New England’s vast American history, vibrant natural ecosystems, literary and artistic roots, and cutting-edge scientific research make it a hot spot for quality museums. If you are looking for things to do in New England with kids, make sure to check out these best museums in New England with kids for all interests and ages.
These museums offer experiential learning and interactive play, an essential part of childhood. From hands-on science experiments to exploring authentic historic artifacts, New England museums offer engagement for a range of ages from toddlers to seniors.
Looking for a specific type of museum? Here are some top picks:
Best for history buffs: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Best for interactive play: Boston Children’s Museum
Best for science lovers: Boston Museum of Science
Best for toddlers: Montshire Museum of Science
Best for nature lovers: ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
Best for teens: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Best Museums in New England
Best Museums in Connecticut
Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, Mashantucket, CT
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum follows the history of the region and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation over the past 18,000 years. This museum is fascinating and no expense was spared to illustrate this history, but a real highlight is the 22,000 sq. ft. model of a 16th-century tribal village.
Explore exhibits of Native art and creation stories, and then head upstairs to learn about Pequot families on and off the reservation. You can travel back in time to the ice age at the Glacial Crevasse & A World of Ice exhibit, or walk through the Pequot Village exhibit and witness what daily life was like 500 years ago!
Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is located at 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338.
Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT
Mystic Seaport is a maritime museum and replica 19th-century fishing village. Kids love the hands-on exhibits and living history demonstrations from blacksmiths, shopkeepers, and ship smiths. You can also climb on the historic vessels, take a horse and carriage ride, take a boat ride, or stargaze at the Planetarium.
This museum offers both immersive education from knowledgeable workers and entertainment. I would recommend spending a good few hours here for there is a lot to see. If you have time, stop by the Mystic Seaport Aquarium where you see beluga whales and jellyfish tanks, shop, and eat delicious nearby seafood. See more things to do in Mystic.
Mystic Seaport is located 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355.
Best Museums in Maine
Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, Portland, ME
The Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine offers so much to entertain the kids including a mini planetarium, rock wall, water play area, a fire station, a mini Whole Foods, and even a toddler area. The museum offers unique experiences for learning like in the Meet Our Neighbors Exhibit where children can learn about Korean culture and language. MakerSpace is another unique exhibit open to drawing, sculpting, or engineering anything of your imagination! It’s small and easily walkable within the city, great for young kids.
The Children’s Museum is located at 250 Thompsons Point Rd, Portland, ME, 04102.
Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME
Portland Museum of Art’s small size makes it a perfect choice to test out an art museum with kids. The museum features works from Rose Marasco, Maine’s most prolific living photographer, as well as American, European, and contemporary art. The museum has a creative space and offers several programs for families. See more things to do in Portland and where to eat downtown.
The Portland Art Museum is located at 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME.
Best Museums in Massachusetts
Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA
While not your traditional museum, Battleship Cove teaches about history by letting you climb on and explore three authentic battleships that saw action in World War II, the USS Massachusetts, USS Joseph Kennedy Jr., and the USS Lionfish. You can also explore exhibits about Pearl Harbor, women in service, D-Day, and more.
A visit to Battleship Cove is great for students studying WWII, history buffs, or just those who like to get hands-on with exhibits — especially the big guns! This spot is especially popular among many Cub Scout troops.
Battleship Cove is located at 5 Water Street, Fall River, MA 02721.
Boston Tea Party Museum, Boston, MA
The Boston Tea Party Museum is a great introduction to early American history and the Revolutionary War. You can go on the Beaver, a replica of one of the three ships part of the original tea party, and toss “tea” off the ship.
Kids will love being a part of such a historic event. Live actors reennact historic events, the museum hosts moving portraits of King George III and Sam Adams, and there is Abigal’s tea room to end with snacks. This super interactive experience will help children learn American history in a fun and digestible fashion. See more about visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum with kids.
The Boston Tea Party Museum is located at 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210.
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
If you are in the Berkshires, the Berkshire Museum is a great place to spend an hour or two with kids. Downstairs they have a small aquarium, while on the main level you can explore the history and ecosystem of the area with a small natural history museum and the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, which tells the tale of many local inventors and entrepreneurs. See more things to do in the Berkshires with kids.
The Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Plimoth and Patuxet Museums, Plymouth, MA
Plymouth is the home to the history of the first interactions between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag. The Plimoth and Patuxet Museums have several sites from the Mayflower II to the Patuxet Homesite, but the historic 17th century English Village is a must-see where you can walk through a real replica of where early Colonists lived. With costumed interpreters, it is a great place for children to learn about complex history in a fun and interactive way.
This is a good opportunity for children to understand the story of the Wampanoag people and how they lived their lives. See more things to do in Plymouth.
The Plimouth Patuxet Museum is located at 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360.
Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
The Boston Children’s Museum is one of the best that I’ve been to. There are so many different areas to explore — a three-story New Balance climbing structure, the always enthralling Japanese house, construction zone, and so much more. The bubbles area is especially a crowd pleaser keeping kids mesmorized.
The Boston Children’s Museum is located at 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.
Boston Museum of Science, Boston, MA
We’ve been to the Boston Museum of Science many times, including for a couple of sleepover “Nights at the Museum”. With an IMAX theater, planetarium, butterfly garden, and exhibits about the human body, electricity, and physics, people of all ages can find themselves immersed in a world of creativity. Explore the Science in the Park exhibit where you can learn about physics through interactive play. This is a great spot for kids with swings and running tracks to test your speed, it is easy to spend hours here.
Dont forget to say hello to the two story T-Rex. The Theater of Electricity is a spectacular event where you can witness a real lightning show. Some loud noises may upset little kids, but there are spots on floors above where you can watch the show from a quiter environment! The musical stairs and the discovery center are perfect places for toddlers and elementary school aged kids.
The Boston Museum of Science is located at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA, 02114.
Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA
Have you ever read the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? Eric Carle’s picture books are crafted from his unique art style, painting, drying and collaging tissue paper. The Eric Carle Museum showcases art by Eric Carle and other artists, varying in style and theme. The environment is perfect for toddlers and younger elementary school children, or any Eric Carle fans, and you get to explore the art. Alongside the museum, there is a bookshop, art studio, and a reading library. Nearby, you can explore the Yankee Candle Village!
The Eric Carle Museum is located at 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA 01002.
Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, MA
All about the famous Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum lets you explore his techniques of story telling through interactive exhibits. Visitors can experiment with sound, play rhythm games, and create their own stories of imagination! With a combination of both his life history and work displayed, you can explore Dr. Seuss’ journey. This museum is great for younger children, or any lover of Dr. Seuss.
While in the area check out fun things to do near Springfield.
The Dr. Seuss Museum is located at 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
The Discovery Museums, Acton, MA
The Discovery Museums on the South Shore are really two museums for one price — the Science Discovery Museum and the Children’s Discovery Museum. The Children’s Museum promotes STEM-based learning for younger kids with each room dedicated to exploring a different science concept through a theme. The Science Museum on the other hand is very hands on, with a woodworking shop, sound lab, nano science exhibit and so much more. Kids will love designing elaborate ball runs and pathways. The outdoor treehouse is a fan favorite which is perfect for kids ages 3-6 years old.
The Discovery Museums are located at 177 Main Street (Route 27) Acton, Massachusetts 01720.
EcoTarium, Worcester, MA
The EcoTarium is an indoor-outdoor museum covering science and nature with a planetarium, outdoor nature exhibits, seasonal campus train ride and animals from otters to chinchillas. When my husband and daughter went, they loved the outdoor treetop canopy walkways and ziplines. The “Wild Music” is also a popular exhibit.
The EcoTarium is located at 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA 01604.
Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA
The Harvard Art Museums consists of the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler Museums. Renovations were from architect Renzo Piano, who designed the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The building is as beautiful as the masterpieces it holds. The galleries are consistently revolving so make sure to check out their website to see if your favorite artist is currently on display. Reflect on the art at Jenny’s cafe and Calderwood Courtyard and make sure to stop by the shop for a keepsake.
The Harvard Art Museums are located at 32 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is located within walking distance to the Museum of Fine Arts, but it is much smaller. It has much to interest kids in its architecture, from a beautiful courtyard to a medieval tapestry room. If your kids love a good mystery, the story of the art heist at the museum will capture their interest; the empty spaces where the paintings used to be are still there! Each new room is dynamic and offers a new theme, perfect for capturing the imagination. The museum itself is most fit for older kids, middle school age and older due to more fragile articfacts and not many oopportunities for interactive play.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is located at 25 Evans Way, Boston 02115.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston MA
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is one of my daughter’s favorite art museums. The Egyptian exhibit is a very popular with thousands of works of ancient art and artifacts. We also love checking out the Asian art collections, as well as the European masters. Children that are very interested in art are most likely to enjoy this museum, and it is more interesting going into it with previous knowledge of a favorite painter. Elementary on up ages would enjoy this museum the best.
The Museum of Fine Arts is located at 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
Nantucket Whaling Museum, Nantucket, MA
The Nantucket Whaling Museum is a great way to learn the history of Nantucket in an interactive way. It is kid friendly with dress up clothes and a skeleton of a giant sperm whale. Families can also pick up a guidebook that follows Puritan children through a journey around the museum. Visiting Nantucket? Here are some ideas for the ideal Nantucket itinerary.
The Whaling Museum is located at 13 Broad St Nantucket, MA 02554.
