Maine Mineral and Gem Museum

My girlfriend likes rocks and a lot of rocks. This museum was reasonably priced and she was able to spend about 3 hours staring at rocks, touching rocks and dreaming of rocks. Definitely worth the visit if you or anyone you like is obsessed with rocks and any derivatives. Staff was wonderful and we were able to touch moon rocks and martian rocks. It rocks!

This museum was recommended to us by neighbors when we were looking for places to visit with our granddaughter (age 9) and it is truly a remarkable, out of the way place. The exhibits are informative and some are interactive. There are hundreds of drawers with clearly identified mineral samples and there are maps showing where deposits are found. For me the highlight was the collection of meteorites and a short video display along with sound and flashing lights which the kids love. Many of the meteorites are displayed where they can be touched and near the exit you are given the opportunity to hold a piece of the Moon and a piece of Mars. For us it was worth the visit.

Amazing, interesting, super interactive, and the Owner (84yo) gave a tour of the Space Rocks collection that was impressive, funny, and really brought the rocks and collection to Life! - You wouldn't have thought rocks would be interesting, but this place was AWESOME (Kept an 11yo Roblox addict occupied for 2.5 hours) - They have 1/2 of the World's collection of Moon Meteors and Mars Meteors (More than NASA) Don't miss out, this is a "gem" you don't want to miss!

Definitely feels like a great almost-hidden-gem kind of place that has an extensive collection of pretty rocks laid out in an informative and educational manner. Staff are friendly and very passionate about the subject matters. Definitely recommend you stay around for the meteorite show if available.

This museum is awe-inspiring! I didn’t know what to expect and I was delighted by all of the rock, mineral, gem, and meteorite exhibits. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and kind in every room, from the check-in to buy tickets (no wait!) to the exhibit rooms, to the gift shop. There’s extensive information on the history of quarries and gem mining in Maine, interactive exhibits, and my husband and I even got to hold pieces of the moon and Mars! I would say this is a good place to bring kids aged 7-ish and up. There are gifts for kids and adults in the gift shop, ranging from greeting cards and magnets to beautiful rings and jewelry to crack-your-own geodes and plush planets. I highly recommend a visit if you’re even a little interested in geology, gems, space, or Maine history. I recommended this place to all of my friends and family and I will be back soon!

If the opportunity presents itself, if you're even just slightly considering a visit, I say with the fullest confidence just do it, you will absolutely not regret it! What an incredible experience start to finish! We saw so many beautiful things, learned so much, and were able to hold actual pieces of the moon and Mars! Their collection is downright impressive and they've put everything together in such fun and engaging ways! Also! Based on other reviews I'm guessing his name is Patrick- we had the most interesting, educational conversations with him! Honestly I hope to ever be as good at anything as Patrick is as what he does! He is a great person and such an important part of the museum! There was plenty of parking in the back of the building with street parking available as well! They have a gift shop in the front of the museum as well as their discovery gallery. The museum itself was both levels of the building and there were both stairs and an elevator. If you have sensory issues be aware there is a mining video playing on loop on the first floor as well as loud sounds and flashing every 30 minutes on the second floor, though we didn't experience the latter. They were transparent about this when we bought our tickets and it wasn't an issue however, depending on individual comfort it may be beneficial to bring noise cancelling headphones. Visiting the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum is an amazing experience I would recommend to everyone and anyone with any interest in minerals, gems, space, history, expanding your knowledge, or even if you just like pretty things! 💎

This place was incredible! Totally blew away my expectations that I had before visiting. The museum is so well put together with beautiful displays and a truly amazing collection of pieces. We even got to hold a piece of Mars and the Moon! The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum deserves a spot on the must see list for Maine.

This museum was awesome! So many amazing items in the collection. We got to hold a piece of the moon! This museum was so well thought out with many different ways to interact with the content. The volunteer and staff we interacted with were phenomenal - so engaging and passionate about the topics. We spent two hours there, and could have spent longer if we were not hungry. Worth the drive! Had lunch at The Local Hub after and it was delicious.

