Visiting Boston's Museum of Science - Admission, Tips & More

By Lindsay Eagan
Published: July 18, 2024

Spending some time in Boston? Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon that is great for both children and adults? A trip to the Museum of Science should definitely be part of your Boston itinerary. The Museum of Science experience is an immersive plunge into the way things work at a biological level, an environmental level, a physical level, and many others. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Boston's Museum of Science. It's packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more.

How to get Boston Museum of Science discount tickets?

We’ve got you covered – Museum of Science admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

Tips for Visiting the Museum of Science

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  • Because there is so much to see, start with the larger, more interactive exhibitions.
  • Consult the attraction map before your visit to decide what you want to see.
  • Keep in mind the schedules of any shows you want to see, as well as exhibits like the Butterfly Garden.
  • The planetarium shows are particularly popular, so plan on seeing one of those! Please note: these exhibits and shows are not included with the Go Boston pass.
  • Consider eating at the Riverview Cafe within the attraction. Other nearby dining options are found in or near a local mall, so it may be easiest to eat at the museum itself.

What should I bring to the Museum of Science?

  • Bottled water, if you prefer not to drink from the museum's fountains.
  • Comfortable walking shoes. It's a sizable museum and you'll need some stamina.
  • A camera or phone to catch all the memories at distinctive museum attractions. Take a selfie next to the huge T-rex or inside a space module.

What is there to see and do at the Museum of Science?

Frequently showcasing new temporary exhibits and activities, the museum is sure to be a great experience even if you have been there before. The Museum is full of permanent exhibits that will dazzle you and your family. Here are a few of our favorites we suggest you check out during your visit...

NEW FOR 2019: BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4lGjfpOUi/ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life is the latest temporary exhibit to open at the Museum of Boston. It is open now until January 2020, and you should definitely try to see it before it closes. The exhibit features more than one hundred specimens, and examines what it means to be human. Please note: this exhibition is not included with general admission provided by the Go Boston pass. Tickets must be purchased separately.

Hall of Human Life

The Hall of Human Life is arguably the most informative and interactive room at the Museum of Science. The left side of the room breaks down human life into its most basic, yet compelling building blocks. These activities help structure kids’ developing perceptions in scientific fact. Plus, it's a fun way to be reminded as an adult of these biological essentials. The stations builds a biological understanding of humans from our social nature, to how DNA, cancer, diseases, and antibiotics all work inside the body. The right side is even more interactive, featuring a series of tests to collect your own personal attributes and health. But before you get caught up in the fascinating topics and experiments, make sure you visit the free-to-use Link Stations. Here, you'll receive a wristband to “link up” with the stations' interactions via barcode. This feature will track your scores at each station, like the height of your foot arch at the aptly named “How High are Your Arches” Station, or the stations where you can see how efficient your walking motion is, or how warm or cold you feel relatively. Afterwards you can access your scores from the Museum of Science website in order to help measure and manage your health.

Dinosaur Room

The "Modeling the Mesozoic" and the "Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff" exhibits will delight the dinosaur lovers. You'll be treated to fascinating facts and information about all your favorite, and soon-to-be-favorite dinosaurs. The life-size T-rex, and the reconstructed bones of a triceratops bring the seemingly larger-than-life, ancient creatures to life like you've never seen before. The "Modeling the Mesozoic" exhibit delves into the methods of science behind hypothesizing where and how these animals lived, giving texture to the archeological remains we have today. You can also explore fossil clues as you roam through these models. Examine bones, footprints, and even dinosaur dung to look for information. Then, review the bones of a dinosaur, an iguana, and a bird to see how some dinosaurs are closely related to birds!

Science in the Park

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The Science in the Park educational playground will help your kids spend any pent-up extra energy they’ve been harboring since lunch, making good use of body and mind. Here, there are swings not just for swinging, but for demonstrating the physics of efficiency. There is a track to test speed with lights that light up as you pass them. The seesaw is fully equipped with a scientific explanation. You can also compete with a friend to see who can fun the fastest. Or, see how much force it takes to 500 pounds of sand with a lever. There's no end to the exciting physical explorations you can enjoy in this area!

