Why New England is the Perfect Destination for Science Lovers

There are over 400 New England museums, with art, history, and science on display. New England is home to many research universities as well as curious kids. The top science museums offer plenty of interactive and educational activities for kids in New England. And these hands-on science museums also let little ones interact with the world around them. While New England might have a reputation as a leaf-peeping destination or a Revolutionary War history hub. But the kid-friendly science museums in the region make New England the perfect destination for science lovers.

Top Science Museums in New England for Kids

From dinosaurs to outer space, explore science at the best science museums in New England! Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History photo by Kelly Patino

1. Museum of Science - Boston, MA

The Boston Museum of Science offers interactive exhibits and fun educational activities for kids that make science exciting. The MoS features dinosaurs, exhibits on New England habitats, and some really cool, hands-on engineering workshops. Boston's Museum of Science also has a 4-D theater, an IMAX Omni theater, and the amazing Charles Hayden Planetarium, where kids can explore the stars and planets up close.

Best for: Astronomy, dinosaurs, STEM

Age range: 4 & up.

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• Parking is available at the museum's garage for a fee, while the T maintains a nearby Green Line stop (Science Park/Lechmere)
• The Museum of Science is quite large and can easily fill an entire day
• Boston's Museum of Science is one of the city's top attractions and can be very busy on weekends and school breaks

Where To Eat: The museum offers dining at the Riverview Cafe as well as vending machines. Visitors can enjoy their own food outside, in the front plaza or on picnic benches behind the museum.

2. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History - New Haven, CT

Reopened in 2024 after a three-year refurbishing, Peabody is back and ready to education and curate an amazing natural history experience for your children. The kids favorite exhibits are back and bigger than ever. The dinosaur exhibits still amaze little dino-lovers. On the second floor, explore technology and Ancient Egypt; on the third floor, see minerals, the ever-popular dioramas, and the Living Lab, which has real animals.

Best for: Dinosaurs, science history, geology

Age range: 3 & up

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• Allow abot two hours to explore the museum.
• Hands-on exhibits and items are clearly labeled—hands off everything else!
• The museum is accessible and stroller-friendly.

Where To Eat: Food is allowed in the Central Gallery and rest areas of the museum. If you're looking to grab a meal with the family nearby, New Haven is home to some of the Best Pizza Places in Connecticut for Families.

3. EcoTarium - Worcester, MA

The EcoTarium is an indoor/outdoor museum dedicated to science and nature. Spanning 45 acres, the EcoTarium has a planetarium, extensive trails, wildlife, and tons of programming, See the Wild Cat Station, Animal Corner, and ride the Explorer Train around the grounds.

Best for: Environmental science, natural history, astronomy

Age range: 2 & up

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• The outdoor areas have limited hours from late Fall to early Spring
• Parking is always free
• the EcoTarium is closed on Mondays

Where To Eat: The EcoTarium serves food around lunchtime. There are also several picnic areas on the grounds and a variety of nearby dining options.

4. Connecticut Science Center - Hartford, CT

Connecticut's prestigious science museum for children (and grown ups), the Connecticut Science Center offers fascinating exhibits and hands-on opportunities sure to intrigue kids. Permanant exhibits include Kidspace for toddlers, the Engineering Lab, Genome in Me, Exploring Space, and more. One of their most popular spaces is the seasonal Butterfly Encounter, a fully immersive greenhouse with around 50 species of butterflies. CT Science Center offers regular programming to the pulic, including 3-D movies, as well as vacation and summer camps.

Best for: Engineering, biology, astronomy

Age range: 3 & up

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• Garage parking is available for a fee
• The CT Science Center has several oermanent and rotating exhibits, so plan on spending the better part of a day

Where To Eat: IThe Connecticut Science Center has a Subway onsite, as well as snacks for sale and vending machines. Bagged lunches are permitted in designated areas.

Things are fascinating and fun at these science museums! MIT Museum Pink Chicken project photo by Anna Olivella, courtesy of the museum.

5. MIT Museum - Cambridge, MA

The MIT Museum offers hands-on exhibits where kids can explore cool inventions and robotics. Kids can see fascinating displays like interactive holograms, and learn about the cutting-edge technologies developed at MIT.

