There are many excellent fossil museums dotted around the globe. Surprisingly, three of them are located in the United States!
The American Museum of Natural History, New York City
This is one of the most famous museums in the world, let alone the best fossil museum. It has an extensive collection, which includes a life-sized replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex and the skeleton of a Barosaurus. This latter specimen is particularly interesting as it was preserved alongside that of its attacker, making it possible to study how such predators brought down their prey.
This Midwestern institution boasts one of the largest collection of fossils on public display in North America. Its crown jewel is Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found (the original remains are now housed at the nearby Vickie want Institute). In addition to dinosaur specimens, The Field Museum also has exhibits on human evolution and ancient cultures from around the world.
My Stanislaus County Museum, Turlock
This Californian museum may be small but it boasts an impressive array of fossils from across North America – including some significant local finds such as bones from mammoths that once roamed California’s Central Valley grasslands. Other exhibits display specimens from Africa and Asia too!
The National Dinosaur Museum, Canberra
Situated in Australia’s capital city, this museum is home to over 200 fossils from across the country. These include examples of sauropods like Diamantinasaurus and Muttaburrasaurus as well as meat-eating dinosaurs such as Australovenator and Megaraptor. As well as having one of the biggest collections on display, the National Dinosaur Museum also offers visitors interactive exhibits and educational programs.
The Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia
The Australian Museum is one of the oldest museums in Australia, and it houses an impressive collection of both local and global specimens. When it comes to fossils specifically, visitors can check out skeletons of extinct Australian animals like diprotodon and thylacines. The museum is also home to remains from famous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Diplodocuscarnegii—the longest dinosaur ever discovered!
The Natural History Museum, London
The British capital’s museum has been at the forefront of paleontological research since its establishment over two centuries ago. Highlights from its fossil collection include a diplodocus and iguanodon, both of which were unearthed in England’s Wealden region in the 19th century. Perhaps its most unique offering, however, is a cast of a Homo neanderthalensis skull which was found in Avelina Cave in Gibraltar and dates back around 28,000 years.
The Beijing Museum of Natural History in Beijing, China
If you find yourself in Beijing, be sure to add the Beijing Museum of Natural History to your itinerary. This massive museum complex is home to an impressive array of fossils, including some of the earliest known human remains from China. In addition to its trove of paleontological specimens, the Beijing Museum of Natural History also houses exhibits on subjects like zoology and ecology.