Take a Closer Look

We especially recommend the Take a Closer Look exhibit for both kids and adults. There is relativity of hot and cold, the SEM camera, and the visual “sound” waves all contribute to suspending our static, commonplace view of stimuli, while at the same time drawing connections between seemingly disparate sensations that demonstrate the unification of reality.

Special Experiences

There are a number of additional experiences that visitors love, available for an additional upgrade fee (paid directly to the attraction).

  • Charles Hayden Planetarium: This hi-tech digital planetarium hosts both typical planetarium shows and musical shows on the weekends.
  • Mugar Omni Theater: Featuring top IMAX films with subjects like Pandas, Volcanoes, and the Great Barrier Reef.
  • 4-D Theater: Shows here combined 3-D visual technology with additional special effects like air movement, temperature changes, water, and more.
  • Butterfly Garden: A favorite with visitors from all over, this delightful exhibit is a respite from city living.

What attractions are near the Museum of Science?

  • If you're interested in a unique tour of the city, the Boston Duck Tour is the perfect option and conveniently picks up right at the Museum of Science.
  • Cambridgeside Galleria is a comprehensive mall located just a few blocks away, and is a local go-to shopping destination.
  • A short hop across the river brings you to a number of other attractions, including TD Garden (home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics), the Otis House Museum, and the Museum of African American History.

Important Information

Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Location: 1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114 Public Transportation: Take the T: Green Line, Lechmere train, to Science Park stop. Note: Science Park stop is not wheelchair accessible; call the MBTA at 617-222-5000 for assistance.

Save on Tickets with a Go Boston pass

Remember, the Go Boston® pass is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Museum of Science tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price. For other fun ideas to add to your Boston itinerary, check out our ultimate Boston guide.

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

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The Museum of Fine Art in Boston
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Museum of Fine Arts Vs Institute of Contemporary Art Comparison

