The Museum of Science is a science and technology museum located at 1 Science Park, on the Charles River Dam between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking options, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
Updated February 2026. Note: the Museum of Science no longer requires timed-entry tickets — visitors now simply select a date when purchasing, and entry is flexible within museum hours. Some older guides still describe a timed-entry booking system, which is no longer in use.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 |
| Opening hours | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily |
| Standard adult ticket | $33.00 |
| Standard child ticket (3–11) | $28.00 |
| Standard senior ticket (60+) | $29.00 |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Nearest public transport | Science Park/West End station, MBTA Green Line (D and E branches) |
| On-site parking | Museum garage, on-site, first-come first-served |
| Typical visit duration | 2–4 hours |
Museum of Science opening hours
The Museum of Science is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum is open on most public holidays, though hours may vary. The official website lists any exceptions at mos.org/visit.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated February 2026.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
Museum of Science ticket prices
Standard exhibit halls admission:
| Visitor type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $33.00 |
| Child (3–11) | $28.00 |
| Senior (60+) | $29.00 |
| Child under 3 | Free |
Exhibit halls admission covers access to all permanent and travelling exhibits. Theatre experiences — the Mugar Omni Theater (IMAX dome), the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the 4-D Theater — each require a separate ticket. Discounted show tickets are available when purchased alongside exhibit halls admission; visitors with exhibit halls tickets can purchase show tickets at a reduced rate from a cashier on arrival.
The Museum of Science is included in the Boston CityPASS, priced at $79 for adults and $69 for children (ages 3–11), valid for nine days. CityPASS also includes the New England Aquarium plus the holder’s choice of two further attractions from: Boston Harbor City Cruises, View Boston Observation Deck, Franklin Park Zoo, and Harvard Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Science is also accepted on the Go City Boston pass. Active US military personnel are admitted free of charge upon presenting a Geneva Conventions Common Access Card.
Ticket prices were checked on the official website (mos.org) and last updated February 2026.
Why book the Boston CityPASS?
- Saves on key attractions: Visit top Boston sights with bundled entry at a reduced price compared with buying individual tickets.
- Flexible sightseeing: CityPASS offers timed entry at major options, helping you plan your itinerary over multiple days.
- Must-see included spots: Explore favourites such as the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science and more, depending on the pass you choose.
- Ideal for first-time visitors: Great way to check off a range of iconic Boston museums and experiences without worrying about separate bookings.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Your pass is delivered digitally for easy scanning at each attraction, with no need to print vouchers.
How to get to the Museum of Science
The closest MBTA station is Science Park/West End, served by the D and E branches of the Green Line, located directly across the street from the museum entrance. Visitors on other MBTA lines can transfer to the Green Line and travel toward Lechmere. The Orange Line to North Station is approximately a 10–15-minute walk from the museum along Nashua Street; the Red Line to Charles/MGH is approximately a 15-minute walk along the Charles River.
Bluebikes, Boston’s bike-share network, has a docking station on the museum’s front plaza. Commuter rail passengers arriving at North Station can walk to the museum or take one stop on the Green Line to Science Park/West End.
Parking at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science has its own on-site parking garage, located beneath the building and accessed from Monsignor O’Brien Highway. The garage accommodates approximately 850 vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. The height clearance above the entrance level is 7’4″; the entrance level itself has a clearance of 13’9″ and can accommodate wheelchair-lift vans. Payment is by debit or credit card only at automated kiosks inside the building.
The garage can fill to capacity on weekends and during school holiday periods. The museum recommends arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. for best availability. Museum members receive a parking discount; the discount applies to one vehicle per visit. EV charging stations are available on the fourth floor. Parking is expensive, at $15 for one hour and $24 for up to four hours. The full rates are published on the parking section of the official site.
How long to spend at the Museum of Science
A visit to the Museum of Science exhibit halls typically takes between two and four hours. Visitors attending one or more theatre presentations (Omni, Planetarium, or 4-D) should allow additional time, as each show runs approximately 25–45 minutes. School holiday and weekend visits tend to be busier, which can add time at popular exhibits such as the live animal presentations and the lightning demonstration.
Accessibility at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science is fully wheelchair accessible throughout, including accessible restrooms on multiple floors, lifts to all levels, and accessible seating in all theatres. The on-site garage has accessible parking spaces on each level near the lifts, and the entrance level can accommodate wheelchair-lift vans. An assistive listening system is available in all stages and theatres; receivers and headsets can be borrowed from the Information Desk in the lobby. ASL interpretation and sighted guide tours are available on request with a minimum of two weeks’ notice. The museum is also an AIRA access site, allowing blind and low-vision visitors to use the AIRA app free of charge on site.
