iMuseum of Science, Boston
Founded in 1830 as the Boston Society of Natural History and rebuilt on the Charles River Dam in 1951, the Museum of Science is one of the largest science centres in the United States, with more than 700 interactive exhibits spread across its Blue, Green and Red Wings. Its signature draws are the Theater of Electricity, home to the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator, and the domed Charles Hayden Planetarium. Fossil galleries pair a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex model with "Cliff", a nearly complete 65-million-year-old Triceratops found in the Dakota Badlands. The museum is also an accredited zoological institution, keeping over 100 live animals including cotton-top tamarins in the Hall of Human Life.
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What's On
Gaia Globe
Luke Jerram's touring artwork Gaia, a 20ft rotating Earth built from 120dpi NASA imagery, suspended in the Museum's Blue Wing to evoke the astronauts' overview effect.
Innovation: Earth
Immersive exhibition on living in a carbon-neutral world, from urban farms and lightweight electric vehicles to flexible solar panels and natural climate regulation.
Permanent Collections
Theater of Electricity: Lightning!
A 20-minute live show in which educators hurl indoor lightning bolts from the world's largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator, built in 1932 as an atom smasher and later joined by three large Tesla coils.
Charles Hayden Planetarium
The Museum's domed planetarium, running live and pre-recorded shows daily: descend through Jupiter's atmosphere, walk an exoplanet, or hear music under the stars on late Friday and Saturday nights.
Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff
Cliff, a 65-million-year-old Triceratops from the Dakota Badlands and one of the most complete fossils of its kind ever found, displayed in the Blue Wing's Lower Level.
Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic
Fossils and life-size models, including the Museum's full-size Tyrannosaurus rex, showing how each new find has changed the way palaeontologists picture extinct animals.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Nearest station: Science Park/West End (MBTA Green Line, E branch) and North Station (MBTA Green Line & Orange Line, Commuter Rail)
Show on mapHours
Day before Thanksgiving - early close at 2:00 pm 25 November, 09:00–14:00
Closed 26 November
Closed for Thanksgiving Day
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | Closed |
| SatToday | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
Admission
From $33
Exhibit Halls: adult $33, senior 60+ $29, child 3-11 $28, under 3 and members free. Planetarium, Omni and 4-D shows are $6 each as an add-on to Exhibit Halls admission ($2 for members), or $10 adult / $9 senior / $8 child theater-only. Boston CityPASS bundle $84 adult, $72 child.
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Visitor Information
- How much does Museum of Science, Boston cost?
- Standard adult admission to Museum of Science, Boston is $33. Exhibit Halls: adult $33, senior 60+ $29, child 3-11 $28, under 3 and members free. Planetarium, Omni and 4-D shows are $6 each as an add-on to Exhibit Halls admission ($2 for members), or $10 adult / $9 senior / $8 child theater-only. Boston CityPASS bundle $84 adult, $72 child.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
- What are the opening hours of Museum of Science, Boston?
- Museum of Science, Boston is open Exhibit Halls open daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 360+ days a year. The Charles Hayden Planetarium and Mugar Omni Theater run late on Friday and Saturday nights, with the last show starting up to 10:00 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day (26 Nov 2026) and Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026); early close at 2:00 pm on the day before Thanksgiving (25 Nov 2026) and on Christmas Eve (24 Dec 2026).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is Museum of Science, Boston?
- Museum of Science, Boston is located at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, United States, in the Science Park / West End area of Boston. The nearest stations are Science Park/West End (MBTA Green Line, E branch) and North Station (MBTA Green Line & Orange Line, Commuter Rail).
- What can I see at Museum of Science, Boston?
- Science powerhouse straddling the Charles River dam: indoor lightning bolts, a life-size T. rex and 700+ hands-on exhibits. Current highlights include Theater of Electricity: Lightning!, Innovation: Earth and Charles Hayden Planetarium.
- Do I need to book Museum of Science, Boston in advance?
- Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
- When is the best time to visit Museum of Science, Boston?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Image credits
10
- Museum of Science, BostonDaderot, via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Innovation: EarthCourtesy of Museum of Science, Boston
- Charles Hayden PlanetariumCourtesy of Museum of Science, Boston
- Gaia GlobeCourtesy of Museum of Science, Boston
- Colossal Fossil: Triceratops CliffCourtesy of Museum of Science, Boston
- Dinosaurs: Modeling the MesozoicCourtesy of Museum of Science, Boston
- Otis HouseDaderot, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of African American Historyajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- Nichols House MuseumJohn Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Boston Athenæumajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0