For the curious-minded, science museums provide wonderment and education for all ages, with programming for kids and adults alike. From interactive exhibits to giant fossils and immersive films, science centers make for engaging and lively group tours that allow visitors to explore at their own pace. These science museums in the Northeast welcome large groups and provide memorable programs and exhibits across all topics, from space exploration to prehistoric fossils to the human body.
The Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts, is a popular destination with numerous interactive exhibits, immersive films, and live presentations. The museum offers several immersive theater opportunities, including star shows at the Charles Hayden Planetarium and large-format films presented on the Magnum Omni Theater’s IMAX Dome screen—the only one in New England. It also boasts an innovative 4D theater that offers a complete sensory experience.
Visiting groups of 15 or more receive discounts on attractions and food. The museum also offers programming specifically for adults. Evening presentations blend art, science, and technology in Sub-Space, a lab designed for thoughtful, immersive experiences.
The Montreal Science Centre located in the Old Port of Montreal, Quebec, can welcome up to 1,200 people a day, with workshops and permanent exhibits catering to all ages. The museum also includes an IMAX theater as well as interactive exhibitions dedicated to such topics as human evolution, the universe, and northern Canadian exploration.
Groups of 15 people or more receive discounted rates and one free ticket for every 15 tickets purchased. Ticket prices vary depending on the chosen activities and group age. Groups also have access to a lunchroom for 30 minutes that’s incorporated into the scheduled activities.
Credit: The Franklin Institute/Daniel Knoll
The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers live shows, a planetarium experience, and immersive exhibits, including spaces dedicated to the cosmos and the human body. A new exhibition is connected to Universal Pictures, exploring the entertainment studio’s history of exciting creatures on the big screen, from dinosaurs in “Jurassic Park” to the Minions of “Despicable Me.”
Groups of 15 or more receive special rates, and add-ons for planetarium and live science shows also are available, as are lunch options including meal vouchers. The lunchroom has a capacity of 150 while the second floor Eatery holds 100 guests.
The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford features permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on space, energy, engineering, and geography, among other topics. A current, albeit limited-time, exhibition explores the world of sharks in thrilling ways.
The center welcomes groups of all ages with discounted admission. Several additional experiences can be included, including a laboratory exploration, a Butterfly Encounter, a stage show, or an immersive movie.
The Discovery Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, features rotating exhibits as well as immersive films. Exhibits change every few months, so be sure to check in to see what’s being promoted ahead of time. A facilitator will greet your group and help you start your self-guided exploration. Admission to the Dome Theater, a 65-seat accessible theater with 4K laser projection with short films running several times a day, also is available for an extra fee.
The Liberty Science Center in New Jersey is located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. It features 12 exhibition halls, a 3D theater, live plant and animal species, and the biggest planetarium in the nation. While many of the interactive exhibits cater primarily to children, there are immersive opportunities for adults, including a wild animal exhibit, an aquarium, and a monthly social event with drinks and live entertainment. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
By Anthony Marcusa
Main Image: Charles Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts; Credit: Boston Museum of Science
