Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Among the 500-plus exhibits, you might meet a dinosaur or a live butterfly, find
out how much you'd weigh on the moon, battle urban traffic (in a computer model),
or climb into a space module. Activity centers and exhibits focus on fields of inter-
est—natural history (with live animals), computers, the human body—while others
take an interdisciplinary approach. Investigate! teaches visitors to think like scientists,
formulating questions, finding evidence, and drawing conclusions through activities
such as strapping on a skin sensor to measure reactions to stimuli or sifting through
an archaeological site. Beyond the X-Ray explores medical-imaging techniques and
allows would-be diagnosticians to try to figure out what's ailing their “patients.” The
Science in the Park exhibit introduces the concepts of Newtonian physics through
familiar objects such as playground equipment and skateboards. Temporary exhibits
change regularly, and just about any major touring show (national or international)
that focuses on a scientific topic stops here.The separate-admission theaters are worth
planning for. Even if you're skipping the exhibits, try to see a show. If you're making
a day of it, buy all your tickets at once—shows sometimes sell out. The Mugar Omni
Theater , which shows IMAX movies, is an intense experience, bombarding you
with images on a five-story domed screen and digital sound. The engulfing sensations
and steep pitch of the seating area will have you hanging on for dear life, whether the
film is about Bengal tigers; the Nile; or volcanoes, earthquakes, and tornados. Features
change every 4 to 6 months. The Charles Hayden Planetarium takes visitors
into space with daily star shows and shows on special topics that change several times
a year. On weekends, rock-music laser shows take over. At the entrance is a hands-on
astronomy exhibit called Welcome to the Universe.
The museum has a terrific gift shop, with toys and games that promote learning
without lecturing. The ground-floor Galaxy Cafés have spectacular views of the sky-
line and river. There's a parking garage on the premises, but it's on a busy street, and
entering and exiting can be harrowing; take the T.
Science Park, off O'Brien Hwy. on bridge between Boston and Cambridge. & 617/723-2500. www.mos.org. Admis-
sion to exhibit halls $17 adults, $15 seniors, $14 children 3-11, free for children under 3; to Butterfly Garden or 3-D
Digital Cinema (available only with exhibit hall admission) $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $3 children 3-11. Admission to
Mugar Omni Theater, Hayden Planetarium, or laser shows $9 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children 3-11, free for children
under 3. Discounted combination tickets available. July 5-Labor Day Sat-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-9pm; day after
Labor Day-July 4 Sat-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-9pm. Check ahead for extended hours during school vacations.
Closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25. T: Green Line to Science Park.
New England Aquarium This complex is home to more than 15,000 fish
and aquatic mammals, and at busy times, it seems to contain at least that many peo-
ple—in July and August, try to make this your first stop of the morning, especially on
weekends. Pause as you enter to visit with the harbor seals, who frolic in a free out-
door enclosure just past the ticket booth. Inside, penguins from three continents greet
Kids
Gone Fishing
The Museum of Science's Virtual FishTank uses 3-D computer graphics
and character-animation software that allows visitors to design their own vir-
tual fish. You can even “build” fish on your home computer (visit www.virtual
fishtank.com) and launch them at the museum.
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