Child in a science museum

The Institute of Contemporary Art or Museum of Science

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

Boston has always been a forward-thinking kinda town, its role in the American Revolution being the stuff of legend. That rich history is writ large through the city streets, much of it effectively an open-air museum devoted to that era. But the progressive spirit lives on. It’s there in the fantastic street art and futuristic city skyline, dominated by soaring skyscrapers, among them One Dalton and the space-age John Hancock Tower, New England’s tallest building. Beantown institutions like the Museum of Science and Institute of Contemporary Arts also keep the innovation alive, with eye-popping exhibits and interactive installations that will blow your mind. We took a look inside to find out what to expect from the ICA and Museum of Science, including the highlights of each, plus how to get tickets.

Museum of Science: the Lowdown

Boston's Museum of Science

Vital Statistics: Every great city deserves a great science museum, and Boston is no exception, boasting one of the best in the world. Initially founded as a scientific society in 1830, the MoS began morphing into a museum in 1862, eventually growing into the beautiful butterfly that spans the Charles River today. And it’s quite the whopper indeed, with more than 700 exhibits, plus a planetarium, IMAX theater and zoo. 

The Museum of Science in Brief: This mind-expanding hub of innovation contains exhibits galore, with opportunities to explore the wonders of the prehistoric world, the human body, outer space and beyond. We’re talking a near-complete triceratops skeleton, indoor lightning bolts, an AI-powered robotic dog, and optical illusions that will boggle your mind. And that’s just for starters! Join live interactive presentations throughout the day, get involved in engineering design challenges, and say hey to the 100+ cute critters that call the Live Animal Care Center home. You can also immerse yourself in wraparound movie experiences at New England’s only IMAX theater, and experience eye-popping space visuals in the epic Charles Hayden Planetarium.

Child in a science museum

Family Friendly? A fine day out for curious kids young and old, this one is very family friendly and attracts something in the order of 1.5 million science-hungry visitors every year.

Getting in: The exhibition halls at Boston’s Museum of Science are open 9AM-5PM daily. General admission is included with a Boston pass from Go City. The pass includes access to stacks of Boston activities, tours and attractions, including the Museum of Science, plus the Museum of Fine Arts, the Freedom Trail walking tour, Paul Revere House, a sunset harbor cruise, and more. Find out how you could save up to 50% with the Boston pass, and get yours here. 

Note that shows in the theaters and planetarium require additional tickets, which can be purchased direct via the MoS website.

Museum of Science Highlights

Ferry on the river by Boston's Museum of Science
  • If you have even a passing interest in how the human body (yes, yours!) works, then the Hall of Human Life is for you. Find out what’s really keeping you awake at night and test the efficiency of your gait across multiple interactive exhibits.
  • Hair-raising fun awaits in the Theater of Electricity, where you can see the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator produce its own lightning bolts. Electric!
  • Young minds will be blown in the AI exhibit. Meet the museum’s robot dog and get the chance to interact with AI-generated art.
  • No visit to the Museum of Science would be complete without saying hey to the 65-million-year-old resident of Triceratops Cliff. One of only four near-complete triceratops fossils on display anywhere in the world, it’s sure to keep the kids talking for weeks afterwards.
  • The Charles Hayden Planetarium combines stunning starscapes with music by some of the biggest names in rock and pop – Prince, David Bowie, Rihanna and more – for a multi-sensory experience that’s out of this world.

Institute of Contemporary Art: the Lowdown

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston

Vital Statistics: Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art has been around since 1936, and in its current home – a striking industrial-style building in the Seaport District – since 2006. Previously an exhibition space only, the ICA has spent the last two decades amassing its own permanent collection, adding hundreds of sculptures, paintings, prints, photos and installations to its rotating roster of visiting exhibitions and performance art. The museum also acquired and renovated a nearby exhibition space (the ICA Watershed), which hosts a different artist takeover every year.

The ICA in Brief: Displayed in an extraordinary cantilevered building that seems to hover over the waterfront, the ICA’s permanent collection includes visually stunning works from established and emerging artists. Expect to see signature pieces from the likes of Cornelia Parker, Nan Goldin, Taylor Davis, Marlene Dumas and Laylah Ali, to name only a few. Check out the ICA website for information on all current and forthcoming exhibitions.