This museum is a hidden gem! We definitely had low expectations for a museum in a small town in Maine, but this museum was great! The museum was $15 for adults and had two floors to explore. The first floor of the museum gave so much mining history and lots of information on minerals from Maine. The second floor has more minerals and gems on display, and has space rocks to check out. It took us about an hour to do the whole museum. Outside of the museum sections, they have a discovery room that is free to check out with drawers full of gems and minerals from all the world. They also have a fantastic gift shop with lots of different gems and minerals. Also don't forget to check outside the museum where they have even more minerals on display!

Wow! There are a LOT of minerals and gems on display - so much of Maine glitters on display! I loved the jewelry and learning about gems as well as checking out the world's largest collection of moon matter. The displays were technologically advanced and were very fascinating. We need to come back and browse more, there was so much to see. Very accessible for those in wheelchairs, we loved our visit.

Amazing place, Yes a bit out of place, but we'll work the road trip. extensive collections and brightly displayed.

Wow, completely unexpected! This place is amazing, and more so if you happen to run into Dr Larry Stifler the founder. Both are amazing! He is a walking encyclopedia and very entertaining. And his love for it clearly shines through. Why here? Who cares! Call the Smithsonian, they have real competition! Moon rocks? Mars rocks? Yes! If you are here to ski Sunday River, you have to stop in. It's that good. But it's also worth making the trip just for this! Don't be scared by the outside, its much bigger on the inside! Now where can I get a pick and shovel? I'm inspired.

I love this place. I have been here a few times ! Lots of local minerals and meteorites!

We had so much fun coming here. Our minds were blown at their collection of minerals, gems, and all kinds of rocks and scientific findings. The meteorite collection is insanely impressive and the biggest ever. The staff were super knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. The store they have sells great souvenirs and we're so glad we came! A MUST DO in bethel!

Newly opened in 2019 this is a neat plaCe to visit. Fossils, gems and the largest moon rock on earth. You Caaba touch a moon rock and a rock from Mars. Fragments of varied meteorites. Fragments of melted earth material from meteorite strikes. Cool to see gemstones (in gem form and their raw form) from Maine and the story of mining. Also cool to see mica and what it used to be used for.

This was an awesome stop with so much to learn, even with some of the exhibits being closed. They have a meteorite room, a huge gem and mineral room with pull out displays and a gift shop with a complete jewelry store. Because some of the exhibits being closed, there was no charge for admission. It was a little overwhelming because there was so much to see and i didn't really know where to start. When i went up to the meteorite room, it was all about space rocks -- i even got to hold a piece of the moon and the nice lady who worked there took my picture with it. She was so excited and enthusiastic about her job which made it all the better. Overall, i would stop here each and everytime i am in town!

Fantastic, must see museum for rock, mineral, gem, and meteorite fans. Just an awesome collection and we had volunteer guides to explain many of the exhibits. One guide showed us meteorites, moon and mars, in cases, which he opened and explained how they got to earth, their ages, and the composition, and he encouraged us to touch them, truly fascinating! I intend on returning again and again.

What a neat little place! We got a free tour apparently due to the better portion of the exhibit being closed due to a flood that occurred due to the HVAC system. The staff were excellent, very excited and knowledgeable about all the topics. We were able to hold moon rock and rock from Mars. The videos and speaker system provide a nice guided tour and there is a short video that projects on the wall on the half hour. We thought that was very well done. All in all, it's a great place to wander around a check out gems and space related matter.

I have never had a real interest in rock or crystals or minerals. After wandering through this museum with my son I bought a book. Plan on spending a few hours here. There is so much to see and it's the largest meteor collection in the world. I held a piece of the moon and mars in my hand.

Amazing experience visiting this great little museum! The volunteers were so knowledgeable and shared interesting stories about all of the artifacts. We loved our visit and left completely fascinated by it. Would visit again and recommend to anyone up in the area! Don't miss this hidden gem (pun intended)!!

