here. If parking is available, mention it. Reddit

Yes, parking is available at the museum, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The entrance fee is very affordable, with a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costing around €8. Reddit

While not always mandatory, booking tickets online in advance is recommended to secure your entry and potentially avoid queues. Reddit

The current prices are already very low, offering excellent value for money for all visitors. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

A visit to the Natural History Museum and Vivarium typically takes around one hour. Reddit

Absolutely! The museum is very well-maintained and a great place for kids to explore, especially the butterfly pavilion. Reddit+1

Yes, the museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Friendly staff can also assist with stroller storage. Reddit

You can expect to see a majority of exhibits consisting of taxidermied animals, a vivarium with live reptiles and amphibians, and a greenhouse with butterflies. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Information about on-site dining facilities is not readily available in reviews, so it's best to check their official website or plan to dine nearby. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography policies can vary. It's advisable to check for any signage or ask staff upon arrival to ensure you can capture your memories. TikTok

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Natural History Museum and Vivarium is an excellent destination for families. The affordable entrance fee makes it an accessible outing, with a family ticket costing around €8. Reddit The butterfly pavilion is a guaranteed hit with children, offering a magical and peaceful experience. Reddit The vivarium with its reptiles and amphibians also sparks curiosity. The museum is stroller and wheelchair accessible, and the visit is typically around an hour, which is a good duration for younger attention spans. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

For budget-conscious travelers, this museum is a fantastic find. The entrance fee is exceptionally low, making it one of the most affordable attractions. Reddit You can enjoy a rich and educational experience, including live animals and a beautiful butterfly garden, without breaking the bank. A visit takes about an hour, so it’s a perfect addition to a day of exploring without consuming too much time or money. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Exploring the Vivarium and Butterfly Pavilion

The Vivarium at the Natural History Museum and Vivarium is a captivating section that houses a diverse array of live reptiles, amphibians, and spiders. This area offers a unique opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures up close in carefully recreated habitats. It's a highlight for many visitors, providing an educational and engaging experience that appeals to both children and adults. Reddit

Adjacent to the vivarium is the Butterfly Pavilion, a truly magical greenhouse experience. Walking among hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering freely is described as incredibly peaceful and tranquil. This immersive environment is a crowd favorite, offering a serene escape and a beautiful backdrop for photos. Reddit

Together, these sections of the museum provide a vibrant contrast to the static exhibits, bringing the natural world to life in a dynamic and memorable way. They are particularly recommended for families and anyone seeking a moment of calm and wonder. Reddit

The Museum's Taxidermy Collection

The Natural History Museum and Vivarium boasts an impressive collection of taxidermied animals, showcasing a wide variety of species. Visitors often remark on the sheer scale and diversity of the exhibits, with notable mentions of large animal skeletons, such as those of giraffes. This collection serves as a comprehensive educational resource, allowing guests to appreciate the anatomy and diversity of the animal kingdom. Reddit

While the taxidermy is a central feature, the museum is noted for being well-organized and not overly large, making the visit manageable within about an hour. The exhibits are presented in a way that is both informative and engaging, making it a worthwhile stop for those interested in zoology and natural history. Reddit

This collection is a core part of the museum's appeal, offering a glimpse into the vastness of biodiversity and the history of life on Earth. It’s a testament to the museum's commitment to preserving and presenting natural wonders for public education and appreciation. Reddit

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