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Museum of Science, Boston

ChildrenNatural HistoryScienceClosed todayFrom $33Science Park/West End (MBTA Green Line, E branch)

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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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, United States

Nearest station: Science Park/West End (MBTA Green Line, E branch), North Station (MBTA Green Line & Orange Line, Commuter Rail)

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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.

Nearby

Otis House

Architecture10 min walk

Museum of African American History

Architecture11 min walk

Nichols House Museum

Architecture13 min walk

Boston Athenæum

Art15 min walk

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), 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 Charles Hayden Planetarium, Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff, Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic.
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.

Daderot, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain (CC0/PD-self))

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