Fall in Love with Nature: Autumn at Carnegie Museum of Natural History

As the days turn chillier and rainier, it’s the perfect time to visit a museum.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History invites you to discover all things autumn, from the spices in pumpkin pie spice to life-sized dioramas set in this beautiful season. Plan your visit around a fall event, or find ways to get in the autumn spirit any time of year.

Header Photo Credit: Joshua Franzos, Treehouse Media

Caribou diorama at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Celebrate Halloween

Start planning your costume for the museum’s Halloween parties!

For the 21+ crowd, Haunted Museum After Dark is an annual favorite night at the museum. Chat with researchers about scary specimens and stories, have a drink or two, and relax with friends, a date, or on your own.

For families, Super Science Saturday: Booseum is a light-hearted, activity-filled afternoon ideal for kids ages 7-12 and their grown-ups. See creepy specimens, Fred the Crystal Skull, and more on a scavenger hunt to earn a goodie bag of prizes.

The museum also throws a Sensory Friendly Trick-or-Treat for all ages. The galleries are open with the addition of designated calm spaces and support materials. Tickets are limited to ensure a sensory-friendly environment, so plan ahead.

Look for Fall Scenes All Year in the Halls of North American Wildlife and Botany

A male wood duck in the Quaking Bog diorama.

The woodland caribou might be the first things you notice in their diorama (the label begins “Autumn is a season of change”), but if you look beyond the pair of mammals, you’ll see vibrant red and yellow plants, a marmot, and Bohemian Waxwings. Likewise, the Quaking Bog diorama in the Hall of Botany depicts a bog in autumn. If you need a dose of autumn color when it’s not in season, look for those colors in other natural history museum dioramas. See how many fall-themed displays you can find on your next visit.

Take an Autumn Adventure to the Laurel Highlands

Northern Saw-Whet Owls

Ready to explore outdoors? Head to the museum’s Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, PA in Pennsylvania’s scenic Laurel Highlands. It’s free to explore the trails and peruse the nature center. Staff regularly host free nature walks, open houses, lectures, and more; sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop.

Learn Before You Go: Autumn Videos and Articles

Get in the spirit of fall before and after your visit with online learning via the museums social media and blog.

Short videos:

Blog posts:

Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Enthusiastic Pittsburgher

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.