Family Friendly? Art-lovin’ grown-ups will be in clover here, and there’s enough to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours, too, thanks to the institute’s visually arresting exhibits and installations, plus gallery game cards that allow the little 'uns to experience the space as a ‘thinker, maker, explorer, or performer’. Families of four (with maximum two kids aged 12 or under) go free on on the last Saturday of each month. These Play Date Saturdays include hands-on art-making, performance, films, and more.

Getting in: The ICA is open 10AM-5PM Tuesday-Sunday, with late opening until 9PM on Thursdays and Fridays. General admission is $20, with free admission after 5PM on Thursdays – advance booking for free tickets and events is highly recommended.

ICA Highlights

Visitor on the stairs at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
  • The ICA’s cantilevered harbor building is every bit the contemporary art space, all bright, intimate galleries and glass corridors that appear to hover over the water below.
  • Don’t miss Eva Hesse’s gravity-defying minimalist 1960s piece ‘Ennead’, or Cornelia Parker’s signature ‘Hanging Fire’, a mesmerizing kinetic sculpture made from carbonized wood pieces. There’s also a thought-provoking collection of photographs by Boston’s own Nan Goldin. 
  • The ICA Watershed is open from spring to fall for a single artist takeover every year. You can visit for free – just hop on the ferry from the ICA for sculptures and art installations on an epic scale inside this former warehouse. Previous exhibitors include John Akomfrah, Diana Thater and Guadalupe Maravilla.

Museum of Science or Institute of Contemporary Art: Which is Better?

The Institute of Contemporary Arts at night

In truth, you should put both of these venerable Boston institutions on your must-see list. Because anyone who has an even vaguely curious mind or takes joy from thought-provoking visual stimuli will find plenty to enjoy at both attractions. No question though: the Museum of Science is the superior choice for families, thanks to its many interactive exhibits, mind-expanding live presentations and epic theater shows. The ICA is a rather more grown-up affair, designed for quiet contemplation and harborside walks, ideal if you’re traveling as a couple.

Reminder: you can visit the MFA with a Boston attraction pass from Go City, and the last Saturday of each month is free for families at the ICA so, if you happen to be in town at the right time, go right ahead and do both!