Like many visitors who come here, my wife and I came here on a rainy day for something to do. I wasn't sure what to expect and frankly didn't have high expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with the museum's exhibits and how well it's run. The recently created exhibits encompass two floors. The museum staff were great and make themselves available for questions. Even the museum's founder showed up and did an impromptu tour and presentation that was very interesting. The museum's gem and meteorite collection was worth the price of admission alone. Even though I've visited Maine many times over the years I wasn't aware of the extent of the state's mineral and mining history.

A Must See! This is a small museum with a truly world-class collection of gems, minerals, rocks, meteorites and so much more, all incredibly exhibited. It's stunning to find this unbelievable museum in Bethel, Maine.

Cool interactive exhibits! I toured with kids and older folks and we all loved it. I've always had an interest in rocks and minerals. I didn't think I would be impressed with space rocks but I held meteorites from Mars and the Moon. Somehow I feel more accomplished in life now!

I'm a big rock buff, and I loved this place! We were in town for the jeep jamboree and were looking for activities. When we saw this was right in town, had to check it out. There were a huge variety of gems and rocks. Even some from the moon and mars. I also saw tons of the local gem, tourmaline and the history of one of the bigger maine finds. Good for kids or adults. Great gift shop too.

This is a really great little museum. Great Maine mining history and a super cool section on meteorites. I really liked the space stuff!! They also did a really nice job with Covid safety stuff.

A surprising amount of exhibits with super knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers and staff. Even my non-rockhound friends were into it. The meteorite collection is out of this world!! Ha ha ha.

If you are anywhere within a 2 hour drive of this Gem, you will not regret coming here. It is a world class museum with so much to see, and be sure to get there early as there is so much to see and learn. And there's more. It has a space collection, that allows you to go to Mars, or at least let you hold it in your hands. I was amazed by the whole experience.

Stopped by the museum and was amazed by the giant slabs of different types of rocks, crystals, minerals, stones, etc. And...an entire room dedicated to meteors and rocks from outer space. Wow! That was trippy! $15 for adult admission, but less for seniors and students. Plus a gift shop for souvenirs. Great museum for earth enthusiasts.

This was a wonderful experience. I've been coming to Bethel for a decade and have seen the many references to mining and gem shops, but I knew none of the geologic history of the area. There is a vast collection here, along with a wonderfully curated experience helping kids and adults alike to appreciate the local history. The meteor room was such an immersive experience! The docent flagged down a senior staff member who showed our children large samples of the moon and Mars--an experience to remember. $15 admission for adults and kids are free. Highly recommend planning a visit, probably a 1-2 hour experience depending on how much of the background information you like to read. Extremely well done.

Absolutely worth visiting! Very well put together and interactive. The staff was awesome as well! Glad we were able to make it here on our trip!

Inside and out, this wonderful museum sparkles. If you like stones, outer space, or gorgeous jewelry, this place is for you. A stylus is given for use with the interactive kiosks -- a thoughtful touch in these Covid times. The staff (volunteers?) were super-friendly and engaging; one even brought out pieces of the moon and Mars and let us hold them! We (two senior citizens) had a great time and we learned a lot about the geology of Maine and the amazing treasures that are hidden underground.

WOW! What a great place!! We visited recently and had such a fun time. It's affordable, perfectly sized for any length visit. The specimens are plentiful and such high quality. We also loved how interactive the exhibits are for all ages. Don't miss this "gem"!

A world class museum! We went into the preview room today and had a wonderful time talking to the director. Don't miss this museum when it fully opens by the end of 2018. Amazing. Biggest collection of meteorites in the world. Has a laboratory and research facility. So much care in the curated collection. Pretty amazing to see what they pulled together and the amount of money in the displays. Interactive, visual and hands on as well as the Big Bang in gem collection. Wow.