Best for: Robotics, engineering, optics, science history

Age range: (please use & up, not +)

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• Smaller children might find the advanced science exhibits inaccessible
• Parking is available on the street or nearby garages
• The museum is fairly close to the Kendall T Station on the Red Line 

Where To Eat: Food is not available, but there are several nearby shops, cafes, and restaurants.

6. Discovery Science Center - Bridgeport, CT

The Discovery Science Center believes in the importance of growing young minds through access to STEAM learning experiences that resonate with kids' curiosity. The museum's mission is to engage, excite, and educate young scientists through programs that inspire wonder and ignite creativity as the foundation for a lifetime love of learning and discovery. The museum advocates for science literacy and strives to provide a pathway for all learners to be empowered by knowledge and prepared for a technology-driven world.

Best for: Astronomy, physics

Age range: 3 & up

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• Parking is available onsite and at the adjacent Veteran's Memorial Park
• Admission is free for Bridgeport residents (with ID) each and every Wednesday

Where To Eat: The front desk at the Discovery Science Center features concessions from This and That Catering of Trumbull, Connecticut. The museum encourages guests to bring a bag lunch as well. There is a dining area overlooking the Adventure Course.

7. Harvard Museum of Natural History - Cambridge, MA

The Harvard Museum of Natural History was established in 1998, bringing centuries worth of three museums' collections together. Exhibits include zoology, herbology, and geology, as well as, Africa, Birds of the World, Marine and Mammal Life, and more. HMNH offers children regular programming, special events, and in-person classroom workshops.

Best for: Natural history, geology, biology

Age range: 7 & up

Tips for Planning Your Visit:

• The museum is free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• There are several nearby parking garages and lots, as well as the Harvard Square stop on the T's Red Line

Where To Eat: Food is not available, but there is a plethora of dining options in Harvard Square.

Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Science Museums

These New England science museums have tons of hands-on fun! Photo courtesy of the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

New England is home to some hidden gems, with great science museums off the beaten path.

8. Echo Lahey Center for Lake Champlain - Burlington, VT

Vermont's innovative science and nature museum on the Burlington waterfront which has dynamic exhibits like Frog World, Into the Lake, Engineer It and Native American Gallery. ECHO’s mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain from the natural life surrounding it to the water itself. The Leahy Center offers camps, a virtual STEM academy and much more. 

9. Maine Discovery Center - Bangor, ME

With three floors of hands-on exhibits full of science, nature, literature, art and more, The Children's Discovery Museum offers children the opportunity to dig in and learn about science by doing. With both daily programming and special events, daily activities focus on creativity and STEM topics. Kids can lean about coding and engineering at the Robot Factory, see live turtles at Turtle Alley, learn about space in the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibit, and so much more. 

10. SEE Science Center - Manchester, NH

Bring the whole family to SEE Science Center to explore their multiple exhibits together. SEE's specialty is creating an environment where children can experience science in all its' forms, while being inspired to learn. Children can explore exhibits like Cooking Chemistry, Bubble, The Ocean and You, and dinosaurs. Don't forget to see the amazing LEGO Millyard display.

Take Your Kids on a Science Adventure in New England

Consider planning a trip to one of these science museums in New England if you're looking for something to do with the little ones that's both enriching and entertaining.. The region has plenty to offer for scientists in the making. A museum trip can also be a fun experience for the whole family, moms and dads included.

Choosing which of these New England science museums to visit is as easy as homing in on your child's interests. Is your child curious about nature and wildlife? Is your kid obsessed with outer space? Or are they all about dinosaurs? Pick from their top interests and plan an unforgettable experience that nurtures their curiosity.

Plan Your Next Family Science Adventure Today! 

Science museums aren't just for kids, so visit one of these children's museums in New England for a fun day trip for the whole family. Make your museum visit part of a family road tripnfor a getaway in New England. Don't forget to check out each museum's website before you head out for all the latest info on current exhibits, hours, and ticketing. Save time by purchasing tickets online in advance to skip the lines (when possible). Skip the line and spend more of your day enjoying these New England science museums!