Boston Museum of Science

There are many attractions and activities available for sightseeing in Boston. Among the most popular is the Museum of Science, one of the largest science centres in the world, which is also the most visited cultural venue in New England.

This icon of the region, founded in 1830, today receives more than 1 million visitors a year, who come here to explore, learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics thanks to its more than 700 interactive exhibits, live presentations and audiovisual shows.

The Museum is mainly focused on children, making it one of the best things to do in Boston with kids.

Admission to this museum costs approximately....

• 27 euros for adults (including 12 year olds)
• 22 euros for children between 3 and 11 years of age
• 23 euros for seniors (from 60 years old)
• Free for children under 3 years of age.

Tickets for this museum can only be purchased online, so it is not possible to buy them at any ticket office. In addition, all purchases require a prior reservation, specifying the day and time of entry in terms of 15 minutes.

You can make reservations and purchase tickets for this museum on the museum's website or by calling 617-723-2500.

Of course! With the Go Boston Card you'll save big money on your admission to the permanent exhibitions at the Museum of Science, including discounts at other attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Paul Revere House and the Children's Museum.

And it's not the only option! With the Boston City Pass you will save almost 50% on admission to this museum and others included in this pass, such as the New England Aquarium, the Franklin Zoo or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

The prices to enter this museum vary according to age. For children between 3 and 11 years old, the approximate price is 22 euros, while children under 3 years old can enter for free.

At the Science Museum there are different options for guided tours, however, they are not suitable if you are travelling individually or with your family. Either way, I'll tell you about them and leave them for your consideration.

• Students: especially for school groups, educators and other accompanying persons. An online reservation is required with the day of the visit and the number of people in the group. Costs vary, but are around 4 to 6 euros. You can see more details here

• Tours for groups (non-students): You need to fill in the form on this website with the number of people in the group, date of visit and other information and send it to the email [email protected] or phone 617-723-2500. With this, they will indicate the price and payment methods. This option is only suitable if you are travelling as an agency and with a minimum of 10 people.

Another option, which is not exactly inside the museum, is a Duck Boat tour offered in Boston.

In a special vehicle, this tour will take you from the gates of the museum straight to the waters of the Charles River. A minimum group size of 20 people is required.

The Museum of Science is located in Science Park, a thoroughfare that crosses the Charles River and is one of the main thoroughfares connecting the heart of the city with a large section across the river.

This is an advantage, but as in almost any city, traffic can be a surprise. For this reason, getting around by public transport is ideal.
Here are the following options for getting to the museum:

• By Train: Northstation is the nearest train station...about 8 minutes walk away. The line you can take is the Framingham/Worcester line.
• By Underground: The museum's location is a short walk from the E branch of the Green Line (direction North Station). Other lines you can use are the Orange Line (to Haymarket or North Station) and the Red Line (to Charles/MGH Station).
• By Bus: The best stations to get to are Lechmere or Portland St & Causeway St. Both are less than a 5 minute walk from the Museum. You can take the EZRide (towards Outbound), 69 (towards Harvard), the 80 or 88 (towards Lechmere) or the 87 (towards Arlington Center).

The easiest way to explain what you will find in this museum is to talk about its sections or wings, or "wings", as they are called in English. Red, green or blue... these wings are present on each of the three main floors that make up this enormous building.

On each floor you'll find exhibitions, live performances and other spaces that add to the experience.

Blue Wing

Starting with the blue wing, this is the one that houses the most exhibits...and crowds. Here you'll learn about the science behind electricity and apply concepts of mathematics, motion and optical illusions.

You'll take a look at cold expeditions on the arctic adventure in a global warming scenario and learn more about the historic moon landing.

In addition, you will take a tour to learn more about the importance of small insects, but you will also realise how insignificant we are in this infinite universe. The fossils of a huge dinosaur will not be missing either.

Among the Blue Wing's most popular and exciting presentations is Lightning!, a show where you'll discover the science behind a thunderstorm in the world's largest electricity-generating sphere. Definitely... a "very high voltage" show not to be missed.