Inside the Museum of Science: what to see
The exhibit halls span multiple floors and cover a broad range of scientific disciplines. Long-term permanent exhibits include a collection of live animals, a full-scale Triceratops skeleton, and displays covering human biology, natural history, engineering, and mathematics. Drop-in daily demonstrations — including the Theatre of Electricity, which features live indoor lightning generated by a Van de Graaff generator — take place at scheduled times throughout the day; the daily schedule is posted at the Information Desk and on the museum website.
The Mugar Omni Theater is an IMAX dome screen nearly five storeys in diameter, screening nature documentaries and science films. The Charles Hayden Planetarium offers narrated programmes about astronomy and the night sky. A 4-D Theater screens short films with physical effects including wind and mist.
The museum periodically hosts temporary travelling exhibitions, which are included in standard exhibit halls admission unless otherwise stated. The current programme can be checked at mos.org/exhibits before visiting.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timed tickets are no longer required | Visitors select a date at the point of purchase, but there is no set entry time. Visitors should still purchase tickets in advance online, as capacity is limited and the museum can reach its daily maximum, particularly during weekends and school holidays. |
| Theatre shows should be booked in advance | The Omni, Planetarium, and 4-D shows have limited capacity and sell out on busy days. Add show tickets to your order at the same time as exhibit halls admission to receive the discounted rate. |
| Check the daily demonstration schedule on arrival | The Theatre of Electricity and live animal presentations run at set times each day. The day’s full schedule is available at the Information Desk in the lobby. |
| The garage can fill quickly at weekends | Arrive before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. for better parking availability. The MBTA Green Line (Science Park/West End stop) is a practical alternative to driving. |
| Food is available on site | The Riverview Café serves a selection of food daily. Outside food and drink may be consumed in designated areas. |
Frequently asked questions about the Museum of Science
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Museum of Science suitable for children? | Yes. The museum is designed for visitors of all ages. Children under 3 enter free. Live animal areas, the lightning demonstration, and drop-in hands-on activities are particularly accessible for younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Museum of Science? | Yes. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended. The museum no longer uses timed entry, but daily visitor numbers are capped and the museum can sell out, particularly at weekends and during school holidays. |
| Is the Museum of Science open on Sundays? | Yes. Sunday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the same as all other days. |
| Is the Museum of Science open on public holidays? | Generally yes, but the museum may close or reduce hours on certain public holidays. Check mos.org/visit before travelling. |
| Are bags allowed at the Museum of Science? | Yes. There are no published restrictions on bags. Large pushchairs and prams are permitted throughout the building. |
| Is the Museum of Science included in Boston CityPASS? | Yes. CityPASS covers Museum of Science exhibit halls admission plus the New England Aquarium and two further attractions from a shortlist, valid for nine days. |
| Is there a café at the Museum of Science? | Yes. The Riverview Café is open daily during museum hours. |
Things to do near the Museum of Science
The following attractions are within a short distance and can be combined in the same visit to Boston:
- New England Aquarium — Located at Central Wharf on the Boston waterfront, approximately 1.5 miles from the museum. Also included in Boston CityPASS. Travel via the Green Line to Government Center, then the Blue Line to Aquarium station.
- Boston Harbor City Cruises — Whale watch and harbour tour departures from Central Wharf, near the aquarium. Available mid-May to November. Also an optional CityPASS attraction.
- Harvard Museum of Natural History — Located in Cambridge, approximately 1.5 miles from the museum. Covers natural history, minerals, and the famous Glass Flowers collection. Also an optional CityPASS attraction.
- View Boston — Observation deck on the 52nd floor of 800 Boylston Street, in the Back Bay area. Also an optional CityPASS attraction.
- Franklin Park Zoo — Located approximately 5 miles from the museum in the Franklin Park area of Dorchester. Also an optional CityPASS attraction.
- TD Garden — Major indoor arena located near North Station, approximately a 15-minute walk from the museum. Home venue for the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Boston Celtics (NBA).
More Massachusetts travel
Other Massachusetts travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 5 really good reasons to visit Boston.
- Review of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tackle the key sites on the Freedom Trail: The Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
- Discovering the story of baseball, starting at Fenway Park.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Salem, Massachusetts.
