Boston families are lucky when it comes to cultural institutions. Beantown has some of the best museums and attractions on the East Coast, and the city is dripping with history. From learning about the oldest fire department in the country at the Boston Fire Museum to visiting the Boston Children’s Museum (one of the coolest around!), Boston’s got it all. That’s why we rounded up 20 museums in and around Boston that all kids (and parents!) should visit at least once. Trust us, you don’t want to miss one.
1. Take a step back in time with your kids to honor the legacy of our 35th president at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Embark on a journey through the 1960s and learn about JFKs 1,000 days in office. Keep an eye out for special programs for families, too! Make sure to stop by the JFK Café for a post-museum snack.
2. From permanent experiences (like the bubble room where kids can create massive-sized bubbles) to must-see traveling exhibits and events, there’s no shortage of fun at the Boston Children’s Museum. We also recently named it one of the best children’s museums in the country!
3. The charming and beautiful Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is the perfect “secret garden” to explore with your littles. The museum is filled with not just art, but a stunning array of plants, flowers, ornate fountains and architecture.
4. Located just 35 minutes outside of Boston, the Discovery Museum is a must. You can spend time indoors exploring the newly renovated exhibits before heading outdoors to Discovery Woods—a huge treehouse created by DIY Network’s The Treehouse Guys.
Discovery Museum
5. You may be surprised to see this on a list for kids, but the Museum of Fine Arts is more family-friendly than you might think. They offer story times on the first Monday of every month as well as weekly free drop-in art classes!
6. The Harvard Museum of Natural History offers a wide variety of collections—from the 4,000 constructed glass flowers to a Birds of the World gallery. Don’t forget to see the 1,600 pound amethyst gem from Brazil located in the recently renovated gemstones and rare minerals display. And the best part? Admission is free for MA residents on Sundays from 9am to noon and Wednesday afternoons.
7. If you’ve got an aspiring firefighter in the family, the Boston Fire Museum is the perfect place to pay a visit. Learn about the rich tradition of the Boston Fire Department, the oldest in the nation.
8. One of the most entertaining museums in Boston is the Museum of Science. Budding scientists will enjoy exhibits like the Light House (explore the science behind light and color), or Science in the Park (a perfect spot to run, jump and burn off energy). Make sure to visit the Butterfly Garden filled with beautiful butterflies and exotic plants.
Studio Nouveau
9. Thomas the Tank Engine-lovers are sure to appreciate the Bay State Model Railroad Museum. Don’t miss the intricately designed layouts of trains passing through villages. There is so much attention to detail—from the tiny bridges and overpasses to the miniature telephone poles and connecting wires.
10. What kid wouldn’t enjoy taking a selfie with their favorite celebrity or sports hero? Sure, they may be made of wax, but for some reason, kids seem to lose it over these figures. The Dreamland Wax Museum houses 107 wax figures of celebrities, presidents, sports icons and more!
11. Located on the historic Freedom Trail, the New England Holocaust Memorial was built as a tribute to the brave Holocaust survivors. The six glass towers each stand 54 feet tall and are the perfect educational opportunity for your little ones. It’s a stunning memorial that honors one of the most heartbreaking times in our history.
12. Fully immerse yourself in creativity and imaginative fun at the Dr. Seuss Museum, located in the hometown of Dr. Seuss himself in Springfield, MA. The entire first floor of the museum offers interactive exhibits, a Cat’s Corner for telling/inventing stories and the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden (look for beloved characters like the Grinch and his pal Max).
Springfield Museums
13. Charlestown is one of the coolest and most historical parts of Boston, and the Bunker Hill Museum sits right on the Freedom Trail. Check out exhibits on the Battle of Bunker Hill and the history of Charlestown before heading to the monument itself to climb all the way to the top.
14. Relive the event that started the Revolution and changed the course of American History! Hosts at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum dress up like colonials from the 18th century and lead you on a one-hour tour of the museum. Complete your experience by stopping by Abigail’s Tea Room for freshly baked goods.
15. There are more than 60 outdoor sculptures, gardens and terraces to explore at the 30-acre DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. You’ll also find free, multi-sensory activities inside the museum throughout the week (check the website for the schedule).
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
16. The Concord Museum is a historical venue which displays the famous lantern from Paul Revere’s ride in 1775. The museum also has a new education center with a colonial-style hearth that visitors are able to explore. Ask for the treasure hunt and free family guide!
17. Some of the most innovative minds come together at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the MIT Museum definitely reflects that. During your visit, explore exhibits about the history of artificial intelligence at MIT, see high-tech objects and research prototypes. Kids will especially love the holograms on display!
18. Experience life as a sailor as your kids shorten a sail, scrub the deck and swing in a hammock at the USS Constitution Museum. The “old Ironsides” are located in the Navy Yard of Charlestown.
Greg M. Cooper Photography
19. You’ll be enamored by the sheer beauty of the Peabody Essex Museum, which features more than 1.8 million works of art. The museum’s stunning atrium is filled with light and color, and offers weekly activities for kids like coloring, music, and crafts.
20. Learn about Paul Revere and his legendary midnight ride at the Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End neighborhood. The average visit is about 30 minutes and admission is just $1 for kids and $5 for adults!
