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Museum of Science, Boston, MA

Photo: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Museum of Science

1 Science Park · Boston, MA

Why you should go…

Perched on a dam spanning the Charles River, this is one of the country's great science museums, home to the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator, which throws real indoor lightning bolts daily. With a planetarium, IMAX-style dome theater, and hundreds of interactive exhibits, it can easily swallow a full day. The go-to move when Boston weather turns.

  • #science
  • #planetarium
  • #interactive
  • #kids
  • #IMAX

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 Museum of Science, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Shopping
    Free

    CambridgeSide

    Free

    A two-level shopping mall near Kendall Square with stores like Apple and Zara and a waterfront food hall on the canal.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    TD Garden

    $25–$50

    Catch a Bruins or Celtics game or a big concert at Boston's arena, built directly above North Station.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    The Sports Museum

    Under $25

    Boston sports history museum inside TD Garden.

    0.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Massachusetts State House

    Free

    Tour the gold-domed 1798 capitol on Beacon Hill, with marble halls, murals and the Sacred Cod in the House chamber.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • 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.

    0.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Paul Revere House

    Under $25

    Walk through the North End home Paul Revere owned at the time of his midnight ride, built around 1680.

    0.9 mi awayMore like this