Green Wing

Much of what you'll find in the green area is related to life...from the human body to the rich biodiversity of the New England region, with a glimpse of what lurks in its forests, coastlines and salt ponds.

From this wing, I especially recommend "A Bird's World", where you'll be amazed at the number of birds you can find in this part of the United States and how to identify them.

Red Wing

And in the red wing? In this area you'll find the museum shop, as well as the Planetarium and the Omni Theater, the largest IMAX screen in New England.

Both spaces feature impressive audiovisual productions that are worth including in your visit at an additional cost.

In the red wing, you'll also find a space with the museum's star animals- those that accompany traveling exhibits or serve as props for educational events. Here, more than 120 animals steal the attention of young and old as they are cared for by veterinarians and assistants.

It will take you at least 3-4 hours to see this museum in its entirety.
And if you feel like it, and maybe you'll have more time to spare, you can leave the audiovisual productions on the IMAX or Planetarium screens for another day.

The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with admission every 15 minutes. Closing times for some exhibits may change throughout the year.

It is closed on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. However, to be on the safe side and not be caught by surprise by a closed door, I recommend you visit the "Today's Schedule" menu on their website.

• Temporary exhibitions, presentations, events... When? This museum claims that "it's never the same place twice", so it's best to check the "Today's Schedule"on their website beforehand, so that the only thing that surprises you is the dinosaur fossil or the huge ball of Lightning!
• Red Wing...blue....mmm yes, but better to see it: Here is a link to a map of the museum, so you can see better what I am telling you here.
• Better to use public transport: The museum is located on a very well connected road in the city and there are many important avenues around it. Although the museum has a car park, it has a limited number of parking spaces (and tends to fill up quickly). Also, the traffic in this area may not help to make the most of the day... and in a city where public transport is plentiful, why not use it? This is my recommendation.

In the museum shop you can find clothing, toys and other items ranging from puzzles, videos, books and board games to lamps, hats, little scientist kits and freeze-dried astronaut ice cream.

It's likely to take you quite a while to browse and choose from the extensive catalogue of products here, apart from queues at certain times.

The shop is open from Sunday to Thursday, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays the shop closes until 9:30 pm.

At the science museum, you can bring your own food... but you can only eat it on the esplanade in front of the museum, or at the picnic tables behind the building.

There are also some small restaurants inside the museum, with sandwiches, salads, hamburgers, pizzas and pastas. Here is a link if you want more details about opening hours and other conditions of these spaces.

Now, if you feel like going out, you will find several restaurants one, two or up to 5 streets towards both sides (West End and East Cambridge) of the river. For Italian food, a highly recommended (though not the most affordable) option is Gepetto.
If you're in the mood for more traditional American food, you'll find options such as The Lexington and, a little further away (you won't mind because the food is so good), Porters Bar and Grill.

For Japanese food, a very good option is Shabu & Mein and, as the list can get very long, I'll leave you with more options by clicking on this link.

The closest attraction to the museum is undoubtedly the riverbank with its different parks such as North Point Park, Charles River Esplanade or Paul Revere Park, with circuits for walking, cycling, art exhibitions or an afternoon picnic.

A must-see for sports enthusiasts is the Sports Museum. This place celebrates all that is sporting competition in Boston, the figures that have made the name of this city and the events that have marked the history of the city.

Another museum within walking distance of the Science Museum is the Museum of African American History. Here, you'll find exhibits showcasing the contribution of African Americans to New England. It is considered the largest museum dedicated to these groups in the area.

Boston's oldest church is also an attraction near the Science Museum. This building was a key site in the beginning of the American Revolution.

Here you can enter the church and other surrounding spaces...which, by the way, is located in the North End neighbourhood, an Italian neighbourhood recognised as the oldest in the city and part of the best guided tours of Boston.

You can wander the cobblestone streets of this neighbourhood while enjoying the old architecture and the aroma wafting from its many restaurants. The home of revolutionary hero Paul Revere is another place to visit in this quaint neighbourhood.