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Where To Stay in Boston

Heading to Boston for your vacation, but wondering which area to hoist your holiday flag? Never fear; we're here to give you the play-by-play on the best districts in the city. Read on, and learn where to stay in Boston! Including: Downtown North End & Waterfront Beacon Hill Seaport Back Bay and more! Downtown Arguably the most popular tourist destination in the city, Boston's Downtown district is also its financial hub. Within, you'll find the biggest collection of landmarks and hotspots, from the Freedom Trail to the Boston Harbor. Given its central position, it's also a great place to use as a home base, with plenty of travel opportunities to neighboring districts. Combine all that with a large number of bars, restaurants, and Independence-inspired attractions, and it's just about perfect for shorter or longer-term stays. If you're wondering where to stay in Boston, Downtown could be just the tip. Plus, given its proximity to the water, you'll also find the delightful New England Aquarium nearby. The perfect stop for kids big and small who love the exotic species that call our oceans home! North End & Waterfront Downtown might be the city's current midpoint, but North End is Boston's oldest district. Settled back in the 1630s, you'll feel the area's history as you walk its streets. There, you'll find the city's 'Little Italy', where many Italian immigrants settled over the years. That means plenty of charming pizzerias and cafes where you can pick up a slice or three. Attraction-wise, you'll find the Boston Tea Party Museum and the Paul Revere House, among many others. And, while you'll be sacrificing the travel connections of Downtown, you'll make up for it with fantastic views of Massachusetts Bay! Beacon Hill Another top tourist choice is Beacon Hill, which has a lot of history packed into its narrow streets. Back in the 19th-century, it was a thriving black community even before the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery. As such, an absolute must-see is the Black Heritage Trail, which winds its way through the district. Other notable attractions include the Nicols House Museum and the Massachusetts State House. Alongside all the things to see, you'll find plenty to eat and drink too! There are plenty of places to eat on Charles St and Cambridge St, with a wide variety of globe-spanning cuisines available. You'll also be in sneezing distance of Boston Common, the city's biggest green space. It's the perfect place to go and unwind if your legs need a rest on your vacation. Seaport These days, Seaport is one of Boston's most attractive vacation destinations. Given its name, you can expect amazing views of the waterfront and a bevy of eateries, watering holes, and other tourist trappings. However, that wasn't always the case. Only ten years ago, it was a relatively barren area of car lots and the grizzled fishing docks. Modern Seaport has all the usual suspects you'd expect from a modern American city. You've got your craft beers at Harpoon Brewery, your prime seafood at Legal Sea Foods, and your upmarket steaks at Del Frisco's. For the little ones, there's Boston Children's Museum, and for the rest of us, there's a wealth of shops, snack bars, and The Lawn on D for fun and games! Back Bay Looking for the perfect mix of bustling Boston and the charming residential districts? Look no further than Back Bay. There, you'll find a wealth of shopping opportunities, from local boutiques to nationwide chains. This sophisticated area of the city also has plenty of cozy art galleries, hidden cafes, and great sea views. It also backs onto Boston Common, if you're looking for a big green space with plenty to do. As far as landmarks and attractions, you have to go and see Boston Public Library and Trinity Church, two of the city's most recognizable icons. And, if you want to see more of the city, it has great travel connections and is in walking distance of Downtown and Bay Village! South End Boston's own boho-chic location is undeniably South End. It's about as far removed from tourism as you can get, for better or worse. While that means there won't be as many attractions to see or landmarks to snap, it does mean you'll find an amazing selection of restaurants, bars, and shops. Along Columbus Ave, you'll discover a boatload of cafes, taverns, and our pick, Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe. Great food in great time, head there early to sample one of their many delicious breakfast options! For a classier night on the town, check out Barcelona Wine Bar. Their menu is dripping with delicious New American dishes, and their wine selection is predictably sublime. And, on top of all that, there's a burgeoning art scene in SoWa, where you can find plenty of independent galleries and pick up a piece for your home, if you're in the market for some unique art! West End Unlike London's renowned district, Boston's West End is bereft of the arts. In fact, arguably its biggest landmark is Massachusetts General Hospital. However, while it might not have a lot going on within, it's a stone's throw from Downtown and North End, has a smattering of restaurants, and, perhaps best of all, it's relatively cheap. If that sounds good to you, head east, and you'll find most of the nightlife. The likes of Bodega Canal and Tavern in the Square have you sorted for good food and drinks, and West End Johnnie's does a mean burger. You may miss the variety present in other Boston districts, but you make up for it with affordable hotels and a range of decent to excellent Airbnbs at a reasonable price! Cambridge We may have cheated here, as Cambridge is its own city. And yes, you may have to cross the Charles River to actually get there from Boston proper. However, it's here that cultural powerhouses MIT and Harvard reside. Two of the world's best higher education institutions in one city. Not bad. Cambridge is massive, so you may need some wheels if you want to get about easily. If you do, head to the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Harvard Art Museums. And, while you're there, why not take a tour of the university? And those are our recommendations for where to stay in Boston! Want more? Check out the city's best museums.
Dom Bewley
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Top 10 Things to Do in Boston for First Time Visitors

Here are some of the most popular and top 10 things to do in Boston for first-time visitors. From cruises and tours to museums and historical sites, there’s something to appeal to every interest.
Katie Sagal
A snowy scene in Boston
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Things to do in Boston in December