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
The Peabody Essex Museum is a nice addition to a day trip to Salem. It is a beautiful building with a strong collection of nautical and Chinese art. Our favorite was the temporary “Branching Out: Trees as Art” exhibit. The Yin Yu Tang House is traditional chinese house from the Qing Dynasty that was transferred over and rebuilt at the museum. You can explore the inside and peer into the center courtyard. This museum would be best for middle school kids and up due to its more mature art and history.
The Peabody Essex Museum is located at 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970.
South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell, MA
The South Shore Natural Science Center is a nonprofit organization devoted to educating children about the natural and cultural environment. It features a large EcoZone Museum with an interactive exhibit featuring the ecosystems of Southeast Massachusetts. This science center is a great place to explore local creatures and ecosystems with six nature trails, acres of conservation land, and a children’s garden. There is also a picnic area and outdoor amphitheater!
The South Shore Natural Science Center is located at 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell, MA 02061.
Best Museums in New Hampshire
Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH
The Currier Museum of Art features American and European art, both classic and modern, with works from artists such as Claude Monet, Andrew Wyeth, Pablo Picasso, and John Singleton Copley. The place is small but offers a variety of quality art pieces and with the addition of the Winter Garden Cafe.
The Currier Museum is located at 150 Ash Street, Manchester, NH, 03104.
Strawberry Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH
Strawberry Banke Museum is a historic neighborhood where roleplayers and interactive crafts take you back in time hundreds of years. Many heirloom gardens and authentic historic houses are open for touring. There is also an iceskating rink and a fairy house competition in the spring. Stepping into this neighborhood is a great experience for those want to understand how people lived in the past. Children of all ages can enjoy this museum, however elementary school to middle school is probably the best time to visit.
Read more on things to do in Portsmouth, NH while in the area.
Strawberry Banke Museum is located at 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord, NH
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a dream for space-lovers. The museum honors Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and Christa McAuliffe, NASA’s Teacher in Space, and many others. There is a planetarium, observatory, replica of a space shuttle, a rocket playground, and several other space-themed exhibits. My daughter loves space and would be enthralled by this museum. It is perfect for elementary and middle school aged kids, or any space-lover.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is located at 2 Institute Drive, Concord, NH 03301.
The Mt. Washington Valley (MWV) Children’s Museum, North Conway, NH
The MWV Children’s Museum is a great stop on a rainy or quiet day when you are in the area visiting North Conway or the White Mountains. The museum is best for ages 0-9, as young kids can put on a puppet show, climb through castles and tractors, build in the Lego room, cook in a pizza kitchen, and climb through a tree house!
The MWV Children’s Museum is located at 2936 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860.
Best Rhode Island Museums
Providence Children’s Museum, Providence, RI
Unlike other childrens museums that cater to the pre-school set, the newly renovated Providence Children’s Museum has something to offer kids up to about 10 or 11, especially the outdoor climbing structure. My daughter always loved the Water Ways area, which is a popular spot among many kids. Make sure to bring a change of clothes for your kid, especially if they are younger and enjoy a little mess. Kids can can explore several hands on learning actibties like can building with blocks, tubes, and shapes.
The Providence Children’s Museum is located at 100 South Street, Providence, RI.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum, Providence, RI
The RISD Museum represents culturally diverse art covering several time periods. I was surprised with the depth and variety of its collection, from Monets to modern art to textile exhibits to Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. A kid favorite is the 12th century giant Buddha in the Asian art section. With more of a gallery focus, older children will most likely have a great appreciation for the pieces.
The RISD Museum is located at 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903.
best Vermont Museums
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, VT
The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center helps kids explore the ecology, culture, and history in the Lake Champlain area with over 100 hands-on exhibits. With over 60 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, kids can also enjoy live animal feedings and exploration. The center is small and easy to navigate, making it a great spot for young kids. While you’re in Burlington, check out things to do In Burlington VT.
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is located at 1 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401.
Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, VT
The Montshire Museum of Science promotes early learning for children ages 2-5 through interactive exhibits including earth and astronomy, weather, native plants, creatures, and sound and hearing. Children enjoy the outdoor water exhibits, puzzles and games, and a bubble station. With both indoor and outdoor opportunities to learn, children can easily spend hours engaging in educational play.
Montshire Museum is located at 1 Montshire Rd, Norwich, VT 05055.
Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT
When I was a kid we went to Vermont for every vacation to visit my grandmother. We would then take day trips around the state and I remember the Shelburne Museum as a collection of various farm buildings. Today, it has over 150,000 works of art across 38 buildings, including historic houses and buildings like a blacksmith shop, jail, and schoolhouse. The museum has several structures including the circus building, steam ship and train cars.
The Shelburne Museum is located at 6000 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482.
Next time you are looking to vacation or day trip in New England, make sure to check out these incredibly vibrant museums to make your stay more memorable!
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.