Revolutionary spirit and great art are in Boston’s DNA, meaning you’re rarely far from a picture-perfect historical landmark, fascinating cultural artifact or priceless Old Master. You can feel it on the Freedom Trail – the city’s comprehensive walk-through of the birth of America, in the family-run restaurants of the authentic Italian district, and in the bleeding-edge contemporary art galleries of Boston’s hip South End neighborhood. And that’s just for starters. Beantown’s art museums are second-to-none, offering deep dives into the history and cultural heritage of Boston, the Americas and beyond. Two absolute titans of the scene, the Museum of Fine Arts and Institute of Contemporary Art feature highly on the hit-lists of many art-loving visitors to the city. We took a closer look at this dynamic duo to find out how they compare, including a smidgen of hstory, some of the treasures you can expect to find in each, and how to visit… Museum of Fine Arts: the Lowdown Vital Statistics: Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (aka the Boston Art Museum) has been wowing visitors since 1870 and has been growing in size and popularity ever since. The museum moved to its current home – a suitably grand purpose-built neoclassical edifice complete with colonnades and a great rotunda (with frescoes by John Singer Sargent, no less) – in 1909. Since then, it has expanded to include a collection of some 500,000 pieces across 100 galleries, running the gamut from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. One of the biggest art museums on the planet, its stellar collection pulls in more than 1.2 million visitors every year. The MFA in Brief: It’s not easy to be brief about a museum of this size and caliber, but we’ll try. Within its hallowed walls, the MFA houses thousands of rare treasures, from paintings and sculptures to musical instruments, pottery and textiles. In other words, pretty much everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to paintings by Monet, Van Gogh and Kahlo. Ogle Nubian pottery, Chinese ceramics and masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age, and experience the largest collection of Japanese art outside of Japan, including paintings, ceramics and 17th-19th-century ukiyo-e woodblock prints.  Getting in: Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is open daily except Tuesdays. Hours are 10AM-5PM, with late opening until 10PM on Thursday and Friday. Tickets are included with a Boston pass from Go City. The pass includes access to dozens more activities, tours and attractions, including Paul Revere House, the Museum of Science, a Freedom Trail walking tour, a sunset harbor cruise, and more. Find out how you could save up to 50% with the Boston pass and get yours here.  MFA Highlights Give your neck a workout in the museum’s epic rotunda, where frescoes by John Singer Sargent adorn the domed ceiling.  Don’t miss John Singleton Copley’s portrait of local hero Paul Revere, maker of the historic Sons of Liberty Bowl, which is also – natch – on display here at the museum. We’re in the Monet! We’re in the Monet! The MFA boasts one of the best collections of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside of France, including landmark pieces by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas and others. Fans of Japanese art will be in clover, with over 100,000 pieces including woodblock prints, fine ceramics and Buddhist statues. Ancient Egypt is never less than utterly fascinating, and the MFA’s collection does not disappoint, with pieces that include Rameses III prisoner tiles, ancient idols, exquisite Nubian jewelry, and decorative sarcophagi. Institute of Contemporary Art: the Lowdown Vital Statistics: A relative upstart in comparison to the MFA, Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art opened over 60 years later, in 1936. Originally the Boston Museum of Modern Art, it has undergone several changes of name (and even more changes of location) before settling on the Institute of Contemporary Art (or ICA) in 1948 and, in 2006, the striking industrial-style Seaport District location it now calls home. The building, 65,000 square feet of gallery and performance space, houses a relatively modest permanent collection (hundreds rather than thousands of pieces), supplemented by rotating exhibitions, installations and performances that reflect the very best of the contemporary international art scene. It attracts around 200,000 visitors annually. The ICA in Brief: The ICA’s permanent collection includes essential pieces from established and emerging artists, including many from past exhibitors. These include the likes of Cornelia Parker, Taylor Davis, Nan Goldin, Thomas Hirschhorn, Marlene Dumas and Laylah Ali, to name just a few. Check out the ICA website for information on all current and upcoming exhibitions. Getting in: The ICA is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM, with late opening until 9PM on Thursday and Friday. General admission costs $20, but Thursday evening admission is free after 5PM – tickets are available from Thursday morning and advance booking is highly recommended. ICA Highlights Jutting out over the harbor, the ICA’s Seaport District home is every bit the contemporary art space, all bright, intimate galleries; its glass corridors and elevators seem to float above the water below. Don’t miss Cornelia Parker’s signature ‘Hanging Fire’ sculpture, Kara Walker’s thought-provoking meditation on racism and gender discrimination, based on characters from Mark Twain's ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, and the fine collection of photographs by Boston’s Nan Goldin. A ferry takes passengers over to the ICA Watershed outpost, where a single artist exhibits work from spring to fall each year. Past exhibitions have included large-scale installations and sculptures by the likes of Diana Thater, John Akomfrah, Firelei Báez and Guadalupe Maravilla. Museum of Fine Arts Vs Institute of Contemporary Art Comparison: Which is Best? Art aficionados will find much to enjoy in both the MFA and ICA. The Museum of Fine Arts takes the prize for the sheer variety and scope of its collection, and is likely to be the better choice for lovers of art history and antiquity. The Institute of Contemporary Art is by its very nature a far more niche experience, but with futuristic sculptures, paintings and installations that are no less eye-popping than those at the MFA. Don’t forget: you can visit the MFA with a Boston attraction pass from Go City, and Thursday evenings at the ICA are free so, heck, why not spoil yourself and do both? Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Boston Save money on Boston attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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New Year's Eve in Boston - Things to do

