29 Finest Museums in New England for Children of All Ages

New England’s huge American historical past, vibrant pure ecosystems, literary and creative roots, and cutting-edge scientific analysis make it a sizzling spot for high quality museums. If you’re on the lookout for issues to do in New England with youngsters, be certain that to take a look at these finest museums in New England with youngsters for all pursuits and ages. 

These museums provide experiential studying and interactive play, an important a part of childhood. From hands-on science experiments to exploring genuine historic artifacts, New England museums provide engagement for a spread of ages from toddlers to seniors.

On the lookout for a selected sort of museum? Listed below are some high picks:

Finest for historical past buffs: Boston Tea Get together Ships & Museum

Finest for interactive play: Boston Kids’s Museum 

Finest for science lovers: Boston Museum of Science

Finest for toddlers: Montshire Museum of Science

Finest for nature lovers: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Heart

Finest for teenagers: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Finest Museums in New England 

Finest Museums in Connecticut

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Analysis Heart, Mashantucket, CT 

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum follows the historical past of the area and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation over the previous 18,000 years. This museum is fascinating and no expense was spared for example this historical past, however an actual spotlight is the 22,000 sq. ft. mannequin of a Sixteenth-century tribal village.

Discover reveals of Native artwork and creation tales, after which head upstairs to find out about Pequot households on and off the reservation. You’ll be able to journey again in time to the ice age on the Glacial Crevasse & A World of Ice exhibit, or stroll via the Pequot Village exhibit and witness what every day life was like 500 years in the past!

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Analysis Heart is positioned at 110 Pequot Path, Mashantucket, CT 06338.

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Mystic Seaport is a maritime museum and duplicate Nineteenth-century fishing village. Children love the hands-on reveals and residing historical past demonstrations from blacksmiths, shopkeepers, and ship smiths. You may also climb on the historic vessels, take a horse and carriage journey, take a ship journey, or stargaze on the Planetarium.

This museum affords each immersive training from educated employees and leisure. I might suggest spending a superb few hours right here for there’s a lot to see. If in case you have time, cease by the Mystic Seaport Aquarium the place you see beluga whales and jellyfish tanks, store, and eat scrumptious close by seafood. See extra issues to do in Mystic.

Mystic Seaport is positioned 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355.

Finest Museums in Maine

Kids’s Museum and Theater of Maine, Portland, ME

The Kids’s Museum and Theater of Maine affords a lot to entertain the children together with a mini planetarium, rock wall, water play space, a fireplace station, a mini Entire Meals, and even a toddler space. The museum affords distinctive experiences for studying like within the Meet Our Neighbors Exhibit the place youngsters can find out about Korean tradition and language. MakerSpace is one other distinctive exhibit open to drawing, sculpting, or engineering something of your creativeness! It’s small and simply walkable inside the metropolis, nice for younger youngsters.

The Kids’s Museum is positioned at 250 Thompsons Level Rd, Portland, ME, 04102.

Portland Museum of Artwork, Portland, ME

Portland Museum of Artwork’s small measurement makes it an ideal alternative to check out an artwork museum with youngsters. The museum options works from Rose Marasco, Maine’s most prolific residing photographer, in addition to American, European, and up to date artwork. The museum has a inventive area and affords a number of packages for households. See extra issues to do in Portland and the place to eat downtown.

The Portland Artwork Museum is positioned at 7 Congress Sq., Portland, ME.

Finest Museums in Massachusetts

Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA

Whereas not your conventional museum, Battleship Cove teaches about historical past by letting you climb on and discover three genuine battleships that noticed motion in World Battle II, the USS Massachusetts, USS Joseph Kennedy Jr., and the USS Lionfish. You may also discover reveals about Pearl Harbor, ladies in service, D-Day, and extra.

A go to to Battleship Cove is nice for college students finding out WWII, historical past buffs, or simply those that wish to get hands-on with reveals — particularly the massive weapons! This spot is very well-liked amongst many Cub Scout troops. 

Battleship Cove is positioned at 5 Water Avenue, Fall River, MA 02721. 

Boston Tea Get together Museum, Boston, MA

The Boston Tea Get together Museum is a superb introduction to early American historical past and the Revolutionary Battle. You’ll be able to go on the Beaver, a duplicate of one of many three ships a part of the unique tea celebration, and toss “tea” off the ship.

