The Museum of Science is a marvelous place to visit during your Boston vacation.

The museum has three floors of exciting exhibits, the Mugar Omni Theater, and the Charles Hayden Planetarium. They also have seasonal exhibits, and so there’s always something new to see – even if you’ve visited it many times before.

At the moment they have a special exhibit on The Brain, and Butterflies. The Butterfly exhibit and the Omni Theater and Planetarium are an additional charge to the regular exhibit admission. But you can purchase combo tickets.

I just came back from visiting the Museum of Science with my three sons, and we had a blast. Plenty to touch and see. We’ve been there many times before and have our old favorites, but always take in the new stuff as well.

Here’s a quick rundown on our day and what you can expect to see and do…

I got the combo for the exhibits and Planetarium. They were showing a special feature today at the Planetarium called “Countdown to Supernova.” You’ll discover the different types of Suns, and why some just dwindle and wimper away, and why others explode in a magnificent explosion called a Supernova! In October they have a special Star Wars exhibit coming to the Planetarium. Must youngest son has his birthday in October and he’s already decided to see it as one of his presents.

The Omni Theater shows IMAX films. Among many others they’re showing the 1996 Everest IMAX film, considered by many to be the best IMAX film ever released. This was filmed during the climbing season when 8 people lost their lives in the worst disaster ever on Everest.

Now on to our favorites…

If you’re tagging kids with you then check out the “Archimedean Excogitation” 1987 sculpture by George Rhoads. This is a AudioKinectic Sculpture on the lower level in the Green Wing.

This is one of those “got to see it to believe it” exhibits. It’s like a giant toy that moves metal balls through an ascending array of unusual mechanisms making sounds and creating a mesmeric visual experience for kids and adults.

The Theater of Electricity and T. Rex exhibits in the Blue Wing are probably the most popular exhibits at the museum. Stay around for the Electricity Show - it’s spectacular! And in the Dinosaur exhibit you’ll see a cast of the only Tyrannosaurus Rex footprint ever found.

One exhibit I always take in is the Giant Sequoia. This is a cross section of a tree cut down in 1950 from California’s Sequoia National Park. The tree was badly damaged anyway. The Giant Sequois are the world’s most massive trees.

Here’s why this exhibit is amazing…

The tree started growing when Julius Caesar was born in 95 BC. Marked on this cross section are various dates in history, which just makes you realize how our time on earth is short compared to this beauty!

Well, the kids and I spent a whole lot more time on exhibits but I’ve run out of room and time. Just make sure you visit the Museum of Science during your Boston Vacations.

As a bonus the Boston Duck Tour departs from the Museum of Science so you can do two great activities in one day and from one place.

If you’d like more ideas and suggestions for things to see and do on your Boston vacation then you can check out the Boston vacation page at the New England Vacation Guide site by clicking here.

Have a thrilling day at the Museum of Science.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Vacations Guide.com

Related posts:

1. Darwin at the Museum of Science in Boston
2. Is Body Worlds 2 Art or Science?
3. The Commonwealth Museum of Massachusetts in Boston
4. Is There Really a Museum of Bad Art in Boston?
5. Want To Visit Mystic Seaport?