Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht

About the museum

The collection of the Universiteitsmuseum goes back to scientific instruments that once belonged to a scientific society in Utrecht. Over time, objects from the natural sciences, medicine and university history were added. The museum has changed location several times and is now housed on Lange Nieuwstraat in the city centre.

A visit includes the Oude Hortus, the university's historic botanical garden from the 18th century, with greenhouses, old trees and the museum café. The ticket is valid for both the museum and the garden.

Today the museum sees itself as a family museum that shows how research works: in five rooms, visitors investigate for themselves, experiment and follow the mystery box that runs through the entire tour. The collection includes animal skeletons, historic medical devices and glass models of sea creatures more than a hundred years old.

Highlights

• Mystery box that cannot be opened and only reveals what it contains through investigation
• Animal skeletons and skulls in the room "Kijk, wij dieren"
• Historic medical devices such as the heart-lung machine in "Uitdokteren"
• Blaschka glass models of jellyfish, sea anemones and snails
• Oude Hortus with an old ginkgo, included in the ticket
• New: Empathiefabriek for parents and children

Permanent exhibitions

• Kijk, wij dieren – Skeletons, skulls and specimens invite visitors to compare animals and humans, including a mammoth skull and a narwhal tusk.
• Uitdokteren – Historic instruments for examining the human body, such as eye-measuring devices and the heart-lung machine, to try out.
• Grondig speuren – Fossils, crystals and corals show what the ground reveals about early life and the development of the Earth.

Operated by

Universiteit Utrecht

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart and U-pas (card is scanned at the ticket desk); the Rembrandtkaart is not valid. The ticket is valid for the museum and the Oude Hortus. Online tickets are not mandatory; capacity is sufficient for visits without a reservation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor; free loan wheelchairs in limited numbers (call beforehand), loan stools for adults and children at reception. Two disabled parking spaces to the left of the entrance, two more at Nicolaas Kerkhof (5–10 minutes on foot). Assistance dogs are permitted, other dogs are not. The room "Kijk, wij dieren" is darker than the other rooms; there is no audio tour. Low-stimulus (prikkelarm) opening days are offered.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum calls itself a family museum. Children's birthday parties for 8- to 12-year-olds (workshop in the Maakstudio, break in the café, own expedition) cost €150 for 8 children, each additional child €18.50. Pushchairs are allowed; because of the limited lift capacity, it is recommended to leave them at home if possible. Additional activities take place during school holidays.

Getting there & parking

About 20 minutes on foot from Utrecht Centraal station and about 10 minutes from Vaartsche Rijn station. Bus and train can be paid for with a bank card.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café (operated by Vineyard) in the listed building in the Oude Hortus with a terrace and garden under the old ginkgo; museum shop; children's books to take away in the café.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

The Bovenzaal, Benedenzaal, entrance area, museum café, Zaadhuis meeting rooms and the Oranjerie can be rented for meetings, lectures and receptions; catering via Vineyard. Weddings are not possible in the Oude Hortus. Enquiries to reserveren.umu@uu.nl.

Plan your visit