Children will love being part of such a historic occasion. Reside actors reennact historic occasions, the museum hosts transferring portraits of King George III and Sam Adams, and there’s Abigal’s tea room to finish with snacks. This tremendous interactive expertise will assist youngsters study American historical past in a enjoyable and digestible trend. See extra about visiting the Boston Tea Get together Ships & Museum with youngsters. 

The Boston Tea Get together Museum is positioned at 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210. 

Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA

If you’re within the Berkshires, the Berkshire Museum is a superb place to spend an hour or two with youngsters. Downstairs they’ve a small aquarium, whereas on the principle degree you possibly can discover the historical past and ecosystem of the realm with a small pure historical past museum and the Feigenbaum Corridor of Innovation, which tells the story of many native inventors and entrepreneurs. See extra issues to do within the Berkshires with youngsters.

The Berkshire Museum is positioned at 39 South Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Plimoth and Patuxet Museums, Plymouth, MA

Plymouth is the house to the historical past of the primary interactions between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag. The Plimoth and Patuxet Museums have a number of websites from the Mayflower II to the Patuxet Homesite, however the historic seventeenth century English Village is a must-see the place you possibly can stroll via an actual duplicate of the place early Colonists lived. With costumed interpreters, it’s a good spot for kids to find out about complicated historical past in a enjoyable and interactive method. 

It is a good alternative for kids to know the story of the Wampanoag individuals and the way they lived their lives.

The Plimouth Patuxet Museum is positioned at 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Boston Kids’s Museum, Boston, MA

The Boston Kids’s Museum is among the finest that I’ve been to. There are such a lot of completely different areas to discover — a three-story New Steadiness climbing construction, the at all times enthralling Japanese home, development zone, and a lot extra. The bubbles space is very a crowd pleaser holding youngsters mesmorized. 

The Boston Kids’s Museum is positioned at 308 Congress Avenue, Boston, MA 02210.

Boston Museum of Science, Boston, MA

We’ve been to the Boston Museum of Science many instances, together with for a few sleepover “Nights on the Museum”. With an IMAX theater, planetarium, butterfly backyard, and reveals in regards to the human physique, electrical energy, and physics, individuals of all ages can discover themselves immersed in a world of creativity. Discover the Science within the Park exhibit the place you possibly can find out about physics via interactive play. It is a great place for youths with swings and operating tracks to check your pace, it’s straightforward to spend hours right here.

Dont neglect to say hey to the 2 story T-Rex. The Theater of Electrical energy is a spectacular occasion the place you possibly can witness an actual lightning present. Some loud noises could upset little youngsters, however there are spots on flooring above the place you possibly can watch the present from a quiter surroundings! The musical stairs and the invention middle are excellent locations for toddlers and elementary college aged youngsters. 

The Boston Museum of Science is positioned at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114.

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Have you ever ever learn the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? Eric Carle’s image books are crafted from his distinctive artwork model, portray, drying and collaging tissue paper. The Eric Carle Museum showcases artwork by Eric Carle and different artists, various in model and theme. The surroundings is ideal for toddlers and youthful elementary college youngsters, or any Eric Carle followers, and also you get to discover the artwork. Alongside the museum, there’s a bookshop, artwork studio, and a studying library. Close by, you possibly can discover the Yankee Candle Village!

The Eric Carle Museum is positioned at 125 West Bay Highway, Amherst, MA 01002.

Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, MA

All in regards to the well-known Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), the Superb World of Dr. Seuss Museum permits you to discover his strategies of story telling via interactive reveals. Guests can experiment with sound, play rhythm video games, and create their very own tales of creativeness! With a mix of each his life historical past and work displayed, you possibly can discover Dr. Seuss’ journey. This museum is nice for youthful youngsters, or any lover of Dr. Seuss.

Whereas within the space try enjoyable issues to do close to Springfield. 

The Dr. Seuss Museum is positioned at 21 Edwards Avenue, Springfield, MA 01103.

The Discovery Museums, Acton, MA

The Discovery Museums on the South Shore are actually two museums for one value — the Science Discovery Museum and the Kids’s Discovery Museum. The Kids’s Museum promotes STEM-based studying for youthful youngsters with every room devoted to exploring a distinct science idea via a theme. The Science Museum however could be very arms on, with a woodworking store, sound lab, nano science exhibit and a lot extra. Children will love designing elaborate ball runs and pathways. The out of doors treehouse is a fan favourite which is ideal for youths ages 3-6 years previous. 