One of the oldest European settlements in North America, but no enemy of the contemporary, visits to the Massachusetts state capital marry revolutionary history with a great mix of modern sights. Not even wintry New England weather forecasts can dampen the gaiety of Boston in December. The chance of snowfall and its open-air ice rinks makes it one of the most festive destinations this side of Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. A great alternative to the crowded sidewalks of New York, Boston has no end of charm leading up to the festive and New Year celebrations. Not convinced December is a good time to visit Boston? Check out all the things to do in Boston in December right here. Check out the historic harbor If you’re looking for the heart and soul of Boston, you’ll want to turn your attention to its expansive harborside. Etched with creeks, rivers and wharves, its waters were the ignition point for the American Revolutionary War when protestors poured an entire shipment of tea into it – an extraordinary insult to any Englishman. Reenactments take place at Old South Meeting House on December 16. A different view of harbor life can be had at Boston’s New England Aquarium on Central Wharf. Spanning the globe’s seas and oceans, it’s home to a fascinating variety of life usually hidden beneath the waves, be that the sharks, turtles and corals of the magnificent 760,000 liter Caribbean habitat or the octopus of the Pacific Northwest tanks. Cross by the artworks dotting Rose Kennedy Greenway and you’re just a couple of streets away from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. A shopping precinct that has been serving Bostonians since 1743, it hosts a popular December holiday market, but is better known for its street performers. Do some last minute shopping Faneuil Hall certainly isn’t the only market in town, with options ranging from European-style Christmas markets serving up steaming mugs of mulled wine and gingerbread to authentic New England craft fairs where you’ll find knitted hats, gloves and other handicrafts. Out of the city center, Harvard Square Holiday Market in Cambridge and Kilroy Square Market in Quincy are ones to keep a close eye on. Swapping Cambridge Massachusetts for Boston’s Cambridge Street you’ll be only a few hundred meters from the Charles River Esplanade and the Cheers Bar. Used for the exterior shots of the 1980s sitcom, and containing a replica of the program’s bar, it also has a charming location overlooking the city’s Public Garden and Common. Fill up on Christmas cheer Right at the heart of Boston’s Christmas festivities, Boston Common is the location for the annual switch on of the city’s lights by its mayor, with a decorated Christmas tree forming the backdrop for the evening. Elsewhere in Boston the arching trellises of Christopher Columbus Park twinkle with fairy lights whilst Blink! back at Faneuil Hall Marketplace usually boasts the northeast’s largest Christmas tree. Around 24 m (or seven stories) tall, it sits alongside more than a quarter of a million individual LEDs. If that wasn’t enough, the common’s Frog Pond becomes something like a scene out of Frozen. Skaters can take a turn on the ice before cheering on the Bruins ice hockey team at The Garden Arena. And although it’s not baseball season, it’s still possible to take a tour of one of the most famous ballparks in America – the Red Sox’s Fenway Park. Line up the snow day activities The mildest month of the Boston winter, average temperatures are still less than balmy with highs of 5°C and overnight lows of -2°C. With rain, sleet and snow all possibilities, it’s wise to mix up any Boston December itinerary with indoor and outdoor alternatives. Thankfully, Boston has an extraordinary array of museums to lose a few hours – if not a few days – in. Top of the list has to be the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. One of the largest galleries in the world, its artworks are by greats from Claude Monet to Andy Warhol. History buffs won’t want to miss the historic ship USS Constitution and its next-door museum. Forming part of Boston’s Freedom Trail, the museum details the vital role the ship lovingly known as ‘Old Ironsides’ (despite having a wooden hull) played during the War of 1812 against the British. She technically remains on active service with the US Navy more than 200 years after her construction. Keep the kids entertained It’s multitude of waterways, parks and museums makes Christmas in Boston a perfect treat for the kids. The dinosaur skeletons and taxidermy animals at Harvard Museum of Natural History provide an excellent introduction to the natural world. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston will delight and inspire young minds whatever the weather may be doing outside. To give them a bird’s eye view of all the city has to offer, head to the observation deck on the 26th floor of the harborside Marriott Customs House Tower, or climb the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument. A Washington Monument in miniature, it was built to commemorate the first battle of America’s Revolutionary War. New Year Events in Boston As well as a whole host of Christmas events, Boston sees in the new year with equal amounts of aplomb. Known as First Night, the celebrations of December 31 include a mini-fireworks display at 7PM so younger children don’t have to miss out on the fun. This is followed by a grander display over the harbor at midnight, only rivalled by those of Independence Day on July 4. Copley Square hosts its own pyrotechnic display, and a People’s Procession takes place down Boylston Street from Copley Square to Boston Common from 6PM. Gala concerts take place in venues big and small to ensure the new year starts as it means to go on. Save on December Boston attraction admission No one wants to have to skimp when on vacation. There’s no worse feeling than wanting to do something but knowing you can’t really afford it. Explore with Go City and this feeling can be a thing of the past! How so? We work hard with attractions to allow you the freedom to do what you want, when you want, whilst making incredible savings.
Ian Packham

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