Did you know here at UC Davis there are a ton of free on-campus museums open for the public to visit? Here is a guide to help you learn more about the museums open to walk-in visitors and how to visit.

Manetti Shrem Museum of Art:

The Manetti Shrem museum aims to cultivate transformational art experiences to foster an open exchange of ideas and inspire new thinking. Since its opening in 2016, the museum has been free to all to serve as a space for community engagement. Not only does the museum hold inspiring art, but the building itself is a piece of art worth visiting. No reservations or tickets are required, the museum is open from 10am-5pm Thursday through Monday. Be sure to check out their website for a list of current and upcoming exhibitions to plan your visit!

UC Davis Arboretum:

A beautiful garden might not seem like a museum, but the UC Davis Arboretum is really a 100-acre outdoor museum that educates visitors in sustainable landscaping and serves as a living laboratory while offering a scenic space to relax. Next time you’re in the arboretum check out the educational signs to learn more about the plants that you see, check out the teaching nursery, or visit the Animal Science Gateway garden to learn more about animal agriculture.

Bohart Museum of Entomology:

The Bohart Museum of Entomology was founded in 1946 and now has the seventh largest insect collection in North America with insects from all over the world. The museum is home to over seven million specimens of terrestrial and freshwater arthropods. The public can explore their unique displays and view live animals Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00-4:30 pm.

Design Museum:

The UC Davis Design Museum explores how design shapes, improves, and makes viable the objects, technology, and environment we encounter. The Design Museum is located in Cruess Hall and is open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 pm. Exhibitions change each quarter and spring quarter is dedicated to highlighting undergraduate and graduate student work.

Botanical Conservatory:

The UC Davis Botanical Conservatory is home to over 4,000 plant species from around the world. Their greenhouse hosts rare and unusual plants and allows visitors to gain hands-on experiences with plants and biodiversity. The conservatory is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm and drop-ins are welcome.

The C.N. Gorman Museum:

The C.N. Gorman Museum of Native American Art was founded in 1973 and the museum is committed to contemporary Native American Art that stimulates critical thinking through politically and socially engaging exhibitions. The Gorman Museum is committed to exhibiting works by living Indigenous artists. The Gorman Museum is open on Wednesdays through Fridays 11am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

This list includes museums that are located on campus and welcome walk-in visitors but UC Davis is home to more museums that either require reservations or may be located off-campus. To learn more about these museums visit: https://www.ucdavis.edu/research/museums-collections