The Discovery Museums are positioned at 177 Essential Avenue (Route 27) Acton, Massachusetts 01720.

EcoTarium, Worcester, MA

The EcoTarium is an indoor-outdoor museum protecting science and nature with a planetarium, out of doors nature reveals, seasonal campus prepare journey and animals from otters to chinchillas. When my husband and daughter went, they beloved the out of doors treetop cover walkways and ziplines. The “Wild Music” can also be a well-liked exhibit.

The EcoTarium is positioned at 222 Harrington Approach, Worcester, MA 01604. 

Harvard Artwork Museums, Cambridge, MA

The Harvard Artwork Museums consists of the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler Museums. Renovations have been from architect Renzo Piano, who designed the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The constructing is as lovely because the masterpieces it holds. The galleries are constantly revolving so be certain that to take a look at their web site to see in case your favourite artist is at the moment on show. Replicate on the artwork at Jenny’s cafe and Calderwood Courtyard and ensure to cease by the store for a memento.

 The Harvard Artwork Museums are positioned at 32 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is positioned inside strolling distance to the Museum of Wonderful Arts, however it’s a lot smaller. It has a lot to curiosity youngsters in its structure, from a stupendous courtyard to a medieval tapestry room. In case your youngsters love a superb thriller, the story of the artwork heist on the museum will seize their curiosity; the empty areas the place the work was once are nonetheless there! Every new room is dynamic and affords a brand new theme, excellent for capturing the creativeness. The museum itself is most match for older youngsters, center college age and older as a result of extra fragile articfacts and never many oopportunities for interactive play. 

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is positioned at 25 Evans Approach, Boston 02115.

Museum of Wonderful Arts, Boston MA

The Museum of Wonderful Arts in Boston is certainly one of my daughter’s favourite artwork museums. The Egyptian exhibit is a extremely popular with hundreds of works of historical artwork and artifacts. We additionally love trying out the Asian artwork collections, in addition to the European masters. Kids which are very fascinated by artwork are more than likely to get pleasure from this museum, and it’s extra fascinating going into it with earlier data of a favourite painter. Elementary on up ages would get pleasure from this museum one of the best. 

The Museum of Wonderful Arts is positioned at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Nantucket Whaling Museum, Nantucket, MA

The Nantucket Whaling Museum is a good way to study the historical past of Nantucket in an interactive method. It’s child pleasant with gown up garments and a skeleton of a large sperm whale. Households may decide up a guidebook that follows Puritan youngsters via a journey across the museum. Visiting Nantucket? Listed below are some concepts for the supreme Nantucket itinerary. 

The Whaling Museum is positioned at 13 Broad St Nantucket, MA 02554.

Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

The Peabody Essex Museum is a pleasant addition to a day journey to Salem. It’s a lovely constructing with a powerful assortment of nautical and Chinese language artwork. Our favourite was the short-term “Branching Out: Timber as Artwork” exhibit. The Yin Yu Tang Home is conventional chinese language home from the Qing Dynasty that was transferred over and rebuilt on the museum. You’ll be able to discover the within and peer into the middle courtyard. This museum could be finest for center college youngsters and up as a result of its extra mature artwork and historical past. 

The Peabody Essex Museum is positioned at 161 Essex Avenue, Salem, MA 01970.

South Shore Pure Science Heart, Norwell, MA

The South Shore Pure Science Heart is a nonprofit group dedicated to educating youngsters in regards to the pure and cultural surroundings. It options a big EcoZone Museum with an interactive exhibit that includes the ecosystems of Southeast Massachusetts. This science middle is a superb place to discover native creatures and ecosystems with six nature trails, acres of conservation land, and a youngsters’s backyard. There’s additionally a picnic space and out of doors amphitheater! 

The South Shore Pure Science Heart is positioned at 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell, MA 02061.

Finest Museums in New Hampshire

Currier Museum of Artwork, Manchester, NH 

The Currier Museum of Artwork options American and European artwork, each basic and fashionable, with works from artists similar to Claude Monet, Andrew Wyeth, Pablo Picasso, and John Singleton Copley. The place is small however affords a wide range of high quality artwork items and with the addition of the Winter Backyard Cafe. 

The Currier Museum is positioned at 150 Ash Avenue, Manchester, NH, 03104.