Rich history and a fine party scene means there’s plenty to keep you occupied in Boston on New Year’s Eve. From heritage trails to winter wonderlands, magnificent museums to the city’s beloved sport team stadiums, Boston has it all. New Year is a great time to visit, with plenty going on to keep kids and grown-ups entertained all day long, not to mention the buzzy bar scene and epic firework displays that define this great city’s end-of-year celebrations. Read on for our guide to New Year’s Eve in Boston and the best things to do while you’re in town! Morning: Boston Highlights Crisp winter mornings are made for sightseeing and, as you happen to be in Boston for New Year, well, why the heck not? There’s a glut of activities here – from the historical to the futuristic – that will take up just one or two hours of your New Year’s Eve in Boston. And boy, are some of Beantown’s attractions worth checking out. Take a whistle stop guided tour of the Freedom Trail led by actors in period costume for a deep dive into Boston’s most historic sites, including the golden-domed Massachusetts State House, the site of the Boston Massacre, 17th-century King’s Chapel cemetery and Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is where it's at for culture vultures. Here’s where you can explore 100 galleries of eye-popping art from across the centuries, including ancient Egyptian sculptures, early musical instruments and paintings by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and Kahlo. Don’t miss John Singleton Copley’s portrait of local hero Paul Revere, and the elaborate mural by John Singer Sargent that adorns the rotunda ceiling. Alternatively, get your sports fix on a guided tour of the Sports Museum at the TD Garden arena, legendary home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins; say hey to the seals, snakes, sea turtles and funky rockhopper penguins at the New England Aquarium; or nip just out of town to unleash your inner Jo, Meg, Amy or Beth at the 17th-century former home of Louisa May Alcott, where her novel Little Women was set. Sticking around beyond New Year? Consider an attraction pass from Go City to save $$$ on things to do in Boston, including top attractions, tours, activities and more. Afternoon: Seasonal Events in Boston If you’re looking for things to do in Boston on New Year’s Eve, rejoice! Many of Beantown’s Christmas fairs and festivals continue through New Year and there are even a few brand-new dedicated NYE events to check out. Better yet, many of the afternoon and early evening activities are family friendly, meaning kids can join in the fun too. Zoolights at the Stone Zoo is a magical festive extravaganza, where tree-lined walkways are festooned with thousands of twinkling lights and Yukon Creek – home to black bears, bald eagles, arctic foxes, Canada lynx, reindeer and more – has been given a fairytale festive makeover. Sponsored (perhaps unsurprisingly) by the National Grid, this electrifying experience is sure to give kids (and adults) of all ages a real buzz. Mosey on down to Boston’s Waterfront winter wonderland, where dozens of frozen masterpieces line the Ice Sculpture Stroll, spanning North End, Downtown Waterfront, Charlestown End, and South Boston Waterfront. Follow the trail to the Seaport neighborhood to find a veritable fiesta of fun at Snowport. There are soaring, twinking Christmas trees, an iceless curling rink, après ski lodges, fire pits, a beer tent, street-food stalls, local crafts and more. Eyes peeled for the Snowport mascot, a huge fluffy pink yeti that’s your kids with love. Or be absolutely terrified by, depending on their disposition. As the light begins to fade, make for Copley Square, where the annual First Night Boston Celebrations includes eminently danceable holiday-themed tunes and illuminated ice sculptures. Once you’ve shimmied yourself warm, join the procession to Boston Common for the spectacular early evening firework displays, which kick off around 7PM. Evening: The Best of Boston’s Party Scene The fireworks at Boston Common are repeated periodically throughout the evening, right up to the main event at midnight, but there are plenty more ways to spend  the final hours of New Year’s Eve in Boston. Party your little heart out at suave Rochambeau in the Hynes Convention Center. This one is strictly for over-21s only. And rightly so. After all, sophisticated hors d'oeuvres, speciality seasonal cocktails and dessert bars that groan with sweet treats galore are wasted on the young. There’s a live DJ spinning floorfillers throughout the evening, and a glass of fizz to toast the New Year at midnight. You’ll want to book tickets in advance for this popular annual party. Wrap up extra warm for Boston’s legendary Bow Market Ball Drop. This one is held partly indoors and – shiver – partly al fresco, although patio heaters should help to stave off the worst of the winter chill. A bit of fancy footwork to the live tunes being played by the DJ should also help stop hypothermia setting in. Again, book well in advance if you want to join the party. The price of admission includes a couple of free drinks, some nibbles and other surprises throughout the evening, ahead of the hotly (or should that be coldly) anticipated ball drop at midnight. If it’s heart-swelling romantic firework views that top your New Year’s Eve wish list, the Boston Harbor show is unlikely to disappoint. Get yourself over to Christopher Columbus Park for this awesome midnight extravaganza of colorful pyrotechnics and booming, spirit-lifting music. Entry to the park is free. It commands some of the best views in town, so we’d recommend getting there early to ensure your Boston New Year’s Eve goes off with a bang! Save on activities and attractions in Boston Save on admission to Boston attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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