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Boston Children's Museum

308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210 · Boston, MA

Why you should go…

Three floors of hands-on exhibits fill a converted wool warehouse on Fort Point Channel, where kids scale the three-story New Balance Foundation Climb, experiment in the Science Playground, and wander through an authentic century-old silk merchant's house transported piece by piece from Kyoto and rebuilt by Japanese carpenters. Founded in 1913, it is one of the oldest children's museums in the country, and the giant Hood Milk Bottle stand out front is a classic Boston photo op. Check the museum's website for current hours and discount days before visiting.

  • #kids
  • #hands-on
  • #family
  • #fort point
  • #indoor

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Boston Children's Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

    $25–$50

    Board a full-scale tea ship, hurl tea into the harbor, and relive the night that sparked a revolution.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Date Night

    Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston (ICA)

    Under $25

    A glass-and-steel museum cantilevered over Boston Harbor, pairing bold contemporary art with one of the best waterfront perches in the Seaport.

    0.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships

    $50+

    Sail Boston Harbor aboard a traditional tall ship, hoisting sail alongside the crew.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    New England Aquarium

    $25–$50

    Circle the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, meet playful penguins and sea turtles right on Boston's waterfront.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    The Sports Museum

    Under $25

    Boston sports history museum inside TD Garden.

    1.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    USS Constitution & USS Constitution Museum

    Free

    Step aboard Old Ironsides, the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

    1.5 mi awayMore like this