Strawberry Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH

Strawberry Banke Museum is a historic neighborhood the place roleplayers and interactive crafts take you again in time a whole lot of years. Many heirloom gardens and genuine historic homes are open for touring. There’s additionally an iceskating rink and a fairy home competitors within the spring. Moving into this neighborhood is a superb expertise for these need to perceive how individuals lived prior to now. Kids of all ages can get pleasure from this museum, nonetheless elementary college to center college might be one of the best time to go to. 

Learn extra on issues to do in Portsmouth, NH whereas within the space.  

Strawberry Banke Museum is positioned at 14 Hancock Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Heart, Harmony, NH

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Heart is a dream for space-lovers. The museum honors Alan Shepard, the primary American in area, and Christa McAuliffe, NASA’s Instructor in Area, and plenty of others. There’s a planetarium, observatory, duplicate of an area shuttle, a rocket playground, and several other different space-themed reveals. My daughter loves area and could be enthralled by this museum. It’s excellent for elementary and center college aged youngsters, or any space-lover. 

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Heart is positioned at 2 Institute Drive, Harmony, NH 03301.

The Mt. Washington Valley (MWV) Kids’s Museum, North Conway, NH

The MWV Kids’s Museum is a superb cease on a wet or quiet day when you’re within the space visiting North Conway or the White Mountains. The museum is finest for ages 0-9, as younger youngsters can placed on a puppet present, climb via castles and tractors, construct within the Lego room, cook dinner in a pizza kitchen, and climb via a tree home!

The MWV Kids’s Museum is positioned at 2936 White Mountain Freeway, North Conway, NH 03860.

Finest Rhode Island Museums

Windfall Kids’s Museum, Windfall, RI

In contrast to different childrens museums that cater to the pre-school set, the newly renovated Windfall Kids’s Museum has one thing to supply youngsters as much as about 10 or 11, particularly the out of doors climbing construction. My daughter at all times beloved the Water Methods space, which is a well-liked spot amongst many youngsters. Be sure to carry a change of garments on your child, particularly if they’re youthful and luxuriate in a bit of mess. Children can can discover a number of arms on studying actibties like can constructing with blocks, tubes, and shapes.

The Windfall Kids’s Museum is positioned at 100 South Avenue, Windfall, RI.

Rhode Island College of Design (RISD) Museum, Windfall, RI

The RISD Museum represents culturally various artwork protecting a number of time intervals. I used to be stunned with the depth and number of its assortment, from Monets to fashionable artwork to textile reveals to Historical Egyptian, Greek and Roman artwork. A child favourite is the twelfth century big Buddha within the Asian artwork part. With extra of a gallery focus, older youngsters will more than likely have an incredible appreciation for the items. 

The RISD Museum is positioned at 20 North Essential Avenue, Windfall, RI 02903.

finest Vermont Museums

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Heart, Burlington, VT

The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Heart helps youngsters discover the ecology, tradition, and historical past within the Lake Champlain space with over 100 hands-on reveals. With over 60 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, youngsters may get pleasure from stay animal feedings and exploration. The middle is small and simple to navigate, making it an incredible spot for younger youngsters. When you’re in Burlington, try issues to do In Burlington VT. 

 ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Heart is positioned at 1 School Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401.

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, VT

The Montshire Museum of Science promotes early studying for kids ages 2-5 via interactive reveals together with earth and astronomy, climate, native vegetation, creatures, and sound and listening to. Kids benefit from the out of doors water reveals, puzzles and video games, and a bubble station. With each indoor and out of doors alternatives to study, youngsters can simply spend hours partaking in academic play.  

Montshire Museum is positioned at 1 Montshire Rd, Norwich, VT 05055.

Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT

Once I was a child we went to Vermont for each trip to go to my grandmother. We might then take day journeys across the state and I bear in mind the Shelburne Museum as a group of assorted farm buildings. At present, it has over 150,000 artworks throughout 38 buildings, together with historic homes and buildings like a blacksmith store, jail, and schoolhouse. The museum has a number of buildings together with the circus constructing, steam ship and prepare vehicles. 

The Shelburne Museum is positioned at 6000 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.

Subsequent time you wish to trip or day journey in New England, be certain that to take a look at these extremely vibrant museums to make your keep extra memorable!

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey, named the Media Member of the Yr for 2023 by the Household Journey Affiliation. Tamara is a member of SATW, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.

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