Weather not cooperating? Escape and visit an exciting indoor museum!
New Hampshire
Children’s Museum of NH (Dover, NH): Speeding hours exploring at this local family and visitor favorite. It is designed with so much fun in mind. Be sure to reserve your timed visit to the museum ahead online. The current days/open times are: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 9am-Noon or 1-4pm and Sundays, 9am-Noon. Closed on Mondays.
Seacoast Science Center, (Rye, NH): open for so much seaside exploration fun! This treasured spot is the place for families to engage, discover and connect with NH’s salty seacoast nature. Enjoy the center’s exhibits including the new restoring reefs, touch tanks, discovery dock, working underwater and so much more! If the weather breaks be sure to check out the walking the paths, have a picnic and of course bring a pail to collect sea glass and other finds from the beach! Open Tuesdays – Sundays 10am-4pm. Before you go it’s best to pre-register for your tickets but walk-ins are always welcome before they reach limited capacity.
Maine
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (Portland, Maine): Have you been to the newest location? This museum & theatre exists to inspire discovery and imagination through exploration and play. When you visit you’ll find the fun focus is offering play-based experiences in: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math); Arts and culture; Performing and visual arts; and Early childhood education. Every exhibit at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is designed to let kids lead the way. Reserve your timed ticket ahead of time here and know that the theatre performances are ticketed separately.
Boston Area
The Boston Children’s Museum “Bubbles” and “Raceway” were the two exhibits that were a big hit when we last visited this amazing facility. We’re also incredibly impressed with their Playspace for 0-3 year olds. We’re looking forward to bringing our kiddos back this summer for more exploration. The Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9:00am-4:00pm. Advance tickets/reservations are highly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays and school vacation weeks.
The New England Aquarium is always a fun and worth the trip visit. We enjoy the giant central tank and finding the sea turtles and visiting the seals out back. Exhibits are open but touch tanks are view only – no touching allowed. Lockers & a stroller room are available too. Please purchase tickets before your visit to guarantee entry. While a limited number of tickets are available on-site every day when we open, the Aquarium frequently sells out.
Museum of Science Boston Check out their fun current featured exhibits. Their permanent exhibits on dinosaurs are always a great hit with kids too. Open daily, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitors over the age of 3 require a ticket to enter the Museum Exhibit Halls. More details here!
Central MA
Discovery Museum in Acton, MA boasts a beautiful new indoor space with STEM experiences for all ages. The train, diner & ship room are our favorite spaces for the littles while the older ones may especially enjoy spaces that allow for creating their own designs and crafts. If the rain lets up at all during your visit, be sure to go outside and play in their amazing treehouse. Plan your visit & and learn more here!
EcoTarium While we love to visit the outdoor animals and playground, the inside has lots to offer as far as exhibits as well. The EcoTarium museum of science and nature in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers an indoor-outdoor experience to visitors of all ages. Guests are encouraged to explore three floors of indoor interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, daily Science Discovery programs, hikes through forest and meadow nature trails, outdoor imaginative play, and a train ride (seasonal) around the 45+ acre campus. Plan to fun visit to this gem here!
Other Museums in MA & RI
Springfield Museums The Welcome Center is the gateway to awe, discovery, and playful learning at the Springfield Museums, home of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum! To help ensure moving quickly through the Welcome Center admission line, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.
Providence Children’s Museum Worth the trip? We loved our visit to PCM a couple years ago. Kids enjoyed the water play, the innovation lab and Littlewoods for the youngest child in the group. At the Providence Children’s Museum, play, creativity, and exploration is what they do! Open Wednesdays – Sundays with play timeslots of 9:30 AM– 12:30 PM or 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. You may pre-register or buy tickets upon arrival. You may arrive at any point during the time slot; your time to play will end at either 12:30pm or 4:30pm.
Looking for other ways to have fun and explore in the indoors? We have a great list of indoor play spaces for you and your littles. Be sure to always check the calendar too!
